London Transport Museum marks 120 years of the Piccadilly line
with a season of public events
Images left to right: Guests crafting at London Transport Museum, copyright London Transport Museum, Tim Dunn, copyright Tim Dunn Railway Historian and a previous 1938 train outing, copyright London Transport Museum
London Transport Museum celebrates 120 years of the Piccadilly line with a season of special events
• Celebrate the 120th anniversary of the Piccadilly line with a series of London Transport Museum events
• Enjoy a talk on the history of the Piccadilly line with railway historian and broadcaster Tim Dunn on Saturday 22 August
• Take part in a creative workshop on Saturday 13 June, where ticketholders can take inspiration from the Piccadilly line to create a unique textile artwork
• Go behind the scenes during the Museum Depot open days from 25 to 27 September and learn about Piccadilly line stations designed by architect Charles Holden
• Families can enjoy October half-term activities celebrating the Piccadilly line in the Museum’s galleries at Covent Garden
• Tickets sold out quickly for the popular Heritage train journeys on the Piccadilly line over the last bank holiday weekend, but visitors are encouraged to keep an eye on the website and social channels for the next event later this year. The Tube line and route will be confirmed soon
• Visitors can explore secret parts of the Piccadilly line, including a disused station, closed platforms and time-capsule corridors, on the Museum’s exclusive Hidden London guided tours
• For more information and to book events, visit London Transport Museum
London Transport Museum is marking 120 years of the Piccadilly line with a season of special events celebrating the history, design and cultural impact of one of London’s most iconic Underground lines.
A brief history of the Piccadilly line
The Piccadilly line opened in December 1906 as the Great Northern, Piccadilly and Brompton Railway. Running between Finsbury Park and Hammersmith, it was the longest deep-level Tube railway in the world at the time, stretching 14.5 kilometres or nine miles.
Over the past 120 years, the line has expanded to connect more people and places across the capital, evolving through new engineering innovations while remaining a vital part of London’s transport network.
Image: Postcard; Great Northern, Piccadilly & Brompton, Railway train at Piccadilly Circus station, December 1906, copyright TfL from London Transport Museum’s collection
The line was built using an engineering device called the Greathead Shield and cast-iron tunnel linings. This engineering breakthrough allowed railways to be constructed deep beneath the capital’s built-up city streets from 1890 onwards. In 1911, it became the first Underground line to introduce an electric escalator at Earl’s Court. In the early 1930s the line was extended at both ends to Cockfosters, Hounslow West and Uxbridge.
Image: an Underground guard (left) and driver (right) stand next to a Cockfosters bound Standard stock train, at the eastbound platform of Northfields Station on the Piccadilly line, 1934, copyright TfL from London Transport Museum’s collection
Modernist architecture
The line is celebrated for its instantly recognisable station architecture, from Leslie Green’s famous oxblood red glazed terracotta façades to bold modernist stations designed by architect Charles Holden. Striking examples of Holden’s influence can be seen at Northfields, Cockfosters, Acton Town, Arnos Grove, Southgate and Sudbury Town.
Image: Exterior view of Southgate Underground station, Piccadilly line. Station opened in 1933, designed by Charles Holden, copyright TfL from London Transport Museum’s collection
In 1977, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II opened a major extension to Heathrow Airport, making London the first city in the world to connect its capital and main airport via its metro system.
Image: Colour transparency; Queen Elizabeth II on Piccadilly line 1973 Tube stock, 16 December 1977, copyright TfL from London Transport Museum’s collection
Image: Colour transparency, Queen Elizabeth II officially opening the Piccadilly line extension, by LT News, 1977, copyright TfL London Transport Museum collection
The Piccadilly line has played a vital role during key moments in national history.
During the Second World War, deep-level Piccadilly line stations became places of refuge for Londoners sheltering during air raids. Stations including Aldwych and Piccadilly Circus also safeguarded national treasures from the National Gallery and the British Museum.
In 1939, Down Street, a now disused station between Green Park and Hyde Park Corner, was transformed into a secret wartime bunker. It became a command centre used by the Railway Executive Committee to help keep Britain’s mainline railways running and also protected Prime Minister Winston Churchill during the Blitz.
