Train / Bus Stations, London

4 more images

During WWII - 10,000 mostly Jewish children were sent out of Austria, Germany, Poland and Czechoslovakia by their parents to escape the Nazis and almost certain death. These children came by boat from Holland to London and arrived in Liverpool Street Station to be sent around the country - some to hostels but mostly to foster families.

This monument of a rather forlorn little girl is found just outside the main entrance to Liverpool Street Station. The glass case she is standing next to, usually houses other artefacts and memorabilia from that time but currently it's empty due to renovation.

Arriving at paddington Station from heathrow we 'assumed' we would have no problem finding an information booth to get a map of London. Boy were we wrong. If you are looking for one there is a Map dispencer just at the exit for the Taxi cabs just before you head outside. They cost 2 pounds.

Victoria is the mainline terminus for trains from London to the south coast - the main destinations from Victoria are Brighton, Gatwick, Eastbourne, Ramsgate, Dover , Portsmouth and Margate.
The train companies operating out of Victoria are Gatwick Express, Southeastern and Southern.
A large station that has a good range of shops and eating places.
There is a large bus station outside with good bus links across London and the Underground has regular services on the District, Circle and Victoria lines.

This large station in The Strand and close to Trafalgar Square is Londons terminus for trains to and from England's south east and main destinations are Hastings, Tunbridge Wells, the Thanet towns and Canterbury.
The sole train operator using the station is South Eastern trains - there website has details of services etc.
Good bus and tube connections.

1 more image

Fenchurch Street is one of Londons nicest looking mainline stations and it is in the heart of the City. This station is also one of the smallest mainline stations in London.
The trains leaving here are all newish, fast electric trains and their destinations are all in east London and Essex - depart from here for Southend, Grays, Tilbury and Basildon amongst other places.
There is only one train company operating out of Fenchurch Street and this is C2C although the trains are branded National Express as they own the company. One of Englands most punctual train operating companies too.
Ticket gates operate at many C2C stations so ensure you have a ticket to exit stations.
Underground connection a short walk away at Tower Hill.

London Bridge mainline is a station you use if you want to take a train out of London to south east England. You can also go north to Luton and Bedford. You can also go to Gatwick Airport from here.
Platform 6 is the busiest railway platform in Europe, due to the necessity of routing all trains heading to Charing Cross and Blackfriars through it.
A very interesting station with some nice eating places in the area underneath the station , which many people are unaware of.
Good bus and tube links but unlike other mainline stations London Bridge is not on the Circle Line.
Train companies using the station are First Capital Connect, South Eastern and Southern.

Paddington is the mainline terminus in London for trains to the west and Wales and also Heathrow airport. Main destinations are Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Swansea, Plymouth and Penzance.
My least favourite of all London stations as it is badly let down by the approach down a busy ramp and it lacks the facilities of other large termini although there are adequate shopping and eating facilities.
To the rear of the station is the Paddington Basin which is a nice area with a canal and several eating places and a pleasant place to walk.
Good bus and Underground links, The train companies using the station are First Great Western, Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect.
Expect major renovation in 2012 onwards when electrification to the west begins.

Liverpool Street is the London terminus for trains to East Anglia and Essex - the main destinations are Norwich, Ipswich, Colchester, Southend and Cambridge. Also Stansted Airport on the Stansted Express.
A beautifully restored station with good travel related shopping (mainly food) and good Underground and bus links.
Train operating companies using this station are C2C, National Express and Stansted Express.

Waterloo lies south of the Thames and is the terminus for trains coming from, and going to, Surrey, Hampshire, Dorset and alternative routes (to the First Great Western routes from Paddington) to Bristol and Exeter.
The station is one of London's best - there are a number of shops, many catering outlets and clean toilets (30p admission).
Good tube and bus links.
The station is used exclusively by South West Trains.

Kings Cross is in the Euston Road and is the mainline station for trains going north along the east coast. The main destinations are Kings Lynn, Cambridge and Peterborough in East Anglia , all Yorkshire cities, all major towns in the north east and the east coast of Scotland including Edinburgh.
The train companies that use the station are East Coast, Hull Trains, First Capital Connect and Grand Central.
Good bus and tube links but very limited catering options and very few places to sit. The station is under going major improvements (Feb 2011).