Acton Town Underground Station has taken centre stage in Transport for London’s 25th anniversary celebrations, with staff efforts to bring colour and creativity to the network recognised in this year’s In Bloom gardening competition.
Robert Bullmore’s striking photocollage of Acton Town’s gardens and surrounding station won the Art in Bloom award. Judges praised the piece for capturing how a busy transport hub can also be a “peaceful, restorative space” for West Londoners.
The In Bloom contest, which first began in 1910 under the District Railway, has become a fixture of TfL’s calendar. More than 50 entries across 12 categories were submitted this year, ranging from fruit and vegetable plots to recycled planters. The 2025 edition carried a new “Best Theme” award to mark TfL’s quarter-century, won by Highbury & Islington station after working with local children to create gardens inspired by the network’s history.
Environmental sustainability featured strongly in the judging. Goodge Street station claimed the Environment Award for its inventive use of solar power, recycled materials and plants grown from seed. South Tottenham won both the Best Cultivated Garden and the Dennis Sanger Best in Show prize, described as a “riot of colour” shaped with the community.
Seb Dance, London’s deputy mayor for transport, said: “TfL’s ‘In Bloom’ gardening competition brightens up green spaces at stations and transport hubs across our network, brightening up people’s journeys.”
Emma Strain, TfL’s customer director, added: “Congratulations to all the winners … these not only brighten up local communities and customers’ journeys every day, but they also help to tackle climate change.”
