The Northern Line of the London Underground

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Overview of the Northern Line

The Northern Line is one of the most iconic and extensive lines on the London Underground. Characterised by its black colour on the Tube map, it stretches from the leafy suburbs in the north to the vibrant hubs of south London, passing through the very heart of Central London. Unlike most Underground lines, the Northern Line splits into multiple branches, which makes its geography and service pattern uniquely complex yet highly functional.

Geography and Route Structure

The Northern Line has a complex layout consisting of two northern branches and two central branches, before rejoining into a single southern route. The full line includes:

• Northern branches: Edgware branch and High Barnet branch (with a spur to Mill Hill East).
• Central branches: Bank branch and Charing Cross branch.
• Southern route: A single line heading south to Morden.

The two northern branches converge at Camden Town. From there, trains either take the Bank branch via the City or the Charing Cross branch via the West End, before rejoining at Kennington to continue to Morden.

Total Length and Passenger Numbers

The Northern Line stretches approximately 58 kilometres (36 miles), making it one of the longest lines on the Underground network.

It serves a substantial number of Londoners and visitors. According to Transport for London statistics, the Northern Line was used by over 206 million passengers in the year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, making it one of the busiest lines in the system.

Painting of Kennington Station of the Northern Line (View full-size image here)

A Journey Through History

The line's origins date back to the late 19th century. The first section opened in 1890 as the City and South London Railway (C&SLR), which holds the distinction of being the world’s first deep-level electric railway. This revolutionary line ran between Stockwell and King William Street (near today's Monument station).

The Charing Cross, Euston and Hampstead Railway (CCE&HR) followed in 1907, serving the Hampstead area.

The two lines were merged in the 1920s under the Underground Electric Railways Company of London, which was the precursor to London Transport. They were fully integrated and named the Northern Line in the early 1930s.

How It Got Its Name

The name "Northern Line" was officially adopted in 1937 after the integration of the C&SLR and CCE&HR. Although it originally ran largely in the central and southern areas, the name reflected ambitions to expand the line further into the northern suburbs, which eventually occurred.

Stations on the Northern Line

There are 52 stations served by the Northern Line, ranging from suburban stops to busy Zone 1 interchanges. It serves Zones 1 through 5, connecting disparate parts of London into one vital transit artery.

High Barnet Branch

1. High Barnet Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 5)
2. Totteridge and Whetstone Tube Station Travelcard Zone 4
3. Woodside Park Tube Station Travelcard Zone 4
4. West Finchley Tube Station Travelcard Zone 4
5. Mill Hill East Tube Station Travelcard Zone 4
6. Finchley Central Tube Station Travelcard Zone 4
7. East Finchley Tube Station Travelcard Zone 3
8. Highgate Tube Station Travelcard Zone 3
9. Archway Tube Station (Border between Travelcard Zone 2 & 3)
10. Tufnell Park Tube Station Travelcard Zone 2
11. Kentish Town Tube Station

Edgware Branch

12. Edgware Tube Station
13. Burnt Oak Tube Station Travelcard Zone 4
14. Colindale Tube Station Travelcard Zone 4
15. Hendon Central Tube Station Border between Travelcard Zone 3 & 4
16. Brent Cross Tube Station Travelcard Zone 3
17. Golders Green Tube Station Travelcard Zone 3
18. Hampstead Tube Station Border between Travelcard Zone 2 & 3
19. Belsize Park Tube Station
20. Chalk Farm Tube Station

Camden Branch

21. Camden Town Tube Station

Charing Cross Branch

22. Mornington Crescent Tube Station
23. Euston Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1) is an interchange with the Victoria Line
24. Warren Street Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1) is an interchange with the Victoria Line
25. Goodge Street Tube Station Travelcard Zone 1
26. Tottenham Court Road Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1) is an interchange with the Central Line
27. Leicester Square Tube Station is an interchange with the Piccadilly Line
28. Charing Cross Tube Station is an interchange with the Bakerloo Line
29. Embankment Tube Station is an interchange with the Bakerloo Line, Circle Line and District Line
30. Waterloo Tube Station is an interchange with the Bakerloo Line and Jubilee Line

Bank Branch aka City Branch

31. Euston Tube Station is an interchange with the Victoria Line
32. King's Cross St Pancras Tube Station is an interchange with the Circle Line, Hammersmith & City Line, Metropolitan Line and Victoria Line
33. Angel Tube Station
34. Old Street Tube Station
35. Moorgate Tube Station is an interchange with the Circle Line, Hammersmith & City Line and Metropolitan Line
36. Bank-Monument Tube Station is an interchange with the Circle Line, Central Line, District Line, DLR and Waterloo & City Line
37. London Bridge Tube Station is an interchange with the Jubilee Line
38. Borough Tube Station
39. Elephant and Castle Tube Station is an interchange with the Bakerloo Line

Morden Branch

40. Kennington Tube Station
41. Oval Tube Station
42. Stockwell Tube Station is an interchange with the Victoria Line
43. Clapham North Tube Station
44. Clapham Common Tube Station
45. Clapham South Tube Station
46. Balham Tube Station
47. Tooting Bec Tube Station
48. Tooting Broadway Tube Station
49. Colliers Wood Tube Station
50. South Wimbledon Tube Station
51. Morden Tube Station

Areas and Neighbourhoods Served

The Northern Line serves a wide and diverse array of communities across London, including:

• North London suburbs: Edgware, Burnt Oak, Colindale, Hendon, High Barnet, Totteridge & Whetstone.
• Central London areas: Camden Town, Euston, King’s Cross, Tottenham Court Road, Leicester Square, Bank, Moorgate.
• South London suburbs: Kennington, Clapham, Balham, Tooting, and Morden.

These areas encompass residential neighbourhoods, financial districts, entertainment hubs, and cultural landmarks.

Major Interchange Stations

The Northern Line intersects with many other lines across the network, making it an essential part of the city's transport system. Key interchange stations include:

• King's Cross St Pancras: Interchange with Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines.
• Euston: Interchange with Victoria Line and National Rail.
• Bank: Interchange with Central, DLR, and Waterloo & City lines.
• Moorgate: Interchange with Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines.
• London Bridge: Interchange with Jubilee Line and National Rail.
• Waterloo: Interchange with Jubilee, Bakerloo, and Waterloo & City lines.
• Kennington: Strategic split/join point for the Charing Cross and Bank branches.

These interchanges provide excellent connectivity for both daily commuters and tourists.

Fun Facts About the Northern Line

The Northern Line has several quirky and interesting facts that set it apart:

• It contains the deepest station on the Underground network – Hampstead – which lies about 58 metres (190 feet) below ground.
• The Mill Hill East spur is a curious one-stop branch off the High Barnet route, often served only during peak hours.
• The line once had “ghost stations” such as City Road and South Kentish Town, which were closed due to low usage but still intrigue urban explorers.
• Bank station's tunnels are among the most labyrinthine in the network, complete with moving walkways and hidden escalators.
• In fiction, the Northern Line frequently appears in films, books, and games – including Harry Potter, where Harry and Mr. Weasley travel via an Underground station resembling Bank.

A Line of Contrasts and Connections

The Northern Line exemplifies the diversity of London itself – from quiet residential streets to bustling financial hubs. Its geographical complexity, historical roots, and crucial connections make it an indispensable part of the city’s transport fabric.

Whether you're a daily commuter heading into the City, a tourist exploring Camden and Leicester Square, or a local navigating between zones, the Northern Line is an essential route to experience London above and below ground.

Map of London Underground

List of London Underground Lines