The District Line of the London Underground

Overview of the District Line

The District Line is one of the core lines of the London Underground system, serving the western, central, and eastern parts of the city. Distinguished by its green colour on the Tube map, it is both historically significant and geographically expansive.

This line stretches across Greater London, connecting suburban neighbourhoods to the heart of the capital. Its service reaches from Upminster in the east to Wimbledon, Richmond, and Ealing Broadway in the west, with a central spine that runs through central London.

Geographical Reach and Route

The District Line spans across multiple London boroughs, making it one of the most wide-reaching lines in the entire network. It passes through or serves areas in:

The line primarily runs on the surface outside of Central London, with several key stations in deep-level or sub-surface tunnels in the city centre.

Painting of Mile End Station of the District Line

Length and Usage

The District Line is approximately 64 kilometres (40 miles) in length, making it the longest line in the London Underground network in terms of track length.

According to Transport for London (TfL) data, the District Line sees more than 200 million passenger journeys annually, ranking it among the most heavily used lines in the network. Its multiple branches contribute to its high utility and accessibility.

Historical Background

The District Line has a rich history dating back to the Victorian era. It first opened in 1868 as part of the Metropolitan District Railway. Originally constructed to serve as a complement to the Metropolitan Railway, it formed part of the world’s first underground railway network.

The original route ran from South Kensington to Westminster. Over the subsequent decades, it gradually expanded westward and eastward through numerous extensions and upgrades.

How It Got Its Name

The line derives its name from the original operating company, the Metropolitan District Railway. When the London Passenger Transport Board took over in the 1930s and reorganised the Tube system, the line retained the "District" name as a nod to its origins. The name became official and widely used by the early 20th century.

Stations on the District Line

There are a total of 60 stations served by the District Line. However, due to its branching structure, no single train covers all stations in one journey. The line has the following branches:

Main Line: Upminster to Earl’s Court
Wimbledon Branch: Earl’s Court to Wimbledon
Richmond Branch: Earl’s Court to Richmond
Ealing Broadway Branch: Earl’s Court to Ealing Broadway
Kensington (Olympia) Branch: Earl’s Court to Kensington (Olympia) – limited service

The following are the stations:

Richmond Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 4)
Kew Gardens Tube Station (Border of Travelcard Zone 3 & 4)
Gunnersbury Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 3)

Ealing Branch

Ealing Broadway Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 3) is an interchange with the Central Line.
Ealing Common Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 3) is an interchange with the Piccadilly Line.
Acton Town Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 3) is an interchange with the Piccadilly Line.
Chiswick Park Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 3)
Turnham Green Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 3)
Stamford Brook Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 3)
Ravenscourt Park Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 3)
Hammersmith Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 3)
Baron's Court Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 3)
West Kensington Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 2)

Wimbledon Branch

Wimbledon Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 3)
Wimbledon Park Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 3)
Southfields Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 3)
East Putney Tube Station (Border of Travelcard Zone 2 & 3)
Putney Bridge Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 2)
Parsons Green Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 2)
Fulham Broadway Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 2)
West Brompton Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 2)

Kensington (Olympia) Branch

Kensington (Olympia) Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 2)

Edgware Road Branch

High Street Kensington Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1)
Notting Hill Gate Tube Station (Border of Travelcard Zone 1 & 2)
Bayswater Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1)
Paddington Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1)
Edgware Road Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1)

