Swindon

Fairly typical of train stations across the UK, functional but without any particular standout features. What you should be prepared for, especially during peak hours, are the crowded trains bound for London. The high demand can result in packed train carriages, sometimes even spilling into the aisles.

This is a fairly typical train station. Platforms 1-3 are on one side of the tracks, platform on the other. The two are linked by an underground walkway. There is a WHSmith and a Pumpkin cafe at this station, and a Costa nearby. Toilets and indoor waiting areas are found on both sides of the station. Staff are generally helpful.

Get to the station early if you are picking someone up. There are only a few spaces to pull in. It's chaos when a train arrives. Taxis and buses are well served however.

It’s serves its purpose but the station is very badly rundown and overshadowed by a derelict British Rail office tower block. Parts of the station are visibly falling apart. It’s sometimes hard to get to as the drop off point outside is normally full of people who have incorrectly parked despite the “drop off only” signage or private taxis that aren’t entitled to use the council’s taxi rank a few meters away. Station staff/contractors don’t seem to enforce any of the parking restrictions. If you are travelling through this station be prepared to repeatedly hear “when on the stairs please use the hand rail”, which is an automated message that plays every single time someone’s steps on or off of the staircase.

The outside looks a little rough to be honest but it’s a good station I love that there’s a costa next to it. It’s usually quite busy but that’s most train stations. It’s easy to find your platform and has a little shop inside too🙂