Arnos Grove Station, London

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Arnos Grove Station is a historic and architecturally significant London Underground station located in North London. Situated on the Piccadilly Line, it serves the suburban area of Arnos Grove in the London Borough of Enfield and is a notable example of 1930s modernist design. This station is both a practical transit hub and a point of interest for design and history enthusiasts.

Location and Fare Information

Arnos Grove Station is located in the London Borough of Enfield, in North London. It lies in Travelcard Zone 4.

By road, the station is approximately 9.5 miles (15.3 km) from Charing Cross, one of the central reference points in London.

The current standard adult fare from Arnos Grove to Charing Cross Underground Station (via Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines) using an Oyster card or contactless payment is around £3.40 off-peak and £4.00 peak, depending on the time of travel¹.

Station History

Arnos Grove Station was opened to the public on 19 September 1932, as part of the northward extension of the Piccadilly Line from Finsbury Park to Cockfosters².

The station building was designed by the renowned architect Charles Holden, who was commissioned by London Underground to create a modern look for the new Piccadilly Line stations. His design for Arnos Grove is considered one of his masterpieces and was inspired by European modernist principles, particularly the work of Dutch architect Willem Dudok. The station is recognised as a Grade II* listed building due to its historical and architectural significance³.

Origin and Pronunciation of the Name

The name “Arnos Grove” comes from a former estate called Arnoldes Grove, which evolved over centuries into the current form. The area developed as a suburban neighbourhood in the early 20th century, and the station adopted the local name upon its opening in 1932.

The word Arnos is pronounced as “AR-noss”, with emphasis on the first syllable. In the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), it is represented as /ˈɑː.nɒs/.

Rail Services and Line Connections

Arnos Grove Station is served exclusively by the London Underground. It lies on the Piccadilly Line, which connects Heathrow Airport and West London to North and Central London.

The adjacent stations on the Piccadilly Line are:

• Southgate to the north
• Bounds Green to the south

There are no London Overground or National Rail services at this station. It is a London Underground-only facility.

Architectural and Cultural Significance

Arnos Grove’s circular brick building and flat concrete roof, topped with a clerestory drum, make it one of the most iconic Underground station designs. Its open, airy design marked a departure from earlier ornate styles and emphasized functionality and clarity.

This station has often been praised as a landmark in 20th-century transport architecture. It was described by the poet Sir John Betjeman as “one of the finest modern buildings in London.”

Fun Fact

Arnos Grove Station was featured in the 2008 film Incendiary starring Ewan McGregor and Michelle Williams. It also appears in various television documentaries and books on modern British architecture⁴.

In 2005, Arnos Grove was chosen by BBC's Newsnight Review as one of the ten greatest buildings in Britain, not just for its style but also for its lasting influence on public architecture.

Quick Facts

References

1. Transport for London – Fare Finder
2. London Transport Museum – Piccadilly Line Extensions
3. Historic England – Arnos Grove Station Listing
4. BBC – Britain’s Greatest Buildings

Arnos Grove Station is on the Map of London Underground

Painting of Arnos Grove Station, London (View image in full size)

Page Details

This page was created on 16 May 2025.

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