List of former and unopened London Underground stations

The London Underground is a public rapid transit system in the United Kingdom that serves a large part of Greater London and adjacent parts of the home counties of Essex, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. It has many closed stations, while other stations were planned but never opened for public use. Some stations were closed down because a scarcity of passengers made them uneconomic; some became redundant after lines were re-routed or replacements were built; and others are no longer served by the Underground but remain open to National Rail main line services. Many stations were planned as parts of new lines or extensions to existing ones but were later abandoned.

Some closed station buildings are still standing, converted for other uses or abandoned, while others have been demolished and their sites redeveloped. A number of stations, while still open, have closed platforms or sections, such as the Jubilee line platforms at Charing Cross. The interiors and platforms of a few closed stations are among parts of the London Underground available for filming purposes, such as those at Aldwych.[1]

London Transport Museum runs guided tours of several disused stations including Down Street through its "Hidden London" programme. The tours look at the history of the network and feature historical details drawn from the museum's own archives and collections.[2]

Closed and Former stations

The following stations were once served by a London Underground line or by one of the organisation's predecessor companies,[a] but are no longer served. Many are permanently closed, but some continue to be served by National Rail main line train operators.

StationLineClosed[3]Type of closureCurrent conditionDetails
Aldgate EastDistrict30 October 1938Station resitedDemolishedClosed when the current station was opened a short distance to the east to enable the Aldgate junction to be rebuilt[4]
AldwychPiccadilly30 September 1994Station and route closedBuilding remains and platforms sometimes used for cinematic purposesTerminus of Piccadilly line branch line from Holborn; closed because of low passenger numbers and cost of replacing lifts[5]
AylesburyMetropolitan10 September 1961Service withdrawnOperated by National RailThe service was cut back to Amersham when electric locomotive-hauled trains were replaced with A60 Stock trains.[6] Now operated by Chiltern Railways
Blake HallCentral31 October 1981Station closedBuilding remains as private residence.Closed due to low passenger numbers[7] Line used as heritage railway (Epping – Ongar)
BrillMetropolitan30 November 1935Station and route closedDemolishedClosed when Brill branch was closed owing to very low passenger numbers[8]
British MuseumCentral24 September 1933Station closedClosed when Central line platforms were opened at Holborn[9]
Brompton RoadPiccadilly29 July 1934Station closedMostly demolished, side elevation remainsClosed due to low passenger numbers and creation of a new entrance to Knightsbridge station[10]
BusheyBakerloo24 September 1982Service withdrawnOperated by National RailFormer peak hours only service withdrawn to save money following cancellation of Greater London Council's Fares Fair policy;[11] both now operated by London Overground
Carpenders Park
Castle Hill (Ealing Dean)District30 September 1885The Windsor service was cut back to Ealing Broadway owing to low passenger numbers.[12] It is now West Ealing station.
Charing CrossJubilee19 November 1999PartialRemainder of station in useTwo platforms are still functional but were removed from public use when the Jubilee line extension to Stratford was opened in 1999.[13]
City RoadNorthern8 August 1922Station closedDemolished. A modern ventilation tower and emergency escape remains.Closed due to low passenger numbers[14]
Down StreetPiccadilly21 May 1932Station closedBuilding remainsClosed due to low passenger numbers when entrances to Green Park and Hyde Park Corner were moved closer to its location[15]
Drayton ParkNorthern16 August 1976Service withdrawn, transferred to National RailOperated by National RailFormer Northern line Highbury Branch between Moorgate and Finsbury Park converted to main line operation[16]
Earl's CourtDistrict31 January 1878Station resitedDemolishedOriginal station closed when the current station opened to the west[17]
Essex RoadNorthern16 August 1976Service withdrawn, transferred to National RailOperated by National RailFormer Northern line Highbury Branch between Moorgate and Finsbury Park converted to main line operation[16]
Granborough RoadMetropolitan4 July 1936Station and route closedDemolishedClosed when Verney Junction service was cut back to Aylesbury owing to low passenger numbers[8]
Great Missenden10 September 1961Service withdrawnOperated by National RailThe service was cut back to Amersham when electric locomotive-hauled trains were replaced with A60 Stock trains.[6] Now operated by Chiltern Railways
