I was sitting on one of the Baronial Benches at Barons Court, as someone has just called them, on the westbound platform, late one evening. As I was waiting for the Piccadilly Line, I was facing the opposite platform. While I watched, one of the incandescent light bulbs in the old fitting with its hexagonal opaque glass shade, imploded, showering the empty bench below it with glass. Although I’d always liked the look of the old light fittings, on the whole, I think the modern fittings are better. As for the artists’ studios on the Talgarth Road, did you notice the very thin and tall windows to one side of each of the large windows letting in the north light? They were to allow large canvases to be taken out of the building, if they were too big to go through doors or down the stairs.
@@gavin169 Hopefully, Gavin, you will be able to come to the U.K. one day and put this to good advantage! (If our politicians ever become bored of the current nonsense!) From where do you come? Are you familiar with the N.Y. Subway? From the films I've seen, this looks interesting.
@@norryvamp Je úžasné, že lidé z celého světa rádi sledují videa o londýnském metru! Byl jsi někdy v Londýně, prosím? Pokud ne, možná až bude po současné situaci, můžete mít dovolenou.
I'm Canadian but spent a year in London from 2007-2008. Barons Court was my local station and watching this brought back a flood of memories. Giggling on the platform with friends on our way to a night out, getting off the train after a long day exploring the city and feeling relieved to finally be near "home" so I could relax.I absolutely loved living in that area. Thanks for such a nice dose of nostalgia!
Went to school in Hammersmith in the 70s. Me and my mates used to go up one stop on the Piccadilly line, and sit in the sunshine on Barons Court platform (and try the chocolate machines to see if there was any chance of a freebee). All just for the crack. We were 13 years old and the world was simpler then. Or maybe we were just idiots, I can't remember. But I still think Barons Court is quite nice. Cheers Jago.
@@englishciderlover7347 Thanks for the orthography - but you have to understand that this was the early 1970s, and you did things for the Crack, which was homage to, and short for, Crackerjack. Leslie Crowther and Peter Glaze were absolute heroes, and I still have my Crackerjack pencil.... I'll stop typing rubbish now
I think it's Heathrow Terminals 1,2,3 station where, if you look at the list of stations on the wall opposite the platform, you'll see "Barons court" - two words with a lower-case C - whereas Earl's Court immediately below it has an upper-case C (not to mention an apostrophe). One more to throw into the mix!
Delighted to see those houses with the big windows which thanks to this, I now know to be St Paul's Studios. Used to always see those travelling on the staff hopper from West Middlesex Hospital to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital every day and thought they must've been built for artists. Lovely buildings.
You know, I enjoy every single video you make. But I've taken one step further. Now after the notification arrives I take out my teapot, brew myself a nice cuppa, out some scones on the plate (they are quite uncommon in Russia, but where's the will there's always eBay) and I treat myself to a tiny little spot of englishness with Jago. Thank you for your work, Sir!
Splendid stuff. I too find it a charmingly attractive station. Thanks for putting a little bit more meat on the bones of my appreciation of it. Years ago I went for a meeting around that way, accompanied by my manager. He is someone who enjoys architecture and history, and it was on that occasion I became aware of those wonderful artists' houses. Keep up the great efforts. They are very much appreciated.
According to Debrett's Peerage, Barons Court Station ranks below Earl's Court Station, but above Dukes Court and Marquesses Court Stations. That's why only Earl's Court has its apostrophe.
I've passed through Barons Court a lot on visits to London and when I studied there, but this is the first time I've seen the outside of the station. It looks amazing! Thanks for this video, I wouldn't have known how nice it was otherwise.
That was my station for many a year around a decade ago. Longer before that in the 60s, my Dad used this station to try and pick up Australian girls who'd just arrived to the country (Barons and Earls Court area especially). But enough about my cad of a Dad, thanks for the reminder of the area.
There's a coincidence. I'd only just commented on a radio show called either Barons or Earls of the Court. Then I saw your comment. It might explain the title, and possibly the age of the script writer.
Aussies and Kiwis were endemic round here and Shepherds Bush/Notting Hill at least till the 90s, mainly on working holidays as waiters. I had an NZ lodger who told me he was going to London for the weekend and church on Sunday. I was surprised and impressed until he explained that "Church" was a massive bar frequented by young Antipodeans! He held a party in my house where I lost my garden gate ... but that's another story.
@alanrtment porter Oddly enough, my Dad was a DJ at that time (known as Alan Breck) who DJ'd heavily in central London and elsewhere (he had a residence at the Playboy Club). I'll ask him when I speak to him tomorrow if he ever played at the Birds Nest. Went there in 2009, not a bad little place 👍
Dear Mr. Jago. Can the government list you as not only a key worker, but ESSENTIAL for maintaining public sanity? Your content and knowledge has been a beacon for me and, dare I say countless thousands of others, during what has undoubtedly been a truly dreadful 2020. Well, that's apart from discovering your YT channel!
We lived above a shop directly opposite the station when we first got married 40 years ago, found memories. Loved living there. Buildings on Telgarth road shown used and still might housed a ballet school. Queens club is just down the road. Visited last year still a charming place.
My partner and I fly into Heathrow about every other year to visit our friend in Woodford Green. The transfer from the Piccadilly Line to the Central Line at Holborn was a nightmare with climbing all the staircases with luggage. Thanks to a tip from a local lady, we now transfer from the Piccadilly to the District Line at Barons Court and then switch to the Central Line at Mile End. Each transfer only requires a few steps across the platform. The timing is about the same, but sooooo much easier.
When I was young we used to come up from the South Coast to stay with friends at South Woodford. My Dad used the same trick - we would come into Victoria rather than Waterloo, take the District to Mile End and use the cross-platform interchange. Would be useful if they put them on tube maps! For example you have XP from the Victoria line to the Northern line City branch and the Bakerloo, and the Piccadilly at Finsbury Park, but not the Northern line Charing Cross branch or the Piccadilly at Green Park or Kings Cross. Took me a few trips to discover that!
