Exploring cultures and communities – the slow way

hidden europe 36

by hidden europe

We remember Agar Town, an area of London that simply disappeared from the maps when in 1866 the Midland Railway edged south towards St Pancras.

article summary —

In 1842, an article in Punch magazine poked fun at Britain’s railway mania, suggesting that even St Paul’s Cathedral might be knocked down to make way for a railway terminus. That, naturally, was not to be, but in London — as indeed in other European cities — entire districts were sacrificed for railways. Agar Town simply disappeared from maps of London. This little area by the Regent’s Canal, just north of St Pancras, was never a pretty place.

Agar Town was grimy and overcrowded, yet there were mulberry orchards and space for kids to play.


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About the authors

hidden europe

and manage hidden europe, a Berlin-based editorial bureau that supplies text and images to media across Europe. Together they edit hidden europe magazine. Nicky and Susanne are dedicated slow travellers. They delight in discovering the exotic in the everyday.

This article was published in hidden europe 36.