Top 10 Underground Stations

Despite there being 270 stations, some of the stations are nicer than others. This is a list, in my opinion, of the best London Underground stations. As I go round the network this list will change and develop. It has been incredibly difficult to narrow this down to just ten. If there are any stations that you think should be on the list, please let me know in the comments.

10 - Kew Gardens

10 - Kew Gardens,
28th May 2017.

In at number 10 is Kew Gardens on the Richmond branch of the District Line. The station buildings are one of only a few examples left in London of mid-Victorian railway architecture. Kew Gardens features numerous plants, which helps brings the station to life. I am a fan of the use of plants in London Underground stations. But, perhaps the reason I like Kew Gardens so much is it is the only London Underground station to have a pub attached to it. Originally called 'The Railway', after a period of renovation in 2013 the pub reopened as The Tap on the Line. The pub has a door to access platform 1, however, this is no longer in use.  The station has had an interesting history with the railway, which, along with the charming appeal of the station, makes Kew Gardens a must visit for enthusiasts.

9 - East Ham

9 - East Ham,
6th February 2017.

My 9th favourite station is another on the District line (as well as the Hammersmith & City line). East Ham features highly due to their use of plants. The station features a disused platform, which closed in 1958. The platform was connected to the Tottenham and Forest Gate Railway, which is now part of the Gospel Oak to Barking line. This platform has since be converted to a garden. I am aware of a similar example at Chesham, but I have not yet been there. The grand Edwardian station building is also something to look out for. Next time you see yourself at East Ham look out for the canopy which features the letters LTSR, which stands for London, Tilbury and Southend Railway, as this railway opened the station in 1858 with Metropolitan District Railway services starting in 1902.

8 - Sudbury Town,
3rd June 2017

8 - Sudbury Town

Sudbury Town is the first station on my list to be designed by Charles Holden, famous for 'making concrete look beautiful' by designing 47 London Underground stations. Sudbury Town is like no other London Underground station as it is the only one to feature a barometer, and features a unique font on their roundels that no other station on the network uses. This station features many amazing features including a beautiful waiting room, an original ticket booth and numerous heritage signs. If you are a fan of unique stations, Sudbury Town is a must visit. The station building is one of Holden's best, along with, in my opinion, Chiswick Park, Arnos Grove and Southgate.

7 - North Ealing

7 - North Ealing,
3rd June 2017

North Ealing is perhaps the most surprising out of the stations to appear on my top 10, as not many other sites, blogs or forums site this station is one of the best on the network. North Ealing is a charming station situated on the Piccadilly line. The station is the only one on the South Harrow branch not to be designed by Charles Holden, and as a result has an interesting style. North Ealing looks as if it should be located in rural England, on an obscure branch line, but instead is located in zone 3. 550m away is West Acton on the Central line, which receives a more frequent service than North Ealing. The station has preserved its heritage really well, with numerous original features, and a gorgeous station building. Despite being located near the North Circular road, you get the feeling you are out of London, and in my opinion, along with Roding Valley, North Ealing is one of the best stations on the network to sit back and relax at.

6 - Westminster

6 - Westminster,
7th April 2017

It would be difficult to have a top 10 London Underground stations and not feature Westminster. The station is a tourists favourite when it comes to the London Underground. Although it is the 26th busiest station on the network, it is a key spot for tourists. With 17 escalators, Westminster is an impressive station. However, the reason I love Westminster is because it is, perhaps, the best example of where 'new meets old' on the network. At Westminster, the Jubilee line, which was opened here in 1999, meets the District and Circle line platforms which opened in 1868. According to a poll conducted by Transport by Design, Westminster is the most popular station amongst Londoners. So why isn't Westminster my favourite station? I do believe the next five stations offer something Westminster does not, and that is heritage and/or uniqueness.

