Seven Kings Station, London
Seven Kings Station is a railway station located in the London Borough of Redbridge, in East London. It serves as a stop on the Elizabeth Line, one of London’s major rail services that links the outer suburbs with central London and beyond. Though it is not officially a London Underground Station, it plays a crucial role in the transport network for both commuters and visitors alike.
History and Origins
Seven Kings Station opened on 1 March 1899 by the Great Eastern Railway as part of the expanding suburban rail services in the late Victorian era. It has retained the same name since its inception, deriving from the surrounding area of Seven Kings—an historic locality whose name is believed to stem from a Saxon origin, possibly referring to a settlement associated with seven landowners or chieftains.
Station Layout and Entrances
The main entrance to Seven Kings Station is located on High Road (part of the A118), a major thoroughfare in the district. There is a modest ground-level station building that contains a ticket hall and waiting area, but no additional commercial amenities. Step-free access is available to all platforms via lifts, enhancing accessibility for passengers with mobility needs.
Distance from Charing Cross
By road, Seven Kings Station is approximately 11 miles (18 kilometres) from Charing Cross, traditionally considered the central point of London. The journey by car or bus can take anywhere from 45 minutes to over an hour, depending on traffic.
Rail Services
Seven Kings Station is served exclusively by the Elizabeth Line. This modern rail line, formerly known as Crossrail during its construction, offers fast, frequent, and high-capacity service running east-west across London. The station is located between Ilford (to the west) and Goodmayes (to the east).
- Westbound Elizabeth Line trains travel towards the City, central London, and out to Reading.
- Eastbound trains head towards Shenfield in Essex.
The station does not serve any other National Rail or London Underground lines such as the Bakerloo Line, Central Line, Circle Line, or others.
Fares and Travelcard Zone
Seven Kings lies in Travelcard Zone 4.
Fares to Reading
- Single ticket: £16.50
- Oyster/Contactless: £13.30 (peak), £12.00 (off-peak)
- Estimated travel time: Approx. 1 hour 15 minutes
Fares to Abbey Wood
- Single ticket: £7.80
- Oyster/Contactless: £4.30 (peak), £3.10 (off-peak)
- Estimated travel time: Approx. 35 minutes
Fares and Travel to Charing Cross
Although Seven Kings is not directly linked to Charing Cross via the Elizabeth Line, it is accessible with one or two interchanges:
- Take the Elizabeth Line westbound to Liverpool Street
- Change to the Northern Line at Moorgate or the District Line at Embankment
- Single ticket: £6.50
- Oyster/Contactless: £4.30 (peak), £3.10 (off-peak)
- Estimated travel time: 45–50 minutes
Fun Fact
A curious bit of local trivia is that in the 1960s and 70s, Seven Kings Station was once briefly a hotspot for trainspotters due to the passing of the last remaining steam-hauled freight trains from nearby yards—making it a nostalgic site for railway enthusiasts even today.
Quick Facts
- Location: High Road, Seven Kings, London Borough of Redbridge
- Opened: 1 March 1899
- Named After: The surrounding area of Seven Kings
- Served By: Elizabeth Line
- Preceding Station: Ilford
- Following Station: Goodmayes
- Zone: Travelcard Zone 4
- Distance from Charing Cross: Approximately 11 miles
- Fare to Reading: £16.50 single / £13.30 (peak) Oyster / 1 hr 15 min
- Fare to Abbey Wood: £7.80 single / £4.30 (peak) Oyster / 35 min
- Fare to Charing Cross: £6.50 single / £4.30 (peak) Oyster / 45–50 min
- Accessibility: Step-free access via lifts
- Facilities: Ticket hall, waiting area
- Fun Fact: Once a trainspotting hotspot for late-era steam freight trains
Seven Kings Station is 
on the Map of London Underground
Painting of Seven Kings Station, London (View image in full size)
