The growth of London
Content
London’s population grew rapidly in the 19th century. After the 1860s, local rail lines and underground lines began to extend further out from the centre, reaching villages like Brixton and Camberwell, which became the first suburbs.
Developers built new housing estates near stations, and suburban communities quickly grew up around them, with electric trams and motor buses making the new suburban lifestyle more appealing and convenient.
Many Londoners bought suburban homes, which offered a more comfortable lifestyle than the inner city. The Metropolitan Railway, which was quickly being built out into London’s north-west, became a successful property developer in its own right. The company built housing estates on land alongside the rail lines, creating a commuter area dubbed ‘Metro-land’. Posters and an annual guide were designed to attract new home buyers and promote the suburban ideal.
More from the Museum guide
In 1860, work began on the world's first underground railway - the Metropolitan line. See the only surviving 1860s steam engine in the Museum.
Construction on early underground lines was expensive and chaotic. Explore how the Greathead shield made digging deep tunnels much easier and helped build the world's first electric railway.
How did London Transport first form? Find out how and why Lord Ashfield merged all of London's transport operators in the early 1900s.
