My Top 5 stations in the South West

Stuart Boyd • Feb 01, 2021

When ever I do a Q&A on Twitter one of the questions I always get is "Which is your favourite station so far?" It is very tough to choose a top 10 nationwide... So I have decided to split it up into a collection of Top 5's...

First up we have my Top 5 stations in the South West.

5. Chapelton

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Station: Chapelton

Line: Tarka Line

County: Devon

Managed By: GWR


I have great memories from my visit to Chapelton. After alighting at Umberleigh, rather than taking the walk along the dodgy A377 I decided to take a longer walk, and I was extremely pleased that I did. The longer walk took me through the picture postcard village of Atherington. 


The single platform is just delightful, in every way possible! The beautiful shelter, the beautiful flowers, and a great sense of isolation.


If all the delights of the platform are not enough, across the track there is an even more beautiful disused platform with an original looking station sign!

4. Chetnole

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Station: Chetnole

Line: Heart of Wessex Line

County: Dorset

Managed By: GWR


It was a wet and cold morning. I was going to have an hour at the least used station in Dorset. My original plan was to take a walk to the local village for a look around. As the weather was getting worse I decided to stop at the station and read a book. The station was set in a lovely location, although it's not the nicest on the eye, its got an amazing feel to it.


While I sat in the shelter reading a book I decided to set my camera up and film a little video I named Shelter Cam... This can be seen here.


The good news on this day was the weather improved after I departed from Chetnole and the rest of the day was beautiful.

3. Corfe Castle

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Station: Corfe Castle

Line: Swanage Railway

County: Dorset

Managed By: Swanage Railway


Although it is currently not served by a National Rail service, or is there any plans for it to do so again anytime in the near future, it definitely makes it into my top 5. Everything about the station had me lost for words. Then you step out of the station and there is a magnificent castle!


On the day I visited the station I spent the morning visiting the stations between Southampton and Brockenhurst before heading on a bus to the castle. I deliberately allowed an extra couple of hours to fit a visit to the castle in. I then headed to the station where I met up with @JackAllStations.  Although we didn't know it at the time, this was to be the very last service operated by SWR to Corfe Castle... Heres to the future and the Swanage Railway operating shuttles themselves!

2. Causeland

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Station: Causeland

Line: Looe Valley Line

County: Cornwall

Managed By: GWR


It doesn't get much more quaint than this... Absolutely everything about this station is quaint, beautiful, lovely, amazing, delightful and peaceful...


If you want to take a trip back in time make a visit to this amazing piece of railway heaven! It's like being back in the 60's. Obviously there is just one difference, instead of a steam train you get a 150 instead.


Take a walk between the next station on the line (Sandplace) and Causeland. It is an absolutely lovely walk, high hedged country lanes, it was like been in a famous five story, I even had a picnic in my rucksack!

1. Coombe Junction Halt

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Station: Coombe Junction Halt

Line: Looe Valley Line

County: Cornwall

Managed By: GWR


When you think it couldn't get anymore quaint than Causeland, you then arrive further down the line at Coombe Junction Halt. An absolute gem of a station on the outskirts of Liskeard.


Hidden away on a footpath amongst the trees is this tiny platform, and when I mean tiny, I mean not even long enough for one carriage!


I have visited the station on three occasions, the first of which was most definitely not on a train, due to the Beast from the East arriving into Cornwall the one weekend I visited! But I was not disappointed, the snow made for some real beautiful photos. My next two visits were both in beautiful sunshine, a stark contrast to my first visit in the snow. 

Stations to visit: KILDALE

by Stu • 28 Apr, 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 Jan, 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 Jan, 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 • 06 Sept, 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 • 04 Sept, 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 • 03 Sept, 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 :)

Walking the Great Western Mainline gallery - Day 1

by Stu • 02 Sept, 2023
The first day of the walk from London Paddington to Southall saw me call at Acton Mainline, Ealing Broadway, West Ealing & Hanwell. On the way we saw unexpected viaducts, fancy McDonalds, pretty gardens & nice market squares. Today I was joined by a couple of friends who can be found online at the following places, Please do check their accounts out. Jack All Station: twitter.com/JackAllStations Midland London: youtube.com/@MidlandLondon Below is a selection of photos from today.

Gallery: Weekend Walking around Windermere & Oxenholme

by Stu • 20 Aug, 2023
Walk around Windermere:

Carlisle Photo Collection

by Stu • 12 Aug, 2023
All photos © Every Last Station. Reuse only by permission.

New Station: Thanet Parkway

by Stuart • 03 Aug, 2023
On 31st July at just before 5am Thanet Parkway became Britain's newest station in Great Britain (at the time) and is the first station to open in Kent since Ebbsfleet International opening in 2007. As you approach the station you are greeted with what looks like a lovely and well designed station. The car park complete with 293 spaces which includes 16 spaces for Blue Badge holders and a number of charge points for electric vehicle charging. BUT, here is the stations first of several oversights: none of the vehicle charge points are in one of the 16 Blue Badge spaces and the charging bays don't have enough space for those with limited mobility to get in and out of their cars. As we approach the station from the car park the actual station looks rather impressive. The brick work along with the stylish mettle mesh on the stair case and lift shaft really makes it look the part. There is also some raised flower beds which add to the overall positive experience of the station .
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