The great monarch Victoria would indeed be proud of the tube line named after her – its 200 million annual passenger journeys confirming the line's popularity. Yes, it does have logistic problems as those who use the interchange with the Overground at Seven sisters will testify. But let's be honest, getting from Finsbury Park to Victoria in 15 minutes and Walthamstow to Brixton in 26 minutes should be enough to put off any doubters. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3BdkgR2UcY
Here's a real treat, there and back on Victoria Line with Vincent Sheehan's album's unique take on the whole line. https://soundcloud.com/vincentsheehan
Yes, the line is noisy and its popularity can be a pain in the neck (literally during the rush hour) but as other lines actually search out as many stations as possible to demonstrate just how big London really is, Victoria does what is says on the tube, gets you very quickly to your destination.
I've been using the line for well over 40 years and here is my personal Victoria scrapbook.
Walthamstow Central
The no-nonsense Saturday market – an absolute must.
Blackhorse Road
William Morris Gallery and Waltham Forest Town Hall (awesome design).
Tottenham Hale
Walking distance to one of my favourite Italian eateries, San Marco:
(And if you must, you are on top of a half useful retail park)
Seven Sisters
Giving Tottenham a great name
http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/
http://www.berniegrantcentre.co.uk/
Finsbury Park
Centre of the universe
Highbury & Islington
Neck on the line…I like the occasional Wetherspoon (yes I know, one stage up from waking up on a park bench totally pi**ed), 255 Upper Street, and a short walk to loaves of bread starting at £8.
King's Cross
A few minutes' walk to the Bloomsbury Curzon where over the years I have left more money than my mortgage.
Euston
Exmouth Arms, Starcross Street (scene of a few triumphs for Hackney Chess Club against King's Head, their venue).
Warren Street
Keeping fit running up two escalator flights to ground level.
Oxford Circus
Memories of the left-handed shop on Beak Street and then Brewer Street.
Green Park
Mayfair Curzon (see Euston)
Victoria
London Deaf Chess Club and another Wetherspoons.
Pimlico
DHSS Chess Club and the Tate.
Vauxhall
Kia Oval; Emerson, Lake Palmer gig, 1972; Sir Viv Richards, 291 runs, 1976.
Stockwell
Cavendish Arms, good comedy.
Brixton
Station handily placed for visiting a mate in the slammer, 1980. Ritzy Picturehouse.
www.michelemonticello.com