@Ian Kemp It would be great if London had a chat line, like Facebook etc., discussing all the shortcuts and tips for negotiating the tube. New York City has several and they work great. I'm told that the London Passenger Transport Board discourages the practice as they believe it might interfere negatively with their scheduling and traffic patterns. Sounds short-sighted to me.
Nice video. I think the architectural style is classed as Edwardian Baroque, though the ironwork is Art Nouveau. The station featured in a Barrie Mackenzie strip cartoon in Private Eye. He mistook it for a cinema and thought Baron's Court was the name of the film that was showing, and asked for a ticket in the stalls. I have a fond memory of the station when I was commuting from Earl's Court to work at Finsbury Park A colleague tried to encourage me to read Marx and gave me a copy of the Communist Manifesto to read on the way home. I opened the book and started reading. I remember the trains stopping at Arsenal, the first station, and was woken up by cold air coming into the train, which meant I had to go back a stop to Earl's Court.
I use to use Wembley Park Underground Station, and was saddened when the ‘Metropolitan Railway (MR) roundel on the frontage was destroyed during the extensive upgrade.
I loved arriving at this station before my mad dash across Margravine Gardens and the Cemetery... did this for over 3 years night and day during my nurse training at Charing Cross Hospital in 1985. I travelled down from Islington because I lived near Highbury and was not a “live in” Retired now and love revisiting these places of my youth - nostalgic moments viewed now from Wales !!! I do miss the “ old smoke” 😊
Lovely to see good old Barons Court again - many happy memories of this station. Still as I remember. Used to walk past the artist houses every day on the way to Charing Cross hospital - always wondered about their unusual design - now 30 years later I know, thanks to you, Jago.
I was told that Barons Court got its name due to being located next to Earl’s Court by property developers. The reason why Earl’s Court has apostrophe and Barons Court doesn’t. Is because it was named after the Earl of Oxford who once had Lord ship of the area.
@@jimtuite3451 If you find a picture of the main entrance to Earl's Court station, you will see that the original lettering embedded in the brickwork didn't have that apostrophe.
Another excellent video. I don’t think I’ve ever stopped at Barons Court but looks like an excellent station with some neat touches (including the now locked exit door in the frontage! - once you enter, you may never leave!)
Thank you for showing me the outside of the station. I only ever used it to switch from the District Line to the Piccadilly line when travelling to Heathrow. It took fewer than 10 steps to get from one uncrowded platform to the other. Much more convenient than Earls Court where you are normally advised to switch lines. Equally swift on the return journey.
What an utterly pleasant station that also allows easy interchange between Piccadilly and District Lines at the same level and at the surface! Great to see it featured. Thank You
St Paul’s Studios are hands down my favourite buildings in London! Before I lived in the city, I remember travelling to London via coach on a school trip, and coming from Somerset we passed them on the A4. They always stuck in my mind as an example of architecture that stood out, without being attention-grabbing or unattractive.
Today, in nightmare Friday afternoon traffic, I drove up next to Barons Court & turned left in front of it onto the Great West Road. "This is charming," I thought, "I wonder if Jago knows about it." And of course he does.
I have no idea why I am watching this. I don't even live in London not even remotely. I live in Germany. Your presentation is amazing, I didn't question this at all until after the video.
Great to see so much in and around the station. My only experience was a quick change from the District there to the Piccadilly (so much quieter than Hammersmith) and sitting on those baronial benches.
In a previous life I spent several years as Piccadilly Line train crew, starting when 1959 stock were very much in the majority and ending when 1973s had completely taken over. At certain times of the year the sun would be aligned with the tunnel mouth and the Motorman (later Train Driver now Operator) would be almost blinded emerging from the tunnel mouth. If I had a pound for every time I worked a train through Barons Court I wouldn't be better off than I am now but would have had a better time along the way.
I often use this station, it is a nice station. When the paperchase shut down I was expecting a Pret to open but as this is 2020 I don't think that will happen, but something posh might open as the area is laa-de-dah.
Thanks another really 'nice' video, the station building interiors reminded me of some of the listed stations on the Berlin U-Bahn. My favourite station is Horsted Keynes built by the LB&SCR in 1882, a junction station with 5 platforms in the middle of 'nowhere', it was the busiest station on the line in terms of services but arguably one of the quieter for passengers, as was quite common the station was a hike from the village of Horsted Keynes being about 1.5 miles from the station. In the 1930's the SR added a third rail electric service from Seaford to Hayward's Heath via Ardlingly, the service used only platform 2 at Horsted Keynes, the Bluebell Railway own the track bed as far as Ardingly and have ambitions to re-open to Copyhold Junction/ Haywards Heath ..... Drew
Interesting that, in an era when people understood "possession" in Grammar, that neither stations' wall plaques was spelt Baron's Court or Earl's Court! The Ticket Office entrance to Edgware Road Tube Station is also quite nice!
It's not necessarily a statement of possession. It could just be the court named after the barons, just like Downing Street is the street named after Sir George Downing.
@@NigelWest1950 That's not a rule. Apostrophes in place names are rare but they certainly exist: Land's End, King's Lynn and Bishop's Stortford are probably the most well-known examples. King's Heath and King's Norton are areas of Birmingham, though the city council there prefers to omit the apostrophes. Essex seems to have a lot of little apostrophed villages: Bedlar's Green, Broad's Green, Butcher's Pasture, Gaunt's End, Hardy's Green, Holder's Green, Loyter's Green, Miller's Green, Smythe's Green, Tyler's Green, Waltham's Cross, etc. (And I assume you mean possessive apostrophes, so John O'Groats and Tolleshunt D'Arcy don't count.)
An old station used to exist at 'Welsh Harp' near Brent Cross. Opened in 1870 it too was in the countryside and a such was used by the good people of London for a day in the country...Incredibly it was closed just 33 years later in 1903.
