Issue 40 winter 23 web - Flipbook - Page 92
Nursemaids’ Tunnel
Situated beneath the Marylebone Road, to the south of the outer circle of Regent’s Park, the Grade II
listed Nursemaids’ Tunnel connects Park Square and Park Cresent. The Metropolitan Underground
line now runs closely beneath. The tunnel was constructed c.1821 as an original part of John Nash’s
Regent’s Park landscape development, and is unique.
Listed in August 2019 for its architectural interest,
Nursemaids’ Tunnel is an early example of a pedestrian
subway, being among the earliest surviving in London,
perhaps the earliest. The portals, with their fluted Doric
columns, are well-executed in stucco, while the tunnel is
constructed in brick with a series of vaulted bays. The
tunnel has a high degree of original fabric, even retaining
several iron hooks and chains embedded in the walls,
which are believed to be fixings for original oil lamps. The
tunnel includes carefully conceived later alterations from
1854 to accommodate the Metropolitan Railway. Its
historic interest is as a pedestrian tunnel built at an early
stage in the development of Regent’s Park, which appears
to be integral to the layout of Park Square and Park
Crescent and closely associated with John Nash’s wider
scheme for one of the most ambitious C19 urban parks.
From 1811 to 1828 the landscaped park was laid out to
John Nash’s designs as a setting for villa residents, and
from 1835 it was opened to the public. Park Square and
Below, north portal during conservation, with loose lime render and
Roman Cement removed
Park Crescent formed a magnificent terminus to Portland
Place and a grand entrance at the south-east corner of
the Royal park. The pedestrian tunnel was conceived
early in the development of Regent’s Park as Marylebone
Road was hazardous to pedestrians, particularly children
crossing between the gardens. Various early plans show
the tunnel approached along serpentine paths leading to
ramps flanked by stone drainage channels, and brick
retaining walls with undulating parapets.
The tunnel acquired the name Nursemaids’ Tunnel when
it became an important link in a popular promenade route
for women walking their children around the gardens.
When the Metropolitan Railway was proposed residents
prevented the tunnel’s demolition, and provision was
made for its retention in the North Metropolitan Railway
Act 1854. Constructing the Metropolitan Railway
required structural alterations: at the tunnel’s centre two
cast-iron arches and a deck were inserted to carry the
tunnel over the railway. During WWII it was used
regularly as an air raid shelter.