The Central Line of the London Underground

---

Introduction to the Central Line

The Central Line is one of the most iconic and vital lines of the London Underground network. Painted red on the Tube map, it stretches across the heart of London, connecting bustling central areas with far-reaching suburbs in both the east and west.

Serving millions of commuters and tourists each year, the Central Line is more than just a way to get around—it’s a journey through the layers of London’s history and geography.

Geography and Route

The Central Line runs on an east-west axis, slicing through the centre of London. It begins in the far west at West Ruislip in the London Borough of Hillingdon and terminates in the east at Epping in Essex.

This extensive route covers a diverse range of landscapes, from rural outskirts and sleepy suburbs to dense, urban centres.

Length and Passenger Usage

The Central Line is the longest line on the London Underground system. It spans approximately 46 miles (74 km) from end to end, including its branch to Ealing Broadway.

On a typical weekday, it is used by around 1.2 million passengers, making it one of the busiest lines on the network.

History of the Central Line

The origins of the Central Line date back to the early 20th century. It was first opened as the Central London Railway (CLR) on 30 July 1900. The original route ran from Bank to Shepherd's Bush and was nicknamed the "Twopenny Tube" due to its flat fare.

Over time, the line was extended eastward and westward in several phases. Major expansions occurred in the 1930s and again after World War II, with service to Epping beginning in 1949.

Painting of a London Underground station (View full-size image here)

Origin of the Name "Central Line"

The Central London Railway became part of the Underground Electric Railways of London (UERL) in the 1910s. In 1937, the railway was officially renamed the Central Line as part of a wider branding initiative by London Transport to simplify and standardise line names across the network.

The name reflects the line’s central position in the city and its function as a major east-west artery through London.

How Many Stations Are on the Central Line?

The Central Line has a total of 49 stations, including its two western branches: one to Ealing Broadway and one to West Ruislip.

The route is composed of:

• One main line running from West Ruislip to Epping
• One branch line diverging at North Acton to Ealing Broadway

Stations of the Central Line

1. West Ruislip Tube Station is a National Rail station that serves both London Underground and National Rail trains. (Travelcard Zone 6)
2. Ruislip Gardens Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 5)
3. South Ruislip Tube Station served both London Underground and Chiltern Railway trains. (Travelcard Zone 5)
4. Northolt Tube Station (Travelcard Zone )
5. Greenford Tube Station serves the London Underground and National Rail trains. (Travelcard Zone 4)
6. Perivale Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 4)
7. Hanger Lane Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 3)
8. Ealing Broadway Tube Station serves the National Rail and London Underground. The Heathrow Connect passes through here. (Travelcard Zone 3)
9. West Acton Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 3)
10. North Acton Tube Station (Border of Travelcard Zone 2 & 3)
11. East Acton Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 2)
12. White City Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 2)
13. Shepherd's Bush Tube Station is linked to the surface-level London Overground Shepherd's Bush station. (Travelcard Zone 2)
14. Holland Park Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 2)
15. Notting Hill Gate Tube Station (Border of Travelcard Zone 1 & 2) is an interchange with the District Line and Circle Line.
16. Queensway Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1)
17. Lancaster Gate Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1)
18. Marble Arch Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1)
19. Bond Street Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1 is an interchange with tyhe Jubilee Line.
20. Oxford Circus Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1) is an interchange with the Bakerloo Line and Victoria Line.
21. Tottenham Court Road Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1) is an interchange with the Northern Line.
22. Holborn Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1) is an interchange with the Piccadilly Line.
23. Chancery Lane Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1)
24. St Paul's Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1)
25. Bank and Monument Tube Stations are interlinked, and is officially known as Bank-Monument complex. It is served by five London Underground lines and the Docklands Light Railway. (Travelcard Zone 1) is an interchange with the Circle Line, District Line, Northern Line and Waterloo & City Line.
26. Liverpool Street Tube Station is the third businest station in London after Waterloo and Victoria. It is the terminus of the Great Eastern Main Line and the West Anglia Main Line. It is also used by the Stansted Express to Stansted Airport. Four London Underground lines pass through here. (Travelcard Zone 1) is an interchange with the Circle Line, Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City.
27. Bethnal Green Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 2)
28. Mile End Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 2) is an interchange with the District Line and Hammersmith & City.
29. Stratford Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 3) is an interchange with the Jubilee.
30. Leyton Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 3)
31. Leytonstone Tube Station (Border of Travelcard Zone 3 & 4)
32. Snaresbrook Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 4)
33. South Woodford Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 4)
34. Woodford Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 4)
35. Wanstead Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 4)
36. Redbridge Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 4)
37. Gants hill Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 4)
38. Newbury Park Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 4)
39. Barkingside Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 4)
40. Fairlop Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 4)
41. Hainault Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 4)
42. Grange Hill Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 4)
43. Chigwell Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 4)
44. Roding Valley Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 4)
45. Buckhurst Hill Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 5)
46. Loughton Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 6)
47. Debden Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 6)
48. Theydon Bois Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 6)
49. Epping Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 6)

Areas and Neighbourhoods Served

The Central Line serves a wide variety of neighbourhoods, connecting inner-city zones to suburban and even rural areas.

Notable areas along the line include:

• West Ruislip and Ruislip Gardens – Leafy, residential outer suburbs
• Ealing Broadway – Vibrant shopping and commercial area
• Notting Hill Gate – Affluent and artistic neighbourhood
• Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road, Bank – Key central London zones for retail, finance, and tourism
• Stratford – Major transport hub and site of the 2012 Olympics
• Leyton and Leytonstone – Diverse and growing residential communities
• Woodford and Epping – Leafy suburbs and part of the London commuter belt

Major Interchange Stations on the Central Line

The Central Line connects with nearly every other Underground line and several National Rail services. Major interchange stations include:

• Oxford Circus – Interchange with the Bakerloo and Victoria lines
• Bond Street – Interchange with the Jubilee Line and the Elizabeth Line
• Liverpool Street – Interchange with the Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan lines, and National Rail
• Stratford – Interchange with Jubilee Line, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth Line, and National Rail
• Mile End – Cross-platform interchange with District and Hammersmith & City lines
• Notting Hill Gate – Interchange with District and Circle lines
• Bank – Interchange with Northern, Waterloo & City, and DLR

These interchanges make the Central Line a vital spine of the network, offering seamless connections across London.

Fun Facts About the Central Line

The Central Line is full of interesting quirks and bits of trivia:

• It contains the deepest station on the London Underground: Hampstead station lies 58.5 metres (192 feet) below ground. (Though on the Northern Line, the Central Line also has some deep-level stations like Holland Park and Notting Hill Gate.)
• The line once had its own dedicated power station at Wood Lane to generate electricity for the trains.
• The journey from West Ruislip to Epping can take around 90 minutes—making it one of the longest continuous Tube rides.
• During the Cold War, some disused sections of the Central Line were prepared as possible nuclear shelters.

Conclusion

From the suburban calm of West Ruislip to the green belt edges of Epping, the Central Line traverses a cross-section of London life. It's not just a transit route—it's a timeline of London’s expansion, connecting old with new, commerce with culture, and west with east.

Whether you're a commuter navigating rush hour, a tourist exploring the capital, or a local discovering new corners of your city, the Central Line is a journey worth taking.

Map of London Underground

List of London Underground Lines