In keeping with the London Shoes ethos of exploring London’s more unusual, and lesser known history, last week my London Shoes made the short trip from my Romford base, over to Upminster – for the specific purpose of getting a close-up view of a rather controversial symbol that’s been displayed at a particular London tube station for over 90 years.
‘Upminster Bridge’ tube station is the penultimate stop at the eastern end of the District Line (ie the Green one shown on a standard Tube Map) – and is situated in the London Borough of Havering.
Built in a sort of Art Deco style, common for tube station designs at that particular period of time – the station was formally opened on 17th December 1934 when it was part of the London-Midland-Scottish Railway – which ran services between Upminster and Barking on the local electrified tracks.
On the face of it – Upminster Bridge station is just another run-of-the-mill tube station of the District Line – much quieter than that of its fellow District Line stations further down-the-line into ‘town’ (ie East London and then the City)
However – there is one thing that makes Upminster Bridge station a little different and unique from other stations on the Line, or come to that, any other London tube line.
This ‘difference’ has been (and still is) viewed as something rather controversial – because bang in the middle of the concourse of station ticket hall – is a massive tiled ‘Swastika’ built into the floor!!!
Now – the reality is, this symbol has absolutely nothing to with some right-wing fascist group that may have had its roots in (what was then) leafy Upminster – when the station was built in the early 1930’s – it actually represents something far removed from what the world recognises the symbol for today.
Back in the early 1930’s when the design was built into the station floor, a reversed Swastika had, for centuries, been commonly recognised as a symbol for things like:- ‘good luck’ / ‘divinity’/’well-being’– particularly in spiritual beliefs such as Buddhism and Hinduism. The symbol has also been prevalent on ancient artifacts of North American Indians / and on African pottery / and on some ancient Chinese temples.
Although the Nazi political party adopted their Swastika emblem in the late 1920’s – it would not have been common knowledge or probably meant too much to those designing Upminster Bridge tube station way back in the early 1930’s – as the notoriety of the German Nazi Party wasn’t yet a topical international issue back at that time. So I guess the architects/designers of Upminster Bridge tube station probably thought that plonking a colourful tiled Swastika design onto the station’s ticket hall floor, was a good idea that gave the station its own bit of character.
However – throughout the post WW2 decades, there have been many serious discussions concerning and proposing the removal of this controversial symbol from the ticket hall concourse floor – and as recently as 2021 a petition was submitted to the Government, calling for the swastika to be removed and replaced “with a memorial that commemorates the efforts of both soldiers and civilians throughout the commonwealth.”
The outcome of the 2021 petition was that it was rejected on the grounds that the symbol is considered a decoratively designed emblem from a bygone era – and not a symbol of political intent.
Apparently, the matter is far from closed as I’ve heard that there are still a large number of Upminster (& beyond) folk, who are not altogether comfortable with its continued presence.
So – with my London Shoes having made the short hop over to Upminster, to view this unique but controversial symbol close-up – it felt like it was time for a little liquid refreshment.
‘The Windmill’ pub is just a couple of hundred yards down the road from Upminster Bridge station.
The pub building dates back to 1803 and was originally named ‘The Bridge’ and later ‘The Bridge House’ – and then re-named ‘The Windmill’ because of the pub’s close proximity to the historic Upminster Windmill just down the road. A very pleasant and friendly pub and the ideal place for my London Shoes to enjoy a ‘cheeky’ one – after all that swastika stuff.
Hope you enjoyed this short ‘n sweet Shoes story and its accompanying photos.
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See below the entire gallery of photos taken to accompany this blog article
‘Upminster Bridge’ tube station is the penultimate stop at the eastern end of the District Line (ie the Green one shown on a standard Tube Map)
Upminster Bridge station opened in 1934 when it was part of the London-Midland-Scottish Railway – which ran services between Upminster and Barking on the local electrified tracks. (This is the District Line platform view looking towards its East London and Central London stations)
Upminster Bridge tube station platform – looking towards Upminster station the last stop on the eastern end of the District Line
Me – on the platform of Upminster Bridge station (2025)
The walkway from Upminster Bridge station platforms – to its ticket hall and entrance
Me – down in the pedestrian walkway from Upminster Bridge station platforms to the ticket hall
The 1930’s art-deco styled Ticket Hall of Upminster Bridge tube station……..with its unique floor design !!!
