Hotels or accommodation overlooking busy train stations

[awholenewworlda]

Hi, I have a train mad teenager. Very content to sit at a window looking at trains departing and checking them on his app. Wondering if anyone knows any accommodation that checks these boxes....

Overlooking train station that's busy
But has double or triple glazing so the trains don't keep me awake all night!
Prefer somewhere with a separate bedroom / lounge
Somewhere that has something walkable to visit for me and my daughter
Somewhere that has local cafes and shops. Massive shops not necessary.
(10) to go to while son (15) is train spotting from the hotel?
Happy to do hotel, apartment, AirBnB etc
Not in London
The most north I can go is Manchester
Not ridiculously expensive

I know it's niche! But Mumsnetters are fab at this sort of thing

Let me try that again so it makes sense!

Overlooking train station that's busy
But has double or triple glazing so the trains don't keep me awake all night!
Prefer somewhere with a separate bedroom / lounge
Somewhere that has something walkable to visit for me and my daughter (10) to go to while son (15) is train spotting from the hotel?
Somewhere that has local cafes and shops. Massive shops not necessary.
Happy to do hotel, apartment, AirBnB etc
Not in London
The most north I can go is Manchester
Not ridiculously expensive

I know it's niche! But Mumsnetters are fab at this sort of thing

The Jury's Inn Hotel in Glasgow has one side facing right into Central Station overlooking all the platforms. Maybe too far north for you though?

The Liner Hotel in Liverpool overlooks Lime Street station so might be worth a look?

Leeds station has a hotel attached to it, you can also get into the station without leaving the hotel. It’s called the Queens. (Reviews aren’t that great but it’s been renovated)

There is also the Hilton and Double tree hotel that have bedrooms that overlook the station, I would imagine it’s not such an usual request to ask for a bedroom that faces the station.

You used to be able to get a platform only ticket as well in Leeds.

There's a holiday inn that overlooks Stockport station.

In Newcastle there's the Royal Station Hotel within the station but the view from the rooms would be limited. However, you could stay at the Vermont hotel and could probably see the trains going into the station, but not the station. There's also the Crowne Plaza behind the station which might be a good shout if you get a room on a higher floor (and has a nice spa area)

These are all fab, thank you. I may reconsider my north/south limit if I can find somewhere further south! (I'm thinking about how it takes to get there and back on the train in the first place, and the cost!)

Principal York. But I agree with others that Glasgow is good too (used to be another Principal hotel, not sure if it still is).

You can view the platforms at Man Pic from some rooms at the MacDonald Hotel in Manchester but it's not as nice a hotel as York. Plus York has a lot of different train stuff going on, as well as an insane amount of non train activities.

I stayed in Peterborough- there is a hotel opposite the station and it is busy!.
Walkable into Peterborough centre, lots of activities around the area.

I vote York simply for the national railway museum

As a P.S. I think York ticks the most boxes (and I can highly recommend both the hotel, train related stuff and non train stuff) - it's difficult to think of somewhere further south that has a lot of interesting train activity and non train stuff (albeit I don't know much about south of London). Train wise Newcastle, Didcot / Reading, Peterborough, Derby, Doncaster, Bristol, Birmingham New Street all have a lot of activity but I can't think of both non train things to do and of nice (ish) hotels that overlook the tracks in those locations.

Travelodge Rochester. The station isn't a major junction, but there are several different types of train, sometimes including freight and special excursions. This time of year you'll probably see the Leafbuster too. Rochester High Street ticks your other boxes. You can ask for a room facing away from the railway for yourself!

Several alongside Waverley in Edinburgh, from Premier Inn to 4*, although you might need to ask for a station view.

I didn't think I'd get any replies, thought it was too niche. I love MN! Keep them coming. Off to google York.

There are a few hotels very close to Cardiff Central that seem to overlook it, particularly the Clayton Hotel

We stayed at a flat in Dawlish which was right above the train line. My train-mad DS adored it!

www.booking.com/hotel/gb/no-2-watch-house.en-gb.html

Jury's Inn in Brighton if you get a room overlooking the railway.

@BrickingIt44

There are a few hotels very close to Cardiff Central that seem to overlook it, particularly the Clayton Hotel

Was also going to say this!

Suggest you try joining this FB group called Train spotting around the UK:

www.facebook.com/groups/566087073528122/posts/2269674816502664/?comment_id=2269685889834890

First post recommends Leeds Ibis budget hotel so looks like you'd get some good feedback and suggestions if you posted your question on there.

What about Bristol Temple Meads ? I'm not 100% sure on hotel but I do think it's worth a google

And some hotel suggestions here. Torquay might be a nice option!

www.railforums.co.uk/threads/trivia-best-hotels-for-rail-views.208141/

The national railway museum at York is really, really (really) good

Bristol Temple Meads is a possibility, lots to do in the area.

Thank you all, I am busy checking out the suggestions

@dun1urkin

The national railway museum at York is really, really (really) good

It’s fab. Win win OP if you can sort something in or near York