The District line is the green line on the London Underground, connecting areas across east and west London.
About the District line
The first section of the District Railway opened on 24 December 1868 between South Kensington and Westminster. Extensions and route changes gradually shaped today’s network.
District is a sub-surface line, but much of its route is above ground. It combines central tunnels with long open-air sections. Its 60 stations connect residential areas, transport interchanges and central London sights.
District line stations
The network has a central section and several branches. This list locates its 60 stations without repeating those shared by several routes. Not every train covers the whole line: always check the advertised destination.
- From Earl’s Court towards Upminster: Earl’s Court, Gloucester Road, South Kensington, Sloane Square, Victoria, St. James’s Park, Westminster, Embankment, Temple, Blackfriars, Mansion House, Cannon Street, Monument, Tower Hill, Aldgate East, Whitechapel, Stepney Green, Mile End, Bow Road, Bromley-by-Bow, West Ham, Plaistow, Upton Park, East Ham, Barking, Upney, Becontree, Dagenham Heathway, Dagenham East, Elm Park, Hornchurch, Upminster Bridge and Upminster.
- From Earl’s Court towards Edgware Road: High Street Kensington, Notting Hill Gate, Bayswater, Paddington and Edgware Road.
- Kensington (Olympia) branch: Kensington (Olympia), with a limited service that you should check for your travel date.
- From Earl’s Court towards Wimbledon: West Brompton, Fulham Broadway, Parsons Green, Putney Bridge, East Putney, Southfields, Wimbledon Park and Wimbledon.
- Shared western section, from Earl’s Court: West Kensington, Barons Court, Hammersmith, Ravenscourt Park, Stamford Brook and Turnham Green.
- From Turnham Green towards Ealing Broadway: Chiswick Park, Acton Town, Ealing Common and Ealing Broadway.
- From Turnham Green towards Richmond: Gunnersbury, Kew Gardens and Richmond.
Choosing the right branch
- For Kew Gardens or Richmond: choose a Richmond train. An Ealing Broadway train takes a different branch after Turnham Green.
- For Wimbledon: check that Wimbledon is the train’s destination. Earl’s Court is a key point for finding your way between branches.
- For Edgware Road: use the District, Circle and Hammersmith & City station. The Bakerloo station with the same name is separate.
- For the Tower of London: the station on this line is Tower Hill, not “Tower of London”.
The Kensington (Olympia) exception
Do not plan around a continuous District service there every day. The official information checked describes weekend services and weekday services linked to major events. Confirm the specific timetable before travelling.
An alternative is to change at West Brompton for the London Overground Mildmay line to Kensington (Olympia). Olympia also suggests walking from Barons Court or West Kensington. Choose according to your starting point and mobility needs.
District line map and route
The District line links central sights with residential neighbourhoods, making it useful for both sightseeing and everyday journeys. Its branches mean that checking the train destination is as important as identifying the green line on the map.
The map above is retained as a reference. To check current routes and connections, also use the TfL District route and current Tube map.
District line operating hours
First and last trains vary by station, direction, branch and day. Check TfL’s official timetables for your journey and the day’s disruptions and engineering works.
District is not part of the Night Tube. An all-night service on another line on Friday or Saturday does not mean you can continue on District. Plan your return separately if you expect to travel late.
Facts about the District line
In its early years, the District Railway used steam trains. The Metropolitan Railway operated the first services; District began running its own trains in 1871. Subsequent extensions and route reorganisations are part of its history.
The older underground sections were built using the cut-and-cover method, rather than the deep tunnels of other Tube lines.
The line has listed stations, including Gloucester Road and South Kensington. Historic England brings together examples and historical photographs of these and other stations, including Barons Court, Kew Gardens and West Brompton.
With its long history, extensive routes and interchanges, District continues to connect different communities and destinations across London.
Last reviewed: 24 October 2026.
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