Hampstead Tube station: London's deepest at 58.5 metres down

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 8 Nov, 06:01 · Archive

Hampstead station on the Northern line, which opened in 1907, sits 58.5 metres below street level with 320 steps to the surface.

Hampstead station on the Northern line is London's deepest Tube station, located 58.5 metres or 192 feet below street level. The station opened on 22 June 1907 and was operated by the Charing Cross, Euston and Hampstead Railway. It sits at the junction of Heath Street and Hampstead High Street.

The platform level of 58.5 metres makes Hampstead the deepest point on the Underground network. The lift shaft reaches 55 metres or 180 feet below ground. The station is notable for housing the network's longest staircase, with 320 steps that spiral from the platforms to street level.

The station's considerable depth is a direct result of Hampstead's geographical position on one of London's highest hills, rather than arising from any deliberate decision to build exceptionally deep into the ground. The original platform tiled signs still carry the station's proposed name of Heath Street, before it was renamed to Hampstead.

The arrival of the Tube network to Hampstead, which had previously been a quiet village, brought significant change to the area. It provided residents with rapid transit connections into central London and sparked suburban expansion further north towards Golders Green and beyond. Hampstead had long attracted visitors from the 18th century onwards, initially for its famous mineral waters and later as a destination for working-class day trips to Hampstead Heath.

Two photographs documenting the station's history are held in the collection of Burgh House, Hampstead. The first shows the station site around 1900, before construction, while the second depicts the station around the time of its opening in 1907, illustrating the transformation that the Underground brought to the area.

How it is being reported

• Two remarkable photos tell the story of London Underground’s deepest Tube stationLondon’s deepest Tube station at 58.5 metres below street level is Hampstead on the Northern line which opened on June 22, 1907 and boasts 320 steps.Croydon Guardian · 8 Nov, 05:00
• Two remarkable photos tell the story of London Underground’s deepest Tube stationLondon’s deepest Tube station at 58.5 metres below street level is Hampstead on the Northern line which opened on June 22, 1907 and boasts 320 steps.This Is Local London · 8 Nov, 05:00
• Two remarkable photos tell the story of London Underground’s deepest Tube stationLondon’s deepest Tube station at 58.5 metres below street level is Hampstead on the Northern line which opened on June 22, 1907 and boasts 320 steps.News Shopper · 8 Nov, 05:00
• Two remarkable photos tell the story of London Underground’s deepest Tube stationLondon’s deepest Tube station at 58.5 metres below street level is Hampstead on the Northern line which opened on June 22, 1907 and boasts 320 steps.Wandsworth Guardian · 8 Nov, 05:00

In this story: Hampstead · London · Northern line · Charing Cross, Euston and Hampstead Railway · Burgh House · Golders Green · Hampstead Heath · Heath Street

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