What are the "Ghost" London underground stations?

Question

I have heard that there are a number of train stations on the London Underground where no trains stop at them anymore, but they are still there (i.e. the tracks have been removed, but they never destroyed the platform).

I remember also that it was possible to see at least one of those stations on a regular journey.

So, where are they?!

Thanks for the info so far and I make an apology for adding this bit in later:

Is it possible to actually visit some of these (do London Underground organise trips or visits)?

Answer 1

There are about forty altogether. Off the top of my head there are three between Baker Street and Finchley Road on the Metropolitan Line alone (Lords, Marlborough Road and Swiss Cottage). Of these, Marlborough Rd. is by far the easiest to spot from a passing train.

There are two on the Northern Line plus a third which holds the distinction of being built at platform level but not at street level and thus never opened. The first two are City Road, situated between Angel and Old Street, and South Kentish Town between Kentish Town and Camden Town. Of the two, SKT is probably easier to spot and the station building survives at street level.

The third was proposed to be North End station, between Hampstead and Golders Green. Now commonly known as Bull & Bush after the proximity of a local pub, this is very easy to spot from a passing train. The site was used for many years as the control centre for the Underground's floodgate system.

There are also a few on the Piccadilly Line (York St. Down St. plus a few others), St. Mary's between Aldgate East and Whitechapel on the District/H&C Lines, and many more.

For more, visit these sites:

http://www.pendar.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Tube/
http://underground-history.co.uk/front.php

Added: Due to increased security levels, as well as health & safety laws, it is unlikely LU will let people visit these historical relics in the near future, which is a shame.

Answer 2

Just off the top of my head - and with none of this wiki rubbish! - I can think of: York Road, Down Street , Dover Street and Brompton Road as well as most recently, Aldwych all on the Piccadilly line, then there is South Kentish Town (N), Wood Lane and British Museum (C), Mark Lane (D) and of course, the three old favourites on the Met - Lords, Marlborough Road and Swiss Cottage. (Letters in brackets are the initial of the line). These are just a few which spring to mind without referring to any books and apart from one of them which was re-opened with the entrance at the other end of the platforms and renamed Green Park, there are quite a few which have been renamed - Walham Green is Fulham Broadway for example. There are several books on the Underground from which you can get all this sort of information (as indeed I did in the past - but all of this is from memory!) - and L.T. used to do the odd tour of Down Street station but with all the Health and Safety rubbish it was all a bit much - they could only allow five or six people at a time - so I think they've knocked it all on the head now .
For all the details and a lot more besides, take a look at "LURS Home" - that's the opening page of the London Underground Railway Society ! ! !
Incidentally, the Jubilee line was NOT built to Cannon Street - it was Charing Cross ! ! !
I've just found a soft-back book by the name of "Abandoned Stations On London's Underground - A Photographic Record" by J.E.Connor in my library and as well as all the usual closures it gives details (and usually pictures too) of the stations closed between Epping and Ongar, those on the old joint Met lines north of Amersham, stations which were MEANT to have become underground stations but didn't (The Alexandra Park branch from Finsbury Park including Highgate High Level), those which never opened (Bull & Bush) and even the odd one on the DLR (Mudchute) - so on the whole a very interesting little book (usual disclaimer!) and well worth buying or borrowing froma library ! ! !

Answer 3

Just a slight correction - the tracks remain, it is the station which has been closed. You can see this at British Museum between Tottenham Court Road and Holborn on the Central Line and St. John's Wood and Marlborough Road on the Met. between Baker Street and Finchley Road. You can't see Aldwych as that was a terminal station of a short branch from Holborn (Piccadilly Line). I believe the tracks remain in place, however, and the station is often used by TV nd films (it was in a Dr Who in the last series). More details are on Pendar Sillar's site, details below.

Answer 4

Others not mentioned so far include British Museum and Lords. I've a book on the underground at home, I'll post later in the week with a definitive list.

Answer 5

Hi there here is a good website for you. I have taken a look at it before and found it really interesting...Did you know that the Jubilee Line was built to Cannon Street Station, and that the tunnels a fully constructed? I gather that LUL & TfL use the site to park up empty rolling stock (Tube Trains) and also a stores site.
Well here is the site: http://underground-history.co.uk/front.php

Answer 6

I would only repeat some of what has been already written if I answered your first question.

For the trips, etc., try contacting the "London Underground Railway Society". I am sorry that I have lost touch with them, although I am sure that they have a website. Or you could try the advertisements in "Modern Railways".

Answer 7

There are loads of them - most of then have been 'blocked up' so you can't see them from the train - but when you come into King's Cross from Farringdon you can still see the platforms and old staircases from the old station.

Answer 8

Aldwych is definitely one, and Walham Green may be another, there are several of them, I found them on London Undergroun Website. The whole station still exists at Aldwych, even the tracks I think, not sure if trains go through there, or are diverted alongside, but its pretty cool and often used for filming.

Answer 9

you can check them all, at this url

http://www.londonrailways.net/ghost.htm#station

Answer 10

here they are..turn your speakers on and focus on the moving ghost in the picture on the wall, it takes about a minute before it trusts you, but just focus

http://www.eyetricks.com/scary_optical_illusion2.htm