TREASURE hunts are always exciting, but imagine getting to do one on the London Underground. Well, now you can.
To mark the Central Line’s 125th anniversary, Transport for London (TfL) is hosting a treasure hunt on September 20 as part of London‘s Open House Festival 2025.
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Each person participating in the treasure hunt will grab a clue pack from Shepherd’s Bush Station, which will lead them on a journey to several different stations before the treasure hunt finishes at Bank Station.
At each station, players will need to answer several questions, with the answers found in their surroundings.
Hence, each player should pay close attention to any posters, plaques, artwork, etcetera.
Those on the treasure hunt are also encouraged to head to a number of other stations, including more recent additions to the Central Line.
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For example, Gants Hill was designed by Charles Holden and inspired by the subway system in Moscow, Russia.
White City is also a more recent station, with a more modernist style of architecture.
A third stop to check out is the Grade II listed Perivale Station, which was designed by Brian Lewis, who also worked on the architecture of Great Western Railway (GWR).
The treasure hunt will start at Shepherd’s Bush Station and run between 10:30am and 3:30pm.
The event is completely free and open to all, on a drop-in basis.
The Central Line opened back in 1900 as a cross-London route, starting at Shepherd’s Bush Station and stretching to Bank Station in the heart of the capital’s financial district.
Notable stops along the line include Marble Arch, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Oxford Circus – which are all Zone 1; Bethnal Green and Holland Park in Zone 2; Stratford and Ealing Broadway in Zone 3; Perivale and Leytonstone in Zone 4; Ruislip Gardens in Zone 5 and Epping in Zone 6.
As such, lots of the capital’s top attractions sit within walking distance of Central Line tube stations, such as Oxford Street from either Oxford Circus Station or Tottenham Court Road Station.
Or you could head to Hyde Park, from Marble Arch Station.
The Central Line has been home to numerous historical events over the years as well.
For example, during World War II, construction of the eastern extension was paused and the unfinished tunnels between Leytonstone and Newbury Park were used as a secret underground aircraft parts factory.
Over at Bethnal Green Station, there was also a disaster in 1943, where 173 people – many of whom were children – were crushed to death in a stampede while sheltering in the station during an air raid.
The Central Line is also the longest line on the Underground network, spanning 46miles in total.
A number of ghost stations exist on the line as well, including the original Wood Lane Station and British Museum Station.
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In fact, when on the Central Line between Holborn and Tottenham Court Road, you can see the former British Museum Station if you look out the windows during the journey.
TfL is also investing in improving the London Underground, which includes the Central Line Improvement Programme (CLIP).
Under the project, there will be a £500million investment to overhaul trains on the line.
Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor for Transport, said: “This is a really special milestone, and I would encourage Londoners and visitors to join TfL’s Treasure Hunt and experience for themselves the Central Line’s rich history and heritage.
“Ever since it opened as ‘the Twopenny Tube’ in 1900, the Central line has played an important role in connecting key landmarks right in the heart of our city.”
Emma Strain, TfL’s customer director, said: “Over the last 125 years the Central line has evolved to be one of London’s busiest Underground lines, connecting so many parts of the capital, and the free treasure hunt will be a fantastic opportunity to find out more about how it all started and its architectural heritage.”
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The Open House Festival 2025 includes numerous other interesting landmarks and events, many of which are completely free to visit.
For example, you could take a break from the treasure hunt at Oxford Circus to explore Alice Billing House – a historic building which has been converted into artist studios.
Or hop off at Bethnal Green Station to explore Leadenhall Market – an iconic Victorian covered market.
And you can explore sites not on the Central Line as well, for example you could head to the Bank of England Museum to see a furniture installation made from over £2million of reclaimed, recycled and reconstructed bank notes.
Here are four ways to make the most of Britain’s rich past with Heritage Open Days.
Plus, a private English island is now open to the public with live music festivals and riverside bar.
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