Oh Barons Court how important you are to us. Land at Heathrow, find & top up our UK London Oyster Card and hop on the Piccadilly Line. Off at Barons Court and roll the bag over to the District line (same platform). District to Mile End and roll over to the Central Line (same platform), take Central to Epping. Tap out at Epping and take bus to Ongar. Reverse journey going home. Without Mile End and good old Barons Court it would be a much more complicated journey. How about a tales from tube at Mile End. Great video as always . Thank you!
Its very beautiful. The more videos you do the better. Every time I've been to Barons Court its been so busy. My favorite station is Epping, we go there when visiting the Epping Ongar Railway. In summer it has beautiful hanging baskets, and there is a charming Coffee kiosk. Its so well cared for even the rest rooms are so clean. Attached to it is a house with a lovely cottage garden. I could go on forever.
Great video. You explained the St Paul’s studios to me. I had been curious what exactly the story was with those homes from catching frequent glimpses of them while going to/from LHR and our hotel in the city. Well done for sparking the annals of lagged memories, thank you.
Love the architecture of Barons Court station. Reminds me of photos of east coast railroad stations in America. Thanks for another interesting, and informative vid. Also love the humour. Cheers!
Barons court was the station I'd use to get to my college (Hammersmith College) for 3 years. So many student gatherings we used to have at the station. Happiest of memories in it. I was kinda hoping to see a glimpse of the college in the video as well just like the surrounding houses that were showcased...! But I'll take what I can get. It also reminded me of my long commute home all the way to Barking on the District Line. My how I miss my youth and London with it. Good times.
Those studio houses look quite nice. Actually surprised the idea didn't catch on. Personally I would have had one at the front and back of the house. Modernly they could be considered 2nd floor sunrooms or greenhouses to us on the other side of the pond. I now have another home design idea if I ever get to build my own home here. And yes you are right that station is quite nice.
I took a walk around there a couple of years ago. Friends of mine were clueless as to why. But I find it an interesting area. Gurdjieff and Ouspensky have links to a studio nearby.
If you stand outside this station during the morning rush hour, you get to see members of the Royal Ballet alighting, who go to one of those studios for rehearsals.
I passed through Baron's Court station on my way to Heathrow airport and those benches certainly caught my eye. I always thought I would make a special journey back just to photograph them but when I do, will actually leave the station and take a walkabout to look at the local architecture.
Great video! I grew up between Barons Court and West Kensington so, yes! Do one on West Kensington. (Or "West Ken" as all the locals call it). I recently visited the station and it was quite charming. Kind of a county station right in the town. I guess when it was built it was quite rural there. My mother recalls it being fields. Re Barons Court - it really is a wonderful building. It would really be improved with some better lighting. Those industrial fluorescent tubes on the stair canopies are quite ugly.
Nice video about a nice station. Not sure if I've ever got off there, but it's a handy place to change between the District and Piccadilly Lines if you're going to Heathrow (side by side platforms and less busy than Hammersmith) and you get a chance to use those lovely benches!
I used to live in a flat in the first block you show during your intro - lovely part of town - but Jesus Christ the tube trains were noisy at night, as my bedroom over-looked the tracks!
Used to have a friend who used to live in one of the artists houses. I would love a tour of those houses. Also went to saint edmunds school which was an 8 minute walk from the station. Love the area especially in the summer and when queens club hosts the tennis tournament prior to wimbledon
Barons Court I’d say is quite “Quaint”. Very beautiful station. And yes please do West Kensington as well please. Plus say “Quaint” can’t get even more posher. 😊
Hi Jago! Thanks for your interesting and informative videos. I was recently walking along the old Watford and Rickmansworth Railway (now the Ebury Way path) and took some video you are welcome to use.
Geographical locations are infuriatingly inconsistent with the use of apostrophes. Some street names have 'em, some don't. Some places have signs where there is an apostrophe on the sign at one end of a road, whilst the sign at the other end is presented sans apostrophe. Arrrgh! Personally, I'd like to see all the greengrocers' apostrophes confiscated, and placed where they belong; on all the geographical places that have misplaced theirs over the years. Or as some might write it it: Geographical location's are infuriatingly inconsistent with the use of apostrophe's. Some street name's have em, some dont. Some place's have sign's where there is an apostrophe on the sign at one end of a road, whilst the sign at the other end is presented san's apostrophe. Arrrgh! Personally, Id like to see all the greengrocers's apostrophe's confiscated, and placed where they belong; on all the geographical place's that have misplaced their's over the year's. :P
@@cargy930 I agree, as I would coming from a family of greengrocers , however, place/geographical names do have a usage rule (although not always applied, or the apostrophe is just arbitrarily dropped) as per this extract: ".....Unlike Earl's Court, the Barons in Barons Court lacks an apostrophe because it's a made up name - no baron ever owned it. Canons Park - So, yes, it was once owned by a canon, but the apostrophe was dropped years ago. Source Google Sep 29, 2020. Go figure? .....Drew
Interesting video Jago . A notable occupant of St Paul's Studios was the Ballerina Margot Fonteyn. Until recently the Royal Ballet had rehearsal studios near here too on Talgarth Road where from the back you had a good view of the passing underground trains.
Just reading the by play,of the comments,really makes my day,and they are informative! Jago,your nose for the lesser known areas of London,is definitely keeping people on their toes! Mayhaps,you might start a Ballet channel,and give them some P.D.Q. Bach, background 🎶 music! All kidding aside,that station is a gem,and deserves some attention! Add to it,as your boyhood home,icing on the cake! Thanks again!!😀😇💥💯💯💯💯💯👍👍👍👍👍
It's about time Sloane Square station had its overall roof re-fitted. It's probably the only one on the District underground section that could still be restored.
You forget to mention that it’s absolutely the best station to change between District line trains to and from Ealing Broadway and the Piccadilly line because it’s a cross-platform interchange as it’s the first place the Piccadilly changes from a deep line to a surface one
Barons Court Station looks very attractive. The architecture of the exterior building is fine. I suppose that I appreciate stations like this because I hated how, from the 1960s onwards, so many large and small stations were either demolished ( through the Beeching Plan, 1963), or they ended up afterwards being “modernised,” ie, reappearing with bus stop shelters and tall modern lamps, and everything historic and interesting having been swept away.
