South Kensington Tube Station Set for Major £120m Modernisation

One of London’s oldest Underground stations is to undergo a major transformation, with a £120 million upgrade aimed at improving accessibility and easing congestion.

South Kensington station, which has served passengers for more than 150 years, is a key gateway to some of the capital’s most popular attractions, including the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum. Despite handling close to 30 million यात्रneys annually, it currently lacks full step-free access, making it difficult for many passengers to use.

Transport for London (TfL) has now confirmed plans to modernise the Grade II-listed station, focusing on making it more accessible and better equipped to handle growing passenger numbers.

A central part of the project will be the creation of a new entrance on Thurloe Street, which will provide step-free access to the ticket hall, platforms and the pedestrian subway linking to nearby museums. The station’s existing ticket hall will also be expanded to address overcrowding.

As part of the upgrade, a disused platform will be brought back into service for eastbound Circle and District line trains, complete with a new canopy. Maintenance work will also be carried out on the historic entrance at Cromwell Place.

Beyond the station itself, the redevelopment includes wider improvements to the surrounding area. Plans include the construction of around 50 new homes, a proportion of which will be designated as affordable housing. A new four-storey building, known as “The Bullnose”, will provide space for retail, dining and office use.

Design work is expected to begin later this year, with construction scheduled to start in December. The full scheme is anticipated to be completed by 2029.

Deputy Mayor for Transport Seb Dance said the investment would significantly improve journeys for both residents and visitors, particularly through the introduction of step-free access.

Originally opened in 1868, South Kensington is one of the earliest stations on the Underground network. Over the decades, it has evolved to meet increasing demand, including the addition of deep-level platforms in the early 20th century and the well-known pedestrian subway beneath Exhibition Road.

The latest upgrade aims to preserve the station’s historic character while delivering modern facilities suited to the needs of today’s passengers.