25 Fascinating Facts About the London Underground You Probably Didn’t Know

The Tube: Full of Surprises Beneath the Surface

Whether you're a daily commuter or an occasional tourist, the London Underground—lovingly known as the Tube—has a world of stories running through its tunnels. As the oldest underground railway in the world, it’s packed with fascinating history, quirky trivia, and a few spooky surprises. Here are 25 facts to tickle your transport-loving brain.

1. It’s the World’s First Underground Railway

The London Underground opened in 1863 with steam-powered trains chugging between Paddington and Farringdon. Yes—steam trains underground. Imagine the smoke!

2. The Met Line Was the First

The Metropolitan Line holds the honour of being the Tube’s original route, and it still runs today. Talk about staying power.

3. The Tube Went Electric in 1890

When the City and South London Railway launched, it became the world’s first electric underground railway. That route later evolved into today’s Northern Line.

4. “The Tube” Was Named After a Fare

The name didn’t come from the tunnel shape—it’s short for “Twopenny Tube,” the cost of a fare on the Central Line back in the day. A bargain, no?

5. The Tube Map Isn’t Geographically Accurate

Harry Beck’s 1933 design ignored real distances and made it look like an electrical circuit. It revolutionised how the world sees transport maps.

6. Less Than 10% of Stations Are South of the River

Sorry, South London—you got short-changed. The vast majority of Tube stops sit north of the Thames.

7. Angel Has the Longest Escalator

Angel station is home to the longest escalator on the London Underground, stretching 60 metres in length.

8. Hampstead Station Is the Deepest

At 58.5 metres below street level, Hampstead is London’s deepest Underground station. Claustrophobes, beware.

9. Over Half the Network Isn’t Underground

Despite the name, about 55% of the London Underground is actually above ground. Bit cheeky, really.

10. There Are 49 ‘Ghost Stations’

Some stations were abandoned, closed, or never finished. A few were used as WWII bunkers—some, like North End, were never even opened to the public.

11. Some Stations Are Built Over Plague Pits

Aldgate and Liverpool Street stations sit atop ancient burial sites, with thousands of bodies buried below. Aldgate alone has over 1,000 plague victims underfoot.

12. The Shortest Distance Between Stops Is Just 260 Metres

That’s between Leicester Square and Covent Garden. You can actually walk it in under five minutes—but tourists often don’t know that.

13. There’s a Fake House Hiding the Track

At 23-24 Leinster Gardens, the front of the houses are just façades. Behind them? A gap in the terrace hiding the District Line.

14. Escalators Travel Twice Around the World Each Week

If you added up all the movement of every escalator on the network each week, they’d have gone the distance around the planet—twice.

15. The Tube Helped Shape Modern London

The spread of the Tube directly influenced the expansion of north and west London, turning them into commuter hotspots.

16. Piccadilly Line Hid British Museum Treasures

During WWII, part of the Piccadilly Line was closed off to store priceless artefacts from the British Museum, including the Elgin Marbles.

17. Babies Have Been Born on the Tube

At least three babies have entered the world on the Underground. Jerry Springer, oddly enough, was born in East Finchley station during the Blitz.

18. “Mind the Gap” Was First Heard in 1968

That iconic phrase first echoed through the Northern Line to warn passengers of the curved platform at Embankment station.

19. The Jubilee Line Is the Only Line That Touches All Others

Think of it as the social butterfly of the Tube network—it links with every other line on the map.

20. Advertising Has Been Part of the Tube Since the Start

From station takeovers to escalator panels, the Tube offers unmatched brand visibility. With over 272 stations and millions of daily impressions, it’s an advertiser’s dream playground. Explore our advertising formats to see how you can make your mark.

21. The Tube Has Starred in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Next time you're watching Thor: The Dark World, keep an eye out for Charing Cross station. The London Underground features in multiple Marvel films, often as a dramatic (and occasionally inaccurate) setpiece. We break them all down in this article.

22. Harry Potter Fans Will Recognise Westminster

In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry and Mr. Weasley take the Tube to get to a Ministry of Magic hearing. That scene was filmed at Westminster station—adding a bit of wizardry to your daily commute.

23. The Tube Map Inspired the Monopoly Board

Several stops on the Monopoly board are actual London Underground stations or nearby landmarks. Think of it as the unofficial game board of your next travel itinerary.

24. You Can Catch a Movie Scene AND a Train

Plenty of films have used the Underground as a backdrop—including Skyfall, Paddington, 28 Days Later, and Atonement. With its eerie lighting and historic tunnels, it’s basically a ready-made film set.

25. The London Underground Has Its Own Font

Ever noticed how all the signs look just right? That’s thanks to the Johnston typeface, designed specifically for the Tube in 1916. It’s now an icon in its own right—just like the red and blue roundel we all recognise instantly.

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