Small UK train station with ‘secret garden’ and cosy cafe named the best in the country
A SMALL train station in the UK has been named the best in the country – beating some of the country’s largest and busiest.
Located in a Liverpudlian suburb, Maghull Railway Station was named the best by by the Rail Delivery Group in the World Cup of Stations.
Maghull Railway Station was awarded the top spot over other finalists King’s Lynn and Dorridge thanks to its free, and spacious, car park and bus exchange services.
Having first opened in 1849, the design of the station was even thought have inspired Frank Hornbury, creator of the Hornbury model railways.
However, it is the station’s presentation that is the most impressive, with colourful flower boxes dotted around its exterior.
The station is also home to a “secret garden” area that comes equipped with train-themed sculptures.
Both the flower boxes and the garden are cared for by a team of volunteers.
Several community groups, including the Maghull Volunteers, work throughout the year to keep the station looking tidy.
The group was founded by the late Nigel Winchester and Alan Pritchard around 20 years ago, Chairwoman Doreen Bird told the BBC.
Not only do the volunteers tend to flowers and plants, but they also collect litter from around the station in a bid to keep it looking spick and span.
Rail users are also impressed by the station, with local Maureen Webb, telling the BBC: “It’s clean, it’s well cared for by the staff and volunteers who do a wonderful job.
“If there was more people like that in the world we’d be much better off.”
The station is also decorated with artwork, with murals lining its walls and a stained-glass window in its waiting area.
The station’s community offering soared earlier this year when cafe, Coffee Carriage, opened on site.
Owned by local entrepreneurs Rory McLellan and Craig Reeves, the on-site coffee shop has become a hub for the community, hosting knitting groups, charity meet-ups, men’s mental health groups and a walking group.
Walking group member June Avery told the BBC: “It’s a really community feel, it’s bringing people together. You get off the train and it really lightens your mood.”
Plenty of direct services run from Maghull Railway Station too, with trains operating to Aintree, Liverpool Central and Ormskirk.
Around 1.1million passengers used the station last year – a small number compared to the UK’s busier stations such as London Liverpool Street (80million), London Paddington (59million) and London Waterloo (57million).
Despite this, the UK’s busiest train station was named one of the best in Europe.
Luggage storage company Bounce, analysed Google review data to find out which train stations has the highest ratings, with London Liverpool Street being ranked the highest in the UK.
London Liverpool Street first opened in 1874, replacing Bishopsgate Station and is set to undergo a £1.5billion renovation.
Sun Travel's favourite train journeys in the world
Sun Travel's journalists have taken their fare share of train journeys on their travels and here they share their most memorable rail experiences.
Davos to Geneva, Switzerland
“After a ski holiday in Davos, I took the scenic train back to Geneva Airport. The snow-covered mountains and tiny alpine villages that we passed were so beautiful that it felt like a moving picture was playing beyond the glass.” – Caroline McGuire
Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen
“Nothing quite beats the Shinkansen bullet train, one of the fastest in the world. It hardly feels like you’re whizzing along at speed until you look outside and see the trees a green blur. Make sure to book seat D or E too – as you’ll have the best view of Mount Fuji along the way.” Kara Godfrey
London to Paris by Eurostar
“Those who have never travelled on the Eurostar may wonder what’s so special about a seemingly ordinary train that takes you across the channel. You won’t have to waste a moment and can tick off all the top attractions from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées which are both less than five kilometres from the Gare du Nord.” – Sophie Swietochowski
Glasgow to Fort William by Scotrail
“From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey from Glasgow to Fort William gazing out the window. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond.” – Hope Brotherton
Beijing to Ulaanbatar
“The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city’s high-rises give way to crumbling ancient villages and eventually the vast vacant plains of Mongolia, via the Gobi desert. The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of the desert is among the best I’ve witnessed anywhere.” – Ryan Gray
Meanwhile, the world’s most beautiful train station is just one hour from the UK, and it is like “travelling back in time to golden age of rail”.
And a derelict train station dating back to 1881 could be transformed into a holiday park.