My Top 5 stations in the South East

Stuart Boyd • Feb 07, 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...

After the delights of my South West top 5, it's time to head along the south coast and take a look at my South East Top 5 stations!

5. Christs Hospital

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Station: Christs Hospital

Line: Arun Valley Line

County: West Sussex

Managed By: Southern


This was one of those stations that turned out to be a pleasant surprise. In more ways than one. Christs Hospital  was one of those stations where the trains pass each other, which means regardless of direction you visit the station from, you're going to have an hour wait. As it was, due to some earlier disruption a service had this added as an additional stop for another passenger. I took full advantage of this, which meant I was able to get an hour ahead of my plan. 


As it turned out, I wish I had had an hour at the station to explore the local area. It was like a disused station and a real station all in one. It is on my list of places to revisit to explore at a much more leisurely pace. 

4. Shoreham (Kent)

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Station: Shoreham (Kent)

Line: Blackfriers to Sevenoaks

County: Kent

Managed By: Southeastern


Shoreham was a station that alone isn't all that special, but it definitely makes the top 5 for me due to the lovely area around the station. The station buildings could be made to look magnificent again, unfortunately the station buildings have been allowed to become a little worse for wear.


The village of Shoreham is absolutely delightful. To be honest, it felt so out of place, the village felt like it belonged in rural Devon. On the day I visited here I was travelling about with my mate Dave. While we was walking into the village to find a shop, we decided that we would change our plan to allow longer in the village.

3. Normans Bay

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Station: Normans Bay

Line: East Coastway Line

County: East Sussex

Managed By: Southern


The East Coastway Line is one that I knew very little about, to be fair, anything south of London I was unfamiliar of. All I did know was what Google Maps showed me. When I alighted I was amazed by the breeze blowing in from the sea.


Now normally first thing I do when I alight a train is try and get a photo of the train departing. On this occasion though all I had on my mind was 'must visit the beach'. So that's what I did. I love the coastline here in Britain, so any station close to the coast is always going to result in me wanting to visit the beach.

2. Wye

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Station: Wye

Line: Ashford to Ramsgate Line

County: Kent

Managed By: Sotheastern


Wye is a flippin amazing station, it has it all. A footbridge, a manual level crossing, a lovely station building. Everything anyone could want from a remote station. 


The first thing that amazed me at this station was the spectacular manual level crossing. I've not been for a while, so I really hope the manual level crossing is still in use. The station building is a lovely traditional stone bricked station building.


Just when you think you have found all the beauty that there was, then there was even more, all be it in the form of the remains of an old signal box.

1. Doleham

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Station: Doleham

Line: Marshlink Line

County: East Sussex

Managed By: Southern


A very awkward station for me to visit it was. But WOW was it worth it. This station required me waking up at 0430 to get the first train out of Folkestone West to Ashford Int before heading on the Southern service to Doleham. One of only 2 trains to call at the station at the time of my visit. 


When I alighted, I was met to a magnificent sunset which would accompany me for a beautiful walk through some country lanes to Three Oaks. As most of my followers know, my favourite type of stations tend to be the ones of a remote variety. This definitely ticks that box! Now there is a slightly more usable service at the station I would urge anyone who is in the area to pay the station a visit and take a walk to Three Oaks. There is even a pub near Three Oaks station to re hydrate after the walk ;-)  

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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