Back in the early 1930’s when the design was built into the station floor, a reversed Swastika had, for centuries, been commonly recognised as a symbol for things like:- ‘good luck’ / ‘divinity’/’well-being’- particularly in spiritual beliefs such as Buddhism and Hinduism. The symbol has also been prevalent on ancient artifacts of North American Indians / and on African pottery / and on some ancient Chinese temples.
A view of the now controversial 1930’s floor design on the ticket hall concourse of Upminster Bridge tube station
Me & my London Shoes – alongside the swastika symbol displayed on the ticket hall floor of Upminster Bridge station (2025)
the 1803 built ‘The Windmill’ pub is just a couple of hundred yards down the road from Upminster Bridge station.
The pub was originally named ‘The Bridge’ and later ‘The Bridge House’ – and then re-named ‘The Windmill’ because of the pub’s close proximity to the historic Upminster Windmill just down the road
Inside the 1803 built ‘The Windmill’ pub – almost opposite Upminster Bridge station
The ‘cheeky’ beer consumed by my London Shoes in ‘The Windmill’ pub – near Upminster Bridge tube station
My London Shoes – at ‘The Windmill’ pub – Upminster Bridge.
There’s obviously a lot of background history to all these places you tell us about Mr. London Shoes – places that many of us simply walk past without ever knowing or thinking about.
I don’t know Upminster Bridge Station – but looking at the pattern set into the floor I don’t think I would have ever thought it looked like a Swastika, just a geometric design, so your information makes interesting reading and gives food for thought in this day and age, as regards the possible alternative reversed pattern meaning.
If that way of putting it makes any sense🤔
Once again, Geoff, thanks for unearthing yet another historical curiosity. I fully understand why people who have to use that Tube station may be uneasy with the swastika design on the floor but, all the same, leaving it in place was surely the right decision.
Thank you Brian – glad you found it interesting. Like you, I too feel that keeping the symbol in situ is exactly the right thing to do.
Take care
GEOFF (www.londonshoes.blog)
Very interesting Geoff. That’s now my daughter’s local station. I didn’t notice it last week when I travelled home, but I’ll take a look next. I might bump into you at some point x
Very interesting Geoff, the history behind the swastika is fascinating I didn’t know of the other meanings but when you look at it the black oblong stood out 1st then I looked again and saw it, thanks for the blog 😀
As ever, a fascinating read. We need to educate those without knowledge rather than fearing we might upset someone
Fascinating as always. Loughton being my home stop i never ventured out east by tube, but maybe one day I’ll fill that gap. I say leave the swastika there and educate the dimwits about the true meaning of the swastika. Both left and right versions massively predate the nazi appropriation and are signs of peace.
Great post had no idea it was there. If it was laid to glorify Nazi culture then I could see why people would want it removed, but it’s not. It’s a symbol still in common use in many cultures. The wokism to rewrite recent history is flawed as you can’t change the past. How far back should we go? I’m still upset with the Normans shooting Harold oh no wait a minute they were Norsmen or Vikings and so was Harold descendants of a warrior people who raped and pillaged most of Europe. Rant over 😁 learn from history don’t deny it.
Well I never knew that Geoff . Every days a school day eh?
This is my local station and I have never noticed this on the floor . As they say – every day is a school day .
Excellent read Geoff
Another trip filled with information as usual thank you 🇨🇦
We occasionally walk section 23 of The London Loop up from Rainham to Upminster Bridge and always stop off for a couple in The Windmill (a fine pub!) before walking to the station to head back west – but l’ve never noticed the swastika before!
Really interesting, thanks. Part of County Hall in Chelmsford is a 1930’s building and there are a few swastikas on that too. Caused some concern a few years ago but it’s a listed building.
I know you’ve visited the Upminster Windmill in the past but maybe you could pencil in a visit for next year please? It’s up and running now, staffed purely by volunteers and has a wonderful programme of educational visits for local schools, photographic groups and other organisations. They have open weekends all through the summer when you can go inside the windmill and have award winning gardens where you can get a decent cup of tea and a cake on their garden open days. (Just a heads up … the last one of this year will be on 20/12 when they’ll have a Christmas fayre on too)
https://www.upminsterwindmill.org/