Credit: Alexey Fedorenko, Shutterstock
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We won’t be needing a magic mirror on the wall to tell us which of the world’s many stations is the fairest of them all. Because The Telegraph has decided to let us know instead. And, to be quite honest with you, we’re pretty darn delighted with the outcome. Listen up, Londoners – because you’re going to want to hear this rail-y great news.
There’s something ever so special about a big, beautiful train station, isn’t there? But with so many of them dotted across the globe; it’s tricky to know which of them are the most grand and gorgeous of all. But luckily for us, the trusty travel team over at The Telegraph recently took it upon themselves to uncover the most spectacular railway stations on the planet.
Spanning 5 continents and 17 countries, the list was pretty thorough. And yet, plonked right at the very top of the list (like shiny stars on the top of a Christmas tree) are two stations that are right here in our capital city. Oh London, you’ve done it again.
Credit: Shutterstock London St Pancras International
Topping the list as the most spectacular station in the world is, unsurprisingly, St Pancras International. After all, it’s a station that’s so outrageously good looking that it inspired a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The gorgeous gothic building was completed in 1868 but given a rather hefty makeover at the start of the 21st century. Praised by The Telegraph for epitomising ‘the splendour (and deep pockets) of rail companies in the Victorian era’; it’s easy to see how the stunning station continues to impress its passengers and passers-by to this very day.
London Paddington
The rather legendary London Paddington managed to snap up the second spot on the list. Built in 1838 and designed by esteemed engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel (who also designed the Clifton Suspension Bridge); Paddington is the fifth oldest station in London, and the second most spectacular in the world. Not a bad CV, hey? It was originally built as a temporary terminus to reduce costs, but at some point became a permanent fixture of London’s transport network – and thank goodness it did. The Telegraph praised Paddington for its ‘grand, wrought-iron and glass barrel-vaulted roof’. Oh, and for inspiring the creation of one of the world’s best-loved bears, of course.
Credit: Christian Mueller, Shutterstock The 10 most spectacular railway stations in the world:
- London St Pancras International
- London Paddington
- Gare de Lyon, Paris
- Antwerpen-Centraal
- Amsterdam Centraal
- São Bento Railway Station, Porto
- Helsinki Central Railway Station
- Madrid Atocha
- Villejuif-Gustave Roussy, Paris
- Hungerburgbahn, Innsbruck
You can peruse The Telegraph’s full findings here.