Mind the gap: The UK's most interesting, iconic and Instagrammable train stations
With Britain celebrating 200 years of rail this year, we've rounded up our favourite station stories.
Glenfinnan Station, Scottish Highlands
Nestled in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, Glenfinnan Station is way more than just a train stop—it's a full-on experience. Sitting proudly on the stunning West Highland Line (one of the UK's most scenic routes), this charming station has been welcoming travellers since 1901 and still has its original building.
History lovers, this is your spot! Glenfinnan is where Bonnie Prince Charlie famously raised his royal standard in 1745, kickstarting the last Jacobite uprising. The Highland clans' legacy lives on strongly here, adding layers of culture and stories to explore.
A magical bonus: the famous Jacobite Steam Train that rumbles through this area is the real-life Hogwarts Express from the Harry Potter films.
Edinburgh Waverley
With its stunning, seemingly endless glass dome lighting up the heart of the station, Edinburgh Waverley is truly one of the UK's most beautiful train stations. Born in the 1840s from the merger of three smaller stations, it quickly became a bustling hub. During both world wars, Waverley wasn't just a train station—it was a lifeline. It served up over two million meals to soldiers at its busy buffets, hosted Red Cross facilities, and helped evacuate countless people in need.
Fast forward to more recent times, and the station got a major glow-up for the 1970 Commonwealth Games, followed by a sleek £130 million makeover between 2010 and 2012 that brought Waverley firmly into the 21st century—while keeping all its historic charm intact.
London St Pancras
Designed by civil engineer William Henry Barlow, St Pancras is a Victorian engineering masterpiece. Opening in 1868 as the Midland Railway's London terminus, it quickly became a vital hub. The station boasts iron pillars and a grand facade with stunning arches and a towering clock. The Midland Grand Hotel, part of the station, adds to its architectural splendour. The hotel closed in 1935 and suffered heavy damage during both world wars, but thanks to a campaign led by former poet laureate John Betjeman, it was saved from destruction.
In the 2000s, an £800 million renovation transformed St Pancras into the modern icon it is today. Now the London terminus for Eurostar services and home to famous artworks like Paul Day's "The Meeting Place" statue, St Pancras blends London's rich history with its vibrant present.
Fun fact: St Pancras has been used in many TV series and movies, including several of the Harry Potter films, "Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One" and "The Crown".
Berney Arms Station, Norfolk
No ticket machines? No staff? And you can only get there by foot, train, or even boat? Welcome to Berney Arms—one of England's most remote and charmingly isolated stations. Nestled in the wild Halvergate Marshes of Norfolk, this tiny stop is part of Norfolk's first railway line and owes its survival to a determined local landowner, Thomas Trench Berney, who insisted back in the 1840s that it stay open. That quirky legal agreement is still in effect today!
The original wooden sign bearing the station's name still stands proudly, a nostalgic reminder of days gone by. Currently, just two trains a day head west to Norwich and east to Great Yarmouth, making each visit feel like a special, tranquil escape.
Newcastle Central, Tyne and Wear
Designed by renowned architect John Dobson, Newcastle Central Station has been a vital part of the Northern England economy for nearly 175 years. The grand opening back in 1850 had Queen Victoria in attendance and this Grade I-listed landmark remains one of the most important railway stations in the UK. The station was opened to provide a solution for the growing demand for railway travel in the northeast of England. Despite all the renovations that have taken place to uphold the station, it still retains its Victorian railway architecture. The station is mainly known for its roof, which contains more than 2000 glass panes.
Despite many modern upgrades, the station retains its Victorian charm, earning a five-star rating in Simon Jenkins' book Britain's 100 Best Railway Stations.
Fun Fact: Newcastle was the first covered station in the world.
Bristol Temple Meads Station
Designed by the legendary engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Bristol Temple Meads Station opened in 1840 as the western terminus of the Great Western Railway. Its name was inspired by the nearby Temple Church and the meadows that once stretched along the River Avon. With major extensions in 1870, 1930, and 1965, the station now serves more than 9 million passengers annually. One of the station's most striking features is its mock hammer-beam roof, built to mimic the grandeur of Westminster Hall in London, a beautiful piece of Victorian engineering that still survives today as part of the station's architecture.
Fun fact: The first service ran a little late as parts of the track were still being laid!
Carnforth Station (Heritage Centre)
Black and white movie buffs and hopeless romantics will love Carnforth Station, where the movie "Brief Encounter" was filmed. Visitors can enjoy afternoon tea at the museum set in the station where the scenes were filmed. Close to the wilds of the Yorkshire Dales, the area is surrounded by gorgeous countryside, quaint villages, and an old-world charm.