On September 20th, a treasure hunt will take place to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Central line, coinciding with London’s Open House Festival.
This complimentary drop-in event commences at Shepherd’s Bush station, initially following the line’s original path to Bank, and will be available from 10:30 to 15:30 (BST).
The Central line, which debuted as the Central London Railway on July 30, 1900, is the longest of all the Underground lines.
Organized by Transport for London (TfL), the treasure hunt reflects the line’s rich history, where participants will find clues displayed on posters, plaques, and artistic works at various stations.
Starting from Shepherd’s Bush, participants will receive a clue pack guiding them through multiple stations to their final destination at Bank.
Each station will feature a dedicated page in the clue pack with a series of questions that encourage participants to observe the architecture, design, and historical aspects of the stations.
A TfL Ambassador will be present at each station to monitor progress and provide assistance if needed.
The route will include some of London’s most iconic sites, such as Oxford Circus, St Paul’s Cathedral, and Hyde Park.
After its opening in 1900, the Central line was extended eastward to Liverpool Street in 1912 and westward to Ealing Broadway in 1920.
In the aftermath of World War II, the line was further extended to West Ruislip in the west and Epping in Essex in the east, making it one of just two Underground lines that extend beyond Greater London.
Currently, it stands as the third-busiest line in the network, with over 300 million passenger trips recorded in 2019.
Numerous historic stations along the line are designated as listed buildings, including the Grade I listed entrance at Bank and the Grade II listed train shed at Notting Hill Gate.
Newer stations also showcase significant architectural features, such as Gants Hill, which takes inspiration from Moscow’s subway, and White City, known for its modernist design that earned the Festival of Britain award in 1951.
Seb Dance, the Deputy Mayor for Transport, described the anniversary as a “remarkable milestone,” emphasizing that “the Central line has been vital in linking essential landmarks at the heart of our city since its inception as ‘the Twopenny Tube’ in 1900.”
The Open House Festival takes place every September to honor London’s architecture and neighborhoods, featuring open days and tours throughout the city.
Manijeh Verghese, CEO of Open City, the organization behind the Open House Festival, remarked, “TfL’s treasure hunt encourages people to explore the architecture, design, and hidden narratives that connect contemporary London to its deep-rooted history.”
The festival will run from September 13 to 21.
Additional events include opportunities to observe live training sessions at the Lee Valley VeloPark and guided tours of the new entertainment center at Olympia.
