Arriva Rail London (ARL) has unveiled a major heritage restoration at Clapton London Overground station, delivered in partnership with Transport for London (TfL) and the Railway Heritage Trust (RHT).

Funded by TfL and RHT, the project has transformed the long-disused building on platform 1 and surrounding areas into a vibrant, heritage-inspired space that celebrates Clapton’s rich railway history, while enhancing facilities for customers and colleagues.

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

David Thomas, TfL’s Head of Concession for London Overground, said: “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. We’re proud to work with partners like Arriva Rail London and the Railway Heritage Trust to create spaces that reflect the character of the communities they serve.”

Tim Hedley-Jones, Executive Director of the Railway Heritage Trust, said: “We are very pleased to be supporting this project by Arriva Rail London and TfL. Clapton station was built by The Great Eastern Railway and opened in 1872. This project brings its history alive in new and innovative ways involving the local community. We congratulate all those involved in making it happen.”

(L-R) Niall Rooney, ARL Customer Experience Director; Andy Savage, RHT Chair; Peter Cumlin, ARL Infrastructure Project Manager; Abdulhai Mulla, ARL Sales Assistant at Clapton station; Edmund Bird, TfL Heritage Manager

ARL worked closely with TfL and RHT to develop a restoration plan that preserved the station’s character while introducing modern amenities.

The centrepiece of the project was the revival of the building on platform 1, which has been closed to the public since the 1980s and had fallen into severe disrepair, with structural damage, water ingress and accumulated waste. Now fully restored, the building houses a waiting room, viewing gallery, accessible toilet and employee facilities.

Amongst the waste, the team unearthed remnants of Victorian furniture, including three heavily damaged benches. While one bench was beyond repair, two have been returned to their former glory after meticulous restoration and now sit proudly in the waiting room for customers to enjoy. This room also includes fully functional vintage weighing scales, complete with original 1950s advertising to add an authentic period touch.

The old switch room at Clapton station has been thoughtfully repurposed into a fully accessible toilet with baby changing facilities, alongside a heritage viewing gallery that celebrates the station’s past. The space features original British Rail electrical signage and vintage lighting, including lanterns and industrial bulkhead fittings, creating a unique blend of functionality and nostalgia.

The introduction of an accessible toilet for the first time at this station reflects TfL’s commitment to accessibility. As part of their wider Equity in Motion strategy, £3 million per year is being invested to improve and expand accessible toilet facilities across the network. This includes reopening closed facilities and ensuring customers are never more than 20 minutes from a toilet without needing to change trains.

Further enhancements can be spotted throughout the station, including a refurbished station entrance with heritage-style signage and poster displays, as well as vintage accent lighting designed to replicate the station’s early 20^th-century luminaires.