Main Line

Earl's Court Tube Station (Border of Travelcard Zone 1 & 2) is an interchange with the Piccadilly Line.
Gloucester Road Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1) is an interchange with the Circle Line and Piccadilly Line.
South Kensington Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1) is an interchange with the Circle Line and Piccadilly Line.
Sloane Square Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1) is an interchange with the Circle Line.
Victoria Station (Travelcard Zone 1) is an interchange with the Circle Line and Victoria Line.
St James's Park Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1) is an interchange with the Circle Line.
Westminster Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1) is an interchange with the Circle Line and Jubilee Line.
Embankment Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1) is an interchange with the Bakerloo Line, Circle Line and Northern Line.
Temple Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1) is an interchange with the Circle Line.
Blackfriars Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1) is an interchange with the Circle Line.
Mansion House Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1) is an interchange with the Circle Line.
Cannon Street Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1) is an interchange with the Circle Line.
Monument Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1) is an interchange with the Central Line, Circle Line, Northern Line, Waterloo & City Line and DLR.
~~Mark Lane Tube Station~~ is presently not open. (na)
Tower Hill Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1) is an interchange with the Circle Line and DLR.
Aldgate East Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1) is an interchange with the Hammersmith & City Line.
Whitechapel Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 2) is an interchange with the Hammersmith & City Line and London Overground's East London Line.
Stepney Green Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 2) is an interchange with the Hammersmith & City Line.
Mile End Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 2) is an interchange with the Central Line and Hammersmith & City Line.
Bow Road Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 2) is an interchange with the Hammersmith & City Line and DLR.
Bromley-by-Bow Tube Station (Border of Travelcard Zone 2 & 3) is an interchange with the Hammersmith & City Line.
West Ham Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 3) is an interchange with the Hammersmith & City Line, Jubilee Line, and National Rail.
Plaistow Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 3) is an interchange with the Hammersmith & City Line.
Upton Park Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 3) is an interchange with the Hammersmith & City Line.
East Ham Tube Station (Border Travelcard Zone 3 & 4) is an interchange with the Hammersmith & City Line.
Barking Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 4) is an interchange with the Hammersmith & City Line.
Upney Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 4)
Becontree Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 5)
Dagenham Heathway Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 5)
Dagenham East Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 5)
Elm Park Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 6)
Hornchurch Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 6)
Upminster Bridge Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 6)
Upminster Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 6)

Neighbourhoods and Areas Served

The District Line is crucial for connecting residential suburbs with commercial and cultural hubs. Key areas served include:

Westminster: Close to Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and government buildings
South Kensington: Home to the Natural History Museum, V&A Museum, and Science Museum
Hammersmith: A major entertainment and shopping area
Wimbledon: Famous for the Wimbledon Tennis Championships
Richmond: A scenic and historic area by the River Thames
Whitechapel and Tower Hill: Near historic landmarks like the Tower of London
Upminster: A residential area on the edge of Greater London

Major Interchange Stations

The District Line offers convenient transfers to many other lines, making it a vital part of the Underground's connectivity. Major interchange stations include:

Westminster: Interchange with the Jubilee and Circle Lines
Victoria: Connects with the Victoria Line and National Rail
South Kensington: Interchange with the Piccadilly and Circle Lines
Earl’s Court: A key junction for District Line branches and the Piccadilly Line
Blackfriars: Interchange with Thameslink services
Monument / Bank: Links with the Central, Northern, Waterloo & City, and DLR
Mile End: Interchange with the Central Line
Barking: Connects with the Hammersmith & City Line and London Overground

Fun Facts About the District Line

The District Line forms part of the original "Inner Circle", the precursor to today’s Circle Line, which looped through central London with the Metropolitan Line.
It was the first Underground line to be electrified, with electric services beginning in 1905, replacing steam locomotives.
The line is unique in having a branch (Kensington (Olympia)) that is only served at certain times, primarily during exhibitions and special events.
It runs parallel to the Thames along much of its central route, offering occasional glimpses of the river from the train.
Despite being a Tube line, most of it actually runs above ground.

Conclusion

The District Line is not just one of the oldest and longest lines on the London Underground—it’s also one of the most indispensable. With its extensive reach, multiple branches, and connections to key areas and interchanges, it serves as a backbone for commuters and explorers alike.

Whether you're heading to a museum in South Kensington, catching a train at Victoria, or exploring suburban London, the District Line is a green artery running through the heart of the city.