Hammersmith (Grove Road)31 December 1906Subsequently closed and demolishedService withdrawn due to low passenger numbers; station was closed in 1916 by London and South Western Railway[18]
HanwellDistrict30 September 1885Service withdrawnOperated by National RailThe Windsor service was cut back to Ealing Broadway because of poor passenger numbers.[12] Now an Elizabeth line station
Hatch EndBakerloo24 September 1982Former peak hours only service withdrawn to save money following cancellation of Greater London Council's Fares Fair policy;[11] now operated by London Overground
HayesDistrict30 September 1885The Windsor service was cut back to Ealing Broadway owing to low passenger numbers.[12] It is now Hayes & Harlington station (an Elizabeth line station).
Headstone LaneBakerloo24 September 1982Former peak hours only service withdrawn to save money following cancellation of Greater London Council's Fares Fair policy;[11] now operated by London Overground
HillingdonMetropolitan, Piccadilly5 December 1992Station resitedDemolishedThe original station was to the east of the current station and was closed to allow widening of the A40 road.[19]
Hounslow TownDistrict1 May 1909Station and route closed, station resitedDemolishedOn a now-closed branch of the District Railway, from what is now the Piccadilly line near Hounslow East, it was closed when Hounslow East station was opened.[20]
King's Cross St PancrasMetropolitan9 March 1941Station resitedBuilding remainsThe original platforms were to the east of the current ones; the station was moved to make interchange with main line station easier.[21]
King William StreetNorthern24 February 1900Station and route closedDemolished but underground platforms remainThe original terminus of the City & South London Railway, which was closed when the line was extended on a new alignment to Bank;[22] converted for use as an air-raid shelter during World War II
LangleyDistrict30 September 1885Service withdrawnOperated by National RailThe Windsor service was cut back to Ealing Broadway owing to low passenger numbers.[12] Now an Elizabeth line station
Leigh-on-Sea30 September 1939Limited excursion service withdrawn as a wartime measure and not restarted;[23] now operated by c2c
Lord'sMetropolitan19 November 1939Station closedDemolishedClosed to increase capacity on Metropolitan line, following opening of nearby St John's Wood station on the Bakerloo line (now the Jubilee line).[24]
Mark LaneDistrict, Circle4 February 1967Station resitedBuilding remainsClosed when current Tower Hill station to the east was built to provide a better interchange with main line services at Fenchurch Street[25]
Marlborough RoadMetropolitan19 November 1939Station closedBuilding remainsClosed to increase capacity on Metropolitan line, following opening of nearby St John's Wood station on the Bakerloo line (now the Jubilee line)[26]
New CrossEast London22 December 2007Service withdrawn, transferred to National RailOperated by National RailBoth now operated by London Overground
New Cross Gate
Northfields & Little EalingPiccadilly18 May 1932Station resitedDemolishedMoved to allow access into new depot at Northfields built for Piccadilly line trains; when open, this station was served by the District line.[27]
North WealdCentral30 September 1994Stations and route closedBuildings remainBoth closed due to low passenger numbers;[7] reopened in 2004 as part of the Epping Ongar Railway.[28]
Ongar
Osterley & Spring GrovePiccadilly24 March 1934Station resitedBuilding remains as retail unit; platforms partially remainClosed when new Osterley station was opened to the south-west, to provide additional capacity[29]
Park Royal & Twyford Abbey5 July 1931DemolishedClosed when station was relocated to Park Royal to provide more convenient access from Western Avenue;[30] when open, this station was served by the District line.
Preston RoadMetropolitan2 January 1932A small halt station was reconstructed to the west when the number of tracks through the station was increased from two to four.[31]
Quainton Road4 July 1936Service withdrawn, transferred to LNERBuilding remainsService was cut back to Aylesbury owing to low passenger numbers;[8] it temporarily reopened for wartime operations between 1943 and 1948.[3] BR services withdrawn 1963, but the station is the home of the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre and is used for occasional special services from Aylesbury.
RotherhitheEast London22 December 2007Service withdrawn, transferred to National RailOperated by National RailNow operated by London Overground
St Mary's (Whitechapel Road)District30 April 1938Station closedBombed in World War II; demolishedClosed when Aldgate East was rebuilt closer to its location; converted for use as an air-raid shelter during the war[32]
ShadwellEast London22 December 2007Service withdrawn, transferred to National RailOperated by National RailNow operated by London Overground
Shepherd's BushHammersmith & City31 March 1914Station resitedDemolishedStation replaced by Shepherd's Bush (now Shepherd's Bush Market) to the north and Goldhawk Road to the south[31]
