RailUK First Class Lounge Guide

Ascot · 5th January 2012, 16:51

Introduction

Welcome to the consolidated First Class Lounge Guide for rail travel across the United Kingdom. With the growing amount of questions regarding First Class lounges this thread has been created with information of all the lounges across the network showing information for both the commuter and the leisure traveller. All information and reviews are provided by forum members who can offer you first hand experience so feel free to ask questions. I do not claim to be an artist but I will eventually get round to adding key symbols and a more artistic design once things are settled.
Special Thanks to Mojo and the team for permission to host this.

How I can help?
We are always looking for more information and to keep up to date with changes. Being a community guide means forum members are encouraged to post reviews, tips and changes. Photographs are greatly encouraged to build on the guide so please send me a PM or email and I will update the guides. Please respect your fellow travellers views and opinions to help them just as we would help you.

Basic Rules
1. All First Class lounges are maintained by the respective Train Company and so access is restricted to their own passengers, naturally. Read carefully the access restrictions before you try to enter with your ticket.

2. Most rail lounges are not to be compared to our air counterparts so do not expect alcohol or canapés in the evening. Instead treat the lounges as a greatly enhanced waiting room with most offering basic business facilities such as Wi-Fi for free. Snacks you should expect a tea/coffee machine of sorts, water and some sort of soft drink, shortbread or biscuits. Do check as lounges greatly differ across the network. Most also offer the "on-board" magazine as well as a selection of local/national newspapers.

3.Where many are classed as "unmanned" don't imagine no cleaning as lounges are generally cleaned after each wave. Unmanned generally means you don't have a host or "dragon" guarding the lounge and entrance is by means of a mini CCTV camera.

Buy-Ins
You will see the term "buy-in" used on here and this is nothing to be alarmed about. This is generally used in the airline industry where their lounges are normally reserved for loyal customers but may accept passengers who buy their way in. Most stations allow you to enter with a first class ticket to the next valid stop which, if you find yourself travelling regional, can be handy to shell out a few £. As a rule anything over £10 is considered too much for what the lounges can offer but of course this depends on your needs and style. The only exception we have found where this is not practical is most London stations where the next stop is a great distance. An example of this usage is a business traveller between Birmingham and Liverpool on London Midland would purchase tickets for Liverpool and Birmingham stations.

Alternatives
Don't worry if you cannot get into a lounge for whatever reason as there are plenty of alternatives our members have found to be "nice spots".

FAQs
1. Are child alternatives valid into the lounges?
Yes permitting you are under 16. Note that some lounges do not permit under aged to enter while travelling alone.

2. I am travelling from Newcastle to Edinburgh with an "ANY PERMITTED" open ticket. Can I use the East Coast lounge even though I plan to get the Cross Country service?
Yes, as long as your ticket is valid on the lounge operators service from that station.

3. I have a fully flexible through ticket between Liverpool and London and wish to break my journey at Crewe, can I use the Virgin lounge at Crewe?
Yes but be mindful when trying to enter with uncommon stations as some lounge hosts may not be aware that your ticket is valid though their station.

4. Can I gain access using my credit card or other arrangement like PriorityPass?
No, currently no TOC permits access into their lounges with credit card offers like airlines. The only exception is the holder of an UK AMEX Plat can enter the Eurostar lounges with no guests. This might change in the future so check back.

5. I am travelling 1ST and my partner is travelling STD, can I guest them in?
No, currently no TOC allows passengers to "guest" other passengers in. The only exception are Carte Blanche holders entering Eurostar lounges. This may change in the future so check back.

6. I am planning an "All Line Rover" trip in 1ST or travelling on holiday with a 1ST "BritRail" pass, can I use the lounges?
Yes, as long as the "All Line Rover"/"BritRail" is 1ST.

7. Can I access using an advance purchase ticket?
This varies between company and so you should read below specific to your station/company.

8. Can I use the lounge on my arrival?
Yes. As long as the ticket you are entering is valid for A. that company and B. that station.

