Chancery Lane Station, London

Chancery Lane Station is a Central Line stop on the London Underground, located on the southern boundary of the London Borough of Camden, near High Holborn. This station serves commuters and visitors in the historic legal district of London, providing direct east–west connections across the city. It is situated between Holborn Station to the west and St Paul’s Station to the east.

Location and Name

Chancery Lane Station stands on High Holborn, just west of the intersection with Gray’s Inn Road. The station lies at the heart of London’s legal quarter, close to the historic Chancery Lane and Lincoln’s Inn, from which it derives its name. The actual entrance, however, is not directly on Chancery Lane itself but a short walk away.

Despite this minor geographical discrepancy, the station has always been known as Chancery Lane since it opened, reinforcing its association with the legal profession and the nearby ancient Inns of Court.

History

The station was opened on 30 July 1900 by the Central London Railway (CLR), the forerunner of today’s Central Line. It was one of the original stations on the line that initially ran between Shepherd’s Bush and Bank. The original station building was located on the north side of High Holborn, but with the introduction of escalators in the 1930s, a new sub-surface ticket hall was constructed on the south side of the street, and the original building was closed in 1934.

Architecture and Station Layout

Today, Chancery Lane Station has no surface building. Instead, passengers enter through an understated street-level entrance on the south side of High Holborn, descending via escalators to reach the platforms. The ticket hall and platform levels are both underground, connected by a lift shaft and escalators installed during the station’s 1930s modernisation.

The station retains a simple and functional layout, with two platforms serving eastbound and westbound trains. There are no interchanges with other lines at this station, making it a relatively quiet stop during off-peak hours despite its central location.

Distance from Charing Cross

By road, Chancery Lane Station is approximately 1.2 miles (1.9 kilometres) northeast of Charing Cross. The quickest walking route takes about 25 minutes, while a direct taxi or bus journey may take between 10–20 minutes depending on traffic.

Services

Chancery Lane Station is served exclusively by the Central Line of the London Underground. It is one of many key stops along this busy east–west route, particularly useful for legal professionals working in nearby chambers and courts.

There are no London Underground Stations offering interchanges at Chancery Lane. However, its proximity to Holborn and Farringdon allows passengers to switch lines within a short walk or one stop’s ride.

Preceding and Following Stations on the Central Line

Travel to Charing Cross

Though Chancery Lane does not directly serve Charing Cross Station, travellers can make the journey by taking the Central Line westbound to Oxford Circus and changing to the Bakerloo Line southbound. Alternatively, one can alight at Tottenham Court Road and walk, or continue to Bond Street and switch to the Jubilee Line.

Here is a common route:

  1. Board a westbound Central Line train from Chancery Lane.
  2. Change at Oxford Circus to the Bakerloo Line.
  3. Travel southbound to Charing Cross Station.

Fare Information (as of June 2025):

Interesting Facts

Chancery Lane Station was the site of a notable train derailment in 2003, caused by a detached motor. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, though dozens were injured. The event led to a full review of maintenance procedures across the Underground network.

Also worth noting: the station’s escalators were once the longest on the Underground network at the time of installation, reflecting the substantial depth of the platforms beneath street level.

Nearby Attractions

Chancery Lane is ideally situated for exploring London’s legal history. A short walk leads to Lincoln’s Inn, the Royal Courts of Justice, and the historic Staple Inn on Holborn. The area is also home to quaint alleyways, ancient pubs, and atmospheric chambers, perfect for a leisurely stroll.

Quick Facts

Chancery Lane Station is on the Map of London Underground


Painting of Chancery Lane Station, LondonPainting of Chancery Lane Station, London

Page Details

This page was created on 14 June 2025.

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