16-05-2025
UK's largest train station that once had direct routes to Europe and now has a huge new Wetherspoons
The trains ran to Paris, Lille and Belgium
ON TRACK UK's largest train station that once had direct routes to Europe and now has a huge new Wetherspoons
ONE of the UK's major train stations once had direct trains to Paris - only for them to be scrapped.
London Waterloo first opened in 1848, making it one of the oldest in the city as well.
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Waterloo Station opened back in 1848
Credit: PA:Press Association
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The first train to Europe from the UK was from London Waterloo Station
Credit: AFP or licensors
However, it was in the 1990s that it launched the first trains to Europe from the UK.
Platforms 20 and 21 were demolished to make way for a new Eurostar terminus, which opened in 1994.
This connected passengers from London Waterloo to Paris as well as Lille and Brussels.
Sadly, this was scrapped in 2007 following the introduction of the new high speed from London St Pancras.
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This has since seen the launch of more destinations such as Amsterdam and Rotterdam, although they are yet to return to Ashford International.
Despite this, London Waterloo is undergoing a major renovation.
Network Rail and the local Lambeth council has revealed the plans for the 177-year-old station, which will take a decade to complete.
The improvements mean new entrances and improved access although the current 24 train platforms will remain.
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The 100-year-old roof is also being repaired along with more places to eat and shop being added.
The latest update includes the toilets which were recently upgraded.
Reimagining Waterloo Station: London's Next Big Transformation
Network Rail boss Lord Hendy told the Standard: 'As these things go, [the masterplan] is one of the best things I have ever seen.
And this year, you can visit hidden parts of London Waterloo as part of Railway-200, a year-long celebration
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Currently, the station is the third busiest in the UK with around 57million passengers a year.
However it is the biggest station in the UK when it comes to floor space, as well as having the most platforms.
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It is the largest train station when it comes to area
Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
It is also home to the London Underground, after the Waterloo & City line in 1898.
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This was followed by the Bakerloo line on 1906 followed by the Northern line on 1926, with the newest being the Jubilee line on 1999.
Film fans will notice the train station from The Bourne Ultimatum or Sliding Doors, as well as The War of the Worlds.
And for Wetherspoons fans, the pub recently opened inside the station.
Here's everything you need to know about the new The Lion and Unicorn.
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In the mean time, the UK's busiest train station us undergoing a multi-million pound makeover.
And here's the historic train station bar that lets you have a free drink at 5:05pm every day.