As a Londoner now living in Barnsley, South Yorks, your videos are very entertaining and bring back happy memories of "The Smoke". Don't know if you are looking for new subject matter, but have you heard of The London Hydraulic Company? Apparently, said company supplied piped water under pressure to operate various devices around the capital. Many years ago I was told that the main lifts in the (then) London Hospital in Whitechapel E.1. were raised on "water powered" rams from below the cars, and the dance floor at The Savoy Hotel in The Strand was raised by "water power". And possibly the opening/closing of Tower Bridge in it's earlier years. Don't think I've dreamt this, or maybe you know better? Thanks for the vids.Stay safe.
I would concur with this request. I heard about The London Hydraulic Company at the Kirkaldy Testing Museum and was quite amazed about the reality of high-pressure water lines traversing London.
Yes it is a nice station , unspoilt , charming infact , I do like your films please more , of course there are lots of favourite ones, East Finchley, Cock fosters , Southgate , even White city has its merits , the list goes on !
How hard it is to have just one favourite when there are distinctive styles. The glazed tile frontages in Zone 1, the Holden stations like Arnos Grove, the wooden escalators at Leicester Square (they've probably replaced them since I was last in town), but yes, I love the slightly louche atmosphere of the West end of the District, and yes, you chose a really lovely station.
I used to drive (or, more frequently crawl along in first gear) past St Paul’s Studios on my way out of town on the A4. Always thought they’d be much nicer if they didn’t have the A4 directly outside the front door, but that’s progress for you. Another wonderful video Mr. Hazzard 👍
I can see why this station is charming you. Just the simplicity and beautiful art nouveaux details and a nice fit in the area there. I think, the stations you like the most aren't necessarily the real great and overwhelming stations but just the ones that are in your memory related to something nice. For me, Morden is the tube station I like the most. Lived in the area for a while (almost 30 years ago), it isn't very special. However, the octagonal ticket hall and platform canopy are just quiet nice (to use your words). Hither Green is my favorite railway station in London, as I used that station a lot to go to a family I once stayed a couple of times at their B&B and later became close friends. The family moved out of London several years ago so I'm only occasionally at the station. If I'm in London and have some spare time I love to just get there (Hither Green and Morden), wander around the station and areas and get a bit nostalgic.
When I was a kid in the late 70s and early 80s, I used to love changing at this station because it was the only station I remember which had a drinking water Fountain on the platform.
@@eendozo12 Fulham Broadway (formerly Walham Green),Parsons Green, Putney Bridge, West Kensington. Most non-locals assume that West Kensington is in Kensington,especially as it has a W14 postcode,rather than SW6.The name was a creation of property developers,given in the manner of 'Clapham' Junction,which is actually in Battersea,both names being deemed more prestigious than the neighbourhoods the stations served. The same is true of Putney Bridge,which got its name because of its proximity to the start of the Boat Race. The bridge that the district line crosses(to Putney) is actually Fulham Railway Bridge,not Putney, as one might reasonably expect from the station's name.
Развлечения
You're probably wondering why this was recommended to you. Well here's your answer:
*It's Just Quite Nice*
Haha nice one
Niiice (quite)!
Quoit noice
@@martinheath5947 Those living at Baron's Court, would pronounce it Quait naice!
I was sitting on one of the Baronial Benches at Barons Court, as someone has just called them, on the westbound platform, late one evening. As I was waiting for the Piccadilly Line, I was facing the opposite platform. While I watched, one of the incandescent light bulbs in the old fitting with its hexagonal opaque glass shade, imploded, showering the empty bench below it with glass. Although I’d always liked the look of the old light fittings, on the whole, I think the modern fittings are better.
As for the artists’ studios on the Talgarth Road, did you notice the very thin and tall windows to one side of each of the large windows letting in the north light? They were to allow large canvases to be taken out of the building, if they were too big to go through doors or down the stairs.
Very welcome details.
Now that’s the sort of detail I love, we’ll done you
Our nutty art college lecturer said always make teeny tiny canvases to fit on the shelf for our admiration and judgment 😂
Test for judging the quality of a video: Is it interesting to someone who doesn't know the area? Answer, Yes. Very watchable, Jago. Thank you!!
I've never left North America, and his videos help me to navigate London like I've always known it
@@gavin169 Hopefully, Gavin, you will be able to come to the U.K. one day and put this to good advantage! (If our politicians ever become bored of the current nonsense!) From where do you come? Are you familiar with the N.Y. Subway? From the films I've seen, this looks interesting.
@@gavin169 do let us know if you're ever in London - we'll pop for a cup of tea..
I love these videos! I am from Prague.
@@norryvamp Je úžasné, že lidé z celého světa rádi sledují videa o londýnském metru! Byl jsi někdy v Londýně, prosím? Pokud ne, možná až bude po současné situaci, můžete mít dovolenou.
I grew up quite close to the Barons Court in Tyrone and now I live quite close to Barons Court in London. Both are quite nice.
Who is Baron and why does he need so many courts
@@gavin169 we will never know, maybe it's none of our business
I grew up in Armagh and now live near Barons Court near the tennis court now as well.
@@johnnysimpson135 ah my mates used to live by the same court. Comeragh road?
@@jackkennedy98 not far off!
I'm Canadian but spent a year in London from 2007-2008. Barons Court was my local station and watching this brought back a flood of memories. Giggling on the platform with friends on our way to a night out, getting off the train after a long day exploring the city and feeling relieved to finally be near "home" so I could relax.I absolutely loved living in that area. Thanks for such a nice dose of nostalgia!
Went to school in Hammersmith in the 70s. Me and my mates used to go up one stop on the Piccadilly line, and sit in the sunshine on Barons Court platform (and try the chocolate machines to see if there was any chance of a freebee). All just for the crack. We were 13 years old and the world was simpler then. Or maybe we were just idiots, I can't remember. But I still think Barons Court is quite nice. Cheers Jago.
Hope it wasn't really for crack :(
Craic, not crack.
