Best view from a station platform

[davetheguard]

I got off a Thameslink train at London's Blackfriars station yesterday; the first time I'd done that since the rebuilding works were finished and all the hoardings had been taken down

What a fantastic view to be had from the platform through the glass walls of the station! Both up- and down-stream along the Thames: all bridges, boats, and skyscrappers. And get off on the south bank entrance straight in to the bustle of the crowds visiting the Bankside art gallery, the Shakespeare Globe, or just strolling along the riverside terraces.

It got me thinking, what other stations give really great views FROM THE PLATFORM - and what can be seen?

Further suggestions of mine are:
Grange over Sands - view over Morecambe Bay, shifting sands, sea, and sea birds.
Dawlish (of course!) - red sandstone cliffs, attractive-looking town, beach, sea and view along miles of coastline.
Duncraig - view across a sea loch to a wooded island and the beautiful village of Plockton behind; all ringed by mountains.

And if the mods will allow me to jump on Eurostar?....

Villefranche sur Mer (near Nice) - bobbing boats in the bay, harbourside restaurants, the blue Med. and the sound of waves crashing on the beach below the platform.
Kleine Scheidegg (Switzerland) - sitting at a table at the open air restaurant on the station platform, looking up at the blue sky and sun shining on the snow-covered North Face (the infamous face) of the Eiger.

 

[W230]

I got off a Thameslink train at London's Blackfriars station yesterday; the first time I'd done that since the rebuilding works were finished and all the hoardings had been taken down

What a fantastic view to be had from the platform through the glass walls of the station! Both up- and down-stream along the Thames: all bridges, boats, and skyscrappers. And get off on the south bank entrance straight in to the bustle of the crowds visiting the Bankside art gallery, the Shakespeare Globe, or just strolling along the riverside terraces.

I had the same conversation at Blackfriars last week. I think so many commuters don't even get time to notice it but it is a stunning view. It's different too depending on the weather and with the sun rising later now you even get a nice sunrise often.

A couple of images taken using my crap mobile which don't do the view any justice! Obviously the rural stations you mention also have amazing views. But there aren't that many city stations in the UK that give you such a good view.

 

[D841 Roebuck]

That's an excellent list. I've not been to Villefranche, or stopped at Duncraig, but can second the other four.

A couple of other contenders could be:
Lakeside - a view of the length of Windermere, backed by the Fairfield Horseshoe.
Snowdon Summit (on a clear day).

 

[Gathursty]

I can concur with London Blackfriars. It was so good, I returned again (Me not looking at a Tube map correctly) >.< Duncraig is also great.

Let me add Rannoch over Corrour as I would like to see a practical route from a station I happen to be at but also Kirton Lindsey on a clear evening. The view of the stars with no orange glow are unbeatable, though I suspect this can be matched at many rural stations.

 

[leightonbd]

Aviemore, the view of the Cairngorms and Rothiemurchus is stunning; in clear light the mountains feel almost adjacent to the platforms.

 

[YorkshireBear]

Dent and Ribblehead both have really good views from the platform. Dent looking down a large valley, Ribblehead is between two of Yorkshires three peaks and overlooks the vidauct too.

I imagine quite a few in Scotland :P

 

[CheapAndNerdy]

I can concur with London Blackfriars.

Agreed. I got an earlier train from St Pancras so I could change at Blackfriars and check the view, if only for a few minutes. At dusk the lights are being switched on, and river boats are passing beneath.

 

[Crossover]

+1 for Blackfriars! I have been a couple of times now - the first time I was so not expecting to find a station like it in Central London (and all because an Inspector Sands message played at City Thameslink, so we decided not to change there!)

A friend of mine also ended up changing there travelling across London and sent me a message much the same as what you guys have all said!

 

[davetheguard]

Thanks, W230, for illustrating my OP so well.

The early morning shot was great: I think a certain Claude Monet (who often painted the Thames in London) would be pleased with the light in that shot!

I do wish I'd taken the camera with me.....

Thanks again.

 

[dave_wm]

Perhaps slightly biased, but every so often I'm staggered by the views from Pont Croesor (on the Welsh Highland Railway) and Tanygrisiau (on the Ffestiniog)...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/petesykes/6905272174/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7541633@N08/5771511639/lightbox/

 

[61653 HTAFC]

The scenery might not be quite as dramatic as some of the Scottish stations, but I'd like to offer up both Slaithwaite and Greenfield. Mytholmroyd is also worth a mention, as is (the Sheffield-bound platform) at Penistone. Hadfield is another of course.

