Home to the oldest railway system in the world, the UK has a rich transport history, spanning from the ancient wagonways to the modern trains of the present day. Whether it's trailing through England's capital or the scenic Scottish countryside, every train journey has to start and end somewhere. From Victorian feats of engineering to cutting-edge contemporary designs, here we take a look at the UK’s favourite train stations.

Known as Britain’s second largest station, Waverley can be found nestled between the Old Town and New Town in Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh. Named after Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott’s first novel, Waverley was the flagship station for the North British Railway. Following its reconstruction in the late 19th century, it became the largest station in Britain until Waterloo reopened in 1921. Today, Waverley is hailed for its gorgeous Victorian glass canopy that crowns the waiting room, a reminder of its long history as a transport hub.

Located in the heart of the bustling city of Liverpool, Lime Street first opened its doors in 1836 during a period of rapid growth for British railways. As Britain’s rail system grew, Lime Street expanded in 1849 creating the magnificent château-like building and an elegant curved glass roof that now fronts the station. As the city’s busiest station, Lime Street provides both national intercity and regional overground services to almost 20 million commuters each year.

Famed as the inspiration behind one of Britain's favourite children’s characters, London’s Paddington is one of the most important stations in the UK. Built in the 1850s as the grand terminus for the Great Western Railway, it was the brainchild of engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Known as the world’s largest train shed roof when it first opened, the station’s gorgeous glass canopy is its most impressive feature. Paddington Bear, the country’s iconic cuddly toy, was named after the station; a bronze statue of the character can be found on platform one.

Originally built in 1863, this Victorian station is situated in the seaside town of Whitehead on the east coast of Northern Ireland. The present red brick building opened in the 1870s as part of the Northern Ireland Railways (NIR), with routes trailing along the pretty Irish coastline and beyond. With its history as a railway excursion town, Whitehead is also home to the headquarters and museum of the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland. 

Opened in 1854, Birmingham’s main station was once home to the largest iron and glass roof of its kind in the world. During the Second World War, heavy bombing caused extensive damage to New Street and it was eventually demolished during the 1960s. Following a huge expansion in 2015, a shopping centre was built above the station, transforming it into a thriving retail and transport centre. With its curved white interior and reflective iron cladding, New Street has become a shining symbol of modern architecture.

Situated near the River Tyne in the city’s historic Grainger Town, Newcastle Central is one of the busiest stations in Britain and is certainly one of the prettiest too. First opened by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1850, it symbolised a shift in Newcastle’s transport links, opening up the northern city to the rest of the country. Hailed as one of the only Grade I-listed stations in the UK, the lavish building underwent refurbishment in 2014 to maintain its beautiful Victorian architectural features. The magnificent station remains one of the great early monuments of Britain's golden age of railways.

Known as the busiest station in Wales, Cardiff Central is a station steeped in history. The original site was developed in the mid-19th century by engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel to divert the station away from the River Taff to prevent flooding. Decked out with Art Deco lighting, the impressive Portland stone waiting room was designed in the 1930s as part of the Great Western Railway’s rebuild. Today, the fine station primarily serves as an interchange between the south and west of Wales, as well as links to many of England's major cities

Another grand station originally designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Bristol Temple Meads is the city’s largest station and is a major transport gateway for the southwest. The mock Tudor-style structure opened in 1840 and served as the western terminus of the Great Western Railway from London Paddington. By the 1870s, the demand for train travel continued to grow, and more platforms, offices and entrances, including the Gothic-style frontage, were added. The original Brunel train shed, that functioned for 125 years, is now a car park.

Often ranked as one of the finest railway buildings in Scotland, Wemyss Bay sits on the coast of the Firth of Clyde in the village where it takes its name. Built over 100 years ago by the Caledonian Railway Company, the station was created alongside a ferry terminal connecting mainland Scotland to Rothesay on the Isle of Bute. With its graceful wrought iron curves and pretty glass canopy, we can see why Wemyss Bay is hailed as one of Britain’s most beautiful stations.

Shrewsbury’s iconic railway station has been connecting Shropshire to the rest of England for over 150 years. Built in 1848, the striking building was designed by T.M. Penson in an imitation Tudor style to mirror the Tudor building of the former Shrewsbury School (now the town library) opposite the station. Hailed as one of the most stunning stations in England, the now Grade II-listed structure is one of the finest examples of large-scale Victorian architecture in Shropshire. Discover 30 of Britain's most historic towns and cities here.

A major transportation centre in the east of England, Norwich provides services across the country for the Greater Anglia and East Midlands Railways. The site was originally home to three stations, Norwich Victoria, Norwich City and Norwich Thorpe up until the 1970s when the former two stations were demolished and only the Norwich Thorpe, now known simply as Norwich Station, remained. With its stately exterior and sprawling ticket hall, the red-brick station is a historic monument to British railways that frames the city. 

Formerly a station for the Midland Railway, Nottingham has been the city’s main rail station since the old station closed during the 1960s. Located in the middle of Nottingham next to the canal, it was built by Midland to replace the previous cramped three platform complex in 1904. Designed by local architect Albert Edward Lambert, the impressive Baroque revival style building has a striking terracotta façade featuring Art Nouveau railings and is surmounted by a grand clock tower.

