This Tiny Station Sits Next to Arsenal’s Stadium

Visiting Drayton park station Drayton Park Train Station - Great Northern Rail is a small but very interesting station in the London Borough of Islington, on the Northern City Line between Highbury & Islington and Finsbury Park. It’s one of the closest stations to Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. A few interesting facts about Drayton Park: Opened in 1904 by the Great Northern & City Railway. Unlike most deep-level tube lines, its tunnels were built large enough for full-size mainline trains. It used to be part of the London Underground’s Northern line before transferring to British Rail in 1975–76. The station is usually closed before and after Arsenal matches because the island platform is very narrow. Trains switch from third rail power to overhead wires just north of the station, so you can sometimes see sparks or brief light flickers. Passenger numbers have risen a lot recently — from about 174,000 annual entries/exits in 2020/21 to over 700,000 by 2024/25.