Victorian train station once named best in the UK reveals huge £140million renovation plans
A BEAUTIFUL train station in the UK has revealed what to expect from it’s new £140million renovation.
Darlington train station was named the best large station in the UK back in 2005.
The station first opened in 1841, before being renamed Bank Top in 1887 and is now Grade-II listed.
And the Victorian station is undergoing a huge transformation.
The huge project has been created by design team AECOM, blening original features with modern features.
The main part of the renovations will see two new platforms, increasing the current four platforms to six.
Additions to the previous platforms include new stairs and footbridge at platform 1.
A new concourse building and multi-storey car park will also be added.
It hopes to be fully complete by the end of 2025.
Mark McIntosh, AECOM regional director for Architecture & Design, told local media: “Protecting and preserving Darlington station’s heritage is a really important part of this regeneration project.
“The beauty of the station’s original designs have been a constant source of inspiration for our designers.”
And Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, added that the town “deserves a modern station to keep up with its rising status” and we’ve led the way in making this project a reality.”.
People who have travelled through have raved about the station too.
One person said in their review: “Very romantic and small train station.”
Another called it: “A true piece of railway history.”
It currently connects London – departing from Kings Cross – to cities including Leeds, York and Newcastle as well as destinations across Scotland.
Services that operate at the station include LNER, Cross Country and Trans-Pennine Express.
Also new in Darlington is its £35million railway attraction.
Hopetown Darlington has a train-themed adventure playpark, an exhibition and a 4D ride.
Other things to do in Darlington include the Darlington Hippodrome with live shows as well as quaint shopping yards and cafes.
And it isn’t the only UK destination getting a new train station.
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
Wixams Train Station, set to cost £57million, will open in 2026.
And a new £100million train station is opening in Liverpool’s ‘coolest’ district.