Like all stations on the Cockfosters extension, Manor House station set new aesthetic standards, not previously seen on London's Underground. The sub-surface areas of the station were tiled in biscuit coloured tiles lined with blue friezes (refurbished in 2005).
When first constructed, the station was equipped with nine street level entrances, two of which gave access to tram routes to and from Tottenham, Edmonton and Stamford Hill via tramway island exits into Seven Sisters Road. The last of these tram services were withdrawn in 1938 and replaced by trolleybuses and the exits were removed in 1951.
The station tunnels have, in common with those of Turnpike Lane and Wood Green, a diameter of 23 feet (7 metres) and were designed for the greater volume of traffic expected. In contrast, Bounds Green and Southgate have only 21 foot (6.4 metres) diameter platform tunnels. The construction of "suicide pits" between the rails was also innovative. These were built in connection with a system of passageways under the platforms to give access to the track.
Next to the northern exit is the former Metropolitan Electric Tramways Headquarters (M.E.T) building, later the Eastern Divisional Office of London Transport Buses.
Plan to transfer station to the Victoria line
During the planning of the Victoria line, a proposal to transfer Manor House station to the Victoria line was put forward. New tunnels were also proposed for the Piccadilly line between Finsbury Park and Turnpike Lane, which would have considerably reduced the travelling time from outer North London to Central London. The inconvenience caused during re-construction, as well as the cost, ensured that the ideas were not pursued.[8]
The Victoria line tunnels as built run underneath the station. At the northern end of the eastbound (towards Cockfosters) platform one can hear Victoria line trains running beneath.[citation needed]
