Let’s start with the bad news. It was a travesty that only one of our proud, often historic, railway station in the Bristol region was shortlisted for the the South West in the World Cup of Stations - and then a further blow for Yatton not to make it to the final.
So we decided to create our own World Cup of Bristol Stations, celebrating the passenger stops we use, and sometimes love, for their facilities, beauty and quirkiness.
And yes, we accept there aren’t too many to chose from (thank you Beeching) but we hope this list will remind you of the great stations we have to offer in the region, and why we need some more to help ease congestion and support the environment.
Hidden away off Whiteladies Road, it can be a surprise to find Clifton Down railway station on the Severn Line. The two platform station also sits under the shadow of Clifton Down Shopping Centre. It’s a perfect hop-off into a busy shopping district from Temple Meads. It also has a large car park and a pub called Steam right next to it.
6. Montpelier
Another station on the Severn Line, this one-platform station provides access to Cheltenham Road and mostly serves residents and businesses in the area. Murals cover some of the walls on the platform. It has no toilet, unfortunately.
7. Keynsham
Situated near halfway between Bath and Bristol, Keynsham offers residents a quick route (faster than the bus anyway) to get into the two cities and so is very busy weekday mornings and evenings. But also the station holds beauty with its colourful flower deckings and information boards dotted around telling passengers the history of the town, and station. On weekdays there is also a van selling coffee and cakes in the car park for those waiting for their train.
8. Pilning
Ok, so it might not be the most practical stations - but for train spotters, it is a must. One of the least-used stations in the UK (418 entries and exits in 21/22) it is rather quiet. Dead, in fact, you could argue apart from a couple of services both on a Sunday - and both going in the same direction. Yes, that’s right. Due to the station not having a footbridge anymore, trains only stop from Cardiff, and so to get back you need to get the train to Severn Beach and make the walk back to Pilning Station!
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