North West London visit

Hello there! On Sunday 24th of April 2022, my intended area was North West London for the day. I had enough money going and coming back, to ensure that I would not need to top up on the way. Let's begin the journey and get into it before I oversleep...

The Journey

To start off the day on a sunny spring morning (at least it did not feel like I was baked in a furnace with the heatwave we have had recently), I went to Goodmayes station for a TFL Rail service - this was exactly a month before the trains were rebranded to Elizabeth Line (or Crossrail depending on your preference) and had started operating on the core section between Abbey Wood and Paddington. Coincidence? Anyway, I was onboard the train which took me 20 mins to Stratford. From there I interchanged for a Central line, notably more packed than usual, as the section between Woodford and Epping was shut due to engineering works - a common theme during Weekends and Bank Holidays on the London Underground to keep the railways running I suppose! After 15 minutes of standing I alighted at Tottenham Court Road. 

Tottenham Court Road station (Charing Cross branch), at Northern Line Platform 3 heading Northbound. 

Tottenham Court Road. Central London. I was now underground, no longer above ground. Once again though, I was not exiting out but instead changing for the Northern line. This was the first time I would travel North using the Northern line, since I only (rarely in fact) use it for short hops inside Central London. Seeing as I usually exit at Tottenham Court Road, it felt strange to be going onboard another train elsewhere. As I arrived at the platform I did briefly miss one but the next train came in 2 mins. The joys of a rapid transit system. If I was smart and trying to reduce costs (as Zone 1 adds cost, annoyingly) I would have taken London Overground and have got the Northern line a bit further up, without using more money but no matter "It's all part of the experience" I thought to myself. Look at me sounding like an author! (for the record I don't intend to be one thanks) 

Warren Street station (Charing Cross branch), onboard the Northern line train.

Since I arrived into Central London, it took me 30 minutes when I tapped in at the start. Was onboard Northern line now, which I have always found to be one of the most confusing lines on the London Underground network (in my opinion), especially since the Battersea Power Station branch was added in September 2021. Look at it on the tube map and you will understand what I mean. Maybe. Along this journey, it became sort of half full but emptied out at Camden Town. Chalk Farm was closed when I travelled on this day, who knows why though that didn't not bother me. I did observe some of the stations, containing their own station names on the platform walls: Mornington Crescent, was Mornington Crescent, Camden Town had two colons in the middle (Camden : Town), likewise for Chalk Farm and Belsize Park. Hampstead meanwhile showed Heath Street (. Heath . Street .) this being the actual proposed name. All displayed in capital letters. We were now on the Edgware branch and after emerging out of the tunnel Golders Green emerged in sight. My intended destination. Quick summary, 50 minutes spent tapping in at Goodmayes to tap out at Golders Green. 

Arrival into Golders Green

Golders Green station, Edgware branch

Well then, Golders Green! I have visited here in 2017 but this was by bus not by train, so I was greeted by the bus station and their large variety of routes. A coach station is also included so good for getting around. Handy right? The area is well connected in terms of bus routes and the only ones I have ridden partly are 83, 139 and 183. As I have not ridden all of these routes in their entirety, here is a summary of each route, allocation and more correct to the time of publish (as this can change, if reading this blog post much much later i.e. in the next couple of years).

Route 13: North Finchley to Victoria

• Introduction: Began operation on the 1st of April 2017 renumbered from route 82
• Previous route: Aldwych to Golders Green
• Current Length: 10 miles long
• Goes via: Finchley Central station, Golders Green station, Finchley Road and Frognal station, Finchley Road station, Swiss Cottage station, St John's Wood station, Baker Street station, Marble Arch station and Hyde Park Corner.
• Number of buses required to run the route: 22
• Allocation: Volvo B5LH/MCV Evosetis (seen in photo above)
• Garage/Depot: Westbourne Park (X)
• Frequency: 8-9 minutes Monday to Saturday, 10 minutes on Sundays
• Current Operator at the time of post: London Transit RATP Group
• Current Route: Click here for stops and view of the map

