Wilmslow Railway Station

Wilmslow Station will always hold a special place in my heart as it a) marked my second awesome networking coffee morning with the cool businesses of South Manchester (oh yes, I breakfast and hobnob), b) the ease with which it was accessed — seriously, Wilmslow’s so easy to navigate, and c) and introduction to Wilmslow itself. And while the village is confusing to type, gawd is it pretty.
I remarked about this on the phone to the other half while I was at the train station. «Well of course it is,» he scoffed. «You’re in footballer territory.»
Yeah, apparently some dude called David Beckham lived in this village for a time. Now, that’s all very well and good, as are the three platforms and the well kept nature of the station. But what’s even better? Cadbury Tasters and giant Tunnocks Caramel Wafers in the vending machine. No shizzle. I haven’t seen Cadbury Tasters since my days at Runshaw College, and only then where they occasionally available in the Dalehead Canteen vending machine. And as for GIANT Tunnocks Wafers, well, hold the bus. Where have these been hiding?
Oh, and the trains are pretty good too, regular and stuff. But… the vending machine!

Okay so we don’t need another review of three boring platforms, but here’s the important stuff:
Trains run from Manchester Piccadilly to Wilmslow at 4, 30, 38 and 55 minutes past the hour. Sometimes they’re a minute earlier so dont leave it too late.
Trains run in the other direction, from Wilmslow to Manchester Piccadilly, at 17, 27, 46 and 57 past the hour.

In my travels around Manchester I’ve had to use more stations than I’d care to think about, and Wilmslow Railway was one of them. It’s pretty much the archetypal small-​town North West railway, consisting of just a few platforms and a building to wait and buy tickets.
In a way it’s perfect, because it doesn’t need to be anything more than what it is. However, there’s a lot of things that would make it better to me, especially when I consider the countless afternoons spent waiting around for the train in it. Plus I’m very, very cruel when it comes to train stations.

At complete odds with the bustling mess that is Manchester Piccadilly, Wilmslow Railway Station typifies what its like to catch a train from one of the quieter towns in the North West.
Wilmslow station has just three or four platforms, and a small set of tunnels allowing you access to each platform.
Don’t think that it’s so small that you can get by without getting a ticket though! For most of the time during the day there are a couple of guards by the entrance. Annoying if you’re trying to dodge a fare (never me) but really useful if you need to quickly grab a ticket because you’re running ridiculously late (always me).
If you’re heading up to Manchester from Wilmslow, try to avoid getting an airport train, as it takes ages! Much better are the Virgin trains, which only stop at Stockport before hitting Manchester Piccadilly.