@@englishciderlover7347 Thanks for the orthography - but you have to understand that this was the early 1970s, and you did things for the Crack, which was homage to, and short for, Crackerjack. Leslie Crowther and Peter Glaze were absolute heroes, and I still have my Crackerjack pencil.... I'll stop typing rubbish now
Which School?
This is quickly becoming one of my favourite channels.
I think it's Heathrow Terminals 1,2,3 station where, if you look at the list of stations on the wall opposite the platform, you'll see "Barons court" - two words with a lower-case C - whereas Earl's Court immediately below it has an upper-case C (not to mention an apostrophe). One more to throw into the mix!
Delighted to see those houses with the big windows which thanks to this, I now know to be St Paul's Studios. Used to always see those travelling on the staff hopper from West Middlesex Hospital to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital every day and thought they must've been built for artists. Lovely buildings.
You know, I enjoy every single video you make. But I've taken one step further. Now after the notification arrives I take out my teapot, brew myself a nice cuppa, out some scones on the plate (they are quite uncommon in Russia, but where's the will there's always eBay) and I treat myself to a tiny little spot of englishness with Jago. Thank you for your work, Sir!
And I assume you also drive a Jaaaaag 😉
@@skr525ia I wish :) But it's the thought that counts :) Thank you!
You’re very welcome!
Andrew not Andrei , welcome from a fellow Andrew
@@Berry-fr5wj Thanks! Cheers to you, good sir!
Splendid stuff. I too find it a charmingly attractive station. Thanks for putting a little bit more meat on the bones of my appreciation of it.
Years ago I went for a meeting around that way, accompanied by my manager. He is someone who enjoys architecture and history, and it was on that occasion I became aware of those wonderful artists' houses.
Keep up the great efforts. They are very much appreciated.
According to Debrett's Peerage, Barons Court Station ranks below Earl's Court Station, but above Dukes Court and Marquesses Court Stations. That's why only Earl's Court has its apostrophe.
Are you waiting at Buckingham Palace station?
I've passed through Barons Court a lot on visits to London and when I studied there, but this is the first time I've seen the outside of the station. It looks amazing! Thanks for this video, I wouldn't have known how nice it was otherwise.
hi
the name 'Barons Court' derives from the latin 'to change trains between Heathrow and Victoria'
Sine dubitate sic.
My favourite thing about Barons Court, is that it's an anagram of; Burst Racoon.
That was my station for many a year around a decade ago. Longer before that in the 60s, my Dad used this station to try and pick up Australian girls who'd just arrived to the country (Barons and Earls Court area especially).
But enough about my cad of a Dad, thanks for the reminder of the area.
There's a coincidence. I'd only just commented on a radio show called either Barons or Earls of the Court. Then I saw your comment. It might explain the title, and possibly the age of the script writer.
Aussies and Kiwis were endemic round here and Shepherds Bush/Notting Hill at least till the 90s, mainly on working holidays as waiters. I had an NZ lodger who told me he was going to London for the weekend and church on Sunday. I was surprised and impressed until he explained that "Church" was a massive bar frequented by young Antipodeans! He held a party in my house where I lost my garden gate ... but that's another story.
@alanrtment porter Oddly enough, my Dad was a DJ at that time (known as Alan Breck) who DJ'd heavily in central London and elsewhere (he had a residence at the Playboy Club). I'll ask him when I speak to him tomorrow if he ever played at the Birds Nest. Went there in 2009, not a bad little place 👍
I believe Barons Court served the commuting needs of those training at the Royal School of Ballet before its move to Floral St in Covent Garden.
Dear Mr. Jago. Can the government list you as not only a key worker, but ESSENTIAL for maintaining public sanity? Your content and knowledge has been a beacon for me and, dare I say countless thousands of others, during what has undoubtedly been a truly dreadful 2020. Well, that's apart from discovering your YT channel!
also the smell, the smell of the underground is truly unique. i miss that smell. moved back up north in 2018 and well i really miss London.
St Paul's studios - one of my childhood landmarks on the drive back into London - along with the Lucozade sign on the M4 raised section.
We lived above a shop directly opposite the station when we first got married 40 years ago, found memories. Loved living there. Buildings on Telgarth road shown used and still might housed a ballet school. Queens club is just down the road. Visited last year still a charming place.
My partner and I fly into Heathrow about every other year to visit our friend in Woodford Green. The transfer from the Piccadilly Line to the Central Line at Holborn was a nightmare with climbing all the staircases with luggage. Thanks to a tip from a local lady, we now transfer from the Piccadilly to the District Line at Barons Court and then switch to the Central Line at Mile End. Each transfer only requires a few steps across the platform. The timing is about the same, but sooooo much easier.
So right. I’ve been doing the same for years, in my case to avoid a climb at Earls Court.
When I was young we used to come up from the South Coast to stay with friends at South Woodford. My Dad used the same trick - we would come into Victoria rather than Waterloo, take the District to Mile End and use the cross-platform interchange. Would be useful if they put them on tube maps! For example you have XP from the Victoria line to the Northern line City branch and the Bakerloo, and the Piccadilly at Finsbury Park, but not the Northern line Charing Cross branch or the Piccadilly at Green Park or Kings Cross. Took me a few trips to discover that!
@Ian Kemp It would be great if London had a chat line, like Facebook etc., discussing all the shortcuts and tips for negotiating the tube. New York City has several and they work great. I'm told that the London Passenger Transport Board discourages the practice as they believe it might interfere negatively with their scheduling and traffic patterns. Sounds short-sighted to me.
Yeah the step-free icons on the tube map are a lifesaver, well worth paying attention to
Nice video. I think the architectural style is classed as Edwardian Baroque, though the ironwork is Art Nouveau. The station featured in a Barrie Mackenzie strip cartoon in Private Eye. He mistook it for a cinema and thought Baron's Court was the name of the film that was showing, and asked for a ticket in the stalls.
