Comments on: Looking for interesting London Underground Stations

Question: Looking for interesting London Underground Stations

still_wears_a_hat — Wed, 13 May 2009 12:58:04 -0800

I'm in the middle of my extended vacation in London, and am enjoying the Underground, especially how much personality some of the stations have. Which ones should I not miss while I'm here?

I'm looking more for interesting design elements - things like all the Sherlock Holmeses at Baker Street, the lamps on the escalators at Swiss Cottage, the balloons at Finsbury Park, the elaborate mosaics at Tottenham Court Road, the series of alcove murals on some of the stations along the Victoria line - more than stations of particular historical or architectural interest, but those are OK too.

By: game warden to the events rhino

game warden to the events rhino — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:02:40 -0800

Ghost stations! You only get to look as the train races by, though.

By: BrokenEnglish

BrokenEnglish — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:06:55 -0800

I seem to remember Baker Street was good. World's first underground station according to a quick Google.

Disclaimer: haven't been there for 20+ years...

By: jlstitt

jlstitt — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:09:54 -0800

St. Pancras ;-)

By: Coobeastie

Coobeastie — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:15:51 -0800

There's someone who is more than a bit obsessed with the tiling on the Underground; if you go to this site and click on 'Want to Know More?' you'll get which stations have original Edwardian tiling in place (and which have new stuff).

Also a more comprehensive list of abandoned tube stations. For the visitor the interest is in those that have surviving buildings above ground (such as Down Street).

I love the murals of Eleanor of Castille's funeral at Charing Cross.

You can also visit Mornington Crescent and play Mornington Crescent.

By: featherboa

featherboa — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:38:05 -0800

The Platform for Art - project to display art in Tube stations, might interest you. There's usually something in Gloucester Road tube (which I think is atmospheric anyway), and there's a wire elephant if you go down to the Jubilee line at Waterloo from the Waterloo Road entrance. Similarly, going down or up to London Bridge tube, there's a display of some Roman pottery that was found nearby.

By: rokusan

rokusan — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:50:25 -0800

There are some amazing (and creepy) spiral stair exits from some stations, like Borough, Covent Garden and Bull & Bush... I think. They're a bit of work to haul yourself up, but they're very cool. Some come with warnings on the number of steps you're about to commit yourself too. I love that.

I think there are tours of the abandoned parts of Down Street Station, too, which has not only amazing spiral stairs but some secret passages and rooms used during WWII.

By: rokusan

rokusan — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:51:32 -0800

I typed too fast... the spiral stair at Down Street is a spiral stair escalator.

By: i_cola

i_cola — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:23:25 -0800

Earl's Court District Line (next out from Gloucester Road) platforms are interesting with the old indicator boards and kiosks.

There is a station that has a secret little garden but I can't remember for the life of me where it is. Possibly on the Hammersmith & City Line – Ladbrooke Grove-Royal Oak area?

The new stations on the Jubilee Line extension are pretty good, especially Canary Wharf.

Chesham at the very end of the Metropolitan Line & the most northerly point is worth the trip it seems.

In fact, this group of tube picture galleries might give you some inspiration.

By: i_cola

i_cola — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:24:55 -0800

Oh & Band Central Line. Ridiculously curved platforms.

By: penguin pie

penguin pie — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:30:54 -0800

Angel has a particularly huge escalator, supposedly the longest in Europe (though not much else to distinguish it). Maybe not worth a special trip, but if you're passing through you could jump off the train for a quick ride!

By: errspy

errspy — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:56:49 -0800

The Jubilee line extension makes me pretend I am in a Sci-Fi film.

I love the escalator going down from Waterloo overground. As a child I was amazed how deep 'underground' it goes.

By: marmaduke_yaverland

marmaduke_yaverland — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:05:41 -0800

I think the odd vents, big glass sliding doors and general spaciousness of Westminster are worth a look (Jubilee line)

You might also try walking out of Camden tube at midnight and see how long it takes for someone to offer you drugs. It's one of my favourite games.

By: i_cola

i_cola — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:23:02 -0800

That'll be Bank Central Line with the curved platforms.

By: Quinbus Flestrin

Quinbus Flestrin — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:29:09 -0800

Hampstead, and take the stairs rather than the lift!

By: Magnakai

Magnakai — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:50:21 -0800

Try walking up the stairs at Hampstead - it's the deepest station (I think...), and East Finchley's kind of nice. Southgate sounds kinda interesting, as does Osterley, but man it's far away.

I remember finding Canary Wharf pretty impressive when it first opened, but it's been a looong time since I've been to the tube station. But it'd be a good excuse to ride the DLR (sit at the front!) which every visitor to London should do.

By: Rumple

Rumple — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:11:34 -0800

2nd the Angel escalator. Nothing else there but it is worth riding. Nice antique market just east of the station too, some days.

By: bondgirl53001

bondgirl53001 — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:19:57 -0800

Tottenham Court Road was remodeled in the past few years, I believe.

By: penguin pie

penguin pie — Thu, 14 May 2009 14:08:07 -0800

Ooh yes, you should definitely ride the front seat of the DLR if you haven't already. But be quick - everyone wants the front seat! And don't go during the rush hour - too busy to enjoy.