Top 5 stations in Great Britain

S Boyd • 31 December 2025

What is my favourite station? Read on to find out!

Number 5: Dolau

Location: Dolau, Powys, Wales.

Coordinates: 52.29506782803438, -3.2631204760360926

Station managed by: Transport for Wales

Passenger usage (Apr 24 - Mar 25): 818

Dolau station is located on the Heart of Wales line. The first thing that comes to mind when you visit this station is CHARMING!

When I first visited this station it was during the Covid pandemic and some of the services was still operated as a Rail Replacement Bus. I arrived on a bus and had about a 40 minute wait for the train. The 40 minutes I had was not enough! But I made the most of it by just enjoying the station. The station hut has a lovely comfortable bench on while you have a read of the magazines that are available to read. After reading the magazines make sure you fill in the visitors book. If the weather is good, sit on one of the benches on the gravel platform and take in the views out across the fields and hills in the distance.

The second time I visited was during my 2024 charity walk across Wales. It was a much nicer day that day, but I still found myself sat in the shelter to get away from the sun! One day I will return I will sit on the platform and enjoy the views.

Number 4: Nethertown

Location: Nethertown, Cumbria, England

Coordinates: 54.456232348029204, -3.5657042152528615

Station managed by: Northern

Passenger usage (Apr 24 - Mar 25): 1,334

Nethertown station the jewel in the crown of the Cumbria Coast Line! Mile after mile of stunning sea views and country views out towards the lake district.

Nethertown station for quite a while was what I would of called my favourite station. But as time went on, I think that this might be more because I visited the station quite often. But even now, when I haven't visited it for a while, it still has to have a place in the top 5.

Obviously the best thing about the station is the location. Views from above and from the platform are both amazing. If based solely on views, Nethertown is without a doubt the best station in the UK for views! But there is more to a top station than views!

That said, Nethertown isn't just about the views. Its much more than that. Gravel platform, Harrington Hump and a disused platform make it a very cute station! But the best thing by about Nethertown is sitting in the shelter when the weather is rough, the tide is high and the waves are crashing up and over the platform. Its an amazing experience.

Number 3: Duncraig

Location: Duncraig Castle, Plockton, Highland

Coordinates: 57.33697871116294, -5.637002267398022

Station managed by: ScotRail

Passenger usage (Apr 24 - Mar 25): 354

Duncraig station located on the magnificent Kyle of Lochalsh line is a must visit station. Especially if you like octagonal waiting rooms or tremendous views! To my knowledge it is the only Octagonal building of any sort on the railway network which makes it very unique. The waiting room is also a very nice waiting room to spend some time and just chill.

When I visited the station I wasn't meant to be there... My plan was to alight at Plockton and then go for a walk around the town... Sadly for some reason, I didn't alight at Plockton so jumped off at Duncraig. My original plan was to only have a brief wait here. I could of walked to Plockton, but decided against that as that would of meant no time at either station to have a proper explore. I had a little explore around the station and then went and just sat on the bench on the platform reading a book occasionally looking up and smiling at the view! After a short while though, the midges became too annoying, so I sought shelter in the waiting room. A very peaceful and enjoyable visit to the station was had.

I have since revisited the station and made the walk from Duncraig to Plockton. It's a walk I recommend to everyone to do. Its just lovely!

Number 2: Llanaber

Location: Llanaber, Barmouth, Gwynedd, Wales

Coordinates: 52.74139708707567, -4.077179099773661

Station managed by: Transport for Wales

Passenger usage (Apr 24 - Mar 25): 3,844

Llanaber is located on the magnificent Cambrian Coast just north of Barmouth in Wales and is just fantastic! The first time I visited here I got the bus here and then just spent 30 minutes sat at the station admiring the magnificent views out to sea and down the coast. Stations like this are just brilliant!

The second time I visited Llanaber it was at the end of the day after I had been to Pwllheli and completed visiting Every Last Station in Wales. I actually got the train to Barmouth, went and got some food from the shop and then headed along the beach to Llanaber where I spent an hour eating and reading a book while watching the sun set out over the sea. It seemed the perfect place to celebrate completing visiting every station in Wales

The station is easy to walk to from Barmouth, you can walk almost all the way along the beach if you want. But if the tide is in then you are best off walking along the road. Its not such a bad road to walk along. It does have a footpath all the way and does also allow for some nice views out to sea.