The Piccadilly line today
Today, the Piccadilly line is the capital’s second longest Underground line.
Stretching 71 kilometres, or 44 miles, it serves 53 stations and links Londoners and visitors with the West End, Hyde Park and some of the city’s best-loved museums and cultural destinations, including London Transport Museum in Covent Garden, the Natural History Museum and the V&A in South Kensington. It is also the only Tube line to have a station named after a football club, Arsenal FC.
Transport for London (TfL) has been working with Siemens Mobility on a new fleet of state-of-the-art Piccadilly line trains featuring walk-through carriages, air conditioning, CCTV and improved accessibility. The new trains are expected to begin entering service between December 2026 and June 2027.
Matt Brosnan, Head Curator at London Transport Museum, said: ‘The opening of the Piccadilly line in 1906 marked an era of engineering ambition and rapid transport expansion that shaped the growth of London and the way people lived, worked and explored the city.
‘Our line-up of events will delve into these stories, giving people the chance to discover more about London while enjoying unique experiences at the Museum in Covent Garden and at our Museum Depot in Acton.’
Andy Lord, London’s Transport Commissioner, said: ‘Running through the heart of the capital, the Piccadilly line has a distinctive and much-loved heritage, connecting everything from world-famous museums to theatres to airports. Millions of people use the line every year and as we prepare to introduce our new state-of-the-art trains along the line, it’s the perfect moment for people to reflect on its past and celebrate its future with London Transport Museum.’
Piccadilly line themed events at London Transport Museum, Covent Garden and the Museum’s Depot, west London in 2026
Workshop: Make a textile artwork inspired by the Piccadilly line, Saturday 13 June
Join artists Hâf Weighton and Sophie Levi-Kallin for a hands-on adult half-day textile workshop inspired by the 120th anniversary of the Piccadilly line. Ticketholders will explore the Museum’s latest exhibition, Art Deco: The Golden Age of Poster Design, before creating their own textile artworks inspired by Piccadilly line stations using transport-inspired fabrics, moquette offcuts, hand stitching and embellishment techniques.
Book now: Make a Textile Artwork Inspired by the Piccadilly Line
Talk: 120 years of the Piccadilly line with Tim Dunn, Saturday 22 August
Celebrate 120 years of the Piccadilly line in an expert talk with railway historian and broadcaster Tim Dunn.
Join Tim as he explores stories of the Piccadilly line’s construction, operation, architecture and trains. Discover modernist gems and abandoned stations while uncovering fascinating engineering and technology from this remarkable railway.
From Cockfosters to Heathrow, guests will leave the talk with fascinating heritage details to spot, enjoy and explore along the Piccadilly line.
Book now: 120 Years of the Piccadilly Line with Tim Dunn
Museum Depot open days: Design Classics, 25 to 27 September 2026
London transport’s design heritage is world famous, but what about the people and stories behind those iconic creations? From Charles Holden’s architectural vision for Piccadilly line stations to Harry Beck’s revolutionary Tube map and Enid Marx’s bold Tube seating fabric, or moquette patterns, discover the names that shaped the look and feel of London.
Book now: Design Classics Depot Open Days
October half term: Along the Piccadilly line, 24 October to 1 November
Families can enjoy activities during October half term celebrating the 120th anniversary of the Piccadilly line at London Transport Museum. Visitors can learn about this historic Underground line and the people and places it connects across the capital.
More information: October Half Term Along the Piccadilly Line
Exclusive Hidden London tours on the Piccadilly line, Wednesdays to Sundays throughout 2026
Visitors can also explore secret parts of the Piccadilly line through the Museum’s exclusive Hidden London guided tours, including:
• Aldwych: The End of the Line, exploring a disused station and former branch terminus that closed in 1994
• Dover Street: Alight Here for Green Park, exploring hidden areas of Green Park station
• Holborn: The Secret Platforms, taking visitors into parts of the station not open to the public
• Piccadilly Circus: The Heart of London, exploring the closed-off remains of the original Edwardian station
Tickets can be booked at: Hidden London Tours
For more information on future heritage train journey events visit: