THE UK is home to over 2,500 train stations and there is nothing better than your journey leading you to one that is super pretty and has special experiences.
From free cocktails to unique-looking Greggs stores, there are many UK train stations that offer more than just commuting options. Here are our top 10 train stations across the UK:
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Glasgow, Scotland
I’ve never seen a train station in the UK as pretty as Glasgow Central in Scotland and if it wasn’t for a day trip outside of the city, I would have completely missed this gem.
Sadly, part of the station recently burnt down but it is still pretty inside with several shops all with the same signage and colour palette, making them look more like museum exhibits than shops.
There’s even a Greggs that stands on its own, with a rounded brown front and cream signage, ditching the usually bright blue and yellow.
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And there’s the voco Grand Central Glasgow by IHG hotel which has a Champagne Bar overlooking the dreamy concourse.
– Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter
Norwich, Norfolk
Norwich railway station looks more like a grand French palace than the modern commuter’s railway station.
It opened back in 1844, and despite its renovations since, this historic station still retains its charm today.
This grand, Grade II-listed building was designed in French Renaissance style, with striking red bricks, stone trimmings, and a large ornate dome and traditional clock face. Inside you’ll find a tall, ballroom-like ceiling.
The grand entrance served as a carriage porch, designed to keep Victorian passengers dry as they hopped from their horse-drawn carriages.
This station serves the Great Eastern Main Line in the East of England, as well as secondary lines to seaside towns such as Sheringham and Great Yarmouth.
Once you step outside, the calm canal of this cathedral city is just a stone’s throw away – as are its popular waterside pubs.
– Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter
Bristol Temple Meads
Bristol Temple Meads, which opened in 1840, was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
The Grade I listed building has a mock-Tudor design using local stone.
On the concourse you’ll see tall stone and brick arches and then in the main train station there’s a vaulted glass ceiling.
The station has a number of shops too including an M&S, Starbucks and even a florist.
St Pancras, London
London St Pancras first opened in 1868 and later became an international rail hub in 2007, with trains to Europe.
It has a red exterior and then inside, glass features throughout the station and platforms.
Inside, you can also visit The Booking Office 1869 Bar and Restaurant, which features a long bar.
Visit at 5:05pm and you can get a free cocktail and history lesson…
And of course there’s Searcy’s, a cool champagne bar with yes, a champagne button, found in the train carriage-like booths and Europe’s longest champagne bar, stretching 98 metres.
There’s often live music in the station as well, thanks to pianos scattered around for the public to play.
– Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor
York
York Railway Station opened in 1877 and is a great example of Victorian architecture and rich history.
When inside, visitors will be able to see the ‘Great Curve’, which is 244-metre curved platform that was designed to curve around the city walls.
Make sure to look up too, as the ceiling is glass with huge iron arches and is one of the largest of its kind in the world.
Keep an eye out for other original details across the station as well, such as the Yorkshire rose and the restored two-faced clock on the main concourse.
Wemyss Bay, Scotland
You could happily take a trip to Wemyss Bay Railway Station in Inverclyde, even if you had no train to catch.
This award-winning station was one of only ten to earn five stars in Simon Jenkins’ Britain’s 100 Best Railway Stations, and it’s often considered one of the UK’s most beautiful.
This Category A-listed station has a giant Edwardian curved-glass ceiling, which makes this railway station feel more like a beautiful botanical garden – especially since the station is also decorated with flowers and plants.
The magnificent iron and glass structure curves around the entire station, giving you plenty of space to wander around and admire.
For some more sightseeing, this station also contains the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry terminal, which connects onward to the Isle of Bute.
– Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter
Birmingham New Street
Birmingham New Street is less historic than the other destinations on this list and more futuristic.
Redesigned around 10 years ago, the train station boasts a reflective stainless-steel facade and then as you head inside, you’ll see a giant, light-filled atrium that feels more like a spaceship.
Look out for ‘The Eye’, which is a 30 metre-wide screen in the station that is often used as a meeting point.
In the centre of the station look out for Ozzy the Bull, whose eyes light up and head even moves.
Edinburgh Waverley, Scotland
In the Scottish capital, you’ll find the second largest train station in Britain – Edinburgh Waverley – and it sits lower than the two sides of Edinburgh towering above it, with the Old Town on one side and New Town on the other.
The pretty Category A listed station was named after Sir Walter Scott’s novels and has a 13 acre (yes, really) glass roof.
You aren’t short of shops either with an M&S, Cafe Nero and WHSmith, or if you fancy a tipple, there is even a Brew Dog pub and The Booking Office Wetherspoons.
Even the film industry thinks it is special, with scenes shot on Platform 2 for Marvel‘s Avengers: Infinity War.
– Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter
Cardiff Central, Wales
Cardiff Central train station is the largest and busiest rail hub in Wales.
Built back in 1850, it features eight platforms and an Art Deco style inside that emerged slightly later, between 1931 and 1934.
The Booking Hall is the main highlight, with a vaulted ceiling and Art Deco lamps.
Keep an eye out for original interwar design features as well, such as wall tiles with hands on pointing to different platforms.
London Bridge, London
As a regular commuter into London Bridge, I’ve come to appreciate just how great the station is compared to some of the others in the UK.
It has restaurants, coffee shops, and for retail therapy there’s the likes of Boots, M&S Food, and Pret.
There are also designer shops under the arches like Reiss and All Saints which might not be affordable, but it’s nice to window shop.
When you’re stuck in the station waiting for a train home, the Wi-Fi is easy to join and as you might not expect, actually reliable.
For quirky touches, it has a Meet by the Heart mural, a museum of artefacts, and even a pipe organ known as Henry – which you’re free to try out.
– Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter