Jeremy Clarkson has named the best thing in London – and it’s great news for all the train buffs out there. The presenter-turned-farmer revealed he has a soft spot for the glazed roof of Paddington station due to the intricate work of engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
Speaking in a video posted to partner Lisa Hogan’s Instagram, the 65-year-old believes the Victorian-era station should be considered amongst the capital’s greatest attractions. He said: “While people come to see Natural History Museum, Tower of London or Tower Bridge, the roof of Paddington station is THE coolest thing in London, the most beautiful thing in London.
The Clarkson’s Farm host went on to explain the beams above the tracks were supposedly designed with holes so scaffolding could be passed through them, allowing workers to easily clean the glass. However, if you look closely you’ll spot the gaps on the support girders also depict the sun, moon and stars.
Opened in 1854, Paddington Station as we know it now was the jewel in Brunel’s construction of the Great Western Railway, acting as a grand terminus for his greatest feat. However, he was first forced to create a temporary station amid soaring costs building the mainline.
This utilised the arches of Bishop’s Bridge Road and was used by passengers for nearly two decades. Unable to let his vision go, Brunel convinced railway bosses to build a bigger station to keep up with increased demand.
He was deeply inspired by the Crystal Palace, built in 1851 for the Great Exhibition. Similarities between the two buildings can be seen to the current day in his use of wrought iron and glass panes.
Clarkson himself is no stranger to Brunel’s designs, having been a self-proclaimed fan since at least the early 200s. The Doncaster native has fronted documentaries about him for the BBC, alongside his work on the original Top Gear.
Oft considered the greatest Briton, the civil engineer was the brain behind the Rotherhithe Tunnel, Maidenhead Bridge and Bristol’s Clifton Suspension Bridge.
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