A woman recently visited a Victorian train station in the UK, but was left floored when she made a discovery hidden within its walls. Sometimes the most unexpected things await us
She couldn’t believe what she found at the station (stock image)(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
Thousands of people visit train stations every day, but sometimes more lies within them than we realise. One woman recently discovered this when she visited an old train station in the UK, and it left her totally taken aback.
Korina, known as thedreamywanders on Instagram, recently shared her epic find on social media, and it’s since gone viral, as people can’t believe how beautiful her discovery was. When she entered the train station, she ended up finding a lot more books than she did trains, and the experience left her, and her followers, totally mesmerised, and it’s pretty easy to see why.
It’s not the first time people have made such amazing discoveries at train stations either. For example, the secret world of London’s Underground was also previously exposed.
In Korina’s clip, she wrote: “POV: You entered a Victorian train station and found the UK’s cosiest second-hand bookshop.” Alongside this, she added: “Barter Books is set inside a Victorian train station and it feels like stepping into a different world.
“There are shelves everywhere, cosy corners to browse and model trains running overhead as you explore. It’s the kind of place where every book feels like it’s waiting to be found.
“There’s also a café on site and fireplaces around the shop, so you can grab a coffee, sit by the fire and read for a while. One of those places you could easily lose track of time in.”
The post quickly got people talking, and dozens were quick to comment. They shared all sorts of thoughts.
One said: “Oh I love this spot! You really captured its magic.” Another added: “Had the absolute joy of introducing a friend to this place today. He loved it.”
A third replied: “Wow, this is amazing.” Meanwhile, a fourth commented: “It’s a truly wonderful world. A place I could spend a whole weekend.”
One more also chimed in with: “I think I bought 17 books last time I was there.” Another also noted: “Such an adorable bookshop.”
Where can you find it?
The bookshop is located in Alnwick, Northumberland. If you haven’t visited before, it’s known for its charming atmosphere, with towering shelves of second-hand books and a lovely collection of old railway memorabilia. Barter Books also features a unique “barter” system, where customers can trade in old books for store credit.
It’s considered a gorgeous place to visit for both book lovers and history enthusiasts alike. You’ll find it located in the historic former Alnwick Station, and it was opened in 1991 by Stuart and Mary Manley.
The station, which was built back in 1887, was later transformed into an amazing bookshop. It still contains much of its original Victorian architecture, including the station’s platforms and waiting rooms. Today it is one of the largest second-hand bookshops in Europe.
If you haven’t visited Northumberland before, it’s directly adjacent to and north of Newcastle upon Tyne. Many areas can be accessed in less than an hour by car or public transport.
It serves as a rural, and coastal counterpart to the city, offering easy access to attractions like Alnwick, Morpeth and the coast. As well as this, Northumberland is directly adjacent to Scotland, forming the northernmost county of England and sharing the border to the north and west.