The Northern line is the black line on the London Underground, with a branching route across the city.
About the Northern line
The line connects Morden and Battersea Power Station in the south with central London and the northern branches. Its two central routes, via Bank and via Charing Cross, meet at Camden Town and Kennington. Its history brings together several railways and extensions built at different times.
Its origins go back to the City & South London Railway, opened in 1890 as a deep-level electric railway. Today’s network is not identical to that original line: later extensions and connections created its current form.
The extension from Kennington to Nine Elms and Battersea Power Station opened on 20 September 2021. Both stations are in Zone 1, bringing the Northern line’s total to 52 stations.
Northern line stations
To understand the network, separate the northern branches, the two central routes and the two southern destinations. The list below groups the stations, with shared points identified separately:
- From High Barnet towards Camden Town: High Barnet, Totteridge & Whetstone, Woodside Park, West Finchley, Finchley Central, East Finchley, Highgate, Archway, Tufnell Park and Kentish Town.
- Mill Hill East branch: Mill Hill East connects with the rest of the line at Finchley Central; it is not an intermediate stop on the route to High Barnet.
- From Edgware towards Camden Town: Edgware, Burnt Oak, Colindale, Hendon Central, Brent Cross, Golders Green, Hampstead, Belsize Park and Chalk Farm.
- Shared northern point: Camden Town.
- Via Charing Cross, from Camden Town towards Kennington: Mornington Crescent, Euston, Warren Street, Goodge Street, Tottenham Court Road, Leicester Square, Charing Cross, Embankment and Waterloo.
- Via Bank, from Camden Town towards Kennington: Euston, King’s Cross St. Pancras, Angel, Old Street, Moorgate, Bank, London Bridge, Borough and Elephant & Castle. Euston serves both central routes and is repeated here to make each itinerary clear.
- Shared southern point: Kennington.
- From Kennington towards Morden: Oval, Stockwell, Clapham North, Clapham Common, Clapham South, Balham, Tooting Bec, Tooting Broadway, Colliers Wood, South Wimbledon and Morden.
- From Kennington towards Battersea: Nine Elms and Battersea Power Station.
Choosing between Bank, Charing Cross and the final destination
On Northern, check both the route and the train’s destination. Knowing that it is a train on the black line is not enough.
- For London Bridge or Bank: you need the route via Bank. A train via Charing Cross does not call at those stations.
- For Leicester Square or Waterloo: you need the route via Charing Cross.
- For Battersea Power Station: check that this is the advertised destination. Do not confuse a Morden train with a Battersea train; if you need to change, confirm the connection at Kennington.
- For Mill Hill East: check whether a direct train is available at your departure time or whether you need to change at Finchley Central.
Camden Town and Kennington are useful points for changing routes. The two central branches also serve Euston, but their platforms and interchange routes differ. Follow signs and the journey planner for your particular trip, without assuming a direct train or a step-free interchange.
Northern line map and route
The image above is an old map, retained for reference. To include the Battersea extension and check today’s route, use the TfL Northern route and its current map.
Northern line operating hours
First and last trains depend on the station, direction, central route, destination and day. Check TfL’s official timetables for your journey and look for disruptions and engineering works before setting out.
On Friday and Saturday nights, Night Tube runs between Morden and Edgware/High Barnet via Charing Cross. It does not cover the Bank, Mill Hill East or Battersea branches. If you are returning at night, do not reuse your outward itinerary without checking it.
See our Night Tube guide for more information.
Facts about the Northern line
Despite its name, Northern also reaches into south London. The addition of Battersea created another southern destination alongside the Morden branch, rather than a single continuous route between them.
Hampstead station has the deepest platforms on the London Underground, at 58.5 metres below ground.
The route between East Finchley and Morden via Bank illustrates the deep-level character of much of the line. Its construction in stages helps explain the shape of its present branches.
With its branching network and history, Northern provides important connections between north, south and central London.
Last reviewed: 25 October 2026.
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