Amersham Station is a notable terminus on the London Underground network, located in the market town of Amersham, within the county of Buckinghamshire, just outside Greater London. Though not in a London borough, it is part of London fare Zone 9 and plays a key role in connecting outer commuter areas to the capital2.
Location and Distance from Central London
Amersham lies in the administrative district of Buckinghamshire and is approximately 27 miles (43 kilometres) northwest of Charing Cross by road. The station is at the foot of Old Amersham and serves both the old and new parts of the town, offering convenient access to surrounding countryside and residential areas1.
Adult Fare from Amersham to Charing Cross
Travelling from Amersham Station to Charing Cross Station requires a journey that includes the London Underground Metropolitan line and a change to the Bakerloo line (or alternatively the Jubilee and Northern lines) to reach Charing Cross. As of 2025, the adult pay-as-you-go fare using an Oyster card or contactless payment during peak hours is £6.70, and during off-peak hours it is £4.30. These fares reflect travel from Zone 9 to Zone 1 and are subject to change annually by Transport for London (TfL). Paper ticket fares are typically higher.
History of Amersham Station
Amersham Station was opened on 1 September 1892 by the Metropolitan Railway (now part of the London Underground network), as part of the extension to Aylesbury. Originally a rural branch line station, it saw increasing importance over the 20th century as the London commuter belt expanded into Buckinghamshire.
The Metropolitan Railway played a significant role in the suburbanisation of northwest London, and Amersham became a key stop on what was once the world’s first underground railway. Over time, electrification reached Amersham, though services beyond the station remained diesel-operated until the cessation of Underground services past Amersham in 1961. Since then, Amersham has been the northern terminus of the Metropolitan line’s electrified section.
Name and Pronunciation
The name “Amersham” is of Old English origin, believed to mean “Ealhmund’s village or estate”, derived from a personal name and the Old English suffix -ham, meaning “homestead”. The town was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Elmodesham3.
Pronunciation: Amersham is commonly pronounced AM-er-shum, with a soft “-shum” at the end. In the International Phonetic Alphabet, it is transcribed as /ˈæmərʃəm/3.
Rail Services at Amersham Station
Amersham Station is served by two main types of rail service:
- London Underground – Amersham is the terminus of the Metropolitan line.
- National Rail – Chiltern Railways operates mainline services to London Marylebone and Aylesbury.
London Underground Services
Amersham is on the Metropolitan line, which is the only Underground line to serve the station. It is part of the outer reaches of the line’s ‘fast’ branch and is notable for being one of only a few London Underground stations located outside Greater London.2
Due to its distance from central London, services from Amersham are typically fast and semi-fast trains, with limited stops between Amersham and Baker Street during peak hours. The journey to Baker Street can take approximately 38–40 minutes on a fast service.2
National Rail Services
Amersham is also served by Chiltern Railways, with trains running between London Marylebone and Aylesbury. These mainline services offer a faster alternative to the Underground for some passengers, particularly commuters heading into the capital.1
- To London: Fast trains reach Marylebone Station in around 35 minutes1.
- Northbound: Trains continue to Aylesbury and occasionally beyond to Aylesbury Vale Parkway1.
Fun Facts About Amersham Station
- Furthest from central London: Amersham is the farthest station from central London on the London Underground network. It is also one of the highest stations above sea level on the network, at 147 metres (482 feet)4.
- Filming location: The station and town have featured in several TV shows and films thanks to their charming, historic appearance4.
- Dual platforms: It has separate platforms for the Underground and National Rail services, with a shared station building4.
Quick Facts
- Location: Amersham, Buckinghamshire, outside Greater London
- London Borough: None – outside Greater London
- Distance from Charing Cross: Approx. 27 miles (43 km) by road
- Opened: 1 September 1892
- Name origin: From Old English, meaning “Ealhmund’s estate”
- Pronunciation: AM-er-shum (/ˈæmərʃəm/)
- Lines Served: Metropolitan line (Underground), Chiltern Railways (National Rail)
- Preceding Underground Station: Chalfont & Latimer
- Subsequent Underground Station: None (terminus)
- Fun Fact: Farthest Underground station from central London; 147 metres above sea level
References
- Chiltern Railways – Amersham Station Information
- TfL – Amersham Underground Station
- Wiktionary – Amersham Pronunciation and Etymology
- London Transport Museum – Metropolitan Line History
Painting of Amersham Station, London (View image in full size)
Page Details
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