The Circle line is the yellow line on the London Underground, linking Hammersmith with central London and several major railway stations. Despite its name, it does not run as a continuous circle.
About the Circle line
The original circular route, known as the Inner Circle, was completed in 1884. Circle gained its own identity and yellow map colour in 1949. Since December 2009, services have extended to Hammersmith and terminate at Edgware Road after travelling around the central loop.
The line serves 36 stations, counting the two Paddington stations used at different points along the route. It shares stations with other lines, including District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan.
On a shared platform, check the line, destination and next stops. A train arriving at your platform does not necessarily follow Circle’s route. Journey times and frequency depend on your trip, the time and service conditions; do not plan a circuit around a fixed duration.
Circle line stations
The route below starts at Hammersmith, crosses the northern side of central London and returns to Edgware Road via the south and west. Paddington appears twice because these are separate stations within the same complex; Edgware Road appears as both an intermediate stop and the terminus:
- From Hammersmith to the first stop at Edgware Road: Hammersmith, Goldhawk Road, Shepherd’s Bush Market, Wood Lane, Latimer Road, Ladbroke Grove, Westbourne Park, Royal Oak, Paddington (Hammersmith & City/Circle) and Edgware Road.
- Across the north and east of central London: Baker Street, Great Portland Street, Euston Square, King’s Cross St. Pancras, Farringdon, Barbican, Moorgate, Liverpool Street and Aldgate.
- Across the south of central London: Tower Hill, Monument, Cannon Street, Mansion House, Blackfriars, Temple, Embankment, Westminster, St. James’s Park, Victoria and Sloane Square.
- Through the west to the terminus: South Kensington, Gloucester Road, High Street Kensington, Notting Hill Gate, Bayswater, Paddington (District/Circle) and Edgware Road.
Avoiding confusion at Edgware Road, Paddington and Hammersmith
- Edgware Road: if your train terminates there, you must get off. Do not assume it will keep circling; check the platform and train for your onward journey. Edgware Road on Bakerloo is a separate station.
- Paddington: check which station you need. The Hammersmith & City/Circle and District/Circle areas have different entrances and platforms. They are not consecutive stops on the same section.
- Hammersmith: Circle uses the station shared with Hammersmith & City. District and Piccadilly use another nearby station with the same name.
For your particular journey, compare options in the journey planner rather than choosing a direction only from the loop’s shape on the map. If you need step-free travel, check entrances and interchanges too.
Circle line map and route
The map helps locate the Hammersmith section and central loop. To read it correctly, also identify the Edgware Road terminus and the two Paddington stations.
The map above is retained as a reference. Check your journey against the current TfL Circle route and up-to-date map.
Circle line operating hours
First and last trains depend on the station, direction, destination and day. Consult TfL’s official timetables and check disruptions and engineering works before setting off.
Circle is not part of the Night Tube. If you are travelling late, plan an alternative and confirm that the last trains let you complete your connections.
Facts about the Circle line
Circle was one of the lines affected by the terrorist attacks of 7 July 2005, a tragedy that deeply affected London and its transport network. Memorials at Aldgate and Edgware Road remember the victims. For practical information about travelling and asking for help, see our safety guide.
Circle is a sub-surface line: much of its central route is underground, with some open-air sections. Shallow tunnels should not be confused with a panoramic journey above ground.
With its history, interchanges and role in everyday travel, Circle remains an important part of London’s Underground network.
Last reviewed: 26 October 2026.
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