Gordon Craig Theatre
Opened in 1975, this 501-seat theatre on Lytton Way stages plays, pantomime, opera, dance and one-night music shows. It is part of the arts and leisure centre facing the station.
LNER route
London King's Cross to Leeds
London King's Cross to Leeds via Peterborough, Doncaster and Wakefield Westgate, with the fastest trains taking a little over two hours.
The southern entrance, opened in 2016 on a deck over the River AirePhoto: Irid Escent, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Destination
- Leeds
- Stations
- 9 calling points
- Fastest journey
- Around 2 hours 7 minutes on the quickest scheduled trains(May–December 2026 timetable); most take a little longer
About this route
Leeds is LNER's busiest destination off the main Edinburgh line. Trains follow the East Coast Main Line north from King's Cross as far as Doncaster, then branch north-west through Wakefield Westgate to reach Leeds.
As well as the regular Leeds trains, some services continue beyond Leeds to Bradford Forster Square, Harrogate or Skipton. Those extensions are covered as their own routes on this guide, but they all share the London–Leeds section described here.
It is a popular commuter and business corridor, so trains can be busy at the start and end of the working day. Reserving a seat is sensible if you are travelling at those times.
How often, and where trains stop
Frequency: Generally around two LNER trains an hour between London and Leeds; roughly 35 trains a day arrive at Leeds from London on a typical weekday in the May–December 2026 timetable, including those continuing to Bradford, Harrogate or Skipton.
Calling pattern: The regular hourly Leeds trains typically call at Peterborough, Grantham, Doncaster and Wakefield Westgate. Trains that continue to Bradford Forster Square or Harrogate usually call at Stevenage, Newark Northgate, Doncaster and Wakefield Westgate instead. Retford is served by only a few Leeds trains each day.
Based on LNER's May–December 2026 timetable. Timetables change — check your train with LNER timetables or National Rail.
Highlights along the way
Welwyn Viaduct
The forty-arch viaduct over the Mimram valley in Hertfordshire, opened in 1850, is one of the first landmarks after leaving London.
Stoke Bank
The climb between Peterborough and Grantham tops out at Stoke Summit. The descent south of Grantham is where Mallard reached 126 mph in 1938, still the world record for steam.
Newark flat crossing
Just north of Newark Northgate the main line crosses the Nottingham–Lincoln line on the level. It is the last remaining flat crossing of two standard-gauge lines on the Network Rail network.
Route map
Coloured dots are calling points on this route; grey stations are served by other LNER routes.
Worth stopping off for
One idea from each calling point. Open a station guide for more.
Peterborough Cathedral
One of the finest surviving twelfth-century buildings in England, with a dramatic Early English West Front and the tomb of Henry VIII's first wife, Katharine of Aragon. Guided tours, including the upper levels and tower, can be booked.
St Wulfram's Church
A Grade I listed parish church whose spire is the second tallest in Lincolnshire. It is still an active church, so check service times before visiting.
National Civil War Centre
A museum devoted to the seventeenth-century Civil Wars and Newark's part in them, with family days, walking tours and talks through the year. Admission is free for local residents and under-25s.
Bassetlaw Museum
A free museum on Grove Street covering the history of north Nottinghamshire from the earliest times to today. It is closed on Wednesdays in term time and on Sundays.
Danum Gallery, Library and Museum
A free cultural hub on Waterdale combining the city museum, art gallery, library, the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry museum and a Rail Heritage Centre. Open Monday to Saturday.
The Hepworth Wakefield
A free riverside gallery named after Barbara Hepworth, holding the city's art collection alongside major exhibitions. It is closed on Mondays, except bank holidays and Wakefield school holidays.
Royal Armouries Museum
Home of the National Collection of Arms and Armour, in a purpose-built museum at Leeds Dock that opened in 1996. General entry is free.
Sources we checked (September 2026)
We researched this page using the sources below. They are listed for transparency and are not links; always check official websites for the latest details.
- lner.co.uk/travel-information/timetables/
- assets.ctfassets.net/mxack5k9p2sw/7jQOjS38muWdVQbPCRGxyV/809f4c4fe0a29fcd38233147ab0f48…
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_North_Eastern_Railway
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digswell_Viaduct
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoke_Bank
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LNER_Class_A4_4468_Mallard
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newark_flat_crossing
Travelling to Leeds?
Check live times and fares with LNER, or compare prices on Trip.com. Book early for the best chance of a cheaper Advance fare.