A major south-west London railway station has just been returned to its former glory, capturing the architectural elegance of a golden age that commuters might have forgotten was ever there.
Stepping through the restored entrance, visitors immediately notice the sweeping lines, polished Portland stone, and dazzling bronze features – all hallmarks of Britain’s interwar travel boom.
Overshadowed for decades by layers of grime and modern alterations, the 1930s character is finally shining once more, thanks to a multi-year project by South Western Railway, Network Raillocal partners, and specialist craftspeople.
Richmond station – London’s Art Deco icon restored to glory
First opened in 1937, Richmond station was designed by Southern Railway’s chief architect James Robb Scottthe mind behind Waterloo’s grand Victory Arch.
Over eight decades, its sleek Portland stone façade and clean modernist lines faded under layers of grime and unsympathetic alterations. By the early 2020s, much of the station’s character was lost to time and heavy commuter use.
Restoration work thanks to SWR, Network Rail, the Railway Heritage Trust, and Richmond Council
South Western Railway, Network Rail, the Railway Heritage Trust, and Richmond Council joined forces in 2023, launching a multi-year revamp with a specialist team of craftspeople. They started with the exterior, deep-cleaning the stonework, reinstating splendid bronze ‘Richmond’ lettering and flagpoles, and polishing the grand mahogany and bronze doors.
Step inside and the transformation is just as striking. The tired ticket hall now glows, its 1930s timber frieze and distinctive green glass signage revealed after layers of later cladding were carefully removed.
Where original features were lost, skilled artisans recreated them by hand, from chandeliers echoing historic designs to replica shopfronts and poster frames. Even the classic WH Smith sign and ‘left luggage’ boards have been faithfully restored, echoing the building’s golden age.
Outside, the entrance canopy has been rebuilt with handmade bronze fascia panels and period-style roof lights, while modern LED lighting ensures this restored landmark now gleams after sunset.
Chris Gregory, Asset Enhancement Manager for SWRpraised the project for returning the station to “its original heritage condition and providing a fantastic gateway to Richmond.”
The transformation of Richmond station comes just in time to celebrate 200 years of Britain’s railway history, giving south-west London an architectural showpiece once more.
