London Guide: I’ve considered exploring the best places on the Victoria Line. When Mapway, the London tube map app, asked me to try out their handy application, I combined 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 moved to Finsbury Park. The Victoria Line has been a significant part of my life in the capital, so I wanted to write a write-up about it. I already had the free London Underground map app on my iPhone, so I decided to upgrade to the pro version and test it. 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 of 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 pretty close to each other, so you can walk between them if you want. If you tap ‘Onward Journey’ on the app will take you to a map that gives you directions and the ETA of your destination.
Walthamstow Central: First Stop
Walthamstow Central: On my list was Orford Road in Walthamstow Village, a pretty conservation area in E17. You will find independent eateries. With pub grub, the London Sausage Company and 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 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, where I bought my first property very long ago! I noticed banners saying the area will be regenerated, which is excellent news. Plenty of creative businesses and the Blackhorse Beer Mile are located in this area. 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 helpful 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 to the Tottenham Marshes, minutes from the tube station. The marshes date back to the mid-19th century and are on a flood plain of the River Lea. Today, this large grassland area is open to the public. It encompasses wildlife meadows, scrubland, waterways, reservoirs, and a lake, which the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority looks after.
Tottenham Hale: Walk Through the Tottenham Marshlands
Seven Sisters: 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. 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 to Highgate (South Route) and beyond to Alexandra Palace (North Route). It runs along a disused railway line, now a nature reserve minutes from the tube station next to the park. Along the route, you will see some great street art, graffiti, and 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: You’ll find Highbury Fields right across from the tube station. This is a patch of grassland surrounded by beautiful houses. It’s the perfect place to sit 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 many new eateries have opened up—or Upper Street, which is teaming with restaurants, boutiques and plenty of homes and interior shops. Please 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, home to some great restaurants, including Dishoom, Caravan, Grain Store and The Lighterman. Kerb Street food vans can also be found here at lunchtime. This square is home to Central St Martins, the famous art school 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 from Little Venice to Limehouse. There is much to do in this area; look at my Ten Things To Do In Kings Cross article for 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 the most expensive church in London since St Paul’s Cathedral was rebuilt. The Ionic ancient Greek Temple of the Erectheum on the Acropolis inspired the design. 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 everyone’s health by helping ideas 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 to 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. You will find a few interior stores if you head into Fitzrovia down Great Titchfield Street.
Oxford Circus: Browse the Fitzrovia Design Showrooms
Green Park: Here you have the park called Green Park, which covers 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 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 World Wars. You can find out more about Green Park on the Royal Parks Website. Buckingham Palace is 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 on the Royal Collection Trust website.
Green Park: Stroll Through the Park to Admire Buckingham Palace
Victoria: This area is busy because of the vast train, underground and coach stations. You can escape to Elizabeth Street in Belgravia by the coach station. This road is packed with 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. Please 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. Its extensive collection of British art includes works by masters such as JMW Tuner and contemporary artists like Damien Hirst. If you would like to learn about current exhibitions, you can visit the Tate Britain Website.
Pimlico: See the Largest Collection of British Art in the World at Tate Britain
Vauxhall: 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. You can 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 with a clock stands on a plinth made from Portland stone. It is now a listed building designed by Frank T. Dear in 1920.
Stockwell: Pay Your Respects at the Stockwell War Memorial
Brixton: The last stop on the Victoria line is Brixton. Two covered market arcades are close to the tube station: Brixton Village and Market Row. You’ll discover plenty of interesting independent shops selling furniture, home accessories, fashion and food inside. 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 rains outside. Also in the vicinity are market stalls selling food and catering equipment. Pop Brixton is nearby, a community of businesses housed in shipping containers. You will find street food, bars, fashion boutiques, barbers, and a record store 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 are the Waterloo and City lines, 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’ (Walthamstow 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 convenient and essential whether you live in the city or are a visitor. It uses the official Transport for London map of the Underground, which is excellent. Thankfully, it works offline, so you can figure out an alternative route if you hear of a delay while on the tube. I found the live updates helpful, which let you know when the next tube is due and give you information about delays. You can have a live Twitter feed on the map (at the top left of the app, enable Map Tweets). This is the official Twitter account of Transport for London that tells you more about delays and disruptions. It’s free to download if you want the map with adverts.
Pro Tube Map App
You can pay to remove the adverts for a better user experience. You can also make in-app purchases like first and last train times or find the best doors so you can exit the tube quickly. You probably already have this map because it has been downloaded over 15 million times, so you should upgrade it. Mapway develops apps for people travelling around some of the world’s most extensive public transport services, such as the London Underground and New York Subway. I’ll download the New York one the next time I visit. Click here for iPhone Tube Map App and Android Tube Map App. It costs £4.99 to buy all the features in bulk, or you can purchase them individually; for example, it’s £2.99 to remove the adverts, £2.99 for the first and last tubes, and £2.29 for tube exits. Buy in bulk and save yourself some money, honey!
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. This is a Sponsored Collaboration/Advertising.
