The Piccadilly Line of the London Underground

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Introduction to the Piccadilly Line

The Piccadilly Line is one of the most well-known and widely used lines on the London Underground network. Known for its dark blue colour on the Tube map, it plays a crucial role in connecting central London with outer suburbs and one of the world's busiest airports - Heathrow.

Geography and Route Overview

The Piccadilly Line stretches across the breadth of Greater London, running from the north-west at Uxbridge and Heathrow Airport terminals, through central London, and out to Cockfosters in the north-east.

The line traverses diverse areas, moving underground through central districts like the West End, and emerging above ground in suburban zones such as Hounslow and Southgate. The central stretch - between Hammersmith and King's Cross St. Pancras - is entirely subterranean, passing under iconic roads such as Piccadilly itself and the bustling shopping streets of Knightsbridge and Covent Garden.

Line Length and Usage

The total length of the Piccadilly Line is approximately 45 miles (72 km), making it one of the longer lines on the network. It serves a total of 53 stations, with 25 of those stations located underground.

The line is heavily used, especially by commuters and air travellers. It handles around 200 million passenger journeys annually, making it the fourth busiest line in the system. The direct connection to Heathrow is a major factor in its popularity.

Historical Background

The Piccadilly Line has a rich and layered history. It first opened on 15 December 1906, under the name Great Northern, Piccadilly and Brompton Railway (GNP&BR). The line was one of the early deep-level tube lines, using electric trains from the start, unlike some of the older sub-surface lines.

Over the years, the line saw numerous extensions and integrations, absorbing parts of other railways such as the District Railway's branch to South Harrow and the London United Electric Railway. It was unified under the name "Piccadilly Line" in the 1930s as part of the development of the integrated London Underground network.

How the Line Got Its Name

The Piccadilly Line takes its name from Piccadilly, a major street in the West End of London. The name was officially adopted in the early 20th century when the Great Northern, Piccadilly and Brompton Railway was rebranded. Piccadilly, the street, itself gets its name from piccadill, a type of 17th-century lace collar fashionable at the time, once sold by tailor Robert Baker whose shop was in the area.

Stations of the Piccadilly Line

Cockfosters Branch

1. Cockfosters Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 5)
2. Oakwood Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 5)
3. Southgate Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 4)
4. Arnos Grove Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 4)
5. Bounds Green Tube Station (Border of Travelcard Zone 3 & 4)
6. Wood Green Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 3)
7. Turnpike Lane Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 3)
8. Manor House Tube Station (Border of Travelcard Zone 2 & 3)

Original Section

9. Finsbury Park Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 2) is an interchange with the Victoria Line.
10. Arsenal Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 2)
11. Holloway Road Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 2)
12. Caledonian Road Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 2)
13. King's Cross St Pancras Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1) is an interchange with the Circle Line, Hammersmith & City Line, Metropolitan Line, Northen Line and Victoria Line.
14. Russell Square Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1)
15. Holborn Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1) is an interchange with the Central Line.
16. Covent Garden Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1)
17. Leicester Square Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1) is an interchange with the Northern Line.
18. Piccadilly Circus Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1) is an interchange with the Bakerloo Line.
19. Green Park Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1) is an interchange with the Jubilee Line and Victoria Line.
20. Hyde Park Corner Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1)
21. Knightsbridge Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1)
22. South Kensington Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1) is an interchange with the Circle Line and District Line.
23. Gloucester Road Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 1) is an interchange with the Circle Line and District Line.
24. Earl's Court Tube Station (Border of Travelcard Zone 1 & 2) is an interchange with the District Line.
25. Baron's Court Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 2) is an interchange with the District Line.
26. Hammersmith Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 2) is an interchange with the District Line and Hammersmith & City Line.

Extension to Hounslow and Uxbridge

27. Turnham Green Tube Station (Border of Travelcard Zone 2 & 3) is an interchange with the District Line.
28. Acton Town Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 3) is an interchange with the District Line.