ShoeburynessDistrict30 September 1939Service withdrawnOperated by National RailLimited excursion service withdrawn as a wartime measure and not restarted;[23] now operated by c2c
ShoreditchEast London9 June 2006Station re-sited and route re-alignedBuilding remainsClosed to allow extension of East London Line on new alignment across site[33][34] Replaced by London Overground station Shoreditch High Street.
SloughDistrict30 September 1885Service withdrawnOperated by National RailThe Windsor service was cut back to Ealing Broadway owing to low passenger numbers.[12] Now operated by Great Western Railway
South Acton28 February 1959Station and route closedDemolishedOn a short branch of the District line from Acton Town, it was closed owing to low passenger numbers.[35]
Southend Central30 September 1939Service withdrawnOperated by National RailLimited excursion service withdrawn as a wartime measure and not restarted;[23] now operated by c2c
Southall30 September 1885The Windsor service was cut back to Ealing Broadway owing to low passenger numbers.[12] Now an Elizabeth line station
South HarrowPiccadilly4 July 1935Station resitedBuilding remainsClosed when station was relocated a short distance to the north[3]
South Kentish TownNorthern5 June 1924Station closedClosed due to a strike at the Underground's Lots Road Power Station and never reopened owing to low passenger numbers[36]
Stoke MandevilleMetropolitan10 September 1961Service withdrawnOperated by National RailThe service was cut back to Amersham when electric locomotive-hauled trains were replaced with A60 Stock trains.[6] Now operated by Chiltern Railways
Surrey QuaysEast London22 December 2007Service withdrawn, transferred to National RailNow operated by London Overground
Swiss CottageMetropolitan17 August 1940Station closedDemolishedClosed as a wartime measure and not reopened; the adjacent Bakerloo line (now Jubilee line) station briefly operated as an interchange[37]
Tower of LondonDistrict, Circle12 October 1884Station resitedA short-lived station on the site of the present Tower Hill station, which was closed when Mark Lane (also now closed) was opened[38]
UxbridgeMetropolitan, Piccadilly3 December 1938Station resitedClosed when the current station was opened on a new alignment closer to Uxbridge town centre[39]
Uxbridge RoadMetropolitan19 October 1940Station closedClosed after bombing of the line during World War II, due to low passenger numbers;[40] National Rail services on the line continue, and Shepherd's Bush station is a short distance to the north.
Verney JunctionMetropolitan4 July 1936Station and route closedClosed when service was cut back to Aylesbury due to low passenger numbers[8]
WaddesdonClosed when Verney Junction service was cut back to Aylesbury owing to low passenger numbers[8]
Waddesdon Road30 November 1935Closed when Brill branch was closed due to very low passenger numbers[8]
WappingEast London22 December 2007Service withdrawn, transferred to National RailOperated by National RailNow operated by London Overground
Watford High StreetBakerloo24 September 1982Service withdrawnOperated by National RailFormer peak hours only service withdrawn to save money following cancellation of Greater London Council's Fares Fair policy;[11] now operated by London Overground
Watford JunctionBakerloo24 September 1982Service withdrawnOperated by National RailFormer peak hours only service withdrawn to save money following cancellation of Greater London Council's Fares Fair policy;[11] now operated by London Northwestern Railway
WendoverMetropolitan10 September 1961Service withdrawnOperated by National RailThe service was cut back to Amersham when electric locomotive-hauled trains were replaced with A60 Stock trains.[6] Now operated by Chiltern Railways
Westbourne Park31 October 1871Station resitedDemolishedClosed when current station was opened in 1871[3]
Westcott30 November 1935Station and route closedBuilding remainsClosed when Brill branch was closed due to very low passenger numbers[8]
West DraytonDistrict30 September 1885Service withdrawnOperated by National RailThe Windsor service was cut back to Ealing Broadway owing to low passenger numbers.[12] Now an Elizabeth line station
WindsorThe Windsor service was cut back to Ealing Broadway owing to low passenger numbers.[12] The station is now Windsor & Eton Central.
Winslow RoadMetropolitan4 July 1936Station and route closedDemolishedClosed when Verney Junction service was cut back to Aylesbury owing to low passenger numbers[8]
White CityHammersmith & City24 October 1959Station closedThis station closed following a fire.[41] Wood Lane station is close to its location.
Wood LaneCentral22 November 1947Station resitedThis awkwardly arranged station was closed when its replacement, White City, opened to the north.[42]
Wood SidingMetropolitan30 November 1935Station and route closedBoth closed when Brill branch was closed because of very low passenger numbers[8]
Wotton
York RoadPiccadilly17 September 1932Station closedBuilding remains and platforms visible between King's Cross and Caledonian RoadClosed owing to low passenger numbers[43]

