Only the Richmond and Kew Gardens stations at the western end of the line are south of the River Thames; the eastern extremity ends further downstream on the northern bank of the Thames at North Woolwich.
The North London Line is perhaps best envisaged as a 'horse-shoe' looping across north London, bypassing central London. It traverses many of the 'arterial' routes radiating out from central London, offering a faster and more convenient way to cross sections of north London without travelling into the centre and out again.
Stations (from west to east, or 'clock-wise'):