Heathrow Branch

29. South Ealing Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 3)
30. Northfields Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 3)
31. Boston Manor Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 4)
32. Osterley Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 4)
33. Hounslow East Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 4)
34. Hounslow Central Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 4)
35. Hounslow West Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 5)
36. Hatton Cross Tube Station (Border of Travelcard Zone 5 & 6)
37. Heathrow Terminal 4 Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 6)
38. Heathrow Terminal 1, 2 & 3 Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 6)
39. Heathrow Terminal 5 Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 6)

Uxbridge Branch

40. Ealing Common Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 3)
41. North Ealing Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 3)
42. Park Royal Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 3)
43. Alperton Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 4)
44. Sudbury Town Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 4)
45. Sudbury Hill Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 4)
46. South Harrow Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 5)
47. Rayners Lane Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 5) is an interchange with the Metropolitan Line.
48. Eastcote Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 5) is an interchange with the Metropolitan Line.
49. Ruislip Manor Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 6) is an interchange with the Metropolitan Line.
50. Ruislip Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 6) is an interchange with the Metropolitan Line.
51. Ickenham Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 6) is an interchange with the Metropolitan Line.
52. Hillingdon Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 6) is an interchange with the Metropolitan Line.
53. Uxbridge Tube Station (Travelcard Zone 6) is an interchange with the Metropolitan Line.

Major Interchange Stations

One of the Piccadilly Line's strengths is its excellent connectivity. Here are some of the major interchange stations along the route:

• King's Cross St. Pancras: Connects to the Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Northern, and Victoria lines as well as national and international rail services.
• Green Park: Interchange with the Jubilee and Victoria lines.
• Leicester Square: Connects with the Northern Line (Charing Cross branch).
• Hammersmith: Links with the District and Hammersmith & City lines.
• Acton Town: Interchange with the District Line.
• Finsbury Park: Connects with the Victoria Line and National Rail services.
• Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3: Connects to Heathrow Express and other rail services.

These stations make it easier for travellers to navigate between different parts of London and beyond.

Neighbourhoods and Boroughs Served

The Piccadilly Line provides access to a wide variety of neighbourhoods, making it essential for both locals and tourists. It passes through or near the following areas:

• Heathrow Airport (Terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5)
• Hounslow
• Ealing
• Acton
• Hammersmith
• Kensington and Chelsea
• Westminster
• Covent Garden and Leicester Square (West End)
• Islington (via King's Cross)
• Haringey (Manor House)
• Enfield and Barnet (Arnos Grove to Cockfosters)

These areas encompass a wide demographic range and include both residential and commercial zones.

Painting Green Park Station of the Piccadilly Line (View full-size image here)

Fun Facts About the Piccadilly Line

The Piccadilly Line is full of quirky and interesting features that go beyond its practical use:

• Longest continuous tunnel: The line has one of the longest stretches of tunnel in the London Underground, particularly between Barons Court and Acton Town where it doesn't stop.
• A hidden station: Down Street, a disused station between Green Park and Hyde Park Corner, once served as a secret wartime bunker for Winston Churchill and the War Cabinet during WWII.
• Ghost station at York Road: Located between King's Cross and Caledonian Road, this closed station is visible from the train and sometimes used for emergency exercises.
• Heathrow pioneer: The Piccadilly Line was the first Tube line to connect directly to an international airport (Heathrow in 1977).

Conclusion

The Piccadilly Line is more than just a mode of transport - it's a piece of London's living history, a vital commuter link, and a gateway for tourists arriving from across the globe. From the glitz of the West End to the terminals of Heathrow, and from hidden wartime bunkers to bustling interchange hubs, the line offers a rich tapestry of experiences and connections. Whether you're a local or a visitor, the Piccadilly Line is a route worth knowing intimately.

Map of London Underground

List of London Underground Lines