Unopened stations

The following stations were once planned by the London Underground or one of the early independent underground railway companies and were granted parliamentary approval. Subsequent changes of plans or shortages of funds led to these stations being cancelled before they opened, and, in most cases, before any construction work was carried out.[b]

StationLinePlannedCancelledProposalDetails
AldwychFleet1971[44]1989[45]Expansion of existing station on new routePart of the cancelled phase 2 of the original Fleet (now Jubilee) line plans
Alexandra PalaceNorthern1935[46]1954[47]Transfer of mainline station and routeAbandoned part of Northern Heights Project. Transfer from LNER.
BecktonJubilee1980[48]1989[45]New station on new routePart of the cancelled revised phase 3 of the Jubilee line plans, revived previous mainline route closed in 1940
BrixtonCity & Brixton Railway1898[49]1902[50]Company failed to raise funds and permissions expired
Brockley HillNorthern1936[51]1953[52]Partly built; an abandoned part of Northern Heights Project
BrondesburyNorth West London Railway1899[53]1908[54]Company failed to raise funds and permissions expired
Bushey HeathNorthern1936[51]1949[55]Abandoned part of Northern Heights Project.
CamberwellBakerloo1931[56]1950[57]Part of abandoned extension to Camberwell
Cannon HillDistrict1910[58]1923[59]Unbuilt station on the Wimbledon & Sutton Railway replaced by Wimbledon Chase when the line was built
Cannon StreetFleet1971[44]1989[45]Expansion of existing station on new routePart of the cancelled phase 2 of the original Fleet (now Jubilee) line plans
Charing CrossLondon Central Railway1871[60]1874[61]New station on new routeStation would have been on the north side of Strand opposite the main line station
Charing CrossDistrict1897[62]1908[63]The only intermediate station on a cancelled deep-level express route running under the south side of the Circle line from Gloucester Road to Mansion House, it would have had an interchange with the MDR's sub-surface station (now Embankment).
Cheam1910[58]1923[59]Unbuilt station on the Wimbledon & Sutton Railway
ClerkenwellMetropolitan Railway1911[64]1932[64]New station on existing routeUnbuilt station on the Metropolitan Railway
Collingwood RoadDistrict1910[58]1922[59]New station on new routeUnbuilt station on the Wimbledon & Sutton Railway
Cranley GardensNorthern1935[46]1954[47]Transfer of mainline station and routeAbandoned part of Northern Heights Project. Transfer from LNER.
CricklewoodNorth West London Railway1899[53]1908[54]New station on new routeCompany failed to raise funds and permissions expired
Crouch EndNorthern1935[46]1954[47]Transfer of mainline station and routeAbandoned part of Northern Heights Project. Transfer from LNER.
Custom HouseJubilee1980[48]1989[45]Part of the cancelled revised phase 3 of the Jubilee line plans
DenhamCentral1937[65]1948[66]New service to existing stationCancelled part of Central line extension beyond West Ruislip, due to the introduction of Metropolitan Green Belt; National Rail services continue
Elm FarmDistrict1910[58]1922[59]New station on new routeUnbuilt station on the Wimbledon & Sutton Railway
Elm Grove
Elstree SouthNorthern1936[51]1949[55]Abandoned part of Northern Heights Project.
Emlyn RoadCentral1913[67]1919[67]Abandoned proposal for an extension to Richmond
Fenchurch StreetFleet1971[44]1989[45]Part of the cancelled phase 2 of the original Fleet (now Jubilee) line plans
Finchley RoadMetropolitan & St John's Wood Railway1864[68]1870[69]A continuation of the line from Swiss Cottage
Goodge StreetLondon Central Railway1871[60]1874[61]Station would have been further west on Goodge Street to the west of the Northern line's station of the same name opened later
Gower StreetInterchange station that would have connected to the Metropolitan Railway's station of the same name (now Euston Square)
HammersmithCentral1919[70]1920s[70]Abandoned proposal for an extension to Richmond, on an alternative route from the 1913 plan