9. Why don't you include prices?
Prices change multiple times a year and with many types of railcards and discounts it would mean a complete fares guide to be created. With this in mind I do not wish to publish information for it to keep changing. If a fare goes beyond £10 then the guide will be updated.

The Guide

Lounge of the Year Award
At the end of every year we host the prestigious RailUK Lounge of the Year Award, which is based on style, comfort, staffing & amenities, decided by members of the forum. The winning lounge will receive the golden lounge symbol as a reminder of it's excellence.

Key to symbols + Glossary
I am currently in the process of updating the guide with key symbols which will create more room for notes. Below is a list of terms frequently used in the guide.

1ST - First Class Ticket
ALR - All Line Rover
APEX - Advance Purchase EXcursion
FDR - First Day Return
FDS - First Day Single
FOR - First Open Return
FOS- First Open Single
STD - Standard Class Ticket
TOC - Train Operating Company

East Coast (GR) Last Revised 27MAY13
East Coast have a large selection of lounges available to customers and have one of the more "complex" entry policies on the network. Customers of the loyalty program may exchange their points for day/3 month/6 month/yearly passes which allows you access to the East Coast operated lounges all day without a ticket. Note SR only tickets are not valid in the East Coast lounge at Edinburgh, likewise GR only tickets cannot access the SR lounge. This applies throughout the network.

Some tickets do not allow you free entry and passengers travelling on the below can enter with "entry by supplement". Entry by supplement is available for First Advance Tickets, First Class Reader Offer, First Class flat fare tickets GR only, "Print-at-home" vouchers, 1ST inclusive tour tickets (valid route), Weekend First at destination station only. This counts as 1 visit only and has a 3 month validity.

East Coast have a minimum fares rule which prohibit any valid ticket under £10. Please disregard buy-in prices until further notice.

Due to the closure of the ScotRail lounge, valid SR passengers may use this lounge.
Scroll down for ScotRail passengers.

Temporary Closed

East Midlands (EM) Last Revised 27MAY13
East Midlands have lounges at most large stations across the Midland Mainline. East Midlands have a unique policy where standard class passengers can buy lounge passes with day, weekly, monthly and yearly options. Season ticket passes can only bought at the lounges but can change at any point. 1ST Advance ticket holders may enter for free (apart from St Pancras between 16:00-20:00 Monday to Friday where a £5 charge applies).

Not available to Eurostar or SouthEastern.

Eurostar (ES) Last Revised 27MAY13
Eurostar is generally configured up as an airline operation and so their lounges are of a higher standard on par with most airline lounges. Most of the time is a change of canapés depending on the time of day with a more substantial range of drinks including Champaign (for the BA flyers). Holders must be in possession of a Business Premier ticket, a Eurostar "Carte Blanche" frequent traveller card, an UK issued AMEX Plat card, a valid Railteam frequent traveller partner card (DB, SNCF etc...) or a BNP Infinite card.

This is not available to domestic services from Ashford International (AFK).

This is not available to domestic services from Ebbsfleet Domestic (EBD).

This is not available to domestic services from St Pancras (STP).

Eurotunnel (ET) Last Revised 27MAY13
While not strictly a National Rail service, Eurotunnel have provided a business lounge for it's premium customers. Passengers have a dedicated lane for boarding the shuttle & are invited to sit in the lounge before boarding.

First Great Western (GW) Last Revised 27MAY13
First Great Western have 2 lounges available and have been confirmed to be available to all 1ST FGW passengers as opposed to just Intercity routes. Note: There is a dormant lounge at Bristol Temple Meads between 11 and 9 but this has been mothballed for now. 1ST Advance ticket holders may enter without additional charge.

Greater Anglia (LE) Last Revised 27MAY13
Greater Anglia have a lounge at London Liverpool St and is open to all 1ST class passengers departing that day with LE and also Stansted Express 1ST passengers (operated by LE). There is also a confirmed lounge at Ipswich open during "station hours". 1ST Advance ticket holders may enter without further charge.