I have a fond memory of the station when I was commuting from Earl's Court to work at Finsbury Park A colleague tried to encourage me to read Marx and gave me a copy of the Communist Manifesto to read on the way home. I opened the book and started reading. I remember the trains stopping at Arsenal, the first station, and was woken up by cold air coming into the train, which meant I had to go back a stop to Earl's Court.
Nice video, I love the old tradional look stations.
I use to use Wembley Park Underground Station, and was saddened when the ‘Metropolitan Railway (MR) roundel on the frontage was destroyed during the extensive upgrade.
I read about that, very depressing.
I loved arriving at this station before my mad dash across Margravine Gardens and the Cemetery... did this for over 3 years night and day during my nurse training at Charing Cross Hospital in 1985. I travelled down from Islington because I lived near Highbury and was not a “live in” Retired now and love revisiting these places of my youth - nostalgic moments viewed now from Wales !!! I do miss the “ old smoke” 😊
I always love that the comments on these videos are as informative and tongue-in-cheek as the videos themselves! Kudos all round 😄
Lovely to see good old Barons Court again - many happy memories of this station. Still as I remember. Used to walk past the artist houses every day on the way to Charing Cross hospital - always wondered about their unusual design - now 30 years later I know, thanks to you, Jago.
I always wanted to go there for some light comedic relief, imagine my disappointment when eventually I got to go and no sign of the Barron Knights.
I was told that Barons Court got its name due to being located next to Earl’s Court by property developers.
The reason why Earl’s Court has apostrophe and Barons Court doesn’t. Is because it was named after the Earl of Oxford who once had Lord ship of the area.
I often wondered why Earl's got an apostrophe and mere Barons didn't?
@@jimtuite3451 If you find a picture of the main entrance to Earl's Court station, you will see that the original lettering embedded in the brickwork didn't have that apostrophe.
Another excellent video. I don’t think I’ve ever stopped at Barons Court but looks like an excellent station with some neat touches (including the now locked exit door in the frontage! - once you enter, you may never leave!)
Thank you for showing me the outside of the station. I only ever used it to switch from the District Line to the Piccadilly line when travelling to Heathrow. It took fewer than 10 steps to get from one uncrowded platform to the other. Much more convenient than Earls Court where you are normally advised to switch lines. Equally swift on the return journey.
What an utterly pleasant station that also allows easy interchange between Piccadilly and District Lines at the same level and at the surface! Great to see it featured. Thank You
St Paul’s Studios are hands down my favourite buildings in London! Before I lived in the city, I remember travelling to London via coach on a school trip, and coming from Somerset we passed them on the A4. They always stuck in my mind as an example of architecture that stood out, without being attention-grabbing or unattractive.
Love both the art nouveau and Art Deco touches in the local architecture.
Today, in nightmare Friday afternoon traffic, I drove up next to Barons Court & turned left in front of it onto the Great West Road. "This is charming," I thought, "I wonder if Jago knows about it." And of course he does.
I really need to start saving money, with each of your videos I watch the idea of visiting London grows more and more.
I have no idea why I am watching this. I don't even live in London not even remotely. I live in Germany. Your presentation is amazing, I didn't question this at all until after the video.
Great to see so much in and around the station. My only experience was a quick change from the District there to the Piccadilly (so much quieter than Hammersmith) and sitting on those baronial benches.
In a previous life I spent several years as Piccadilly Line train crew, starting when 1959 stock were very much in the majority and ending when 1973s had completely taken over.
At certain times of the year the sun would be aligned with the tunnel mouth and the Motorman (later Train Driver now Operator) would be almost blinded emerging from the tunnel mouth.
If I had a pound for every time I worked a train through Barons Court I wouldn't be better off than I am now but would have had a better time along the way.
Good heavens, I love this station. I passed it on a walk some time ago and actually took a photo of it because it looked so lovely!
1.05 Those large ‘glassy bits’ were designed to give a source of light from the north, apparently much desired by artists.
Yes, it's more consistent because it's indirect.
I'd noticed those houses around the corner many times before, very interesting to learn why they look that way.
I often use this station, it is a nice station. When the paperchase shut down I was expecting a Pret to open but as this is 2020 I don't think that will happen, but something posh might open as the area is laa-de-dah.
I grew up around there and love that station. I can’t believe those benches are still there!
Thanks another really 'nice' video, the station building interiors reminded me of some of the listed stations on the Berlin U-Bahn. My favourite station is Horsted Keynes built by the LB&SCR in 1882, a junction station with 5 platforms in the middle of 'nowhere', it was the busiest station on the line in terms of services but arguably one of the quieter for passengers, as was quite common the station was a hike from the village of Horsted Keynes being about 1.5 miles from the station. In the 1930's the SR added a third rail electric service from Seaford to Hayward's Heath via Ardlingly, the service used only platform 2 at Horsted Keynes, the Bluebell Railway own the track bed as far as Ardingly and have ambitions to re-open to Copyhold Junction/ Haywards Heath ..... Drew
As always, very interesting, seeing and learning about places that previously were just a name on the tube map
Interesting that, in an era when people understood "possession" in Grammar, that neither stations' wall plaques was spelt Baron's Court or Earl's Court! The Ticket Office entrance to Edgware Road Tube Station is also quite nice!
It's not necessarily a statement of possession. It could just be the court named after the barons, just like Downing Street is the street named after Sir George Downing.
Place names do not have apostrophes, definitely not on maps and largely not on signs. It’s another of those strange rules attached to the apostrophe.
@@NigelWest1950 That's not a rule. Apostrophes in place names are rare but they certainly exist: Land's End, King's Lynn and Bishop's Stortford are probably the most well-known examples. King's Heath and King's Norton are areas of Birmingham, though the city council there prefers to omit the apostrophes. Essex seems to have a lot of little apostrophed villages: Bedlar's Green, Broad's Green, Butcher's Pasture, Gaunt's End, Hardy's Green, Holder's Green, Loyter's Green, Miller's Green, Smythe's Green, Tyler's Green, Waltham's Cross, etc.
(And I assume you mean possessive apostrophes, so John O'Groats and Tolleshunt D'Arcy don't count.)
