London's transport network is a labyrinth of hundreds of Tube , Overground and DLR stations. Among the well-known termini like Liverpool Street, Waterloo and Euston, there are some with rather quirky names. Consider Cyprus and East India on the DLR, or the iconic London stations named after pubs such as Swiss Cottage and Angel.
While these names might perplex tourists, one station's name was so peculiar that railway chiefs eventually decided to alter it. Tucked away on the Metropolitan line between Wembley Park and Northwick Park in North West London, you'll stumble upon Preston Road. This station, which opened its doors in 1908, originally catered to a local clay pigeon shooting site for that year's Olympic Games in London.
However, when it came to Christening this stop on the way to Harrow , brevity wasn't a priority. The station was initially dubbed Preston Road Halt for Uxendon and Kenton - a bit of a mouthful that doesn't exactly squeeze neatly onto a sign. Between 1931 and 1932, the station was moved to the opposite side of the road bridge where it currently resides.
Following this relocation, the Metropolitan line station was finally renamed to its current title, Preston Road. The Zone 4 station is not just famous for its name but also for its stunning array of platform plants and flowers. These beautiful horticultural displays have bagged numerous awards, making the wait for passengers a delightful experience.
This is particularly true for those waiting at Preston Roa.
