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Each station along the Heart of Wales Line is a gateway to a community. Unlike urban stations with a high footfall, we have few commercial cafes or newsagents on stations along the Heart of Wales Line, other than at the larger stations either end.
Instead, each station is made available to local people - gardeners, rail enthusiasts, small rural enterprises and volunteers.
Here is the full list of stations, north to south. It takes some time for the bilingual announcements to finish!
Shrewsbury, Church Stretton, Craven Arms, Broome, Hopton Heath, Bucknell, Knighton, Knucklas, Llangynllo, Llanbister Road, Dolau, Pen-Y-Bont, Llandrindod, Builth Rd, Cilmeri, Garth, Llangammarch, Llanwrtyd, Sugar Loaf, Cynghordy, Llandovery, Llanwrda, Llangadog, Llandeilo, Fairfach, Llandybie, Ammanford, Pantyffynnon, Pontarddulais, Llangennech, Bynea, Llanelli, Gowerton, Swansea.
Below are descriptions of some of the larger stations and towns but every small station and community has a story to tell.
LLANDOVERY
There is an award winning, community-run cafe at Llandovery station. If you alight at this station, pop in for tea, coffee, and a slice of delicious homemade cake. Joan’s Special Afternoon Tea for groups is a really wonderful spread – please pre book on 01550 731283. The lovely gardens behind the platform (northbound) are managed by children at Llandovery Primary School. For more information visit their Facebook Page.
Facilities
Free Parking:
YES.
Ticket Office:
NO.
Toilet:
YES (for cafe customers).Cafe: YES.
Access to HWL Walking Trail: YES.
Special features:
Llandovery Castle and the sculpture of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd Fychan is a short walk from the station and well worth a visit. Llandovery has a history steeped in rail heritage. The station cafe features a display, on the history of the line and a model railway club meet in the room next to the cafe. The Llandovery male voice choir, who recently sang at the launch of the HWL walking trail in Carmarthenshire were originally a railway choir.
LLANDEILO
The Heart of Wales Development Company is based at the Llandeilo Station Hub where you can pop in to say hello if we are in the office.
Facilities
Free Parking:
YES.
Ticket Office:
NO.
Access to HWL Walking Trail:
YES.Special features:
Once the country town of Carmarthenshire, Llandeilo is a colourful, picturesque town, scattered with an array of numerous small independent shops: fashionable clothing including designer labels, bespoke furniture, award winning local food suppliers, local crafts, and much more. Don’t miss the historic St Teilo’s Church or Dinefwr Castle, Park and wildlife reserve, all within walking distance of the station. If you have ongoing transport we also recommend Aberglasney Gardens and the National Botanic Gardens of Wales.
LLANELLI
Llanelli Station has recently had a ‘make-over’ with new waiting rooms and toilets. The Station Friends have drawn up plans for a new station garden and are working hard to secure funding to do up the former Railway Goods Shed and to develop it as a community hub featuring arts, business support and a cafe, as well as showcasing the industrial heritage of the area.
Facilities
Toilets: YES.
Ticket Office: YES.
Cafe: YES.
Access to HWL Walking Trail: YES. LINK
Facilities Open:
Monday - Friday 06:10 - 12:40
Saturday 07:00 - 13:30
Sunday Closed
More about Llanelli:
www.facebook.com/LlanelliTrain/
LLANWRTYD WELLS
The old station building at Llanwrtyd Wells has been re-opened by Llanwrtyd Community Transport as a community activities and meeting space.
Facilities
Free Parking:
YES.
Ticket Office: NO.
Ticket Office: NO.
Access to HWL Walking Trail:
YES.
Special features:
Llanwrtyd Wells is famous for being the smallest town in Britain and for Bog Snorkeling. It also boasts the Man v. Horse race and the World Alternative Games.
The town is surrounded by the magnificent scenery of the southern Cambrian Mountains and it makes an excellent centre for outdoor pursuits such as walking, mountain biking, pony trekking, fishing and bird watching.
LLANDRINDOD WELLS
Llandrindod Wells Station is situated close to the centre of the town and has a marvellous ticket office. It’s known locally as the place to get tickets to… well… anywhere. The two lads who work there know how to get the best deals. They work like troopers and are so busy they wont let us give you their phone number so you will have to go there and speak to them in person. Sponsored by Arriva Trains Wales in the last franchise, we hope the new franchise will keep them on.
Facilities
Free Parking:
NO, you have to pay.
Ticket Office:
YES.
Cafe:
Not on the station but there are several good ones in easy walking distance.Access to HWL Walking Trail: YES it will be (this section is not yet open).
Special features:
The ticket office. Wander up to the fishing lake if you have some time and discover the water beast. If
you love cycle museums, Llandod has a good one and there is an open air market just next to the station on Fridays . The Metropole Hotel is an excellent events venue, accessible by train and the venue for our annual station adopters conference.
you love cycle museums, Llandod has a good one and there is an open air market just next to the station on Fridays . The Metropole Hotel is an excellent events venue, accessible by train and the venue for our annual station adopters conference.
KNIGHTON
Knighton Station is right on the border between England and Wales. The town is situated mid point along the famous Offa’s Dyke which is now a longdistance footpath. The town, alongside neighbouring Knucklas (another station) includes a vibrant community of artists who open up their studios from time to time -
all accessible by train and much recommended.
all accessible by train and much recommended.
Facilities
Free Parking:
LIMITED SPACE.
Ticket Office:
NO.
Cafe:
Not on the station but there are lots of good ones in easy walking distance and a good B&B (The Kinsley) immediately opposite.Access to HWL Walking Trail: YES.
Special features:
The Offa’s Dyke Centre is within easy walking distance of the station. It opened in 1999 and has an exhibition about the famous 8th Century Dyke, which was ordered to be built by Offa, the King of Mercia. With its cafe and free exhibition, the Centre caters for the needs of a wide range of visitors and there is a lovely park and children’s play area around the back.
CRAVEN ARMS
Craven Arms is a busy little town in Shropshire. The station has two platforms and is situated at the junction between the Heart of Wales and Welsh Marches Line. The station also marks the beginning of the Heart of Wales Line walking trail.
Facilities
Free Parking: YES.
Ticket Office:
NO but there is a ticket machine.
TOILETS: NO.
Access to HWL Walking Trail: YES.
Special features:
Visit the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre in Craven Arms where you can meet the Shropshire Mammoth, explore the 30 acres of riverside meadows and relax in the café, which serves good coffee and traditional home-cooked food, made using local produce. There’s also a gift shop and gallery.
http://www.shropshirehillsdiscoverycentre.co.uk
Stokesay Castle in Craven Arms has been described as the finest and best preserved fortified medieval manor house in England.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stokesay-castle
