I am very grateful to Hywel Williams and his fantastic site London Underground History for some very helpful information without which this article wouldn't be here.

The London Underground or 'tube' network occupies almost 300 miles of track, both below and above ground, linking almost every part of the capital.

Since 1863, many stations have opened and closed. Here you will find some of the abandoned 'ghost' stations, and their facsinating stories, mind the gap...

BRITISH MUSEUM (1908-1933)

You can see the station if you look through the window as you travel between Tottenham Court Road and Holborn on the Central Line. It was closed in 1933, the day the new Holborn station opened, and was used by the Ministry of Defence as an administrative office during World War II.

DOWN STREET (1907-1932)

Closed in 1932, brick work on the tunnel wall changes colour as you travel on the Piccadilly Line between Green Park and Hyde Park Corner.

BROMPTON ROAD (1906-1934)

Brompton Road was situated between Knightsbridge and South Kensington stations on the Piccadilly Line and was closed in 1934. The station had a part to play in World War II. The platforms were bricked up to be converted into offices, and floors were built in a lift shaft to convert it into a 4 story operations centre for use as London's anti-aircraft control centre.

YORK ROAD (1906-1932)

York Road was located on the long stretch between King's Cross/St Pancras and Caledonian Road stations on the Piccadilly line. It opened in 1906 and closed in1932. Everything is still there, though the tiled walls are now mostly covered by paint or black grime. The station can be seen from both directions, but for the best view, look out of the right hand window travelling from Caledonian Road to King's Cross.

WOOD LANE (1908-1947)

Wood Lane was, at one time the western terminus of the Central Line, now situated between Shepherds bush and White City. It can be seen from the East bound Central line train - As you leave White City and enter the first underground tunnel, face the direction of travel and look out of the left window. You can clearly see Wood Lane platform and exit stairs.

KING WILLIAM STREET (1890-1900)

This was a branch line which left the Northern line between London Bridge and Bank (south of the Thames). The line then went north of the Thames, with the opening just metres away from Monument station. Opened in 1890, closed on 24th February 1900. It was used as an air raid shelter during the war and today, the only access to King William Street station is made via the basement of Regis House who use some of the tunnelling to carry fibre optic cables. There are still posters up on the wall that date back to its days as an air raid shelter and the tunnels leading to it can be seen from the Northern line.

SOUTH KENTISH TOWN (1907-1924)

Located between Kentish Town and Camden Town on the Northern line. It was closed during a power station strike on 5th June 1924 and never reopened. During the war, the lift shaft was blocked, the platform was removed, a barrier was placed between the platform area and the track and a floor erected to make the station a two storey air raid shelter. All this was removed later since they restricted the speed trains could pass through the station and today the station area can clearly be seen through the windows of a passing train. The station has now been converted into the Omega Sauna and Massage Parlour!

CITY ROAD (1901-1922)

Located on the Northern line between Angel and Old Street, City Road opened in November 1901 and closed on 8th August 1922, again used as an air raid shelter during the war. This station is easily visible from trains.

STOCKWELL

Originally the southernmost terminus of the Northern Line, the station was closed on 28th November 1923, to open again in December 1924 at its current location, further south. The original location can still be observed from passing trains.

ST MARY’S (1884-1938)

This station was located between Aldgate East and Whitechapel on the district line. It was very close to both and rather small. During the Second World War, the platform levels were bricked up for use as an air raid shelter. The rooms created by bricking up the platform are still there and can still be accessed via an entrance at surface level. Some evidence of St Mary's can be seen from passing trains.

TOWER OF LONDON (1882-1884)

Situated on the same site as the present Tower Hill station, this station was only open for two years. Closing in 1884, when the nearby Mark Lane station was opened. The station was originally opened during the construction of the Metropolitan Line, it was decided when the circle line was created that a larger station was required, so Mark Lane was built as a replacement.

MARK LANE (1884-1967)

Opened to replace Tower of London, it was renamed Tower Hill in 1946. The station closed on 4th February 1967 when the new Tower Hill (on the site of the former Tower of London) station reopened in its place. The station can still be seen between Monument and Tower Hill on the District line.

KING'S CROSS (1863-1941)

King's Cross station used to be further east of its present day location. Stairs and platforms of the old station can be seen from the Westbound Thameslink line.

ALDWYCH (1907-1994)

As it's on a closed branch line, Aldwych station cannot be seen from underground. The station still exists and is now used for private parties and as a film and TV set. The station is still recognisable from the street. 'Fluffers" (people who clean the tracks at night) have apparently seen the ghost of an actress on the tracks. The station was built on the site of the Royal Strand Theatre.

LORDS (1868-1939)

MARLBOROUGH ROAD (1868-1939)

SWISS COTTAGE (1868-1940)

The above stations can be found on the section of the Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Finchley Road. They were closed when the Bakerloo line Northward extention opened in November 1939 (although Swiss cottage lasted almost another year).

BULL & BUSH (Completed 1907)

Clearly seen between Hampstead and Golders Green on the Northern Line. This station is unique in the respect that, although completed, it never opened.

OSTERLEY PARK & SPRING GROVE (1883-1934)

This station was once part of the Metropolitan District Railway, but closed when the present Osterley Park Station opened (on the Piccadilly line between Hounslow East and Boston Manor) in 1934. District line trains used the old station in the 1960's

More Information

Official Transport for London website.

Official London Underground website.