The Metropolitan Railway (Harrow and Uxbridge Railway) constructed the line between Harrow-on-the-Hill and Uxbridge and commenced services on 4 July 1904 with, initially, Ruislip being the only intermediate stop. At first, services were operated by steam trains, but track electrification was completed in the subsequent months and electric trains began operating on 1 January 1905.
Progressive development in the north Middlesex area over the next two decades led to the gradual opening of additional stations along the Uxbridge branch to encourage the growth of new residential areas. Eastcote opened on 26 May 1906 as Eastcote Halt.[8]
On 1 March 1910, an extension of the District line from South Harrow to connect with the Metropolitan Railway at Rayners Lane was opened enabling District line trains to serve stations between Rayners Lane and Uxbridge from that date. On 23 October 1933 District line services were replaced by Piccadilly line trains. The station was rebuilt between 1937 and 1939[9] to a design by Charles Holden which features the large cube-shaped brick and glass ticket hall capped with a flat reinforced concrete roof and geometrical forms typical of the new stations built in this period. The station buildings and platforms are Grade II listed.[7]
The station is surrounded by the suburb of Eastcote; the original centre, now known as Old Eastcote is some distance away. The Cavendish Pavilion nearby was a popular destination for outings in the first part of the twentieth century.
The tube station is currently not accessible for wheelchairs and buggies. In 2014, a campaign backed by paralympian Natasha Baker OBE backed a petition calling for step-free access in all Hillingdon stations including Eastcote and the issue was discussed by Hillingdon Council.[10] At this time, a survey found that Eastcote had the second highest footfall in the Borough of Hillingdon, as well as high numbers of elderly residents and those with a long term disability.[11] In 2023, a new petition calling for step-free access at Eastcote was backed by over 1000 residents.[12] In 2023, Transport for London announced plans to review the potential for a lift at the station with the findings expected in late 2024.[13]
Services
Metropolitan line
The Metropolitan line is the only line to operate an express service, though currently for Metropolitan line trains on the Uxbridge branch this is eastbound only in the morning peaks (06:30 to 09:30) Monday to Friday.[14]
The off-peak service in trains per hour (tph) is:[14]
8tph Eastbound to Aldgate via Baker Street (all stations)
8tph Westbound to Uxbridge
The morning peak service in trains per hour (tph) is:[14]
2tph Eastbound to Aldgate via Baker Street (semi-fast)
4tph Eastbound to Aldgate via Baker Street (all stations)
4tph Eastbound to Baker Street (all stations)
10tph Westbound to Uxbridge
The evening peak service in trains per hour (tph) is:[14]
7tph Eastbound to Aldgate via Baker Street (all stations)
3tph Eastbound to Baker Street (all stations)
10tph Westbound to Uxbridge
Piccadilly line
Between Rayners Lane and Uxbridge there is no Piccadilly Line service before approximately 06:30 (Monday - Friday) and 08:45 (Saturday - Sunday), except for one early morning
departure from Uxbridge at 05:18 (Monday - Saturday) and 06:46 (Sunday).[15]
The off-peak service in trains per hour (tph) is:[15]
3tph Eastbound to Cockfosters
3tph Westbound to Uxbridge
The peak time service in trains per hour (tph) is:[15]
^Hardy, Brian, ed. (March 2011). "How it used to be – freight on The Underground 50 years ago". Underground News (591). London Underground Railway Society: 175–183. ISSN0306-8617.
^Bowlt, Eileen. M (1989). 'The Goodliest Place in Middlesex'. A history of the Ancient Parish of Ruislip from the Domesday Book to modern times. Uxbridge: London Borough of Hillingdon. ISBN0-907869-11-4.
^Lawrence, David (2008). Bright Underground Spaces. London: Capital Transport. p. 182.
