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Station gardens competition 1943. Machinist Andrews, with a fork in his right hand, waving to the camera with his left, whilst working in the garden on the westbound platform at Ealing Common Underground station

Gardens on the Underground

Introduction

Despite its name, only 45% of the Underground is below ground. This means lots of stations are out in the open, with plenty of air and sunshine for plants to flourish. From flower beds, vegetable patches, hanging baskets and even ‘tiny parks’ in disused ticket offices, there are gardens across the whole Underground network.

Today’s annual Underground in Bloom competition, run by TfL, has its roots in a tradition that goes back to the beginning of the 20th century and the Metropolitan District Railway.

Discover more about this fascinating competition on our Google Arts & Culture story, part of Gardens United.

Gardens story

Discover the objects

Presentation plaque; plaque inscribed 'Garden Competition District Railway 1st prize 1916'

presentation plaque

B/W print; Station gardens competition 1943 by Topical Press, 3 Aug 1943

b/w print

B/W print; District Railway station gardens competition, 1919 by Topical Press, 1919

b/w print

B/W print; District Railway station gardens competition, Topical Press, 1923

b/w print

Trophy; "Best of All Challenge Cup" issued by London Transport for Station Gardens Competition.

trophy

B/W print; District Railway station gardens competition, 1914 by Topical Press, 1914

b/w print

B/W print; District Railway station gardens competition, Topical Press, 1922

b/w print

B/W print; District line station gardens competition, 1938 by Topical Press, 1 Jul 1938

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B/W print; District Railway station gardens competition, Ealing Broadway, Topical Press, 1926

b/w print

b/w glass neg, District Railway station gardens competition, 1924 by Topical Press, 17 Jul 1924

b/w glass neg

b/w glass neg, District Railway station gardens competition, 1921 by Topical Press, Jul 1921

b/w glass neg

b/w glass neg, District Railway station gardens competition, 1922 by Topical Press, 21 Jul 1922

b/w glass neg

b/w glass neg, District Railway station gardens competition, 1923 by Topical Press, 27 Jul 1923

b/w glass neg

b/w glass neg, District Railway station gardens competition, 1921 by Topical Press, Jul 1921

b/w glass neg

B/W print; District Railway station gardens competition, Topical Press, 1924

b/w print

B/W print; District Railway station gardens competition, Ealing Common, Topical Press, 1924

b/w print

B/W print; District Railway station gardens competition, Acton Town, Topical Press, 1923

b/w print

B/W print; District Railway station gardens competition, Minories, Topical Press, 1925

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B/W print; District Railway station gardens competition, Walham Green, Topical Press, 1927

b/w print

B/W print; District Railway station gardens competition, Ealing Broadway, Topical Press, 1929

b/w print

B/W print; Station gardens competition 1946 by Fox Photos, 10 Aug 1946

b/w print

B/W print; Station gardens competition 1946 by Fox Photos, 10 Aug 1946

b/w print

B/W print; Station gardens competition 1949 by Fox Photos, 1949

b/w print

B/W print; District Railway station gardens competition 1919 by Topical Press, 1919

b/w print

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