ScotRail (SR) Last Revised 27MAY13
ScotRail manage 2 lounges for its 1ST passengers and members of the loyalty program "Advance" travelling with a valid SR ticket. In addition to the 2 main lounges ScotRail have a contract agreement at Glasgow, Carlisle and Inverness for customers. Customers travelling on the sleeper are advised to read the Virgin Trains section below. ScotRail currently do not offer First Class Advance Tickets.

Temporarily closed, passengers with valid access rights may use the East Coast lounge.
Scroll up for East Coast passengers.

Currently Inverness is offering a day room service which is valid for 4 hours. £22 per person or £35 for 2 sharing.

See the Virgin Trains section below for details on the London Euston lounge

Virgin Trains (VT) Last Revised 27MAY13
Virgin Trains offer First Class Lounges across the southern part of the network. With access open to any 1ST class ticket holder valid on Virgin services including advance tickets. You should expect tea and coffee out of crockery, nibbles in the shape of crisps, cakes and biscuits, bottles of water and cartons of orange juice which can be glassed. Those manned are very handy during disruptions as you always have someone to get information from who usually has a phone available (compared to those on the platform who usually have more passengers to deal with).

Many of the lounges do not have a dedicated host and are listed as "unmanned". Entrance is usually by pressing a buzzer and displaying your ticket to a CCTV camera mounted to the buzzer.

See here regarding the New Street redevelopment project.

Note the published "buy-in" at Crewe is more than £10. Customers travelling on the Caledonian Sleeper may use the lounge on request.

Passengers on the Caledonian Sleeper may use the Euston lounge. View access entitlements in the ScotRail section above. For shower usage ask the dragon on the front desk for a towel then help yourself to a cubicle.
Fill in the gaps for the bar here!

Stoke is reported to be offering all passengers access regardless of class for a £5 entry fee. Note this offer can be withdrawn at any time.

Other Train Companies
Those not listed above, including Cross Country, do not have any lounge access agreement. Any passengers, including 1ST, should consider the appropriate "buy-in". Any reciprocal/contract agreements we find will be listed in this section for passengers of TOCs not listed above.

MattE2010 · 5th January 2012, 16:55

What about NXEA at Liverpool St?

Good list (so far

) though.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Are you after internal or extrernal photos of the lounges?

Ascot · 5th January 2012, 17:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattE2010

What about NXEA at Liverpool St?

Good list (so far

) though.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Are you after internal or extrernal photos of the lounges?

Don't worry it's a work in progress, all templates have been done with basic information but it's time for the actual user input. Any photos you may have but ideally that captures the atmosphere of the lounge to users. Any reviews people would like to post I can link to each thread below the correct lounge guide.

All Line Rover · 5th January 2012, 17:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattE2010

What about NXEA at Liverpool St?

What? A little box!?

I'm not giving away my little "secrets" on a public thread, for fear that the TOC's would notice and adjust their rules.

So I can't contribute in great detail, but would be interested to see how the thread develops.

I have four recommendations, though:

Don't bother with ScotRail or NXEA - they do not have proper "First Class" lounges
The layout of the information could be improved somewhat
East Midlands Trains allow Standard Class ticket holders to enter their lounges for £5 (I'm not sure if this applies to St Pancras, and I'm not sure if you must have a Standard Class ticket valid on EMT services, which would exclude XC Advance ticket holders, for example)
Virgin Trains allow entry to their Stoke lounge for just £5 (for ALL ticket holders) so you can remove the Stoke to Macclesfield FDS, which is worse value

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ascot

Don't worry it's a work in progress, all templates have been done with basic information but it's time for the actual user input. Any photos you may have but ideally that captures the atmosphere of the lounge to users. Any reviews people would like to post I can link to each thread below the correct lounge guide.

