Southgate is a major hub on the Piccadilly Line in north London, and one of the Underground’s architectural landmarks.

The station was opened on 13th March 1933 as part of the extension from Finsbury Park to Cockfosters, itself part of a works scheme designed to relieve unemployment. The line was – amazingly - built in just under three years, but it is most famous for the modernist / art-deco style surface buildings of its stations, designed by the London Underground architect Frank Holden. All feature tall, drum-like ticket halls with curtains of glass: that at Southgate is lower than the rest, but is very well preserved. It is a Grade II listed building.

A unique feature is the futuristic decoration atop the centre of the drum, which resembles an electric insulator. The station also retains its ‘London Underground’ symbols atop smaller matching concrete drums at the front and back of the station. The whole ensemble is beautifully illuminated at night.

The station also has a bus interchange, built sympathetically with a long, gently curved curtain wall of brick following the line of the bus lane around the west of the station, incorporating a parade of shops. It makes for both an effective public transport interchange and an attractive piece of urban design.

The station is served by Piccadilly line trains and bus routes 121, 125, 298, 299, 382, W6, W9 and night bus N91.