The Nursemaids' Tunnel, Regent's Park

This pedestrian tunnel was built around 1821 during the development of Regent's Park, then known as Marylebone Park. The landscape design was by architect John Nash. The tunnel is constructed of London stock brick, with the entrance portals faced in stucco. It consists of a groin-vaulted brick tunnel with two matching portals. Each portal features a rounded arch with a projecting keystone, simple panels in the spandrels, and fluted Doric columns supporting a plain band. Wing walls on either side are scored to resemble ashlar and topped with a projecting coping. An iron railing is located at the south portal. The interior of the tunnel has groin vaults supported by brick pilasters and concave walls within each bay. Embedded in the lime-washed walls are iron hooks and chains, likely remnants of the original lighting system, probably for oil lamps. A segmental-arched doorway is set into the east wall at the south end. The tunnel is paved with York stone slabs, except at the central point where it passes above the Metropolitan Line, where a deck has been inserted and supported by two cast-iron arches with brick relieving arches above.