Virgin have some OK pictures - e.g. http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/assets...unge-cre-1.jpg

Ascot · 5th January 2012, 17:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by All Line Rover

What? A little box!?

I'm not giving away my little "secrets" on a public thread, for fear that the TOC's would notice and adjust their rules.

So I can't contribute in great detail, but would be interested to see how the thread develops.

I have four recommendations, though:

Don't bother with ScotRail or NXEA - they do not have proper "First Class" lounges
The layout of the information could be improved somewhat
East Midlands Trains allow Standard Class ticket holders to enter their lounges for £5 (I'm not sure if this applies to St Pancras, and I'm not sure if you must have a Standard Class ticket valid on EMT services, which would exclude XC Advance ticket holders, for example)
Virgin Trains allow entry to their Stoke lounge for just £5 (for ALL ticket holders) so you can remove the Stoke to Macclesfield FDS, which is worse value

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Virgin have some OK pictures - e.g. http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/assets...unge-cre-1.jpg

All lounges will be covered regardless of user displeasure and TOCs have no rules to adjust with "buy-ins" unless you enter with dodgy tickets and not telling us

.

Can't use images from a TOC site without permission. Since it's a community thread it will be better for users to share their photos.

bignosemac · 5th January 2012, 17:15

Free Bar at Paddington? Really?

That gives the impression that there is a manned bar offering alcohol.

Not the case, and FGW's own website is misleading. It's merely a self-service area with a selection of nibbles and hot and cold (non-alcoholic) beverages.

All Line Rover · 5th January 2012, 17:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ascot

All lounges will be covered regardless of user displeasure and TOCs have no rules to adjust with "buy-ins" unless you enter with dodgy tickets and not telling us

.

Regarding ScotRail's lounges, most of them are either a. closed (contrary to their listing opening hours) or b. hotels, which are difficult to get into. I've tried to find (or enter) them numerous times and have failed on each occasion.

Regarding NXEA's lounges, most of them appear to be derelict. Liverpool Street is the only "habitable" one, so it's proper to mention it, although IMO it's only a few benches with a cheap drinks machine.

TOC's could prevent people getting into the lounges cheaply by specifying a minimum ticket price (e.g. £10) to get in, although I doubt most would do this, and especially Virgin as they have a £5 entry fee at Stoke anyway.

Different lounges have different entry policies, and I'm not inclined to give away the loopholes of some of these entry policies.

The "buy-in" tickets you have mentioned should be sufficient for most people.
-

Deerfold · 5th January 2012, 17:43

Personally I find these lounges of little use - it seems that at times when you might have a long connection most of them aren't open.

I was looking forward to using the one at Manchester last year when I had a long connecting time at Piccadilly on my way to London on a Sunday morning. It was rather disappointing to find it was closed until noon. All I really wanted was somewhere half comfortable to sit which seems to be tricky at Piccadilly.

parkender102 · 5th January 2012, 17:50

Some Comments on the Virgin First Class Lounge at Euston that may be of some use.

I only ever use it on a Friday afternoon usually between 11:30 and 2:00 depending on which train I'm on but I must say I'm impressed. There are the usual free biscuits, tea, coffee, soft drinks, snacks etc. A large Flat Screen TV tuned into BBC News and Electronic Departure Information Board. Free newspapers available and Mobile Phone Chargers.

There are plenty of work areas where you can sit down and plug your laptop in and access the free WiFi and I've never experienced the Lounge being so full that there were none of these areas available. Toilets are very clean and of course Free showers available. Although the bar is not free its heavily discounted and for instance a 500ml bottle of Magners was only £2:00 which is pretty good for London where you'll pay £3.50 - £3.70 in a pub. Other drinks also come in at £2.00 a throw and mixers are free.

There is a seperate 'Quiet Room' on the right after reception and there always seems to be seats available in here. However it's never really that noisy in the Main Area anyway unless you get one of those self important boorish males shouting down his mobile phone - but then you can get that anywhere (apart from Virgin Trains Quiet Coach).

