Southgate

Southgate station is one of the most architecturally celebrated on the entire Piccadilly line, designed by Charles Holden in 1933 as part of his landmark series of circular drum tower station buildings for the northern extensions. The building - a glazed circular drum topped with a flat concrete canopy - is a companion piece to the similarly celebrated Arnos Grove station nearby and to Sudbury Town to the west. The station serves a comfortable suburban town centre in the London Borough of Enfield, with pleasant independent shops and cafes, and provides the gateway to Trent Country Park, one of north London's finest open spaces, accessible from Cockfosters station one stop north.

Station Overview

Southgate station opened in 1933 as part of the Piccadilly line extension to Cockfosters. It sits in Zone 4 and is served by the Piccadilly line only. The station does not have step-free access but has a car park. The circular station building is Grade II* listed.

Lines and Connectivity

The Piccadilly line (dark blue) connects south through Arnos Grove, Bounds Green and Wood Green towards central London. Northbound, one stop brings you to Oakwood and then Cockfosters, the Piccadilly line's north-eastern terminus and the gateway to Trent Country Park. Journey time to King's Cross is approximately thirty minutes.

Facilities

Southgate station has a car park and ticket machines. The Southgate shopping area adjacent to the station has a good range of local shops, cafes and restaurants. ATMs are available nearby.

Accessibility

Southgate does not have step-free access. The circular building structure involves stairs between street level and the platforms. Cockfosters (two stops north) has step-free access.

Travel Tips

• Look at the circular station building from outside - the Charles Holden drum tower design is one of the finest examples of 1930s transport architecture in the UK. The building is Grade II* listed.
• Trent Country Park is accessible from Cockfosters station (one stop north) and covers 413 acres of ancient woodland, lakes and walking trails. Free.
• The Southgate town centre has a pleasant circular arrangement around the station with independent cafes and restaurants.
• Night Tube operates on the Piccadilly line through Southgate on Friday and Saturday nights.
• No step-free access - Cockfosters (two stops north) has step-free access on the Piccadilly line.

Nearby Attractions

Southgate station building - the station itself. Charles Holden's 1933 Grade II* listed circular drum tower. Free to use as a passenger; the architecture is the attraction.

Trent Country Park - accessible from Cockfosters (one stop north). 413 acres of ancient woodland with walking trails and a cafe. Free.

Arnos Grove station - two stops south. Another Charles Holden station building, similar in design and also Grade II* listed.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

Piccadilly line services at Southgate run from approximately 05:00 to midnight. Night Tube operates on the Piccadilly line on Friday and Saturday nights. The station building is best photographed in the morning light.