13 hours ago
My local UK train station has been crowned one of the best in Europe – with secret museum, sports bars & Victorian organ
TOP RAIL My local UK train station has been crowned one of the best in Europe – with secret museum, sports bars & Victorian organ
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TRAIN stations are places we love to hate, they can be busy and loud, but there are a few that make the travel experience more bearable - sometimes even enjoyable.
One of those is London Bridge which has been named as one of the top train stations in Europe and as a regular commuter, I can see why.
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London Bridge Station is one of the best in Europe
Credit: Alice Penwill
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The index placed London Bridge Station in 10th place thanks to its facilities and links
Credit: Alamy
The London-based station that sees 50 million passengers a year came in tenth place on the European Railway Station Index for 2024.
The index ranked 50 rail hubs across the continent and based it on 16 categories, from tickets to the number of in-station services.
Other factors were how long station ticket offices were open, variety of tickets, train delays, Wi-Fi, accessibility and the number of shops and restaurants.
London Bridge station sits in tenth place, joint with Leipzig Hbf in Germany which both scored 85 out of 118 points.
While I can't comment on Leipzig Hbf, London Bridge is a station I'm very familiar with.
Now, I don't think anyone can ever say that the commute is the best part of their day, but London Bridge certainly makes it easier.
I travel into London Bridge three days a week, and after venturing into multiple London stations throughout my life - I can say it's one of the best.
For one, it has lots of shops and restaurants whether it's getting a meal deal in Boots, or a Pret coffee, treats from M&S, or even window shopping in the designer shops like Reiss and All Saints.
Right outside the station is Redwood, a sprawling sports bar with a sun-trap terrace that's always popular during the summer months.
The Wi-Fi is easy to join and reliable, the only place it seems to disappear is when I go up onto the platform level and walk towards the end - which I can deal with.
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London Bridge Station has lots of designer shops in the vaults
Credit: Alice Penwill
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There are three mini exhibits in London Bridge Station
Credit: Alice Penwill
One almost undiscovered part of the station that is a hit with history buffs is the 'secret museum'.
Enclosed in three cases near the exit to Tooley Street are ancient items found during the redevelopment of the station.
Between the years of 2012 and 2017, many items were discovered, such as drinking cups used in old taverns, medieval floor tiles, tobacco pipes, and even spoons.
Now, you've heard of the Waterloo Station clock, well, London Bridge has 'Meet by The Heart'.
It's an art piece commissioned by Jimmy C which has been installed in the station, and I like to think it's a marker people use for a first date, or a friend's meeting spot.
Inside the station there's also a station pipe organ, which is known as Henry.
It was built in 1880 and as of 2022, has been open to the public as part of the 'Pipe Up for Pipe Organs' charity project.
But for me, the best part about the station is, of course, the train links.
I can get a direct service from where I live in North Hertfordshire, all the way into London Bridge in one hour - covering 33 miles.
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'Meet By the Heart' is London Bridge's version of the Waterloo clock
Credit: Alice Penwill
There are plenty of transport routes whether that's to Kent, Bedford, and Cambridge, or down to the coast of Brighton (another route I frequently use).
In fact, London Bridge station sees approximately 1,238 train services per day with over 40,000 passengers - although it doesn't feel this way.
As I understand it, London Bridge Station hasn't always been so easy to navigate.
It's one of the oldest train stations in the world and is 188 years old, having opened on December 14, 1836.
While impressive, this means that it wasn't built for the huge number of passengers it sees today, hence why it's gone through big transformations over the years.
London Bridge re-opened in 2018 with a new concourse which was designed to make it open and airy.
There's also a wooden slatted ceiling and the platforms were raised too.
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The station even has its own organ that's open for public use
Credit: Alice Penwill
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Outside the station is Redwood, a busy sports bar with a terrace
Credit: Alice Penwill
All of the 15 platforms are accessible via the escalators, so usually, there aren't many people gathering in the main terminal but up on platform level instead.
As for delays, I can't say I take much notice of any services other than my own, but they are pretty reliable.
I barely have delays out of London Bridge Station, apart from the odd day, and it's never more than ten minutes late.
For anyone hopping onto the tube, it has connections with the Jubilee and Northern Line.
Of course, anyone venturing into London Bridge Station will discover the city at their fingertips.
Outside is the world-famous Shard building, but within a one-mile radius, there's over 600 restaurants.
I find it's great for access to Borough Market, a walk along the Thames, even walking over to Covent Garden is easy and pleasant when the sun shines.
Sun Travel has picked the UK's prettiest train stations - some with beachfront views and champagne bars.
And another of the UK's busiest train station reveals a new multi-million renovation with a huge grand terminal and outdoor gardens.