I've always found the Staff at this lounge to be courteous and helpful too.

Deerfold · 5th January 2012, 17:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by parkender102

There is a seperate 'Quiet Room' on the right after reception and there always seems to be seats available in here. However it's never really that noisy in the Main Area anyway unless you get one of those self important boorish males shouting down his mobile phone - but then you can get that anywhere (apart from Virgin Trains Quiet Coach).

I don't think the bit in brackets is true - you can get that anywhere (with no regard for Quiet Coaches).

parkender102 · 5th January 2012, 17:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deerfold

I don't think the bit in brackets is true - you can get that anywhere (with no regard for Quiet Coaches).

Must admit that the fact that it's a Quiet Coach sometimes means diddley squat! However there always seems to be some feisty old lady in the Quiet Coach when 'Loud Man' gets his Mobile phone out and she tells him to move to another carriage further down the train!

150222 · 5th January 2012, 17:58

(Is it appropriate to post this here? Please remove if not.)
Does anyone know the cheapest way of accesing the Manchester lounge? Can you get in with a child first class ticket?

All Line Rover · 5th January 2012, 18:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by 150222

(Is it appropriate to post this here? Please remove if not.)
Does anyone know the cheapest way of accesing the Manchester lounge? Can you get in with a child first class ticket?

Manchester to Stockport VT Only FDS. Yes (£1.40) although you must be under 16, of course!

150222 · 5th January 2012, 18:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by All Line Rover

Manchester to Stockport VT Only FDS. Yes (£1.40) although you must be under 16, of course!

Thank you and I am indeed.

wintonian · 5th January 2012, 18:11

I'm just wondering if some sort of warning could be included regarding opening times?

I know from my experience that the advertised opening times are somewhat different in reality and can depend on factors sch as staff avalbility and the current position of the International Space Station in earths orbit!

I also take it you want some photos? I've just done my hule of long distance first class travel for a while but will try and remember next time a visit somewhere with a lounge, which on my travels unfortunately are not as common as one would imagine.

