We're on the trail again of station on the Tube Map that have 'ticks' only, no connector blobs - they're unconnected, and this time we're out in the wilds to the part of the Central Line that is outside of London ... it's Theydon Bois!
I wrote a radio comedy years back with a friend (which didn't get picked up). But we needed a larger-than-life character who would be a gameshow MC. So we called him Theydon Bois (which we pronounced in French, of course!)
My father was born and bred in Theydon Bois. The main joy is the lack of street lighting which is fiercely protected. His father bought their house brand new in 1938 as a teacher, admittedly stretching himself. You couldn't buy a house there now as a teacher!
In a very popular sketch by the Two Ronnies (Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett) they portray two railway workers commuting home on the Underground after a day's work. The entire conversation consists of puns based on the names of stations on the network. At one point Barker asks about Corbett's son-in-law, and asks: He was going around with the Theydon Bois (which he pronounces "boys") at one time wasn't he?" It's a very funny sketch and they manage to pack in about 50 station names
*Random factoid alert*. The builders of the footbridge (Arrol) also built the gantry that was used for Titanic's construction. (Admittedly they built quite a lot of things, but...)
I reckon there is a GER insignia in that iron work. I think you can see a backwards R in scroll centrally, with a backwards G around it and a backwards E extending above and below through the centre.
Frank Muir used to tell a story of heading into Essex to meet friends in the early days of TV when the studio make up for broadcasts was very heavy and involved rouged cheeks and lipstick. He described how he had lost his way and pulled over to ask a policeman for directions. "I'm looking for Theydon Bois" he said, to which the policeman replied "I bet you are".
You are a great filmmaker Geoff, I've learned a great deal from your techniques! Its the way you keep this complete train nerd feel to the video whilst not being overpowering and allowing your average viewer to enjoy the content too. Its quite unique and enjoyable for everyone.
There have been many videos about funny and silly names on the Underground, which included Cockfosters and Piccadilly, but no one ever mentioned Theydon Bois (much to my dismay). Nice to see it get a video!
For a genuine real village feel there should be one buzzing, sputtering, inadequate street lamp, barely illuminating the ramshackle, graffiti-laden wooden bus shelter, complete with wall-mounted outdated timetable.
I love it when subways end in rural areas or big fields. The Edmonton LRT for the longest time did the same thing when it ended at Clareview in the NE before it was filled in with a jankily planned and built TOD... Just wheatfields and sidewalks to and from the station in the middle of nowhere... Like that famous Chinese one!
When I was a kid we used to stay at my Nan’s there. I have many memories of going back to hers in the dark because there’s no bloody street lighting…. And yes it did once have a newspaper kiosk.
Geoff, when you get to South Wimbledon, I'd love to hear your view on something that has baffled me. The tube map indicates that South Wimbledon has an OSI with the Tramlink at Morden Road. However, having walked the distances, I reckon Morden is closer to Morden Road than South Wimbledon. Maybe we could collaborate to find out
That so sounds like the start of a cheeky Limerick! There once was a lady from Theydon Who spent all her life as a meydon. Though she knew lots of bois And they played with some tois, Her panties and bra always steydon.
There is no "Southbound" platform at Theydon Bois, only East or west bound (although admittedly the westbound platform does point south 🙂 I well remember driving a 62 stock train into Theydon Bois station in the late 1980's - in ridiculously thick fog. The only way I knew I'd reached the station was a collection of old fashioned oil lamps lining the edge of the platform.
At least there doesn't seem to be a tautology at Theydon Bois. Near Chesham is Chesham Bois, and you can find yourself driving past a sign saying "Chesham Bois Wood" which of course is the wood in Chesham Woods.
I kept wondering why the village is called Theydon Bois and not Theydon Wood ("Bois" being French for Wood). Turns out the Bois part is the surname of a family that once had a manor there. Who knew !
