The Man Who Tastes the Tube

Imagine riding the tube on your commute and tasting sausage and eggs at Tottenham Court Road, a sweet burst of dolly mixtures at Camden Town, or pea & ham soup at Green Park—all without a single bite. For James Wannerton, a resident of Dollis Hill in North London, this is everyday life.

James has synaesthesia, a fascinating neurological condition where the senses intertwine in unexpected ways. In his case, reading or hearing the names of London Underground stations triggers a strong and specific taste in his mouth. For him, the Tube is not just a transit system—it’s a sprawling, subterranean menu. London Bridge? Lumpy mashed potato. Holland Park? Cheese triangles. Brixton delivers the taste of vanilla ice cream, while Oxford Circus brings the comforting warmth of oxtail soup.

A Life Full of Flavour

James first realised his connection between words and tastes as a child. “I just thought everyone tasted words,” he says. But his condition became a source of curiosity when he began to articulate how the names of Tube stations created distinct flavours in his mouth. Now in his sixties, James has mapped out his entire gastronomic Underground experience.

Tottenham Court Road? That’s sausage and eggs. Kilburn? Sadly, it’s putrid meat. High Barnet? A comforting splash of Ribena. Dollis Hill, his home station, serves up the flavour of a warm mince pie. Baker Street, however, is a bitter surprise, tasting like burnt jam roly-poly.

Sweet, Savoury, and Sometimes Disgusting

Not all of James’s station-inspired tastes are pleasant. Holborn is the bitter tang of burnt matches, while Shoreditch High Street’s cabbage water might make you want to avoid the Overground entirely. Some stations are delightfully quirky, like East Acton’s Ritz crackers and chocolates. Others evoke the unexpected: White City’s mince pies and Marmite blend might sound bizarre, but James insists it’s memorable.

It’s not just the words of station names that trigger tastes—any word can have this effect for James. But the Tube offers a unique, structured way to chart his condition. Over the years, he has worked with scientists and neurologists to study how synaesthesia works and what it reveals about the human brain.

A Journey with Challenges

Living with synaesthesia isn’t always a walk in the park. Imagine trying to focus on a conversation or an email when words keep triggering random flavours. James admits it can sometimes be distracting, but he has learned to embrace his unique experience. “I’ve got a map of London in my head that no one else has,” he jokes.

His condition also raises fascinating questions about perception. How do we all experience the world differently? What other invisible connections might exist between our senses?

From the Underground to the Spotlight

James’s unusual ability has made him something of a local celebrity. He’s been featured in documentaries, TV shows, and scientific studies. Researchers have used James’s experiences to better understand synaesthesia, which is thought to affect around 4% of the population.

For James, it’s not about fame but about sharing his unique perspective. “The Tube is an adventure for me,” he says. “Every station is a new dish waiting to be tasted.”

So next time you’re packed into a carriage on the Central Line or swiping your Oyster card at a busy terminal, spare a thought for James Wannerton, the man who doesn’t just see the Tube—he tastes it. And if you find yourself at Tottenham Court Road, why not imagine a plate of sausage and eggs? It might just make the journey a little more palatable.

Piccadilly Circus, London’s iconic crossroads