Sent from my Motorola Xoom

5th January 2012, 16:51	#1
Ascot Most lovable TTI Established Member Join Date: 26 Nov 2005 Location: Birmingham, UK Posts: 3,351	RailUK First Class Lounge Guide Introduction Welcome to the consolidated First Class Lounge Guide for rail travel across the United Kingdom. With the growing amount of questions regarding First Class lounges this thread has been created with information of all the lounges across the network showing information for both the commuter and the leisure traveller. All information and reviews are provided by forum members who can offer you first hand experience so feel free to ask questions. I do not claim to be an artist but I will eventually get round to adding key symbols and a more artistic design once things are settled. Special Thanks to Mojo* and the team for permission to host this.* How I can help? We are always looking for more information and to keep up to date with changes. Being a community guide means forum members are encouraged to post reviews, tips and changes. Photographs are greatly encouraged to build on the guide so please send me a PM or email and I will update the guides. Please respect your fellow travellers views and opinions to help them just as we would help you. Basic Rules 1. All First Class lounges are maintained by the respective Train Company and so access is restricted to their own passengers, naturally. Read carefully the access restrictions before you try to enter with your ticket. 2. Most rail lounges are not to be compared to our air counterparts so do not expect alcohol or canapés in the evening. Instead treat the lounges as a greatly enhanced waiting room with most offering basic business facilities such as Wi-Fi for free. Snacks you should expect a tea/coffee machine of sorts, water and some sort of soft drink, shortbread or biscuits. Do check as lounges greatly differ across the network. Most also offer the "on-board" magazine as well as a selection of local/national newspapers. 3.Where many are classed as "unmanned" don't imagine no cleaning as lounges are generally cleaned after each wave. Unmanned generally means you don't have a host or "dragon" guarding the lounge and entrance is by means of a mini CCTV camera. Buy-Ins You will see the term "buy-in" used on here and this is nothing to be alarmed about. This is generally used in the airline industry where their lounges are normally reserved for loyal customers but may accept passengers who buy their way in. Most stations allow you to enter with a first class ticket to the next valid stop which, if you find yourself travelling regional, can be handy to shell out a few £. As a rule anything over £10 is considered too much for what the lounges can offer but of course this depends on your needs and style. The only exception we have found where this is not practical is most London stations where the next stop is a great distance. An example of this usage is a business traveller between Birmingham and Liverpool on London Midland would purchase tickets for Liverpool and Birmingham stations. Alternatives Don't worry if you cannot get into a lounge for whatever reason as there are plenty of alternatives our members have found to be "nice spots". FAQs 1. Are child alternatives valid into the lounges? Yes permitting you are under 16. Note that some lounges do not permit under aged to enter while travelling alone. 2. I am travelling from Newcastle to Edinburgh with an "ANY PERMITTED" open ticket. Can I use the East Coast lounge even though I plan to get the Cross Country service? Yes, as long as your ticket is valid on the lounge operators service from that station. 3. I have a fully flexible through ticket between Liverpool and London and wish to break my journey at Crewe, can I use the Virgin lounge at Crewe? Yes but be mindful when trying to enter with uncommon stations as some lounge hosts may not be aware that your ticket is valid though their station. 4. Can I gain access using my credit card or other arrangement like PriorityPass? No, currently no TOC permits access into their lounges with credit card offers like airlines. The only exception is the holder of an UK AMEX Plat can enter the Eurostar lounges with no guests. This might change in the future so check back. 5. I am travelling 1ST and my partner is travelling STD, can I guest them in? No, currently no TOC allows passengers to "guest" other passengers in. The only exception are Carte Blanche holders entering Eurostar lounges. This may change in the future so check back. 6. I am planning an "All Line Rover" trip in 1ST or travelling on holiday with a 1ST "BritRail" pass, can I use the lounges? Yes, as long as the "All Line Rover"/"BritRail" is 1ST. 7. Can I access using an advance purchase ticket? This varies between company and so you should read below specific to your station/company. 8. Can I use the lounge on my arrival? Yes. As long as the ticket you are entering is valid for A. that company and B. that station. 9. Why don't you include prices? Prices change multiple times a year and with many types of railcards and discounts it would mean a complete fares guide to be created. With this in mind I do not wish to publish information for it to keep changing. If a fare goes beyond £10 then the guide will be updated. The Guide Lounge of the Year Award At the end of every year we host the prestigious RailUK Lounge of the Year Award, which is based on style, comfort, staffing & amenities, decided by members of the forum. The winning lounge will receive the golden lounge symbol as a reminder of it's excellence. Key to symbols + Glossary I am currently in the process of updating the guide with key symbols which will create more room for notes. Below is a list of terms frequently used in the guide. 