The London Underground is the oldest subway system in the world.

In 1854 the Metropolitan Railway was granted permission to build an underground rail line under London. In preparation a short test tunnel was built in 1855 in Kibblesworth, a small town with geological properties similar to London. This test tunnel was used for two years in the development of the first underground train.

Click on the 'play' button or use the date slide control on the map to learn more about the first 40 years of the London Underground. Click on a station marker on the map to learn more about each station's history.