Victoria Station, serving the southern commuter belt, Kent and the south coast, is one of London’s largest and busiest stations. Victorian was originally two separate stations. In 1858 the Victoria Station and Pimlico Railway extended its lines from South London, across the Thames to a terminus in central London. The new building was just a short walk from Buckingham Palace. The Italianate architecture was designed to blend in with the grandeur of the surrounding district. The station was used by the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway, with the Great Western Railway also operating some services into the station. The Grosvenor Hotel, bordering Buckingham Palace Road, was built beside the station in 1860 – 01, designed by James T Knowles, one of the earliest railway hotels.

In 1862 the London, Chatham and Dover Railway built its terminus next door. The original entrance was round the side to the east of the buildings. Although standing side by side, the two stations operated completely independently. In 1898 the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway demolished its old station and built a Renaissance-style building. Not to be outdone, in 1906 – 08 the South Eastern and Chatham Railway commissioned Alfred Blomfield to design and build a Baroque-style terminus in Portland stone. When the stations merged in 1924 a small access was made between the two buildings and was the only connection until Victoria’s redevelopment in the 1980′s. Victoria Station has always retained its two distinct internal areas which allows it to maintain a grasp on its heritage.