What is your favourite station in the UK?

Bacon_BMW · 20 Dec 2019

Wemyss Bay. Isn’t very big, but is stunning.

RailUK Forums

Southsider · 20 Dec 2019

Bacon_BMW said:
Wemyss Bay. Isn’t very big, but is stunning.

I'd go along with that. Unique and beautifully kept plus happy childhood memories of queuing in the curved access ramp to the pier for the steamer to Bute.

John Griffiths · 20 Dec 2019

Another vote for Wemyss Bay.

I also like, in a more muted way, Worksop. 'Gateway to the Dukeries', and misleadingly grand with (at any rate when I was last there) a good bar and a good cafe.

yorksrob · 20 Dec 2019

marks87 said:
York.

I also have a soft spot for platforms 3 and 4 and Perth.

Yes, that's probably my favourite for passing the time in. Good selection of trains, impressive architecture, excellent pub (which seemed to have resumed the supply of Scotch Eggs last time I visited).

Favourite station for its setting is probably Ribblehead. Great to wait on alone at night while looking at the stars. And seeing the small dot of light appear from the Blea Moor direction to confirm the train is on its way.

Deepgreen · 20 Dec 2019

BucksBones said:
As regards favourite stations now from a passenger's POV, which is probably what the OP is getting at, I would say one that is well designed for passenger flow allowing easy entrance and exit to/from platforms without too much congestion, that has a good culture of keeping passengers informed (plenty of staff on the shop floor as well), plentiful facilities for buying tickets without long queues and announcing platforms as early as possible to avoid a scrum. Good retail facilities also a bonus.

Er....

Anyone.....?

Edit: I have found the new London Bridge quite user-friendly the few times I've used it.

Blackfriars main line is generally un-crowded, has loads of screens, great views from the glass-walled platforms, entrances at both ends of the platforms and a very intensive service. The very light and airy feel is pleasant, and after dark the views of the Thames-side lit buildings are far-reaching.

Mordac · 20 Dec 2019

Am really fond of Wellingborough. It's got a really great micropub and just really pleasant surroundings. Very good for spotting on the MML too. I remember getting almost the entire 222 fleet on one afternoon there.

Haven't seen in since the electrification masts have gone up though.

faltskog36abba · 20 Dec 2019

Manchester Victoria and Huddersfield for the lovely façade, Man Victoria for the booking hall and the tiled map of the lanky and Yorkshire railway.

youngiecj · 20 Dec 2019

Havenhouse for me, only a short time there whilst working. But the views when the sun is rising are always superb. And it’s so quiet!

raetiamann · 20 Dec 2019

With the Tap on platform 1, Sheffield has to be a good place to be for an hour or two. Portsmouth Harbour also has some appeal to me.

Pete 1981 · 20 Dec 2019

Wemyss Bay is a lovely station, I also enjoy the old authenticity of Moor St. Paddington is my favourite London station and the solitude and lack of facilities at Reddish South appeals.

Bletchleyite · 20 Dec 2019

Aughton Park, not because the station itself is in any way interesting but because it was the start of many, many childhood railway adventures.

leightonbd · 20 Dec 2019

Aviemore can be quite good

colchesterken · 20 Dec 2019

Wanstead Park on GOBLIN in steam days it was the place to get the train to Southend and to come back late, the station was lit by gaslights, the ticket office was in the arch below with wood staircase and wood paneling inside (all that with gaslights)
In the early 60 I was friends with the person in charge ( foreman or station master I am not sure ) I used to go there and have tea in the ticket office and when a train came go and collect the tickets with him
When I go there now I think back to the good old days!

Shimbleshanks · 20 Dec 2019

Alnwick. One of the country's biggest secondhand bookshops and none of those noisy, pesky trains to disturb the peace....

Kendalian · 20 Dec 2019

As per avatar...another vote for Kyle
A stunning finale to one of Britain's finest lines (I'd just put the West Highland ahead of it...just)

Class195 · 20 Dec 2019

Hebden Bridge is a personal favourite of of mine.

Deepgreen · 21 Dec 2019

A slight topic wobble maybe, but I noticed today for the first time that at least one platform name board at Coulsdon South now reads "Coulsdon South for Farthing Down and Happy Valley". Must be one of my favourite station name signs!

Edders23 · 21 Dec 2019

Architecturally my local station Stamford which has the prettiest station buildings in England

for larger stations I have always liked York and temple meads as they have both a nice Shed and interesting mix of traffic especially in the 70's

As for london terminus either Marylebone or ST Pancras but I much preferred the pre Eurostar station

Scottish stations I always used to think Glasgow queen street had a lot of atmosphere

Neptune · 21 Dec 2019

Birmingham Moor Street and Marylebone. Both fine medium sized stations book ending the Chiltern Mainline.

PeterC · 21 Dec 2019

Edders23 said:
Architecturally my local station Stamford which has the prettiest station buildings in England

for larger stations I have always liked York and temple meads as they have both a nice Shed and interesting mix of traffic especially in the 70's

As for london terminus either Marylebone or ST Pancras but I much preferred the pre Eurostar station

Scottish stations I always used to think Glasgow queen street had a lot of atmosphere

The problem with the new St Pancras is that somebody went and stuck a railway station on top of one of London's better shopping malls.

duesselmartin · 21 Dec 2019

As much as I miss the old Portrush station, I so like the new one.

duesselmartin · 21 Dec 2019

xotGD said:
Marylebone has a nice old-school feel about it. And is served by proper trains.

Still has an NSE feel to it.

Mountain Man · 21 Dec 2019

RailFan89 said:
Mines has to be Birmingham New Street.

I'm genuinely curious. Why?

For me, it's the worst station by far.

It was designed seemingly to be unnecessarily complicated and in spending close 1 billion pounds on an upgrade, they ignored the biggest issue, air quality on the platforms

Mountain Man · 21 Dec 2019

Karl said:
Braystones and Nethertown are my current favourites. Especially the walk along the beach between the two. Peace!

Those popped into my head as candidates too.

I'd put Foxfield on the same line into the mix. The island platform adds something to the emptiness

arbeia · 21 Dec 2019

Dalwhinnie. Midsummers night 1985. Broad daylight just about at midnight, and a nice lady for company!

Mordac · 21 Dec 2019

duesselmartin said:
As much as I miss the old Portrush station, I so like the new one.

With this reminder that the thread title does say "in the UK," I'll add a mention of Antrim station, which is a really pleasant place, marred somewhat by its bad pedestrian links to the town centre.

endecotp · 21 Dec 2019

Ravenglass?

Bletchleyite · 22 Dec 2019

duesselmartin said:
Still has an NSE feel to it.

"The gentleman's London terminus".

TeaLovingDave · 22 Dec 2019

Although my current home station is Newcastle, and I grew up with Darlington as my home station, I reckon my top five would have to be as follows:

York
Glasgow Central
Rannoch
Carlisle
Whitby

Xenophon PCDGS · 22 Dec 2019

Hebden Bridge for its general historical ambiance and its numerous old-style wooden information boards.

What is your favourite station in the UK?

Member

RailUK Forums

Member

Member

Veteran Member

Established Member

Established Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Veteran Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Established Member

Member

Established Member

Established Member

Established Member

Established Member

Member

Member

Member

Established Member

Member

Veteran Member

Member

Veteran Member