Embankment Station, London

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One of London's most centrally located tube stations, offering access to both the West End and the Thames riverside. Embankment Station is a prominent London Underground station situated in the heart of central London, right alongside the north bank of the River Thames.

Located in the City of Westminster, it serves as a gateway to some of the capital’s most famous sights, including the South Bank, the London Eye, and Charing Cross.

The station is also a popular interchange for both commuters and tourists thanks to its direct connections to four Underground lines.

Entrances and Surrounding Roads

The main entrance to Embankment Station is located on Victoria Embankment, the broad riverside road that runs parallel to the Thames.

Additional entrances and exits are found on Villiers Street, a lively pedestrianised road lined with shops, cafes, and access to the Golden Jubilee Bridges.

There is a small ground-level building that forms the entrance to the station. This modest structure includes the ticket hall, escalators, and some retail units such as a coffee shop and newspaper kiosk.

Proximity to Charing Cross

How close is Embankment Station to Charing Cross? Very!

By road, Charing Cross Station is only about 200 metres away. In fact, the two stations are so close that many people often walk between them in under five minutes.

Villiers Street acts as a direct pedestrian link between the two, and Charing Cross is also served by the same Northern and Bakerloo Underground lines as Embankment.

Rail Services at Embankment Station

Embankment Station is a London Underground-only station, meaning it does not serve Overground or National Rail services.

It lies within Travelcard Zone 1 and is served by the following four London Underground lines:

• Bakerloo Line
• Circle Line
• District Line
• Northern Line

This makes it an important interchange, especially for people navigating between east-west and north-south routes.

Preceding and Subsequent Stations

Here's a quick rundown of Embankment’s position on each line:

1. Bakerloo Line: Preceding station: Waterloo | Following station: Charing Cross
2. Northern Line (Charing Cross Branch): Preceding station: Waterloo | Following station: Charing Cross
3. Circle Line: Preceding station: Westminster | Following station: Temple
4. District Line: Preceding station: Westminster | Following station: Temple

Embankment is a vital node for passengers heading toward central London attractions and theatre districts.

History of Embankment Station

Embankment Station first opened on 30 May 1870 under the name Charing Cross. It was originally built by the District Railway (now part of the District Line) as part of the first sub-surface Underground lines in London.

Over time, the station has undergone several changes in name, structure, and operation as more lines were connected to it.

The deeper-level platforms for the Bakerloo and Northern lines were added in 1906 and 1914, respectively.

The station was renamed to its current name, Embankment, in 1976 to reduce confusion with nearby Charing Cross Station and to reflect its riverside location.

Origin of the Name “Embankment”

The name "Embankment" refers to the station’s placement along the Victoria Embankment—a historic stretch of reclaimed land along the Thames built in the 19th century.

Before the embankment’s construction, this part of the city was prone to flooding and overcrowded with cramped buildings.

The creation of the embankment not only transformed the area’s layout but also allowed for the installation of underground sewers, roadways, and rail lines, including the station itself.

Fun Fact About Embankment Station

Embankment Station holds a musical secret! It is one of only a few stations in the Underground network that once featured the original “Mind the Gap” recording by Oswald Laurence, an actor whose voice became synonymous with the Tube’s identity.

After his death, his widow noticed the recording had vanished from all stations—except Embankment.

Transport for London restored the recording at Embankment in 2013 as a touching tribute, and it still plays to this day on the Northern Line platform.

It’s a unique piece of London’s transport history and often surprises travellers with its vintage tone.

Conclusion

Whether you’re commuting, sightseeing, or changing lines, Embankment Station is a historic and practical stop on the London Underground network.

With access to both the riverfront and central London, it's not just a station—it's a window into the city's evolution and connectivity.

From its roots in the Victorian expansion to its preservation of iconic Tube history, Embankment remains an essential part of the capital’s urban life.

Embankment Station is on the Map of London Underground

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

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This page was created on 5 May 2025.