Vaults and Catacombs

Apart from the vaults of the stationary winding engine house, only a small part of the earliest phase of goods yard development survives, under the NLR at Horse Tunnel Market. Some of the vaults under the original goods sidings can be seen at the far end of the first (eastern) arches under the NLR and in the retail outlets on the west side of the bridge under the NLR that connects Horse Tunnel Market with Stables Market. Part of the buttress walls is apparent in the northern part of Horse Tunnel Market.

The first major redevelopment, that of 1846-7, included the Construction Shop, which was brought up to the level of the rails on a rectangular grid of vaults, originally covering an acre, that was used for stables and general stores. It was part of these vaults that formed the so-called “Camden Catacombs”. At their southern end the vaults were partially filled in the 1990s during construction of Morrison’s car park. The 25 main arches were taken back to the NLR viaduct in 2007 as part of developments in Stables Yard. Some were further shortened from the south, under the car park, safety considerations placing a limit on their length. The smaller transverse arches were closed to create the linear retail outlets seen here on the right side of the passage created in 2009.

Beer vaults were built around 1855-6 on the west side of the Interchange Basin for Bass, under the forecourt of the present Interchange Warehouse and under the present 30 Oval Road. These were later taken over by Gilbeys as their No. 1 Bonded Stores. Only about 60% remain following redevelopment of the former railway offices at 30 Oval Road (now Henson House). The image includes parts that remain and parts that have been demolished. It shows the wooden sleepers that were used for barrel runs still evident in 1987 (Nick Catford).

The Wine and Beer Vaults are not currently accessible, the main entry route via the stairs of the Eastern Horse Tunnel having been incorporated into the social housing entrance of the Henson House development. For more information see History of Vaults.