This Shakespeare-themed London Tube map is 100 times better than the normal Tube map

Tubey, or not Tubey, that is the question.

And the answer, thanks to a collaboration between Transport for London and Shakespeare’s Globe, is very tubey indeed, as the two iconic institutions have released a Shakespeare-inspired re-imagining of the London Underground map to honour the 400th anniversary of The Bard’s death.

All your favourite stations have been renamed after characters from the comedies and tragedies, while the lines are themed by, well, theme. The Central line becomes The Lovers; the Victoria line becomes The Fools; and the Northern line Villains and Rivals.

Swiss Cottage and St John’s Wood have been wiped from the face of the planet, and in their stead, the warring Montagues and Capulets from Romeo & Juliet. (The star-crossed lovers themselves share that most tragically romantic of London termini, Liverpool Street.)

Uxbridge is David Garrick, Stockwell is Trinculo, Epping is Helen of Troy – the Shakespeare-themed insider-jokes really are endless.

If you’re not au fait with Shakespeare’s oeuvre, don’t mind the gap in your knowledge – the London Overground lines are made up of modern day adaptations of his work. 10 Things I Hate About You (based on The Taming of the Shrew) replaces Gospel Oak, while New Cross becomes Forbidden Planet (inspired by Shakespeare’s The Tempest).

It’s all a bit clever, really. But there’s no better way both to display your love of theatre and guarantee you’ll never successfully navigate your way across London again than to hang one of these literary-minded posters on your wall.

Order one online from the London Transport Museum for a mere £3.99, or hop on the Heroes line and alight at Sebastian to pick one up in person.