HampsteadMetropolitan & St John's Wood Railway1865[69]1870[69]An extension from Finchely Road to Hampstead
Harefield RoadCentral1937[65]1948[66]New station on existing routeCancelled part of Central line extension beyond West Ruislip, due to introduction of Metropolitan Green Belt
HarringayGreat Northern & Strand Railway1898[71]1902[72]New station on new routePart of a section of the Great Northern & Strand Railway running beneath the Great Northern Railway north of Finsbury Park, which was cancelled when the line was merged with the Brompton & Piccadilly Circus Railway (now the Piccadilly line); it would have had an interchange with the GNR's Harringay station.
Harrow RoadNorth West London Railway1899[53]1908[54]Company failed to raise funds and permissions expired
Heathfield TerraceCentral1913[67]1919[67]Abandoned proposal for an extension to Richmond
Highgate (High-level)Northern1935[46]1954[47]Transfer of mainline station and routeAbandoned part of Northern Heights Project. Transfer from LNER. LNER station rebuilt but transfer cancelled; the deep-level station built to interchange with the original high-level station remains in use.
HornseyGreat Northern & Strand Railway1898[71]1902[72]New station on new routePart of a section of the Great Northern & Strand Railway running beneath the Great Northern Railway north of Finsbury Park; cancelled when the line was merged with the Brompton & Piccadilly Circus Railway (now the Piccadilly line); it would have had an interchange with the GNR's Hornsey station.
Hyde Park CornerNorth West London Railway1899[73]1908[54]A connection was planned to Piccadilly line station.
Kennington CrossCity & Brixton Railway1898[49]1902[50]Company failed to raise funds and permissions expired
KilburnNorth West London Railway1899[53]1908[54]Company failed to raise funds and permissions expired; a separate station to the Jubilee line station of the same name
Lambeth RoadCity & Brixton Railway1898[49]1902[50]Company failed to raise funds and permissions expired
Leicester SquareLondon Central Railway1871[60]1874[61]Station would have been on the north side of Leicester Square west of the Northern line's and Piccadilly line's station of the same name opened later
LewishamFleet1972[44]1989[45]Expansion of existing station on new routePart of the cancelled phase 3 of the original Fleet (now Jubilee) line plans
London BridgeCity & Brixton Railway1898[49]1902[50]New station on new routeCompany failed to raise funds and permissions expired; a separate station to the Northern line station of the same name
Lorn RoadCompany failed to raise funds and permissions expired
LothburyGreat Northern & City Railway1902[74]1914[75]Superseded by an alternative plan that did not need the station, but which was also cancelled
Ludgate CircusFleet1971[44]1989[45]Part of the cancelled phase 2 of the original Fleet (now Jubilee) line plans
Maida ValeNorth West London Railway1899[53]1908[54]Company failed to raise funds and permissions expired; a separate station to the Bakerloo line station of the same name, which was planned later.
Mansion HouseDistrict1897[62]The terminus of a cancelled deep-level express route running under the south side of the Circle line from Gloucester Road, it would have had an interchange with the MDR's sub-surface station.
Marble ArchNorth West London Railway1899[53]Company failed to raise funds and permissions expired; a connection was planned to the Central line station.
Merton ParkDistrict1910[58]1923[59]Station on the Wimbledon & Sutton Railway, later opened by the Southern Railway as South Merton
Mill Hill (The Hale)Northern1935[46]1954[47]Transfer of mainline station and routeAbandoned part of Northern Heights Project. Transfer from LNER.
MillwallJubilee1980[48]1989[45]New station on new routePart of the cancelled revised phase 3 of the Jubilee line plans
Muswell HillNorthern1935[46]1954[47]Transfer of mainline station and routeAbandoned part of Northern Heights Project. Transfer from LNER.