When in Wales, visit Llanaber! Its the only way to truly appreciate the station!

Number 1: Causeland

Location: Causeland, Liskeard, Cornwall, England

Coordinates: 50.405697607075375, -4.466263698941572

Station managed by: Great Western Railway

Passenger usage (Apr 24 - Mar 25): 2,108

Down a country lane, tucked away amongst the trees, deep in the Looe Valley is the best station in Great Britain! Causeland! Now this might not be everyone idea of heaven. But for me it really is! I have been a few times, and on one occasion just went and sat in the shelter and just chilled, I even had a 20 minute nap in there! All I could hear when I awoke was the sound of birds in the trees! For me there is very few stations where you would be able to end up this relaxed!

The Looe Valley Line is full of quirks, from the manual junction at Coombe Jct to the request stops its a delight for all rail enthusiasts. But... You don't need to be an enthusiast to go to Causeland. Go and check it out. If you don't want to just stay there and chill out, then the station in either direction is a nice walk. Both along a quiet country lane and through woodlands. If I was to choose which way to walk I would suggest walking towards St Keyne Wishing Well Halt as that walk will take you past the actual Wishing Well. If you fancy a little more of a hike then maybe head up the village of St Keyne.

It is hard to explain what it is that makes this station the best in my opinion... But What I suggest is visit it, stay there for a bit, then you will appreciate it as much as I do!

Some special mentions that could quite easily of also been in my top 5:

Commondale - Esk Valley Line

Thornton Abbey - Barton Line

London Paddington - Great Western Mainline

Many Thanks for reading. Hope you have enjoyed the read.

Stuart

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#LEJOGbyBus

by Stu • 4 January 2026

Follow the link below to download service information and stats from #LEJOGbyBus!

The Looe Valley Line

by Stu • 9 May 2025

The Looe Valley line literally has everything... Lovely stations, lovely views & manual junctions! Starting at Liskeard on the quirky platform 3 tucked away across the station car park you will find a 2 carriage green class 150 waiting to set off down the hill! The station building on platform 3 will give you a slight taste of what is to come further down the line.

My day on the Talyllyn Railway

by S Boyd • 20 April 2025

The day started with myself meeting Rob and Jan at Machynlleth station before hoping into Robs car and driving to Tywyn. We decided to arrive in plenty of time as we knew there was a cafe at the station that had a reputation as been very good for a fry up. Given I love a good old fry up I was never going to turn down trying one of these out! I can confirm it was rather brilliant. A nice little surprise was that the fry up was under a tenner! We also got a free drink each as we chose to gift aid our ticket purchase for the trains that day. After we had all devoured our breakfasts we went for a little wander around Tywyn Wharf station before then boarding a train and setting ourselves in for the journey to the other end of the line, Nant Gwernol! Along the way we got to grips with the line, what the other stations looked like from the train, and most importantly, what the footpaths alongside the railway looked like. Footpaths later in the day would turn out to be a bit of a problem.

Every Last Station on the Llangollen Railway

by S Boyd • 11 April 2025

After hearing about the Steam Gala on the Llangollen Railway I simply had to see if I could make it work to visit. The day started at the awful time of 0645 with a train from Liverpool Lime Street to Chester. I hopped off at Frogsham on the way in the hunt of a cap in the Morrisons next to the station. Annoyingly thought he supermarket had zero mens clothing. So hopped on the next train to try my luck in Chester. Result, I got a cap! Hopefully this one lasts longer than this trip. I have a habbit of loosing hats! Aftert he great hat hunt I headed back to the station in order to catch the train down to Gobowen where I was meeting my good friend Rob. After the hellos we headed in car to Llangollen and started the great car parking space hunt which was followed by spending 10 minutes trying to work out how to pay for a car park ticket! After all that we headed down to the station and went straight to the platform. Couple of photos taken followed by boarding the first train of the day which would take us the full length of the line to Corwen station. We spent 20 minutes at Corwen before heading back to Glyndyfrdwy station and went for a short walk and took some photos. It was at this point we realised that every service on the line was running late. We boarded our third train and headed to Carrog where we alighted. Took some more photos and then went in search of a pub! The Grouse Inn to be precise. After a 5 minute walk we came across the pub and plonked ourselves in the beer garden with a drink and promply orders some grub! Was rather tasty! After this we headed back to the station, had a look around, bought some gifts in the shop and then headed over to the next train. On the way we asked a member of staff/volunteer what was happening with the timetable and their words was "the timetable is a work of fiction" so from this point we played it by ear with trains. The next stop was Berwyn which is quite possibly the best station on the line! The setting with the river next to the station was super and you simply couldn't stand on the platform and not be impressed! Given the timetable was completly out of the window we decided to just stay at the station and wait for the next train. This arrived and took us back to where we started: Llangollen. The line is a thing of beauty. The scenery was breathtaking, and every member of staff/volunteer we spoke to was great. After a walk around Llangollen we headed for the car and then drove to Machynlleth where i am based for the next few nights. Enjoy below some photos from today. And until next time... Ta for now

