29.05.2023
Wemyss Bay train station has reached a whole new platform after being crowned the best in the UK.
The stunning seaside stop won the World Cup of Stations competition organised by the Rail Delivery Group.
Wemyss Bay topped an online poll to beat Denmark Hill and Leamington Spa stations in Friday’s final having won the previous rounds.
It was nominated by the Friends of Wemyss Bay Station group and championed by TV presenter and railway historian Tim Dunn who previously featured the Inverclyde stop in his ‘The Architecture the Railways Built’ series.
Provost Drew McKenzie said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Wemyss Bay Station and also worthy recognition for the Friends of Wemyss Bay group and all they do to keep this icon of Inverclyde looking its absolute best all year round.
“We’ve had a fantastic couple of weeks of Inverclyde being showcased across the UK and around the world with Gourock Pool featuring on the new Blur album cover, among other things, and now Wemyss Bay Station is grabbing the headlines and rightly so.
“People have enjoyed and admired Wemyss Bay Station for over 100 years and this recognition of being crowned the best in the UK will, I’m sure, encourage many more people from near and far to discover what Wemyss Bay and Inverclyde has to offer.”
Wemyss Bay Station is a Category A-listed building and renowned for its curved iron and glass roof, as well as a clocktower outside.
It was originally constructed in 1865 but rebuilt in 1903 by prolific architect James Miller and engineer Donald Mathieson.
In recent years, its stunning design has been complemented by the beautiful flower displays from the Friends of Wemyss Bay group of volunteers, who also run the station book shop and help maintain the station to make it appealing for locals and visitors.
As well as trains, the station also serves the Wemyss Bay to Rothesay ferry route.
For more information about the history of Wemyss Bay Station visit https://www.networkrail.co.uk/stories/the-architecture-the-railways-built-wemyss-bay/ and find out more about the World Cup of Stations win at https://media.raildeliverygroup.com/news/wemyss-bay-is-top-of-the-stops-and-crowned-the-uks-best-loved-station-and-world-cup-of-stations-champion-2023.
