Hatton Cross station facts for kids

Hatton Cross station is a busy London Underground station on the Piccadilly Line. It's located in Hillingdon, a borough in west London, and is super important for people traveling to and from Heathrow Airport. This station helps connect the airport to the rest of London's underground train network.

What is Hatton Cross Station?

Hatton Cross station is part of the famous London Underground system, often called the "Tube." It's a key stop on the Piccadilly line, which is one of the main lines that runs across London. The station is built underground, meaning trains arrive and depart from tunnels below the ground.

Where is Hatton Cross Station Located?

This station is found in the western part of London, specifically in the London Borough of Hillingdon. It's very close to London Heathrow Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world. Hatton Cross is situated between Hounslow West station and the stations directly serving Heathrow Airport's terminals. Its location makes it a vital link for airport staff and passengers.

History of Hatton Cross Station

Hatton Cross station first opened its doors on 19 July 1975. It was built as part of an extension of the Piccadilly Line to serve Heathrow Airport. Before this extension, the Piccadilly Line ended at Hounslow West. The new section, including Hatton Cross, made it much easier for people to reach the airport using public transport. This was a big step in improving travel connections for Londoners and visitors.

Connecting to Heathrow Airport

One of the main reasons Hatton Cross station is so important is its close connection to London Heathrow Airport. For many years, it was the main station for reaching Heathrow. Later, the Piccadilly Line was extended even further, directly into the airport terminals (like Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4, and later Terminal 5). Even with these direct links, Hatton Cross remains a useful station, especially for people working at or visiting the airport's surrounding areas. It also serves as a major bus interchange, allowing passengers to switch from the Tube to buses heading to different parts of the airport or nearby towns.

The Piccadilly Line

The Piccadilly line is one of the deepest lines on the London Underground network. It runs from the north of London, through the city center, and out to the west, ending at Heathrow Airport. This line is very popular with tourists visiting famous London landmarks and with commuters traveling to work. Hatton Cross station plays a small but important role in this large and busy transport system.

Images for kids

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  Part of a Piccadilly route map sign showing the arrangement of stations at Heathrow at the time