New CrossFleet1971[44]1989[45]Expansion of existing station on new routePart of the cancelled phase 3 of the original Fleet (now Jubilee) line plans
New Cross Gate
North EndNorthern1903[76]1906[76]New station on new routePlanned by the Charing Cross, Euston and Hampstead Railway, but abandoned, partly built at platform level, because of anticipated low passenger numbers; the line opened through the station as planned in 1907.
North GreenwichJubilee1980[48]1989[45]New station on new routePart of the cancelled revised phase 3 of the Jubilee line plans
Oxford StreetLondon Central Railway1871[60]1874[61]Station would have been on Oxford Street west of the junction with Tottenham Court Road
Paddenswick RoadCentral1913[67]1919[67]Abandoned proposal for an extension to Richmond
Rylett Road
St George's CircusCity & Brixton Railway1898[49]1902[50]Company failed to raise funds and permissions expired
St Katharine DocksJubilee1980[48]1989[45]Part of the cancelled revised phase 3 of the Jubilee line plans
SilvertownJubileeTransfer of mainline station and routePart of the cancelled revised phase 3 of the Jubilee line plans
South MordenDistrict1910[58]1923[59]New station on new routeUnbuilt station on the Wimbledon & Sutton Railway replaced by Morden South and St Helier when the line was built
Stroud GreenNorthern1935[46]1954[47]Transfer of mainline station and routeAbandoned part of Northern Heights Project. Transfer from LNER.
Surrey DocksFleet1971[44]1989[45]Expansion of existing station on new routePart of the cancelled phase 3 of the original Fleet (now Jubilee) line plans
Surrey Docks NorthJubilee1980[48]New station on new routePart of the cancelled revised phase 3 of the Jubilee line plans
SuttonDistrict1910[58]1923[59]New service to existing stationLondon, Brighton & South Coast Railway station to which the Wimbledon & Sutton Railway planned to extend
Sutton CommonNew station on new routeStation on the Wimbledon & Sutton Railway, later opened by the Southern Railway
The GroveCentral1913[67]1919[67]Abandoned proposal for an extension to Richmond
Trafalgar SquareCharing Cross and Waterloo Electric Railway1882[77]1885[78]Abandoned proposal for line from Charing Cross to Waterloo, the first proposed to use electric traction
Turnham GreenCentral1913[67]1919[67]Abandoned proposal for an extension to Richmond
VictoriaNorth West London Railway1899[73]1908[54]Company failed to raise funds and permissions expired; a connection was planned to the District line station.
Walthamstow Wood StreetVictoria1955[79]1961[80]Original planned terminus of line before plans were modified to omit the last station and terminate at Walthamstow Central
WalworthBakerloo1931[56]1950[57]Part of abandoned extension to Camberwell
WappingJubilee1980[48]1989[45]Expansion of existing station on new routePart of the cancelled revised phase 3 of the Jubilee line plans
WaterlooCharing Cross and Waterloo Electric Railway1882[77]1885[78]New station on new routeAbandoned proposal for line from Charing Cross to Waterloo, the first proposed to use electric traction
WaterlooPiccadilly1965[81]1967[81]Expansion of existing station on new routeAbandoned proposal for an extension of line from Aldwych
Watford CentralMetropolitan1927[82]New station on new routePart of abandoned Metropolitan line extension to Watford town centre
West EndNorth West London Railway1899[53]1908[54]Company failed to raise funds and permissions expired
Wood GreenGreat Northern & Strand Railway1898[71]1902[72]Part of a section of the Great Northern & Strand Railway running beneath the Great Northern Railway north of Finsbury Park; cancelled when line was merged with the Brompton & Piccadilly Circus Railway (now the Piccadilly line); would have had an interchange with the GNR's Wood Green station (now Alexandra Palace)
Woolwich ArsenalJubilee1980[48]1989[45]Expansion of existing station on new routePart of the cancelled revised phase 3 of the Jubilee line plans

See also

Notes and references

Notes

References

Bibliography

External links