Richmond and Thornton Heath stations in south London are among four London stations currently in the running to be named as London’s best station.
The World Cup of Stations awards, hosted by the Rail Delivery Group, celebrates the importance of the railway network and its role in supporting local businesses, communities and the economy.
Here are all the London stations in the running this year:
- Thornton Heath
- West Hampstead Thameslink
- Bowes Park
- Richmond
This year’s focus is on the businesses that make stations vital community hubs, driving local economies.
Richmond Station is situated within the leafy suburban area of Richmond, located within London’s Zone 6 this quieter part of London offers riverside walks, plenty of independent shops, restaurants and businesses, and outdoor walking spaces like the popular Richmond Park.
The station, managed by South Western Railway, has travel links in and out of London via South Western Railway services, as well as London Overground and London Underground services.
The station also houses several fast food eateries and coffee shops, and is situated within Richmond’s busy high street with buses across this popular London borough.
The station, managed by Southern, serves the Brighton main line between Norbury and Selhurst, with links to Watford, Croydon, London Bridge and London Victoria.
It also has step-free access along with a ticket office and serves refreshments to commuters.
This year 48 stations have been named as finalists, with the winner of each region being decided over three days from October 14 to October 16.
There will then be semi-finals on October 17, and a final showdown on October 18, with the winning station announced on October 22.
Jacqueline Starr, Chief Executive Officer of Rail Delivery Group, said: “Our stations play a vital role in the heart of communities, offering much more than transport services. They are home to a wide variety of thriving local businesses, from independent cafes to retailers, that make a real difference to the areas they serve.
“This competition is an opportunity to showcase the hard work and dedication of station teams across the country and the critical role stations play in supporting both the local economy and community life.”
“Last year’s competition saw Wemyss Bay in Scotland take the crown, with over 72,000 votes cast. This time, the stakes are even higher, as stations from every corner of the UK bring their best game to the table.
“From quirky coffee shops to independent retailers, this year’s nominees prove that there’s a lot more going on at your local station than you might think.”