Where to Spot TfL Poppy Roundels on London’s Tube and Overground
Where to Spot the Poppy Roundels Across the Network
If you have been riding the Tube or Overground lately, you may have noticed a red poppy sitting neatly inside the familiar roundel. These are the TfL poppy roundels, and they are back for the Remembrance period. They first appeared in November 2018 and have become one of the quiet signals that autumn is turning towards November. They are not specially manufactured signs. Instead, a poppy-shaped vinyl is applied over the existing roundel, which means the station signage stays familiar while carrying a seasonal message.
For 2026, you will find them at major Underground stations including Baker Street, Balham, Bethnal Green, Bounds Green, Canary Wharf, King’s Cross St Pancras, London Bridge, Tower Hill and Westminster. On the Overground, look for them at Hackney Downs, Hatch End, Hoxton, Shepherd’s Bush and South Tottenham. Westminster is worth a particular detour. Step out and you are close to Whitehall London, the historic thoroughfare linking Parliament Square with Trafalgar Square, and a short walk from the London Big Ben clock tower. It is a useful reminder of how many national commemorations are rooted in this part of the city.
If you travel by bus, keep an eye out for poppy roundels at Hammersmith, Harrow, Kingston, Turnpike Lane and Vauxhall bus stations, along with Victoria Coach Station. Some TfL buses will also run in poppy livery on selected routes, so you may spot one on your daily commute without planning for it.
The People and Groups Behind the Appeal
Behind every poppy on the network is a large volunteer effort. On Poppy Day, Thursday 29 October, around 2,500 personnel, veterans and volunteers will be stationed across Tube and Overground stops, collecting donations for the Poppy Appeal. The appeal supports former members of the armed forces and their families, and the people standing at the barriers are often those who have served themselves or who have close family connections to the cause. Volunteers will be in place from 7am until 7pm, so commuters heading in or out of central London will have plenty of chances to stop and give.
The Royal British Legion is central to the day. Its bands will perform at a number of stations, including Battersea Power Station, Blackfriars, Canary Wharf, Stratford and Westminster. For many local residents, this is the moment when the Remembrance period feels most present in everyday life. This year also marks 20 years of London Poppy Day, a milestone that reflects two decades of sustained support from the capital’s commuters and workers.
The poppies themselves have a local story too. Millions of paper poppies are handmade at a factory in Richmond, south-west London, and the site has held public open days where visitors can learn about the process and make their own poppy. If you have never been, it is a memorable way to spend an afternoon and a practical way to see where the donations you give on the street actually begin their journey.
What Londoners Should Know and What to Do Next
The practical message for residents is simple: plan to give, and keep an eye on the dates. Poppy Day is Thursday 29 October, which is separate from Remembrance Sunday on 8 November and Armistice Day on 11 November. Many people confuse these, so it is worth marking them in your calendar. On 29 October, you can donate by cash or contactless payment, so there is no need to carry coins. Whether you are dropping a pound on the way to work or planning a longer visit to a station with a band playing, every contribution goes towards support for veterans and their families.
Keep your ears open on the day too. Dame Elaine Paige has recorded a special message that will be played over station tannoys on 29 October, encouraging passengers to donate. It is a nice touch that will likely be recognised by anyone who hears it during a busy rush hour.
If you want to get involved beyond the street collection, consider visiting the Richmond factory during a public open day, or check whether your local station is hosting a band performance. Look out for updates from TfL and the Royal British Legion in the weeks ahead, as station lineups and volunteer locations can change. For those who enjoy exploring the city, pairing a poppy-spotting route with a walk around Westminster and Whitehall makes for a meaningful day out and an easy way to discover some of the best london attractions this autumn.
Source: TfL Poppy Roundels: Here Are The Underground And Overground Stations Where You’ll Find Them
Many visitors planning to visit London Tube stations for the first time find that spotting poppy roundels is a thoughtful way to explore the network’s history.
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Poppy roundels are often spotted near landmarks like Buckingham Palace, so keep an eye out for them on routes that pass nearby stations.
Travellers heading to the british museum can spot a poppy roundel at nearby Tottenham Court Road and Holborn stations on the Central line.
