Clapton station gets major revamp in restoration project that honours Victorian heritage

Clapton station has received a major revamp. Photograph: The Railway Heritage Trust

A Hackney overground station has been restored to its former Victorian glory.

The project, completed at Clapton station in October 2025 by Arriva Rail London — in partnership with Transport for London (TfL) and the Railway Heritage Trust (RHT) — centred around the redevelopment of a derelict building on Platform One.

The building is now fully functioning again as a waiting room, featuring restored Victorian furniture and even a mannequin dressed as a station attendant.

“Clapton station has always been a hidden gem on our network, and this restoration has given it a new lease of life”, said Niall Rooney, Customer Experience Director at Arriva Rail London.

The new-look station features restored signage from its heyday. Photograph: The Railway Heritage Trust

“What makes this project truly special is the way we’ve worked hand-in-hand with the local community and colleagues – listening to their ideas, uncovering stories from the station’s past and creating a space that reflects their pride in the area”.

The station was originally built by The Great Eastern Railway and opened on 1 July, 1872. However, while the station has remained in operation and is now part of the Weaver Line, the building on Platform One had been closed to the public since the 1980s and had fallen into disrepair.

During the restoration the team uncovered what was left of some Victorian furniture, including three damaged benches. Two of these were restored and are now part of the renovated building, while one was beyond repair.

In a bid to retain the station’s heritage the team also reinstated original signage and used lanterns and industrial bulkhead fittings to light up the space. Commuters may also notice a set of functioning vintage weighing scales in the waiting room and posters from the 1950s.

Meanwhile the old switch room has been transformed into accessible toilets — the first of their kind at the station — and a viewing gallery. Even the station entrance has been refurbished with heritage-style signage.

The station even features a mannequin station attendant. Photograph: The Railway Heritage Trust

Tim Hedley-Jones, of the Railway Heritage Trust, said his organisation provided three grants to Arriva Rail London to carry out the restoration and offered advice about incorporating the posters and signs.

“Stations have real significance for people who live in the community”, he told the Citizen. “Recognising that part that they’ve played in the history of a place is, for us, really important”.

Hedley-Jones added he was “really pleased” with the results.

David Thomas, TfL’s Head of Concession for London Overground, added: “We’re delighted to have supported this fantastic restoration at Clapton station, which brings a piece of London’s railway heritage back to life.

:This project is a great example of how investment in our network can celebrate local history while improving facilities for customers and staff”.

Julia Lafferty of the Hackney Society has lived in the area for 40 years and was part of the process which saw Clapton station recognised as one of Hackney’s locally listed buildings. She told the Citizen the restoration is “absolutely superb”.

“All the organisations involved deserve to get an award,” she added. “It’s the perfect example of how to upgrade and modernise while retaining the historic character of the building”.