London Guide: I’ve been thinking about exploring the best places on the Victoria Line. When Mapway, the London tube map app asked me to try out their handy application, I decided to combine this with my Victoria Line idea. So why this particular tube line? I bought my first flat at Blackhorse Road over twenty years ago and then I moved to Finsbury Park. The Victoria line has been a major part of my life in the capital so I wanted to give it a write-up. I already had the free London Underground map app on my iPhone so I decided to upgrade to the pro version and test it out. Join me on my tube map app journey where I showcase something interesting to do within ten minutes of each stop on the Victoria Line.
Mapway App Makes Tube Travel Easy
My Victoria Line Tube Map App Adventure
Before I left home I checked the station status for the tube from Finsbury Park to Walthamstow Central. I was in luck because the app told me there was good service on the Victoria Line, the journey would take eleven minutes and I needed to go to Platform 2. Some of the stations on the Victoria line are quite close to each other so you can walk between them if you wanted. If you tap ‘Onward Journey’ on the app it will take you to a map which gives you directions and the ETA to your destination.
Walthamstow Central: First Stop
Walthamstow Central: First on my list was Orford Road in Walthamstow Village which is a pretty conservation area in E17. Here you will find independent eateries including The Village Bakery, Deli Café, La Ruga, Orford Saloon Tapas Bar, Eat 17, The Village Café and cheese specialists Forth and Rind. With pub grub, the London Sausage Company and with the Spa supermarket selling freshly baked bread and pizzas made by Eat 17, this is a little slice of foodie heaven. You can also browse around the Here on Earth design shop and Finamore antiques. Continue up this street where you will find timber houses on Church Lane, St Mary’s Church which dates back to the 12th century and the Walthamstow Almshouses from the 16th and 17th centuries.
Walthamstow Central: Relax at Orford Road in Walthamstow Village
Blackhorse Road: Just outside the tube station I took a picture of Latchingdon Court which is where I bought my first property a very long time ago! I noticed banners saying the area is going to be regenerated which is great news. There are now plenty of creative businesses located in this area along with the Blackhorse Beer Mile. On entering the station to travel to my next stop I heard an announcement about severe delays on the Victoria Line. I checked the app which told me the delay was due to signal failure at Stockwell which was useful to know and thankfully the delays didn’t hinder my adventure.
Blackhorse Road: Say Hello to Homegirl’s First Property Purchase
Tottenham Hale: If you love walking head for the Tottenham Marshes, which is minutes from the tube station. The marshes are on a flood plain of the River Lea and date back to the mid-19th century. Today, this large grassland area is open to the public and encompasses wildlife meadows, scrubland, waterways, reservoirs and a lake which is looked after by the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority.
Tottenham Hale: Walk Through the Tottenham Marshlands
Seven Sisters: Just outside the tube station you’ll find the Seven Sisters Market at 231 High Road N15. This houses a Latin American indoor market. Here you can buy beauty products, household goods and sample food from various stalls. You can smell the aroma of food filling the air and hear the Latin tunes as you browse around. Visit if you’re craving authentic Latin cuisine at affordable prices.
Seven Sisters: Experience This Latin American Indoor Market
Finsbury Park: One of my favourite walks is the Parkland Walk which runs from Finsbury Park all the way to Highgate (South Route) and beyond to Alexandra Palace (North Route). It is along a disused railway line which is now a nature reserve which is minutes from the tube station right next to the park. Along the route, you will see some great street art and graffiti plus plenty of beautiful trees and birds. Read my Finsbury Park Parkland Walk Review here.
Finsbury Park: Get Back to Nature on the Parkland Walk
Highbury and Islington: Right across from the tube station you’ll find Highbury Fields. This is a patch of grassland surrounded by beautiful houses. It’s the perfect place to sit down and eat a sandwich on a sunny day. There is often an ice cream van parked close by. If you fancy a bite to eat wander down to ‘LoHo’ (Lower Holloway) where a bunch of new eateries have opened up. Or Upper Street which is teaming with restaurants, boutiques and plenty of homes and interiors shops. Read my post about Things To Do In Highbury Islington.
Highbury and Islington: Relax in Highbury Fields
Kings Cross: If you haven’t visited Kings Cross recently you’re in for a big surprise. It has been regenerated beyond recognition. Behind the station, you will find Granary Square which is now home to some great restaurants including Dishoom, Caravan, Grain Store and The Lighterman. Kerb street food vans can also be found here at lunchtimes. This square is home to Central St Martins, the famous art school which is housed in former Victorian Industrial warehouses. Coal Drops Yard is a shopping destination. Splash about in the fountains while you are there or walk along the Regent’s Canal which stretches all the way from Little Venice to Limehouse. There is so much to do in this area, take a look at my Ten Things To Do In Kings Cross article or more information.
Kings Cross: Hang Out in Granary Square
Euston: Just across from Euston station you will find the two-hundred-year-old St Pancras Church. It was actually the most expensive church to be built in London since St Pauls Cathedral was rebuilt. The design was inspired by the Ionic ancient Greek Temple of the Erectheum on the Acropolis. Around the back you will find the crypt which often houses art exhibitions.
