Tucked away in North London, Hampstead station boasts the title of being the deepest on the London Underground network with an impressive spiral staircase spiralling over 320 steps above ground.
This makes it the biggest staircase on the Tube – beating out some pretty stiff competition.
Below the surface at a depth of 58.5 metres due to the area’s steep hill incline, this part of Camden Borough sits snugly between its neighbours, Golders Green and Belsize Park stations on the Edgware branch of the Northern line.
Designer Leslie Green is the mastermind behind the charming June 1907 establishment.
Initially pegged as Heath Street during its conception, a nod still visible in the vintage tiling on the platforms, the station eventually took the name of its local high street.
Hampstead even issues a warning to commuters about its staircase
The lift shaft here plunges 55 metres underground, holding the record for the deepest of its kind in the tube system.
Thankfully, a set of high-speed lifts, upgraded back in 2014, spares commuters the daunting climb. However, should these elevators fail, one would face a vertical trek equivalent to a five-storey building to escape the underworld onto street level.
A warning sign at the station serves a stark reminder: “This spiral staircase has more than 320 steps. Hampstead is the deepest station on the Underground and climbing this staircase is equivalent to climbing a 15-storey building. If you have any difficulties walking, please wait for the next available lift.”
Cross your fingers those elevators keep working!
However, Hampstead station only earns the title of “deepest” on the Tube network if you measure from the surface of the ground. Given that Hampstead’s depth is due to its location under a massive hill, some might argue this gives it an unfair advantage.
If you consider the deepest stations in terms of their distance below sea level, London Bridge takes the crown.
Its platforms are a staggering 22 metres below sea level, while Southwark, Elephant and Castle and Pimlico follow closely, with depths of 21, 18 and 16 metres below sea level respectively.
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