Circle Line
The Circle Line of the London Underground became known as such in 1949. The Circle line was not built as a separate line, but was instead created by joining parts of the District and Metropolitan lines as a service. Only two small sections of track are unique to the Circle Line - a tiny connecting section between Aldgate and Tower Hill stations (which is so small that trains turning off onto the District Line can see the platforms at Aldgate and vice-versa) and another connection between Gloucester Road and High Street Kensington.
Pre-1949 this route was known as the Inner Circle, there being an Outer Circle route which diverted along the Hammersmith & City Line from Paddington to Latimer Road, then via a station at Uxbridge Road to Addison Road, now known as Kensington (Olympia), rejoining the Inner Circle at South Kensington. The Outer Circle closed in 1940 when both Uxbridge Road and the track between Latimer Road and Addison Road were closed. However the route continued to appear on the tube map for another seven years until Addison Road was renamed Kensington (Olympia).
In the north, east and west of central London, the Circle Line approximately outlines Zone 1 of the Underground (though in the south there is a substantial portion of the Zone outside of the area enclosed by the Circle Line) and is the only line (apart from the two stop Waterloo & City Line) that is completely contained within it.
As the name implies, trains runs continuously on the line. A complete journey around the line (a rarity as there are usually quicker routes between the stations on other lines) lasts approximately one hour. The line has 27 stations and 22.5 km of track.
A popular pub crawl is to visit each of the Circle Line tube stations in turn, drinking a half pint or short in a pub near to each.
There have, so far [2004] been three occurences of a "Circle Line Party". These were promoted by grassroots organisations such as the Space Hijackers, and involve the "hijacking" of a circle line train. Alcohol and snacks are freely distributed, and music is played. Samba bands have also featured as part of the Circle Line Party.
Map
Geographically accurate map of the Circle Line (Large)
Stations
in order, clockwise from Paddington
Circle Line Cruises is a company offering sightseeing boat trips around New York City.
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