@@NigelWest1950 Maybe you're thinking of the US Board on Geographic Names, which has discouraged apostrophes in US place names since the late 1800s.
@@beeble2003 The UK Ordnance Survey is the same as are all the old ‘colonial’ survey departments
Very quickly becoming my favourite channel on RUclips
Very nice looking place.
Fantastic little station and amazing to think it was once countryside.
That's one of my favourites too. It has a nice leafy vibe about it!
An old station used to exist at 'Welsh Harp' near Brent Cross. Opened in 1870 it too was in the countryside and a such was used by the good people of London for a day in the country...Incredibly it was closed just 33 years later in 1903.
Oh Barons Court how important you are to us. Land at Heathrow, find & top up our UK London Oyster Card and hop on the Piccadilly Line. Off at Barons Court and roll the bag over to the District line (same platform). District to Mile End and roll over to the Central Line (same platform), take Central to Epping. Tap out at Epping and take bus to Ongar. Reverse journey going home.
Without Mile End and good old Barons Court it would be a much more complicated journey.
How about a tales from tube at Mile End. Great video as always . Thank you!
2:22 is a lot more than just quite nice and I thank you for it.
I see what you did there 😉
Always a pleasure to watch.
Its very beautiful. The more videos you do the better. Every time I've been to Barons Court its been so busy. My favorite station is Epping, we go there when visiting the Epping Ongar Railway. In summer it has beautiful hanging baskets, and there is a charming Coffee kiosk. Its so well cared for even the rest rooms are so clean. Attached to it is a house with a lovely cottage garden. I could go on forever.
Hi Jago. I like the theory that Barons Court followed the naming of Earls Court - it just has a nice ring to it!
Very interesting video. My cousin used to live on Comeragh Road 'twixt Barons Court and West Kensington stations.
Wimbledon Park station always put me in mind of Barons Court. Similar sort of place in a slightly different layout.
Great video. You explained the St Paul’s studios to me. I had been curious what exactly the story was with those homes from catching frequent glimpses of them while going to/from LHR and our hotel in the city. Well done for sparking the annals of lagged memories, thank you.
I've always liked Barons Court too, and was so glad that it was renovated in character and not modernised, so kudos to LT
You are always a breath of fresh air during this time of great turmoil in the United States.
Love the architecture of Barons Court station. Reminds me of photos of east coast railroad stations in America. Thanks for another interesting, and informative vid. Also love the humour. Cheers!
Barons court was the station I'd use to get to my college (Hammersmith College) for 3 years. So many student gatherings we used to have at the station. Happiest of memories in it. I was kinda hoping to see a glimpse of the college in the video as well just like the surrounding houses that were showcased...! But I'll take what I can get. It also reminded me of my long commute home all the way to Barking on the District Line. My how I miss my youth and London with it. Good times.
Those studio houses look quite nice. Actually surprised the idea didn't catch on. Personally I would have had one at the front and back of the house. Modernly they could be considered 2nd floor sunrooms or greenhouses to us on the other side of the pond. I now have another home design idea if I ever get to build my own home here. And yes you are right that station is quite nice.
I took a walk around there a couple of years ago. Friends of mine were clueless as to why. But I find it an interesting area. Gurdjieff and Ouspensky have links to a studio nearby.
If you stand outside this station during the morning rush hour, you get to see members of the Royal Ballet alighting, who go to one of those studios for rehearsals.
If you ever feel like making a video about a different station "because you just like it", I'm here for it. I really enjoy your style of video-making!
St Paul's Studios - I must say I've admired those whilst going past in a National Express coach.
I passed through Baron's Court station on my way to Heathrow airport and those benches certainly caught my eye. I always thought I would make a special journey back just to photograph them but when I do, will actually leave the station and take a walkabout to look at the local architecture.
Great video! I grew up between Barons Court and West Kensington so, yes! Do one on West Kensington. (Or "West Ken" as all the locals call it). I recently visited the station and it was quite charming. Kind of a county station right in the town. I guess when it was built it was quite rural there. My mother recalls it being fields.
Re Barons Court - it really is a wonderful building. It would really be improved with some better lighting. Those industrial fluorescent tubes on the stair canopies are quite ugly.
Nice video about a nice station. Not sure if I've ever got off there, but it's a handy place to change between the District and Piccadilly Lines if you're going to Heathrow (side by side platforms and less busy than Hammersmith) and you get a chance to use those lovely benches!
I was going to say just that.
Bloody gorgeous station, if you'll pardon my French. I particularly love that green tiling in the ticket hall. Just absolutely stunning
There a lovely big high backed wooden bench at battersea park station. Appears in early photos and still there now. Great!
That appears in a video I have coming later this month!
I used to live in a flat in the first block you show during your intro - lovely part of town - but Jesus Christ the tube trains were noisy at night, as my bedroom over-looked the tracks!
Used to have a friend who used to live in one of the artists houses. I would love a tour of those houses. Also went to saint edmunds school which was an 8 minute walk from the station. Love the area especially in the summer and when queens club hosts the tennis tournament prior to wimbledon
Barons Court I’d say is quite “Quaint”. Very beautiful station. And yes please do West Kensington as well please. Plus say “Quaint” can’t get even more posher. 😊
Hi Jago! Thanks for your interesting and informative videos. I was recently walking along the old Watford and Rickmansworth Railway (now the Ebury Way path) and took some video you are welcome to use.
A wholesome video about a train station?
I'm so here for this. 😊
Great video jago, beautiful buildings, more videos please 👌😃👍
2:22 The little cutie passing by did not escape my intrepid eye Jago. Nice timing!
She's the sister of the Grosvenor Rd chica 😁
ooh well spotted
If the tubby one was a little younger, she'd be a cutie too.
Ooft. The lady in the white lower garment at 2:22. 👌😅
Not watched yet... but let's hear it for the apostrophe!
‘
Geographical locations are infuriatingly inconsistent with the use of apostrophes. Some street names have 'em, some don't. Some places have signs where there is an apostrophe on the sign at one end of a road, whilst the sign at the other end is presented sans apostrophe. Arrrgh!
