Route & Design
Woodland Balcony
Visitors enter from the Camden Gardens balcony, and are greeted with viewing platform, inviting them to an elevated position to take in the views. This section of the Highline once served as a third platform for Camden Road station, and is therefore the widest part of the park; giving room for a lush woodland of English Oak, Rowan, Dogwood, Alder, and Scots Pine. The path weaves eastward through the woodland, with a canopy of leaves overhead and planting underneath, punctuated by seating alcoves and lookout points.
Moving east toward Camden Road, visitors are greeted by a seating area that can be used for small events, or simply for soaking up some sun, the south-facing aspect affords it sunlight year-round. The woodland behind it contains a series of purpose-built habitats for insects, birds and bats, and to the east, flexible-use space with with movable furniture, allow visitors to set up the seating as they like.
Access to this part of the Highline is through what used to be a second entrance to Camden Road station, at the crossroads of Camden Road and Royal College Street, a Grade II Listed building, which will be restored to its former glory and once again provide access to the viaduct above. A balcony overlook provides an aspect out onto the existing building facade and to the bustling intersection below, inviting passers-by up to the Highline.
Woodland Catwalk
This section of the Highline is characterized by three bridges. Rail gantries frame the sky, the path weaves past Network Rail structures, and the decks of the bridges have been removed, leaving broad girders which cast intriguing shadows to the streets below. Plants have begun to grow on and through this infrastructure, which all comes together to create a sense of urban exploration. The Highline will celebrate this aesthetic, leaving the bridge structures exposed and adding new planting and railway artefacts. After crossing Randolph Street bridge the woodland transitions to a new planting theme, inspired by the ancient hedgerows which cross the British countryside.
Camden Gardens
The western end of the Camden Highline begins in Camden Gardens, a five minute walk to Camden Town Underground and Camden Market. The staircase rises from the south of the park, then takes visitors through the railway arch at height. The stairs then rise again, through the tree canopy and onto a floating gantry, which offers unique views over the park and of the Victorian railway viaduct. All Highline entrances provide step-free access, and in Camden Gardens the rack & pinion, open-air lift recalls the industrial heritage of the area, offering an experience as enjoyable & unique as climbing the stairs.
The central arch will host a long communal table for visitors, with the other arches providing storage and visitor amenities.
Railway Gardens
The residential context of this section guides its character. Visitors entering the Railway Gardens pass an outdoor classroom, which can be used for school trips and the Camden Highline’s workshop program. The planting here transitions to productive gardens, including an orchard of fruit trees and volunteer-run allotments. The centrepiece of this section is the Log Yards Play Zone, which works with the existing sports pitch to provide active spaces for all ages.
The Wilds
The easternmost segment of the Highline project is also the longest. The existing trees to the north provide shade and privacy. The planting theme in this section embraces the existing natural character, and ecology platforms dot the route, providing habitats for birds, insects, bats and butterflies. The Highline ends with the York Way courtyard and entrance, a five minute walk on to the new King’s Cross district.
