The best food and drink

The Coffee Carriage, Maghull

The winner of the 2024 World Cup of Stations, The Coffee Carriage café(external link, opens in a new tab) serves great drinks and baked goods, and is also a community hub that helps make connections happen. Maghull station also features a beautiful green space which is cared for by local volunteers of all ages.

KCK Jamaican Takeaway, Thornton Heath

Passengers at Thornton Heath station in South London can enjoy the delicious flavours of the Caribbean, including ackee and salt fish, fried plantain and jerk chicken.

The Railway Kitchen, Axminster

Taking keeping it local a step further, Devon’s The Railway Kitchen(external link, opens in a new tab) at Axminster station sources a vast amount of its produce and services from nearby, including meat, dairy and baked goods, plus coffee roasted in Axminster itself.

The Centurion, Newcastle

Built in 1893 when it was Newcastle station’s first-class passenger lounge, as well as serving as cells for the British Transport Police back in the 1960s, The Centurion(external link, opens in a new tab) was transformed back to its former glory in the early 2000s and is a luxurious bar that embraces its railway history.

Queenie’s

The former waiting room of Emsworth station is now Queenie’s Vintage Tearoom and Bar(external link, opens in a new tab), retaining all the lovely original features but giving the space a cosy new feeling. By day you can tuck into delicious comforting food, and on Friday nights enjoy live music and drinks as the tearoom becomes a speakeasy.

The best community and heritage

Peak, Abergavenny

Found at Abergavenny station on platform 2, Peak(external link, opens in a new tab) is an arts organisation that provides space and resources for young people, artists, curators, and communities to create, experiment and collaborate. They also host talks, events and community groups.

Kilmarnock Station Railway Heritage Trust

The Kilmarnock Station Railway Heritage Trust(external link, opens in a new tab) has transformed Kilmarnock station building into a vibrant community village, offering services such as counselling, a model shop, and a gaming centre, as well as a coffee shop and book shop.

The Parcel Office, Lowestoft

The Parcel Office exhibition space is a great location for events and activities, and hosts meetings, book launches, seasonal craft fairs, antique and produce markets. There is also a small museum of local railway artifacts.

Petersfield Free Shop

Petersfield station’s old parcels office has been transformed into the Petersfield Free Shop(external link, opens in a new tab) by the East Hampshire Community Rail Partnership. They aim to reduce unnecessary waste by providing surplus food and seasonal goods to anyone who can make good use of them.

The best arts and crafts

The Antiques Centre York

Just a short walk from York station in the city centre, you will find The Antiques Centre York(external link, opens in a new tab), in the heart of the ancient and historic street of Stonegate. The store is home to beautiful antiques and jewellery, offered by a community of dealers who each have their own passions and specialities.

Mostyn art gallery, Llandudno

Mostyn art gallery (external link, opens in a new tab)is a centre for contemporary arts, a stone’s throw from Llandudno station. The gallery hosts a year-round programme of exhibitions, events, films, workshops, festivals and performances.

The best hair and beauty

Harrogate Soap Company

The striking pink store front of the Harrogate Soap Company(external link, opens in a new tab) has been enticing Harrogate station visitors in for years, with incredible high-quality soaps, bathtime luxuries, relaxing treats and sensational scents.

The Men’s Room, Manchester Victoria

Inside the historic Manchester Victoria station, you can get a traditional barbershop experience at The Men’s Room Manchester.

The most unusual business

TheCanoeMan, Norwich

Step right off the train and into a canoe! You can explore the Norfolk Broads with TheCanoeMan(external link, opens in a new tab), found opposite Norwich station on Foundry Bridge. Enjoy canoeing, kayaking, or paddleboarding, and check out the local wildlife, all in a unique setting.