One-station-from-the-terminus stations tend not to be very heavily used and the stations in this part of the central line are quite pretty, and hardly feels like the tube. Lambeth North would be an interesting one for this series. It's a bit of an in-betweeny station between Waterloo (very busy mainline station and interchange) and Elephant & Castle (end of the line) and it's not used much and can feel a bit spooky and quiet
My sister’s school(Oasis South Bank) is just to the left walking out of the station it anyone’s going there btwww!!! Also I live around Kennington and Elephant and Castle so this is kind of an honourable mention from the initial comment ✨
A fellow Geoff, but one from Theydon Bois, who has been waiting for this moment. To tip, whilst there isn't step free access easstbound, one can step free hop on the train to Epping, which will (or at least should) go on into the bowels of London. Handy tip when the trains are up the creek in winter, and even at the end of the line a seat isn't guaranteed. Also the lack of street lights is one of the notable things about Theydon Bois, perhaps not apparent in day time.
Very nice video, thank you. I always think there's something magical about tube trains clattering along with fields outside, great to see it at Theydon!
I've done that walk that Geoff started a number of times, the one that takes you behind the station - a good circular walk over heath, under what I think is the M11 and working back through Theydon Garnon and returning to Theydon Bois. Well worth the effort, though it is a bit confusing after All Saints church when you have to head down a small path and then pick your way through some fields.
Geoff, have you heard about 'The Bus Cafe' in the Waterloo bus garage? It's a tiny restaurant, accessible to the public, located on the grounds of an operating bus garage. They are open weekdays 8am to 4 pm and looks like a good subject for a video.
Thanks Geoff - great episode as always, and very timely as I'm off to travel and explore the Central Line next week, having done the Metropolitan today (unashamedly inspired by your excellent tube videos!).
Sounds like Geoff Marshall does like Theydon Bois. I personally have been to Theydon Bois before and it’s quite a lovely small village just outside of London and it’s so pretty. Shame that the Central Line ends at Epping which could have continued on to Ongar. But overall Theydon Bois is very nice.
Until the mid 1990s just North of Theydon Bois was the only public level crossing on the London Underground. It took a bridle way across the track, adding to the ruralness of the station.
I think there needs to be a new series: Secret Exits of the Undergrounds. I know there are a few: Theydon Bois Moor Park Brixton some more if you look closely...
If you look at the ironwork symbol, from which you are looking from the back, you will see ECR for Eastern Counties Railway! Geoff how could you miss that!
What an amazing experience you must have had at this station! I envy your exciting visit to this busy location! Next time I come over to the UK I have to go there to see it with my own eyes 😂😂😂
I wonder how up to date that bus timetable for service 541 is. Those taxi flyers certainly look like they've been there since about 1992 * If you zoom in I think it says from 2001! 😂
I grew up in London and since moved out and I never got to travel to Theydon Bois station and there is something about saying that you got to travel to a station called Theydon Bois
Thanks Geoff i honestly never heard of this station before but now watching your video i maybe taking myself and dogs there this weekend for a explore.
Plenty of dog walking areas around that station! It’s probably too muddy at the moment, but later in the year I’ll get the tube to Theydon Bois, walk up to just south of Epping station (just over the M25) then west and back south through Epping Forest.
Theydon Bois being out in the country does not have street lights except immediately outside the station. So the station is a little bit of city in the village.
For step free you're expected to get on the Epping train and stay on it until the driver turns around and goes back to London. It's a little backwards in 2023, but all in the name of cost effectiveness.
Re accessibility at this station, because trains generally go in and back out of Epping station, step free access into London is to board an Epping bound train, go one stop, wait a few mins on the same train, and head back south again. This is the same situation as Liverpool Street Met line.
My neighbour in the sixties did exactly that to go to the city as he had restricted mobility and couldn't manage the bridge! Still working in his eighties
The toilets at my local station of Meldreth have limited opening hours which cover only a fraction of the trains operating times. Luckily all the trains have toilets these days.