Personally, I'd like to see all the greengrocers' apostrophes confiscated, and placed where they belong; on all the geographical places that have misplaced theirs over the years.
Or as some might write it it:
Geographical location's are infuriatingly inconsistent with the use of apostrophe's. Some street name's have em, some dont. Some place's have sign's where there is an apostrophe on the sign at one end of a road, whilst the sign at the other end is presented san's apostrophe. Arrrgh!
Personally, Id like to see all the greengrocers's apostrophe's confiscated, and placed where they belong; on all the geographical place's that have misplaced their's over the year's. :P
Argh! That one hurt. However, some of these place names might actually be plural...
It drives me mad that we have Regents Park and Regent's Canal.
@@cargy930 I agree, as I would coming from a family of greengrocers , however, place/geographical names do have a usage rule (although not always applied, or the apostrophe is just arbitrarily dropped) as per this extract: ".....Unlike Earl's Court, the Barons in Barons Court lacks an apostrophe because it's a made up name - no baron ever owned it. Canons Park - So, yes, it was once owned by a canon, but the apostrophe was dropped years ago. Source Google Sep 29, 2020. Go figure? .....Drew
Interesting video Jago .
A notable occupant of St Paul's Studios was the Ballerina Margot Fonteyn.
Until recently the Royal Ballet had rehearsal studios near here too on Talgarth Road where from the back you had a good view of the passing underground trains.
I’ve only been able to visit London once but I absolutely want to live there! These videos delight me to watch :)
Just reading the by play,of the comments,really makes my day,and they are informative! Jago,your nose for the lesser known areas of London,is definitely keeping people on their toes! Mayhaps,you might start a Ballet channel,and give them some P.D.Q. Bach, background 🎶 music! All kidding aside,that station is a gem,and deserves some attention! Add to it,as your boyhood home,icing on the cake! Thanks again!!😀😇💥💯💯💯💯💯👍👍👍👍👍
Quite liked Sloane Square with its bar and the Tyburn River flowing over in the big metal pipe.
It's about time Sloane Square station had its overall roof re-fitted.
It's probably the only one on the District underground section that could still be restored.
You forget to mention that it’s absolutely the best station to change between District line trains to and from Ealing Broadway and the Piccadilly line because it’s a cross-platform interchange as it’s the first place the Piccadilly changes from a deep line to a surface one
Barons Court Station looks very attractive. The architecture of the exterior building is fine. I suppose that I appreciate stations like this because I hated how, from the 1960s onwards, so many large and small stations were either demolished ( through the Beeching Plan, 1963), or they ended up afterwards being “modernised,” ie, reappearing with bus stop shelters and tall modern lamps, and everything historic and interesting having been swept away.
As a Londoner now living in Barnsley, South Yorks, your videos are very entertaining and bring back happy memories of "The Smoke". Don't know if you are looking for new subject matter, but have you heard of The London Hydraulic Company? Apparently, said company supplied piped water under pressure to operate various devices around the capital. Many years ago I was told that the main lifts in the (then) London Hospital in Whitechapel E.1. were raised on "water powered" rams from below the cars, and the dance floor at The Savoy Hotel in The Strand was raised by "water power". And possibly the opening/closing of Tower Bridge in it's earlier years. Don't think I've dreamt this, or maybe you know better? Thanks for the vids.Stay safe.
I would concur with this request. I heard about The London Hydraulic Company at the Kirkaldy Testing Museum and was quite amazed about the reality of high-pressure water lines traversing London.
Yes it is a nice station , unspoilt , charming infact , I do like your films please more , of course there are lots of favourite ones, East Finchley, Cock fosters , Southgate , even White city has its merits , the list goes on !
I do have footage from White City...
The title of this video accurately sums up my feelings for Barons Court
How hard it is to have just one favourite when there are distinctive styles. The glazed tile frontages in Zone 1, the Holden stations like Arnos Grove, the wooden escalators at Leicester Square (they've probably replaced them since I was last in town), but yes, I love the slightly louche atmosphere of the West end of the District, and yes, you chose a really lovely station.
I used to drive (or, more frequently crawl along in first gear) past St Paul’s Studios on my way out of town on the A4. Always thought they’d be much nicer if they didn’t have the A4 directly outside the front door, but that’s progress for you. Another wonderful video Mr. Hazzard 👍
I can see why this station is charming you. Just the simplicity and beautiful art nouveaux details and a nice fit in the area there. I think, the stations you like the most aren't necessarily the real great and overwhelming stations but just the ones that are in your memory related to something nice. For me, Morden is the tube station I like the most. Lived in the area for a while (almost 30 years ago), it isn't very special. However, the octagonal ticket hall and platform canopy are just quiet nice (to use your words). Hither Green is my favorite railway station in London, as I used that station a lot to go to a family I once stayed a couple of times at their B&B and later became close friends. The family moved out of London several years ago so I'm only occasionally at the station. If I'm in London and have some spare time I love to just get there (Hither Green and Morden), wander around the station and areas and get a bit nostalgic.
your videos are the best part of my day
Many thanks!
I love your content, my Father follows you too
you are an antidote to lock down, thank you
When I was a kid in the late 70s and early 80s, I used to love changing at this station because it was the only station I remember which had a drinking water Fountain on the platform.
A beautiful station, one of the Fulham Five, five underground stations located within the bounds of the former borough of Fulham.
which stations are the other ones?
@@eendozo12 Fulham Broadway (formerly Walham Green),Parsons Green, Putney Bridge, West Kensington.
Most non-locals assume that West Kensington is in Kensington,especially as it has a W14 postcode,rather than SW6.The name was a creation of property developers,given in the manner of 'Clapham' Junction,which is actually in Battersea,both names being deemed more prestigious than the neighbourhoods the stations served.
The same is true of Putney Bridge,which got its name because of its proximity to the start of the Boat Race. The bridge that the district line crosses(to Putney) is actually Fulham Railway Bridge,not Putney, as one might reasonably expect from the station's name.