Route 83: Golders Green to Alperton

• Introduction: Records found as far back as the 3rd of October 1934, originally operating from Golders Green to Kew Gardens
• Previous route: Golders Green to Ealing Hospital
• Current Length: 8 miles long
• Goes via Hendon Central station, Hendon station, West Hendon, Kingsbury Green, Wembley Park station and Wembley Central station
• Number of buses required to run the route: 22
• Allocation: Volvo B9TL/Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 2s (seen in photo above) and Volvo B5LH/Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 3s
• Garage/Depot: Perivale East (PV)
• Frequency: 8-9 minutes Monday to Saturday, 10 minutes on Sundays
• Current Operator at the time of post: Metroline Travel
• Current Route: Click here for stops and a view of the map

Route 102: Edmonton Green to Brent Cross

• Introduction: Records found as far back as the 3rd of October 1934, originally operating from Muswell Hill Broadway to Chingford Forest Hotel
• Current Length: 12 miles long
• Goes via Upper Edmonton, Silver Street station, Palmers Green, Bounds Green station, Durnsford Road, Muswell Hill Broadway, Fortis Green, East Finchley station, Falloden Way, Golders Green station, The Vale, Pennine Drive and North Cricklewood
• Number of buses required to run the route: 26
• Allocation: Wrightbus Streetdecks and Volvo B5LH/Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 3s (seen in photo above)
• Garage/Depot: Palmers Green (AD)
• Frequency: 8 minutes Monday to Saturday, 12 minutes on Sundays
• Current Operator at the time of post: Arriva London
• Current Route: Click here for stops and a view of the map

Route 139: Golders Green to Waterloo

• Introduction: Began operation on the 14th March 1992, originally operating between Golders Green and Trafalgar Square
• Previous route: Waterloo to West Hampstead 
• Current Length: 8 miles long
• Goes via West Hampstead station, Abbey Road, Lisson Grove, Baker Street station, Oxford Circus station, Piccadilly Circus station, Trafalgar Square (for Charing Cross station) and Aldwych
• Number of buses required to run the route: 23
• Allocation: Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 Hybrid MMCs (seen in photo above) and Volvo B5LH/Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 3s
• Garage/Depot: Cricklewood (W)
• Frequency: 8 minutes Monday to Saturday, 12 minutes on Sundays
• Current Operator at the time of post: Metroline Travel
• Current Route: Click here for stops and a view of the map

Route 183: Golders Green to Pinner

• Introduction: Records found as far back as the 3rd October 1934, originally operating between Golders Green and Northwood
• Current Length: 11 miles long
• Goes via Hendon, Hendon station, Kingsbury station, Kenton station, Harrow Bus station and North Harrow station.
• Number of buses required to run the route: 25
• Allocation: BYD/Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 EV Citys (seen in photo above)
• Garage/Depot: Harrow (SO)
• Frequency: 7-8 minutes Monday to Saturday, 8 minutes on Sundays
• Current Operator at the time of post: London Sovereign RATP Group 
• Current Route: Click here for stops and a view of the map

Route 210: Brent Cross to Finsbury Park

• Introduction: Records found as far back as the 3rd October 1934, originally operating between Golders Green and Finsbury Park
• Current Length: 11 miles long
• Goes via Brent Cross station, Golders Green station, Hampstead Heath, Kenwood, Highgate Village, Archway station, Hornsey Rise, Crouch Hill station and Stroud Green
• Number of buses required to run the route: 14
• Allocation: Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s (seen in photo above) and Volvo B9TL/Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 2s
• Garage/Depot: Cricklewood (W)
• Frequency: 10 minutes Monday to Saturday, 12 minutes on Sundays
• Current Operator at the time of post: Metroline Travel
• Current Route: Click here for stops and a view of the map

