Alperton Station is a London Underground station located in the suburban district of Alperton in the London Borough of Brent. It sits in North West London, nestled between Wembley and Ealing, and serves as a stop on the Piccadilly line.
Alperton Station is located on Ealing Road, near the intersection with Bridgewater Road (A4005). It lies about 9.5 miles (15.3 kilometres) by road from Charing Cross, roughly a 35–45 minute journey depending on traffic conditions.
The station first opened on 28 June 1903 as part of the District Railway’s extension to South Harrow. It originally featured electric tram-style cars, and was among the first London Underground stations to be electrified from the outset. On 4 July 1932, service on the branch was transferred from the District line to the Piccadilly line, which continues to serve the station to this day.
The current station building, a modernist structure with a distinctive flat roof and brickwork, dates to 1931 and was designed by the prominent Underground architect Charles Holden, whose style became emblematic of London Transport’s identity during the interwar years.
The name Alperton originates from the Anglo-Saxon personal name "Ealhbeorht" combined with "tun," meaning a farm or settlement. It likely meant Ealhbeorht’s farmstead.
The station’s name has remained consistent since its opening in 1903. It is pronounced: AL-per-ton, with the emphasis on the first syllable.
In the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), Alperton is transcribed as /ˈælpə(r)tən/.
Alperton Station is served exclusively by the London Underground’s Piccadilly line. It is located in Travelcard Zone 4.
On the Piccadilly line, the station lies between:
Trains operate every 5–10 minutes depending on the time of day, offering a frequent and direct connection to central London destinations such as Leicester Square, Covent Garden, and King’s Cross St. Pancras, as well as to Heathrow Airport in the west.
There are no London Overground or National Rail services at Alperton. However, several London Buses routes connect here, including the 83, 224, 245, 297, and night bus N83, offering onward travel throughout Brent and beyond.
Alperton Station is a fine example of the London Underground’s 1930s architectural identity. The station building’s clean lines, cream-brick finish, and horizontal design elements make it a noteworthy contribution to the city’s transport heritage. The design by Charles Holden is functional yet modern, reflecting the ideals of the era’s public architecture.
The station features a small ticket hall with ticket machines and barriers, as well as stairs down to the two platforms. Although there is no lift, step-free access is a long-term goal for the station, which remains under review by Transport for London (TfL).
Alperton Station briefly gained popular attention in 2010 when it was featured in a humorous TV advert for the London Underground, highlighting amusing announcements and station quirks. Additionally, its heritage architecture has made it a point of interest for urban explorers and fans of Charles Holden’s designs.
Alperton lies just south of the Grand Union Canal, offering pleasant walking routes and cycling paths. The Ealing Road shopping district, known for its vibrant South Asian food and culture, is just steps away from the station. Nearby attractions include:
Painting of Alperton Station, London (View image in full size)