1ST - First Class Ticket ALR - All Line Rover APEX - Advance Purchase EXcursion FDR - First Day Return FDS - First Day Single FOR - First Open Return FOS- First Open Single STD - Standard Class Ticket TOC - Train Operating Company East Coast (GR) Last Revised 27MAY13 East Coast have a large selection of lounges available to customers and have one of the more "complex" entry policies on the network. Customers of the loyalty program may exchange their points for day/3 month/6 month/yearly passes which allows you access to the East Coast operated lounges all day without a ticket. Note SR only tickets are not valid in the East Coast lounge at Edinburgh, likewise GR only tickets cannot access the SR lounge. This applies throughout the network. Some tickets do not allow you free entry and passengers travelling on the below can enter with "entry by supplement". Entry by supplement is available for First Advance Tickets, First Class Reader Offer, First Class flat fare tickets GR only, "Print-at-home" vouchers, 1ST inclusive tour tickets (valid route), Weekend First at destination station only. This counts as 1 visit only and has a 3 month validity. East Coast have a minimum fares rule which prohibit any valid ticket under £10. Please disregard buy-in prices until further notice. Due to the closure of the ScotRail lounge, valid SR passengers may use this lounge. Scroll down for ScotRail passengers. Temporary Closed East Midlands (EM) Last Revised 27MAY13 East Midlands have lounges at most large stations across the Midland Mainline. East Midlands have a unique policy where standard class passengers can buy lounge passes with day, weekly, monthly and yearly options. Season ticket passes can only bought at the lounges but can change at any point. 1ST Advance ticket holders may enter for free (apart from St Pancras between 16:00-20:00 Monday to Friday where a £5 charge applies). Not available to Eurostar or SouthEastern. Eurostar (ES) Last Revised 27MAY13 Eurostar is generally configured up as an airline operation and so their lounges are of a higher standard on par with most airline lounges. Most of the time is a change of canapés depending on the time of day with a more substantial range of drinks including Champaign (for the BA flyers). Holders must be in possession of a Business Premier ticket, a Eurostar "Carte Blanche" frequent traveller card, an UK issued AMEX Plat card, a valid Railteam frequent traveller partner card (DB, SNCF etc...) or a BNP Infinite card. This is not available to domestic services from Ashford International (AFK). This is not available to domestic services from Ebbsfleet Domestic (EBD). This is not available to domestic services from St Pancras (STP). Eurotunnel (ET) Last Revised 27MAY13 While not strictly a National Rail service, Eurotunnel have provided a business lounge for it's premium customers. Passengers have a dedicated lane for boarding the shuttle & are invited to sit in the lounge before boarding. First Great Western (GW) Last Revised 27MAY13 First Great Western have 2 lounges available and have been confirmed to be available to all 1ST FGW passengers as opposed to just Intercity routes. Note: There is a dormant lounge at Bristol Temple Meads between 11 and 9 but this has been mothballed for now. 1ST Advance ticket holders may enter without additional charge. Greater Anglia (LE) Last Revised 27MAY13 Greater Anglia have a lounge at London Liverpool St and is open to all 1ST class passengers departing that day with LE and also Stansted Express 1ST passengers (operated by LE). There is also a confirmed lounge at Ipswich open during "station hours". 1ST Advance ticket holders may enter without further charge. ScotRail (SR) Last Revised 27MAY13 ScotRail manage 2 lounges for its 1ST passengers and members of the loyalty program "Advance" travelling with a valid SR ticket. In addition to the 2 main lounges ScotRail have a contract agreement at Glasgow, Carlisle and Inverness for customers. Customers travelling on the sleeper are advised to read the Virgin Trains section below. ScotRail currently do not offer First Class Advance Tickets. Temporarily closed, passengers with valid access rights may use the East Coast lounge. Scroll up for East Coast passengers. Currently Inverness is offering a day room service which is valid for 4 hours. £22 per person or £35 for 2 sharing. See the Virgin Trains section below for details on the London Euston lounge Virgin Trains (VT) Last Revised 27MAY13 Virgin Trains offer First Class Lounges across the southern part of the network. With access open to any 1ST class ticket holder valid on Virgin services including advance tickets. You should expect tea and coffee out of crockery, nibbles in the shape of crisps, cakes and biscuits, bottles of water and cartons of orange juice which can be glassed. Those manned are very handy during disruptions as you always have someone to get information from who usually has a phone available (compared to those on the platform who usually have more passengers to deal with). Many of the lounges do not have a dedicated host and are listed as "unmanned". Entrance is usually by pressing a buzzer and displaying your ticket to a CCTV camera mounted to the buzzer. See here regarding the New Street redevelopment project. Note the published "buy-in" at Crewe is more than £10. Customers travelling on the Caledonian Sleeper may use the lounge on request. Passengers on the Caledonian Sleeper may use the Euston lounge. View access entitlements in the ScotRail section above. For shower usage ask the dragon on the front desk for a towel then help yourself to a cubicle. Fill in the gaps for the bar here! Stoke is reported to be offering all passengers access regardless of class for a £5 entry fee. Note this offer can be withdrawn at any time. Other Train Companies Those not listed above, including Cross Country, do not have any lounge access agreement. Any passengers, including 1ST, should consider the appropriate "buy-in". Any reciprocal/contract agreements we find will be listed in this section for passengers of TOCs not listed above. __________________ First Class Lounge Guide Last edited by Ascot; 27th May 2013 at 17:52. Reason: Minor updates, ongoing artistic updates