Route 226: Golders Green to Ealing Broadway

• Introduction: Records found as far back as the 3rd October 1934, originally operating between Golders Green and Cricklewood Ash Grove
• Current Length: 9 miles long
• Goes via The Vale, Pennine Drive, Cricklewood station, Anson Road, Dollis Hill station, Willesden, Harlesden station, Central Middlesex Hospital, Park Royal, Business Park, Coronation Road, Hanger Lane station, Birkdale Road and Eaton Rise. 
• Number of buses required to run the route: 16
• Allocation: Alexander Dennis Enviro 200s (seen in photo above)
• Garage/Depot: Willesden Junction (WJ)
• Frequency: 12 minutes Monday to Saturday, 20 minutes on Sundays
• Current Operator at the time of post: Metroline Travel
• Current Route: Click here for stops and a view of the map

Route 240: Golders Green to Edgware

• Introduction: Records found as far back as the 3rd October 1934, operating between Golders Green and Edgware (it's current route)
• Current Length: 8 miles long
• Goes via Hendon, Mill Hill East station, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill Broadway station and Hale Lane
• Number of buses required to run the route: 8
• Allocation: Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s (seen in photo above)
• Garage/Depot: Edgware (EW)
• Frequency: 15 minutes Monday to Saturday, 20 minutes on Sundays
• Current Operator at the time of post: Metroline Travel
• Current Route: Click here for stops and a view of the map

Route 245: Golders Green to Alperton Sainsburys

• Introduction: Began operation on the 3rd January 1962, originally operating between North Finchley and Stanmore station
• Current Length: 9 miles long
• Goes via Cricklewood station, Tanfield Avenue, Neasden, Forty Avenue, North Wembley station and Sudbury.
• Number of buses required to run the route: 17
• Allocation: Volvo B9TL/Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 2s (seen in photo above) and Volvo B5LH/Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 3s
• Garage/Depot: Perivale East (PV)
• Frequency: 10 minutes Monday to Saturday, 12 minutes on Sundays
• Current Operator at the time of post: Metroline Travel
• Current Route: Click here for stops and a view of the map

Route 260: Golders Green to White City

• Introduction: Began operation on the 3rd January 1962, originally operating between Barnet Church and Hammersmith
• Current Length: 10 miles long
• Goes via Cricklewood station, Willesden Green station, Willesden, Church Road, Harlesden station, Central Middlesex Hospital, Park Royal Asda, North Acton station, East Acton, Old Oak Road, Shepherds Bush Market station and Shepherds Bush Green (including Shepherds Bush station)
• Number of buses required to run the route: 17
• Allocation: Volvo B5LH/Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 3s (seen in photo above)
• Garage/Depot: Willesden (AC)
• Frequency: 13 minutes Monday to Saturday, 16 minutes on Sundays
• Current Operator at the time of post: Metroline Travel
• Current Route: Click here for stops and a view of the map

Route 268: Golders Green to Finchley Road, O2 Centre

• Introduction: Began operation on the 7th September 1968, originally operating between Golders Green and North Finchley station 
• Current Length: 3 miles long
• Goes via Hampstead Heath, Hampstead station, Rosslyn Hill, Belsize Avenue, Swiss Cottage station and Finchley Road station
• Number of buses required to run the route: 6
• Allocation: Alexander Dennis Enviro 200s (seen in photo above)
• Garage/Depot: Cricklewood (W)
• Frequency: 15 minutes Monday to Saturday, 20 minutes on Sundays
• Current Operator at the time of post: Metroline Travel
• Current Route: Click here for stops and a view of the map

Route 328: Golders Green to Chelsea, Worlds End

• Introduction: Began operation on the 25th of May 1999, operating between Golders Green and Chelsea, Limerston Street (it's current route)
• Current Length: 8 miles long
• Goes via West Hampstead station, Quex Road, Kilburn High Road station, Kilburn Park station, Westbourne Park station, Notting Hill Gate station, High Street Kensington station and Earls Court station
• Number of buses required to run the route: 19
• Allocation: Volvo B5LH/Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 3s (seen in photo above)
• Garage/Depot: Cricklewood (W)
• Frequency: 10 minutes Monday to Saturday, 12 minutes on Sundays
• Current Operator at the time of post: Metroline Travel
• Current Route: Click here for stops and a view of the map

