It’s one of 16 stations that officially sit outside the Greater London boundary
There’s a London Underground station that’s so remote it’s virtually in the countryside, with a unique appearance that really makes it stand out.
Loughton station, officially located in Essex, is one of 16 London Underground stations that lie outside of London, in addition to Epping, Theydon Bois, Debden, Buckhurst Hill, Chigwell, Roding Valley and Grange Hill (only just).
Not only is this station divisive in its location, but this thriving Tube stop and commuter centre is also divisive in its appearance. Some describe the building as reminiscent of a cardboard box, while others think it is one of the network’s prettiest.
Loughton’s Art Deco exterior was regarded as highly futuristic and cutting-edge when it opened back in 1940. Tubewalker.com even characterises it as an ‘architectural tour de force’.
Loughton also belongs to an exclusive group of Tube stations – those positioned outside London. While there are a substantial eight of these in Essex, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire also have several, including Chesham, which is the most distant station from Central London.
The complete list is as follows: Chigwell, Grange Hill, Roding Valley, Buckhurst Hill, Loughton, Debden, Theydon Bois, Epping, Amersham, Chalfont and Latimer, Chesham, Chorleywood, Rickmansworth, Watford, Moor Park, Croxley.
Fascinatingly, there are also six boroughs that don’t have any Tube stations whatsoever, instead depending on the Overground, National Rail, buses or the Tram system (we’re looking at you, Croydon ). These boroughs are: Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Kingston and Lewisham.
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