5th January 2012, 16:55	#2
MattE2010 The cry was No Surrender Established Member Join Date: 16 May 2010 Location: North Posts: 9,755	What about NXEA at Liverpool St? Good list (so far ) though. --- old post above --- --- new post below --- Are you after internal or extrernal photos of the lounges? __________________ RIP Clive Burr Last edited by MattE2010; 5th January 2012 at 16:55. Reason: Double post prevention system

5th January 2012, 18:11	#15
wintonian Established Member Join Date: 15 Jan 2010 Location: Hampshire Posts: 4,889	I'm just wondering if some sort of warning could be included regarding opening times? I know from my experience that the advertised opening times are somewhat different in reality and can depend on factors sch as staff avalbility and the current position of the International Space Station in earths orbit! I also take it you want some photos? I've just done my hule of long distance first class travel for a while but will try and remember next time a visit somewhere with a lounge, which on my travels unfortunately are not as common as one would imagine. Sent from my Motorola Xoom __________________ -My blog: wintonian.net-

5th January 2012, 17:15	#6
bignosemac Backseat mod apparently On Moderation Join Date: 12 Oct 2009 Posts: 2,455	Free Bar at Paddington? Really? That gives the impression that there is a manned bar offering alcohol. Not the case, and FGW's own website is misleading. It's merely a self-service area with a selection of nibbles and hot and cold (non-alcoholic) beverages.

5th January 2012, 17:43	#8
Deerfold Established Member Join Date: 26 Nov 2009 Location: Yorkshire, working in London, getting a lot of trains Posts: 3,654	Personally I find these lounges of little use - it seems that at times when you might have a long connection most of them aren't open. I was looking forward to using the one at Manchester last year when I had a long connecting time at Piccadilly on my way to London on a Sunday morning. It was rather disappointing to find it was closed until noon. All I really wanted was somewhere half comfortable to sit which seems to be tricky at Piccadilly.

5th January 2012, 17:50	#9
parkender102 Member Join Date: 21 Dec 2010 Posts: 63	Some Comments on the Virgin First Class Lounge at Euston that may be of some use. I only ever use it on a Friday afternoon usually between 11:30 and 2:00 depending on which train I'm on but I must say I'm impressed. There are the usual free biscuits, tea, coffee, soft drinks, snacks etc. A large Flat Screen TV tuned into BBC News and Electronic Departure Information Board. Free newspapers available and Mobile Phone Chargers. There are plenty of work areas where you can sit down and plug your laptop in and access the free WiFi and I've never experienced the Lounge being so full that there were none of these areas available. Toilets are very clean and of course Free showers available. Although the bar is not free its heavily discounted and for instance a 500ml bottle of Magners was only £2:00 which is pretty good for London where you'll pay £3.50 - £3.70 in a pub. Other drinks also come in at £2.00 a throw and mixers are free. There is a seperate 'Quiet Room' on the right after reception and there always seems to be seats available in here. However it's never really that noisy in the Main Area anyway unless you get one of those self important boorish males shouting down his mobile phone - but then you can get that anywhere (apart from Virgin Trains Quiet Coach). I've always found the Staff at this lounge to be courteous and helpful too.

5th January 2012, 17:58	#12
150222 Established Member Join Date: 9 Jul 2011 Posts: 1,002	(Is it appropriate to post this here? Please remove if not.) Does anyone know the cheapest way of accesing the Manchester lounge? Can you get in with a child first class ticket?