Congleton Train Station

Congleton railway station has been serving the town of Congleton in Cheshire since it opened in 1848 and is part of the West Coast Main Line. The train station has been connected to local industry throughout its history, as well as offering many passenger services.

North Staffordshire first announced plans for a train station in Congleton in 1845, and the station opened a few years later as part of the Stafford-Manchester line. However, the original plans saw Congleton as a terminus of a line from Congleton to Colwich via Stoke-on-Trent, known as the Pottery Line. This line never came into existence, but Congleton station opened all the same. In 1930, a third platform was added to the station by Nestle’s Anglo Condensed Milk Company as a means of transporting the milk that was vital to the local economy of Congleton.

In 1966, Congleton railway station was rebuilt to accommodate the needs of a modern station and to refurbish facilities for passengers. The station buildings were demolished and rebuilt, the level crossing was removed, and the signal box was knocked down. Congleton has historically been known as one of the best-kept stations on the Stoke to Manchester mainline, thanks to the staff who maintain it and Congleton In Bloom, who managed it for a time.

Congleton train station operates services all around the UK, with both Northern and CrossCountry services. Popular routes on CrossCountry include Manchester to Congleton, Stoke-on-Trent to Congleton, Birmingham to Congleton, and Stockport to Congleton.

At Congleton train station, facilities include free Public Wi-Fi, ticket machines, a ticket office, lost property, CCTV, bicycle parking, and a car park which is open 24/7.

Things to do in Congleton

Whether you’re local to the Congleton area and looking for new ways to spend your weekends, or a visitor coming for a long weekend in Cheshire, there are plenty of ways to spend your day in Congleton. Including heritage, shopping, gastronomy, and nature; check out our suggestions of things to do in Congleton.

If you love to learn a little bit about the area you’re visiting, the Congleton Museum has to be the first stop on your trip. With a focus on local archaeology, including exceptional exhibitions on the Congleton Hoards and the Priesty Hoards. There are some truly inspiring stories of Cheshire’s heritage to uncover at the museum, making it a great way to learn about local history. With history walks also organised by the museum, there are plenty of ways to engage with Congleton and its fascinating past.

For a particularly special day of shopping, why not check out the Victoria Mill Antiques & Collectors Centre? With floors and floors of collectable antiques to explore, you’re sure to find a hidden treasure at Victoria Mill. With a café to enjoy a cup of coffee and a bite to eat, this is the perfect place for a quiet morning out. Situated less than a mile from Congleton train station, you can easily reach this antique centre by bus or on foot.

If you’re looking for a day out in nature to take in the stunning scenery, nowhere could be a more fitting destination than Astbury Mere Country Park. Located a couple of miles away from the train station, it is a bit further afield, so might better suit visitors who are staying for the weekend or longer. All based on a former sand-quarry site, this expansive country park is ideal for a long walk, a bit of wildlife spotting, or even for water sports on the lake! With a coffee shop on site for warming up on winter days or having a bite to eat after a tiring activity, Astbury Mere is a fantastic place to spend the day. Showcasing how spectacularly industrial sites can be reclaimed into a natural landscape, this is a truly special place to go.