Victoria Station: A Hub of London Activity
As the second busiest railway station in London, you have to be prepared for a whirlwind of activity when entering Victoria Station London. Locals utilise the station to head into the capital’s suburbs for work. Tourists dance around frantically as they try and figure out where the stop is for their train. Others simply pop in for a bite to eat or purchase the morning newspaper. To put into perspective how busy Victoria Station is, approximately one-and-a-half million people utilise its service each week. That’s right, each week. Thankfully comfort levels are enhanced by the services and facilities provided by the station. Numerous dining choices are dotted around, as are several retailers. Most importantly, however, are the transport links, and this is where Victoria Station shines. With its railway station, underground station and coach station, getting around London – and the rest of the United Kingdom – is made easy.
The Station and its Services
The railway portion of Victoria Station is ideal for exploring areas outside of London. It also serves as a major transport hub for Gatwick Airport, and it has routes to Southampton and Dover’s ferry and cruise ports respectively. The underground station is the best choice for getting around London, and three lines – Victoria Line, Circle Line, and District Line – all run through Victoria Station. These all run from 5am until midnight each day, which supplies additional convenience. Victoria Coach Station is situated in a separate building a short walk from the railway station, and this provides cost-effective travel across the country. As for facilities, Victoria Station contains many shops and fast-food outlets. This is perhaps best evidenced by the Victoria Place Shopping Centre, which is located directly above the station.
Staying Around the Station
Admittedly, you could camp out on a chair or floor in the station to try and get some rest before getting on your scheduled train/bus. However, for a much more practical and comfortable way of unwinding, you can stay in one of the many London hotels available. While these are spread out into all corners of the capital, there is an abundance of hotels near Victoria Station London. For instance, options such as The Grosvenor Hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London – Victoria, and Park Plaza Victoria London are all within a stone’s throw from the station. Yet for a truly special accommodation experience, and one that is still within a five-minute walk of Victoria Station, The Rubens at the Palace is highly recommended. This luxurious hotel overlooks Buckingham Palace and blends its historic past with modern comfort. Alternatively, The Goring is within the same proximity. This is an Edwardian hotel that boasts a royal warrant and offers a more intimate – yet similarly lavish – experience.