Also known as Grange station, this picturesque little structure can be found adjacent to Morecambe Bay on the Cumbrian coastline. Designed by E.G. Paley in the mid-19th century, the station is on the Furness Line which serves some of Cumbria’s coastal towns including Barrow-in-Furness and Ulverston. Overlooking the scenic bay, the Grade II-listed station is a stunning triumph of Victorian engineering.

Designed by North Eastern Railways architect Thomas Prosser and engineer in chief Thomas Elliot Harrison, York station was the largest in the world when it first opened in 1877. With its curved layout, wrought iron arches and cast iron columns, the train shed was inspired by the design for London Paddington and Newcastle Central and is considered one of the great iron “cathedrals” of the Railway Age. The station helped reduce journey times on many routes towards York and the city became a busy interchange of North Yorkshire.

A hidden gem in the West Yorkshire countryside, some may recognise Oakworth for its iconic film appearance. Opening in 1876, the Edwardian station rose to fame after featuring in the film adaptation of Edith Nesbit’s book The Railway Children in 1970. Although Oakworth closed as a branch of the British Railway, it still runs a service for Keighley & Worth Valley Railway and has retained its classic British charm. These incredible images capture the history of train travel.

Shrouded in the rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales overlooking Whernside Mountain, Ribblehead boasts a truly spectacular setting. Located on the southern edge of the famous Ribblehead viaduct, the station was constructed in the late 19th century by the former Midland railway company. Despite years of disrepair and closures, Ribblehead’s magnificent stone station buildings are still intact, now home to a visitor centre with exhibitions exploring the region’s history. Check out these stunning photos of abandoned train stations around the world.

Dubbed as one of England’s most photogenic stations, Cromford lies in a charming Peak District village on the Matlock line in Derbyshire. Opened in 1849 by the Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midland Junction Railway, the original station buildings were built in wood, with a stone house for the station master constructed a few years later. Created in a French château style, Cromford’s pretty Upside Waiting Room (pictured) is thought to have been built to impress important visitors to the nearby Willersley Castle.

It's easy to see why Huddersfield is often regarded as one of the most beautiful stations in the UK. Designed by architect James Pigott Pritchett, the stately structure was built in a Neoclassical style of the early railway stations. With its magnificent central portico and towering colonnades, it looks more like a lavish country house than a transport link. Unlike many railway stations, Huddersfield features grandeur in both its appearance and setting, looming over St George’s Square, it's a historical highlight of the city.

Regularly named one of the best places to live in the UK, the historic market town of Stamford in Lincolnshire is also home to one of England's finest stations. Formerly known as Stamford Town Station, it was designed by architect Sancton Wood in the mid-19th century for the Midland Railway. Built in a mock Tudor style, the Grade II-listed structure features classic limestone walls framed by a lovely slate roof and is certainly one of Stamford's most beautiful buildings. 

Completed more than 150 years ago, St Pancras International continues to be one of the world’s most famous train stations, providing both national and international services, with connections to mainland Europe including Paris and Brussels. A wonderful feat of Victorian engineering, it is often considered one of the most elegant stations in the world. With its iconic Gothic façade, St Pancras has been featured in numerous films and TV shows, most famously as the station in the Harry Potter films.

Right in the middle of Glasgow, this impressive Victorian station is the busiest in Scotland with connections both to the north of the country and into England. The original Glasgow Central first opened in 1879 but it wasn't until its expansion years later that it became the glorious station we recognise today. Due to the increase in passenger demand the station was rebuilt between 1899 and 1905 adding the sweeping roof, stained glass panels and decorative stonework that give the station its grandeur.

One of two railway stations serving the spa town of Malvern, Great Malvern may be small but it is packed with Victorian charm. Originally a temporary station that opened in 1860, the current Grade II-listed building replaced the former after just two years. Designed by Edmund Wallace Elmslie, the station has kept much of its original design including its ornate stained-glass windows and colourful cast iron pillars. Since 1982, Great Malvern has hosted a charming tearoom, named after the landowner Lady Emily Foley, who commissioned the station. 

First opened to the public in the 1850s, Kings Cross was originally built as the London hub of the Great Northern Railway. Designed by architect Lewis Cubbit, its original roof is thought to have been modelled on the riding school of the Czars of Moscow. Since then, the station has been refurbished with modern facilities alongside the original Victorian entrance. Now one of the world’s most recognised stations, King Cross is a stunning example of historic architecture and contemporary engineering.

Dubbed “The Station in the Gorge”, Berwyn Station is sandwiched between the A5 road and the Llangollen canal in northeast Wales. Opened in 1865 as part of the Llangollen Corwen Railway, Berwyn served as a stop between Llangollen and Corwen. With its charming half timbered Tudor appearance, it was built to match the historic Chainbridge Hotel on the opposite bank. Reopened as part of the heritage Llangollen Railway, Berwyn offers stunning views of the River Tee and surrounding Welsh countryside.

Now discover the world's most beautiful train stations