Scotland Station code RSN
Reston
Reston by train: a small Borders station opened in 2022, the nearest rail stop for Eyemouth, Coldingham and St Abb's Head. No direct LNER trains from London.
- Journey time: see below
- 1 LNER route
- 2 things to do
The cliffs of St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve, about five miles from RestonPhoto: Martin Dawes, CC BY-SA 2.0
About Reston
Reston is a small village on the Eye Water in Berwickshire, in the eastern Scottish Borders. Its station reopened in May 2022, more than half a century after the original closed, and it now serves the wider area including the fishing town of Eyemouth and the village of Coldingham.
The reason to come is the coast. Berwickshire has high cliffs, clear water, sandy coves and small harbours, and St Abb's Head – a national nature reserve famous for its seabird colonies – is a spectacular cliff-top headland.
Train services are sparse, so Reston suits walkers and nature lovers who are happy to plan around the timetable.
Journey
RSN- Fastest from London King's Cross
- See note below
- LNER routes calling
- 1
| Route | Previous stop | Next stop |
|---|---|---|
| London – Edinburgh stop 16 of 18 | Berwick-upon-Tweed | Dunbar |
May–December 2026 timetable · not every train calls at every station
In LNER's May–December 2026 timetable, LNER calls here only about once a day in each direction, on trains between Newcastle and Edinburgh, and none runs through to King's Cross. TransPennine Express serves Reston roughly every two hours; from London, change at Newcastle or Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Journey times are from LNER's May–December 2026 timetable and vary by train. Check yours with LNER timetables or the National Rail journey planner.
Key facts
- Opened
- 2022 (the original station opened in 1846 and closed in 1964)
- Platforms
- 2
- Managed by
- ScotRail
- Passengers a year
- 29,896 entries and exits (April 2024 – March 2025) Source: orr.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
Did you know?
- ScotRail manages the station, yet none of its trains call here: every service is run by TransPennine Express or LNER.
- The village went without a station for 58 years – the first one closed in May 1964 and the new one opened on 23 May 2022.
- The old station was a junction: from 1849 a branch ran south to Duns, later extended to St Boswells, until it lost its passenger trains in 1951.
Photos of Reston
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The cliffs of St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve, about five miles from Reston Photo: Martin Dawes, CC BY-SA 2.0 -
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Reston's platforms, opened in May 2022 and long enough for ten-carriage trains Photo: Nigel Thompson, CC BY-SA 2.0 -
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St Abbs village seen from the southern side of St Abb's Head Photo: Mick Knapton, CC BY-SA 3.0
Arriving at Reston
Reston is a small, unstaffed station with two long platforms, open-sided shelters and help points, linked by a footbridge with a lift to each platform. The platforms sit above the level of the entrance and car park. There is no café, shop or toilet, so bring what you need, and book a taxi or check local buses in advance if you are heading on to Eyemouth, Coldingham or St Abbs.
The station is in Reston village. Eyemouth is about four miles away and Coldingham about two and a half miles (straight-line distances).
Getting around
There are few onward options at the station itself, so arrange a taxi or check local bus times to Eyemouth, Coldingham or St Abbs before you travel.
Other train services and connections
- TransPennine Express (Newcastle–Edinburgh, roughly every two hours)
Station facilities
- Step-free accessStep-free to both platforms (National Rail category A), with a lift to each platform
- StaffingUnstaffed – train staff can help, and help points are on both platforms
- Ticket officeNone
- Ticket machineTicket machine for buying tickets and collecting ones bought online
- Help pointsOn both platforms, by the information screen next to the shelter, with induction loops
- ShelterOpen-sided shelters with seating on both platforms; no waiting room
- ToiletsNone
- Food and drinkNone at the station
- Wi-fiNo station wi-fi
- Car park70 free spaces, covered by CCTV, plus a drop-off point for up to five cars
- Cycle parking12 sheltered stands, covered by CCTV
Checked September 2026. Facilities and opening hours change — see the National Rail Enquiries station page (opens in a new tab) for the latest details.
History of the station
Reston was one of the original stations on the North British Railway's line from Edinburgh to Berwick, which opened in June 1846. Three years later it became a junction when a branch opened to Duns; the Berwickshire Railway later carried that line on to Earlston and St Boswells. After flood damage in 1948 the branch was cut back to Duns, and it closed to passengers in 1951.
The main-line station was listed for closure in the Beeching report and shut on 4 May 1964. The case for reopening was taken to the Scottish Parliament in 2012, and a new £20 million station on a fresh site finally opened on 23 May 2022, with platforms long enough for ten-carriage trains, an accessible footbridge and a 70-space car park. The first trains to call were run by TransPennine Express and LNER.
Things to do near Reston
St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve
Dramatic cliffs with a busy seabird colony in summer, wildflower grassland, the Mire Loch and a nature centre; grey seals breed on the beaches in November and December. The reserve is open daily and entry is free.
Berwickshire Coastal Path
A 30-mile coastal walking route between Cockburnspath and Berwick-upon-Tweed, passing St Abbs, Coldingham Bay and Eyemouth along the way.
Distances are approximate. Opening times and prices change — check the official website before you go.
Day trips from Reston
-
Edinburgh
Reston's trains run straight into the capital, making it an easy day out for Borders residents and visitors alike.
TransPennine Express runs to Edinburgh roughly every two hours; LNER's one northbound call a day (07.17 on weekdays in the May–December 2026 timetable) takes about 41 minutes.
-
Berwick-upon-Tweed
The walled border town, with its ramparts and Royal Border Bridge, is the next stop south.
TransPennine Express trains towards Newcastle call at Berwick roughly every two hours; LNER's single evening southbound train takes about 11 minutes.
Where to stay in Reston
Most accommodation is in nearby Eyemouth, Coldingham and St Abbs rather than Reston itself.
Tips for your visit
- Check the timetable carefully: most trains here are TransPennine Express, and LNER calls only about once a day each way.
- The St Abb's Head seabird colony is at its busiest in the summer months.
Questions about Reston station
Is Reston station staffed?
No. It is unstaffed: buy tickets from the ticket machine, ask the train crew for help, or use the help points on both platforms.
Is Reston station step-free?
Yes. National Rail lists step-free access to both platforms, with a lift to each one.
Can I park at Reston station?
Yes. There are 70 free spaces covered by CCTV, and a drop-off point for up to five cars (National Rail, checked September 2026).
Are there toilets or a café?
No. National Rail lists no toilets, refreshments or wi-fi at the station.
Can I get a direct train from London to Reston?
No. In LNER's May–December 2026 timetable no King's Cross train calls here; LNER calls about once a day each way on Newcastle–Edinburgh trains. From London, change at Newcastle or Berwick-upon-Tweed for TransPennine Express.
How far is St Abb's Head from the station?
About five miles as the crow flies. Eyemouth is about four miles away and Coldingham about two and a half, so plan a taxi or bus before you travel.
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.
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reston_railway_station
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reston,_Scottish_Borders
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eyemouth
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coldingham
- assets.ctfassets.net/mxack5k9p2sw/7jQOjS38muWdVQbPCRGxyV/809f4c4fe0a29fcd38233147ab0f48…
- nts.org.uk/visit/places/st-abbs-head
- scotborders.gov.uk/downloads/file/691/berwickshire_coastal_path
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Abb's_Head
- nationalrail.co.uk/stations/rsn/
- dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/usage/estimates-of-station-usage/
Travelling to Reston?
Check live times and fares with LNER, or compare prices on Trip.com. Book early for the best chance of a cheaper Advance fare.