A river in a station?! What is this about? Never heard of river Westbourne (aka. Kilburn or Bayswater)? Well, not many people have since it gave way to Victorian London and retreated into a sewer-like pipe. However, river Westbourne was once a proud tributary of the Thames, flowing from Hampstead Heath down through Kilburn, Maidavale, Bayswater, Hyde Park, Belgravia and Chelsea.

Despite its low profile nowadays, one cannot ignore its legacy to modern-day London. For example, Serpentine was formed after building a dam on the river in 1730. And the boundary between Westminster and Chelsea boroughs is still based on the river's original stream bed. In addition, there are still many streets and areas across London that reminds us of the river's existence: Westbourne Grove, Bayswater Road, Upbrook Mews, Bourne Street, etc...

While die-hard fans of underground London can track the early stage of the river in the Hampstead and Frognal areas, there is a much easier way to spot it: next time you take a train at Sloane Square station, just look up! River Westbourne is running through that big Victorian pipe! It may not look impressive at first but it should make all London lovers feel a bit nostalgic and sorry for that little river.