Euston: Admire the Architecture of the St Pancras Church and See Exhibitions at the Crypt
Warren Street: The Wellcome Collection at 183 Euston Road is open to the public free of charge. Here you can discover more about medicine and how it connects to life and art. With a library, café and shop, it’s a lovely place to grab a coffee and a slice of culture. The Wellcome Collection was established as a global charity foundation to improve the health for everyone by helping ideas to thrive. You have Sir Henry Wellcome (1853-1936) to thank for this, he was a pharmacist, philanthropist, collector and entrepreneur. To find out more view the Wellcome Collection Website.
Warren Street: Find out More About Medicine at the Wellcome Collection
Oxford Circus: Those wanting to shop should head for Oxford Circus where you’ll find all the high street fashion stores from Top Shop to Miss Selfridge and Niketown. My favourite shops are at the back of Oxford Street. If you head into Fitzrovia down Great Titchfield Street you will find a few interiorsstores.
Oxford Circus: Browse the Fitzrovia Design Showrooms
Green Park: Here you have the park, called Green Park, which covers some 40 acres. Park highlights include the Bomber Command Memorial with bronze sculpture commemorating the 55,573 who died during the Second World War while serving in the Bomber Command. The Canada Gates which were a gift from the country and are a memorial to Queen Victoria. The Canada Memorial remembers the Canadians who served in the British forces during both World Wars. You can find out more about Green Park on the Royal Parks Website. Buckingham Palace a seven-minute walk through the park which you’ll see in the distance, make sure you say hello to our royal family. Find out more at The Royal Collection Trust Website.
Green Park: Stroll Through the Park to Admire Buckingham Palace
Victoria: This is a busy area because of the vast train, underground and coach stations. You can escape to Elizabeth Street in Belgravia which is right by the coach station. This road is packed full of fashion boutiques, coffee shops and eateries. You’ll find specialist stores here like the Philip Treacy hat shop, Grosvenor Stationery Company, Tom Tom Cigars, Les Senteurs Perfumery and Jo Loves fragrance products. Make sure you pop into the cake shop Peggy Porschen for a cupcake and pot of tea as I did.
Victoria: Browse the Beautiful Boutique Shops Along Elizabeth Street
Pimlico: The Tate Britain gallery is an impressive building overlooking the River Thames at Millbank SW1P 4RG. Here you will find the largest collection of British art including works from masters such as JMW Tuner through to present-day contemporary artists like Damien Hirst. To find out about current exhibitions go to the Tate Britain Website.
Pimlico: See the Largest Collection of British Art in the World at Tate Britain
Vauxhall: Here you can walk over Vauxhall Bridge and admire the Thames River. You can spot the London Eye in the distance. The bridge has Grade II listed status and crosses over the river to connect Vauxhall on the south bank and Pimlico on the north bank. It dates back to 1906 when it replaced the Regent Bridge. Find out more about Vauxhall Bridge on Wikipedia.
Vauxhall: Take Photographs of the River Thames From Vauxhall Bridge
Stockwell: Not far from the tube station is the Stockwell War Memorial which remembers the 574 Stockwell men who died in the First World War. The Neo Grecian style tower stands with clock stands on a plinth and is made from Portland stone. It was designed by Frank T Dear in 1920 and now has listed building status.
Stockwell: Pay Your Respects at the Stockwell War Memorial
Brixton: The last stop on the Victoria line is Brixton. Close to the tube station are two covered market arcades; Brixton Village and Market Row. Inside you’ll discover plenty of interesting independent shops selling furniture, home accessories, fashion and food. There are many restaurants and bars with seating out the front. Because this is a covered arcade it’s a great place to hang out when it’s raining outside. Also in the vicinity are market stalls selling food and catering equipment. Pop Brixton is close by which is a community of businesses housed in shipping containers. You will find street food, bars, fashion boutiques, barbers and a record store based here. Read my Pop Brixton Review and Ten Things To Do In Brixton articles.
Brixton: Explore the Arcades and Markets
The Victoria Line is a light blue colour. It starts at Walthamstow Central (zone 3) and finishes at Brixton (zone 2) or vice versa. The entire line is underground, as is the Waterloo and City line, which are the only two on the underground map. The Victoria line was constructed in the 1960s and was named after Victoria Station. Other names suggested were ‘Walvic’ (Walhtamstow to Victoria) and ‘Viking’ (Victoria to Kings Cross). You can find out more about the Victoria Line at Wikipedia.
Free Tube Map App
I thought the Mapway Tube Map App was very handy and essential whether you live in the city or you’re a visitor. It uses the official Transport for London map of the Underground which is great. Thankfully it works offline so if you hear of a delay while on the tube, you can figure out an alternative route. I found the live updates helpful which lets you know when the next tube is due and gives you information about delays. You can have a live Twitter Feed on the map (top left of the app and enable Map Tweets). This is the Transport for London official twitter account which tells you more about delays and disruptions. It’s free to download if you just want the map which comes with adverts.
Pro Tube Map App
You can pay to remove the adverts to give you better user experience. You can also buy in-app purchases like first and last train times or to find out where the best doors are so you can exit the tube quickly. You probably have this map already because it has been downloaded by over 15 million times so you might want to upgrade it. Mapway develops apps for people travelling around some of the largest public transport services in the world, such as the London Underground and New York Subway. I’ll download the New York one next time I’m visiting. Click here for iPhone Tube Map App and Click here for android Tube Map App. It costs £4.99 to bulk buy all the features or you can purchase individually, for example, it’s £2.99 to remove the adverts, £2.99 for first and last tubes and £2.29 for tube exits. Buy bulk and save yourself some money honey!
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. This is a Sponsored Post/Advertising.
