Riding the Northern Line: A Tourist’s Guide to London’s Most Quirky Tube Route

If you’re visiting London and planning to explore the city by Underground, chances are you’ll find yourself on the Northern line, whether you meant to or not. Coloured black on the famous Tube map, this line is packed with history, curiosities, and some of London’s most iconic stops.

A Journey into History

The Northern line isn’t just another Tube route; it holds the title for the oldest deep-level underground railway in the world. The section between Stockwell and Borough opened all the way back in 1890, marking the beginning of a transport revolution beneath London’s busy streets.

What many may not realise is that today’s Northern line is the result of three separate railway companies that were merged during the 1920s and 1930s. This explains its maze-like layout of two northern branches, two different central London routes, and one southern branch. For a transport enthusiast, it’s a living museum of engineering evolution.

If you want to visit an actual museum that can give more information on the Northern line and others, then work your way over to Covent Garden and visit the London Transport Museum.

One Line, Two Paths Through the Heart of London

What makes the Northern line unique is that it splits into two different central London routes:

• The Charing Cross branch – perfect for tourists exploring Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, or the West End.

• The Bank branch – ideal for reaching the City of London, St Paul’s, and the financial district.

Both branches eventually reconnect, giving travellers flexibility and sometimes a surprise detour if they hop on the wrong train, part of the Northern line charm!

London’s Second Busiest, But Not So Northern

Here’s a fun twist: despite its name, the Northern line does not reach the northernmost parts of the network. In fact, it ironically serves the southernmost station on the entire Underground system. Who said transport naming had to make sense?

Across its length, the line has 50 stations, with 36 of them below ground, weaving passengers through layers of history, rock, clay, and the hustle of modern city life.

Record-Breaking Stations You Won’t Want to Miss

• Hampstead – Home to the deepest platform on the Underground, sitting 58.5 metres below street level. If you’re not a fan of lifts, brace yourself.

• Angel – Famous for having the longest escalator in the Tube network at a staggering 60 metres. A great place to test your thigh strength or simply marvel at the engineering.

Why Tourists Love the Northern Line

Whether you’re heading to Camden Market, strolling through Borough Market, catching a show in the West End, or wandering around the City, the Northern line connects you to many of London’s best-loved destinations.

Its quirks, historical roots, and unusual layout make it easily one of the most memorable Tube lines for adventurous visitors.