 

[Y Ddraig Coch]

Roman bridge on the Conwy valley is always a pleasure to see.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ro...oAA&biw=360&bih=615#biv=i|0;d|JkaE2E-QGgr2BM:

 

[steamybrian]

There are so many to choose from-
Llangollen, Berwyn and Carrog all on same railway- have fine views
Barmouth Ferry on the Fairbourne Railway has seawater on three sides plus a backdrop of mountains.
A mention for Beddgelert and Rhydd-Ddu on the Welsh Highland Rly.
Snowdon Summit as mentioned previously
There are many Scottish Highlands station that have fine views.
Cornish Coast- St Ives or Looe .


abroad-
Alp Grum- on the Bernina Pass in Switzerland
I have been to Gornetgrat station- (unsure of the spelling) in Switzerland at 10,000 feet (or 3,000 metres) - the highest point I have been to above sea level.
Brocken (summit) on the Harz Railway

 

[philjo]

Yes, Good view from Blackfriars and it changes with the weather - it looked very atmospheric through the thick fog the other week.

Kyle of Lochalsh and Garsdale also have good views from the platform.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Aylesbury Vale Parkway is a decent one for a rural setting, look west from the platform and it's just rolling fields.

Kyle is also a good shout.

If we can go 'international', Glounthaune near Cork in Ireland offers beautiful views over Cork Harbour / Lee Estuary.

 

[59CosG95]

Vauxhall, as well as Blackfriars, gives a wonderful view of the skyline if you stand in the right place on the platform. Having never taken the train to Wales, I can but imagine the views you get there, but the West Highland does offer some spectacular views, particularly at Corrour and Rannoch.

 

[sheff1]

You expect, and get, wonderful views at stations in remote areas or alongside the sea or lakes, but if anyone can identify a more stunning view from a platform in the centre of a major city anywhere in Europe I would be very happy to hear about it.

 

[Crossover]

You expect, and get, wonderful views at stations in remote areas or alongside the sea or lakes, but if anyone can identify a more stunning view from a platform in the centre of a major city anywhere in Europe I would be very happy to hear about it.

Agreed

I'd also give Pontoon Dock DLR a mention - been there a couple of times and it feels quite detached from London, what with the gardens and such, and then the Thames Barrier at the end

 

[FGW_DID]

Can't believe Didcot Parkway wasn't first on most peoples list!!


Didcot Skyline by DougieB1971, on Flickr

 

[Mintona]

I like the view from Nunhead. At the country end of the platform you can look pretty much over the whole of London.

 

[YorkshireBear]

My main memory of Blackfriars is from a couple of weeks ago, it was a foggy morning but the fog had moved from Blackfriars, when looking east along the thames you could see the layer of fog and the shard poking out of the top of it. Very impressive indeed!

 

[anti-pacer]

Deganwy has great views over the Conwy estuary and Snowdonia. Penmaenmawr, and Llanfairfechan both have decent sea views.

Edinburgh has great views at the Haymarket end of the platforms.

Foxfield (Cumbria) has great views of the Duddon estuary and the hills behind it.

 

[philjo]

Alnmouth - though you need to be at the northern end of the platforms for the coastal view.
Durham.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

This might be controversial, but I rather like the 'urban decay' that can be seen from Sandhills in Liverpool.

Also, Didcot's got nothing on Brum New Street!

 

[Buttsy]

A view from Horton-in-Ribblesdale station (apologies for the size):

 

[swcovas]

Knucklas on the HOWL looking down the line at the viaduct overlooked by a fairly substantial hill called Castle Mound.

 

[Muzer]

Can't believe Didcot Parkway wasn't first on most peoples list!!


Didcot Skyline by DougieB1971, on Flickr

I quite like that.

 

[asylumxl]

I personally am not a fan of the view from Blackfriars. The myriad of the glass and steel building are uninspiring. I also see it every day, so that probably doesn't help matters.

 

[fowler9]

Ollantaytambo is quite nice.

 

[Eagle]

North Queensferry is good, particularly at dusk when all the lights of Edinburgh start coming on.

Can't believe Didcot Parkway wasn't first on most peoples list!!

Well you can't get quite as good a view any more now that Didcot A is closed.