5 - Putney Bridge

5 - Putney Bridge,
14th February 2017

Putney Bridge is a charming station situated on the branch of the District line going towards Wimbledon. With numerous heritage signs, lovely waiting rooms and exits which are only used on match days at nearby Craven Cottage, Putney Bridge is an exciting, yet traditional station in West London. Part of why Putney Bridge is special is it is situated in a lovely part of London. The station was the terminus of the Metropolitan District Railway for nine years between 1880 and 1889, when the railway extended over the river Thames towards Wimbledon. Overall, the entire branch of the District line between Earl's Court and Wimbledon is special, with West Brompton, Wimbledon Park and Parson's Green being noticeable contenders for my favourite stations. Putney Bridge is a little jewel of a station, and I highly recommend that you take the time to come out to West London to explore the station, and other stations on the branch, as you will not be disappointed.

4 - Canary Wharf

4 - Canary Wharf,
4th April 2017

Canary Wharf is a modern station and with lots of plans for the future, Canary Wharf is going to become even more of a major station for the capital. Canary Wharf is the busiest station on the network to be served by just one line with over 54 million people using the station in 2016. The Jubilee line station links up with Docklands Light Railway, and will link up with Crossrail (or the Elizabeth line as it will be known). This new station looks really impressive, and you can currently visit the garden in the roof of the Crossrail station, well worth a visit. An interesting fact about Canary Wharf is if you want to change for the DLR at Canary Wharf, it is quicker to do so at Heron Quays, as it is slightly nearer to the entrance of the Jubilee line station. Canary Wharf features the largest roundels at platform level, five entrances and once featured a cinema. According to a poll in 2013 by Yougov, is the "Most Loved" on the London Underground. The station is incredible modern, spacious and a delight to visit. 

3 - Gloucester Road

3 - Gloucester Road,
26th May 2017

Built in 1868, Gloucester Road is a gorgeous station with lots of character. The station is served by the District and Circle lines at cut and cover level, and the Piccadilly line at a deeper level. There are four platforms at cut and cover level. Westbound District line services use platform 1, Westbound Circle line services use platform 2, and Eastbound District and Circle line services share platform 3, leaving the 4th platform as disused. The disused platform at Gloucester Road is used as an art display for Transport for London's Art on the Underground. The metro perfectly describe the station as "if there's a Tube station that could double for a church, it's Gloucester Road, which has a serenity you won't find elsewhere on the network". The entrance to the Piccadilly line is in terracotta red, and is a delight to see. Overall, the station is well worth a visit, and with art that changes four times a year, there is plenty to warrant you to come back for.

2 - Oval

2 - Oval,
9th February 2017

I believe that Oval station is often overlooked when people describe their favourite London Underground stations, but there is really nothing not to love about it. The only Northern line station to appear on my list, Oval is one of just two stations on the network to be four letters long and has had a long history with the nearby Oval cricket ground. The station opened in 1890 and features cricketers incorporated with the tiling in the ticket hall, classical music and gorgeous lighting on the escalator from the ticket hall to the platforms. The tiling makes Oval unique and unlike any other on the network. I am personally not a big fan of cricket, but the history associated with the sport and Kennington Park opposite is fascinating. The station building once sported a lead-covered dome on top of the lift shaft. If you want to know what the station would have looked like with the dome, head one station north to Kennington. Also follow Oval on twitter as they share their thought of the day. The station also has a book exchange and featured on the BBC Two documentary The Tube. If you have not yet visited Oval, I strongly suggest that you do, you will not be disappointed.

1 - Gants Hill

1 - Gants Hill,
11th May 2017

If you are a regular reader of my blog, this will come as no surprise to you, but my favourite station on the entire London Underground that I have been to so far is Gants Hill. Gants Hill is the only station in my list to be served by the Central line. At a first glance, Gants Hill appears to be just a roundabout, but beneath is a Charles Holden classic. Holden drew inspiration from the Moscow Metro, and the station features a dominating roof like no other. There are lots of little features at Gants Hill which add up to make the station a classic. There are numerous roundels situated within the tiling at the station, a clock which has roundels replacing numbers, and the benches feature lighting which helps light up with dominating roof. Built in 1947, the station, and this part of the Central line, had an interesting history during World War Two. Gants Hill is the Eastern most station to be entirely underground. With lots to look out for, Gants Hill is a magnificent station that you have to visit.