London is home to the world’s first underground railway, and this September you can step inside a closed‑off piece of that history on a special Hidden London tour at a station that helped launch the entire network.
The world’s first underground railway is opening its doors to the public next month
Opened on 10 January 1863 as part of the Metropolitan Railway, this stop was the launchpad for the idea of carrying passengers beneath Victorian London’s congested streets.
The original “Met” cut a 90‑minute surface journey down to around 20 minutes underground, revolutionising travel in the city and setting the template for metro systems worldwide.
Today, it’s a busy interchange with 10 platforms and five Underground lines, but parts of the station have been hidden from the public for decades.
Baker Street is now famous for its Sherlock Holmes associations, but its real claim to global fame is being part of the world’s first underground railway.
On the tour, you’ll explore original sections of the 1863 station and later Victorian additions, seeing how the space evolved from a single Metropolitan Railway platform into today’s sprawling interchange.
What the Hidden London tour includes
The London Transport Museum’s “The World’s First Underground” tour takes you into areas normally closed to the public, including:
- Original platforms and disused lift shafts
- Corridors last accessed by the public in 1945
- Spaces that once served as Operational Headquarters for London Underground
Over about 85 minutes, guides walk you through 160 years of the station’s story: from the earliest days of Victorian steam‑powered underground travel to the modern multi‑line hub it is today.
You’ll hear what the first passengers thought of travelling underground in 1863, how the network expanded over the next 16 decades, and how the station functioned not just for commuters but for staff who worked (and sometimes played) there.
When you can go visit the world’s first Underground in September
According to the museum’s listing, this tour runs on selected dates through late September, with specific “six days in September” often highlighted in promotional copy. Recent schedules show tour days including:
- Friday 6 September
- Saturday 7 September
- Sunday 8 September
- Wednesday 11 September
- Thursday 12 September
- Friday 13 September
Because slots are limited and the tour is popular, it’s best to check the London Transport Museum’s “Hidden London – Baker Street” page for the exact September dates and availability before planning your visit.
Tickets cost around £45 (£42 concessions), plus a small booking fee. Ticket price also includes half‑price one‑day entry to the London Transport Museum within a month of your tour, and 10% off full‑priced items in the museum shop.
For anyone interested in London’s transport history, Victorian engineering, or simply seeing a side of the city few ever get to, it’s a rare, time‑limited opportunity.