Route 460: Willesden Bus Garage to North Finchley

• Introduction: Began operation on the 28th of June 2003, operating between Willesden Bus Garage and North Finchley (it's current route)
• Current Length: 7 miles long
• Goes via Willesden Green station, Cricklewood station, Golders Green station and Finchley Central station
• Number of buses required to run the route: 10
• Allocation: Volvo B5LH/Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 3s (seen in photo above)
• Garage/Depot: Willesden (AC)
• Frequency: 10 minutes Monday to Saturday, 12 minutes on Sundays
• Current Operator at the time of post: Metroline Travel
• Current Route: Click here for stops and a view of the map

Route H2: Golders Green to Golders Green (circular route via Hampstead Green Suburb)

• Introduction: Began operation on the 28th of February 1976, operating between Golders Green and Golders Green (circular route via Hampstead Green Suburb - it's current route)
• Current Length: 2 miles long
• Goes via Hampstead Green Suburb
• Number of buses required to run the route: 3
• Allocation: Optare Solo SRs (seen in photo above)
• Garage/Depot: Cricklewood (W)
• Frequency: 12 minutes Monday to Saturday, 20 minutes on Sundays
• Current Operator at the time of post: Metroline Travel
• Current Route: Click here for stops and a view of the map

Route H3: Golders Green to East Finchley Hill Top

I was unable to get a picture of route H3 as it was not operating on the day, being a Sunday. It uses the same buses as the H2 above though. 

• Introduction: Began operation on the 8th of June 1996, operating between Golders Green and East Finchley Hill Top (it's current route)
• Current Length: 2 miles long
• Goes via Hampstead Green Suburb and East Finchley station
• Number of buses required to run the route: 1
• Allocation: Optare Solo SRs (seen in H2 photo above, uses the same buses)
• Garage/Depot: Cricklewood (W)
• Frequency: 60 minutes Monday to Saturday between 8am and 3pm, no service on Sundays
• Current Operator at the time of post: Metroline Travel
• Current Route: Click here for stops and a view of the map

The Hippodrome in all it's glory.

While I was also in the area, there seemed to be alot of people nearby the Hippodrome right next to where the 328 stands. A long time ago, the Hippodrome was used as a concert hall and studio for the BBC but is now used as a church. It is a big venue, seating around 3,000 people. I heard what people were saying as it was the first Sunday service for the church, which they have managed to recently acquire. Additionally, people seemed to be quite cheerful and happy after experiencing the venue for the first time. which is good to see after coming out from a pandemic. During the day there were 3 services (10 am, 12:15pm and 5pm) with the grand opening having been unveiled in the first service. I don't think I ever saw Golders Green have as many people as it was on that day, so that is something I will not forget in a hurry, as I never see things like this! I wish the Church all the best with their building! 

Alighted at Camden Town station, the Northern Line train I boarded at Golders Green station heads towards Central London.

As I was short on time, I wasn't able to do any of the routes around Golders Green so I had to take the train back. Although, I felt really hungry so I decided to alight at Camden Town and see what this area had to offer since it's usually busy on Weekends, I had to see the reason why - I wanted to at least have something memorable on this trip, as I do not travel around other areas of London that much! As soon as I exited the station, I saw market stalls, a range of shops, as well as colourful artworks on the walls. I guess the sort of normal things you get, when visiting an area like this as a tourist/visitor/Londoner. Whatever you want to call it. Here are some photos which I obtained on that day giving an insight into Camden Town. 

Being around big crowds is not really my thing if I am honest, nonetheless I suppose it's sometimes good to experience it. In the end I went to one of the shops for lunch at Camden Diner, I recommend as the food is really nice! After that I went on my way back home. Overall, it was great to tick off a bit of the Northern line exploring the Edgware branch (I know if I want to cover the WHOLE route then I would need to give myself alot of time) and revisit an area that I have not been to, as well as going to Camden Town. So yes, good day I suppose.

Thank you for reading and happy riding!