Stations to visit: KILDALE

by Stu • 28 April 2024

Kildale station is located on the very scenic Esk Valley Line that runs from Middlesborough to Whitby. From the June 2024 timetable change the station will see 8 trains per day, 4 in each direction! Although this is a limited service it does give you the opportunity to do some exploring of the area.

Afternoon walk with Bailey

by Stuart • 27 January 2024

I set of on a walk with my sisters dog and headed for the disused canal from Kendal. I followed along disused canal to the village of Natland. I then swapped the disused canal for the river. After following the riverside path, I came across a footbridge that I had planned to use, annoyingly it was closed! Annoyingly I was planning to use this footbridge, due to this there was a lenghty diversion. Thankfully the diversion wasn't a total waste of time, I was able to walk through the beautiful Sizergh Castle and then head back up to my original route plan and headed to Helsington church and view point. After spending a little time chatting with my Dad (who's ashs was scattered there) me and Bailey then headed up to Scout Scar before setting of back down towards Kendal. Upon reaching the River Kent I decided that my feet was still feeling good and I headed back along the river to Hawes Bridge. I then headed up into the village of Natland and then up to Oxenholme where my walk came to an end!

The Northumberland Line

by Stuart • 21 January 2024

A blog about the new Northumberland Line that is scheduled to start opening in the Summer of 2024.

Walking the Great Western Railway - Day 4

by Stu • 6 September 2023

This walk was a tail of two halves! The day started with walking through Reading suburbs and then through the city centre. Things mid morning took a positive turn as we headed to the The Kennet and Avon Canal which I then followed for the remaineder of the day. Only hopping away from the canal to go on to station platforms. A very enjoyable walk, even in the scorching heat! Stations visted today was: Reading, Reading West, Theale, Aldermaston & ended the day at Midgham. By walking between Aldermaston and Midgham I actually have managed to get a station ahead on my plan which can only be a good thing as I head down to the more difficult reagions of Somerset & Devon next week. Until tomorrow :)

Walking the Great Western Mainline gallery - Day 3

by Stu • 4 September 2023

Todays walk was a little bit of a tough one, mainly due to the excessive heat which is only going to get worse as the week goes on. Thinking there will be some early starts coming up to try and miss the worst of the heat! Today was a mixture of roads and walks across fields. Discovered there is some beautiful countryside between Maidenhead and Twyford. I strongly encourage you to take this walk! Stations visited today: Burnham, Taplow, Maidenhead and ended at Twyford. Was great to have Nick Badley along with me today. Make sure to check out and subscribe to his YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@NickBadley . After the walk myself and Nick headed to Windsor where we met up with Coastway Will and had a Nandos dinner where the unlimited refils was very much used again and again! Until tomorrow :)

Walking the Great Western Mainline gallery - Day 2

by Stu • 3 September 2023

Todays walk saw me starting at Southall and heading straight to The Grand Union Canal. We followed this for most of the walk today. Stations called at today was: Hayes & Harlington, West Drayton, Iver, Langley before finishing the walk at Slough. Was great to have pals Jack and Dave with me today. Laughed for the most part, especially when we got the wrong place for the London/Buckinghamshire borders. That video on twitter got filmed twice lol. Massive thank you to everyone supporting the event via donations to either/both: Donate to Samaritans: https://justgiving.com/page/greatwesternwalk Support me with the challenge: https://www.gofundme.com/f/GreatWesternWalk My photos from today are below. Daves photos from today can be found here on his Flickr photostream: https://flic.kr/ps/3ppCTV Until tomorrow :)