Mornington Crescent is a street in Camden, London. It was built in the 1820s. The crescent was named after the Earl of Mornington, brother of the Duke of Wellington. Comprising three curved terraces grouped in a crescent form around communal gardens, the north side of the crescent was constructed first. With 36 spacious houses suitable for professional people, the crescent was originally surrounded by green fields, enjoying views across open country to the front and rear, yet was conveniently close to town.
“Mornington Crescent” is an improvisational game featured in the BBC Radio 4 comedy panel show I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue.
The game consists of each panellist in turn announcing the name of a tube station. The apparent aim is to be the first to announce "Mornington Crescent". Interspersed with the turns is humorous discussion amongst the panellists and host regarding the rules and legality of each move, as well as the strategy the panellists are using. A typical game in the 1990s may have run thus:
Humphrey Lyttleton: Lambeth North.
Graeme Garden: Oxford Circus...
Barry Cryer: Green Park?
Willie Rushton: I’ll go with South Kensington.
HL: Mansion House!
GG: Erm – Bow Road?
BC: Cheeky one! I’ll say Liverpool Street.
WR: How about Lancaster Gate.
HL: It’s got to be Queensway.
GG: OK, Notting Hill Gate then.
BC: Hmm. I don’t think I’ve got any choice. Paddington.
WR: Arggh! Charing Cross!
HL: You’ve got me there. Charing Cross again.
GG: Mornington Crescent!!! (applause from studio audience)
Mornington Crescent Underground station is named after the street. The station is on the Charing Cross branch of the Northern line, between Euston and Camden Town. It is in Travelcard Zone 2.
The station was opened as part of the original route of the Charing Cross, Euston & Hampstead Railway (now the Charing Cross branch of the Northern line) on 22 June 1907. After opening, it was little used, and for many years it was open only on weekdays, and before 1966 Edgware-bound trains passed through without stopping.
On 23 October 1992 the station was shut so that the then 85-year-old lifts could be replaced. The intention was to open it within one year. However, the state of neglect meant other work had to be completed, and the station was closed for most of the 1990s, amidst talk of it closing permanently.