East of England Station code SVG
Stevenage
Stevenage: Britain's first post-war New Town, with a theatre opposite the station, lakeside Fairlands Valley Park and Knebworth House nearby.
- Journey time: see below
- 5 LNER routes
- 4 things to do
An LNER Azuma at Stevenage, where LNER picks up northbound and sets down southboundPhoto: Southsea_Matt, CC BY 4.0
About Stevenage
In 1946 Stevenage became the first town designated under the New Towns Act, and much of today's town centre dates from that post-war rebuilding. The older town lies to the north, around the Old Town High Street.
For most LNER passengers Stevenage is a railhead rather than a destination: it sits close to the A1(M) and is a convenient place to join trains heading north. Even so, there is enough nearby for a few relaxed hours, from a lakeside park to a local history museum and, a few miles south, the grand house and grounds of Knebworth.
The present station opened in 1973, replacing an older one further north, and was placed within easy walking distance of the new town centre.
Journey
SVG- Fastest from London King's Cross
- See note below
- LNER routes calling
- 5
| Route | Previous stop | Next stop |
|---|---|---|
| London – Edinburgh stop 2 of 18 | London King's Cross | Peterborough |
| London – Leeds stop 2 of 9 | London King's Cross | Peterborough |
| London – Bradford Forster Square stop 2 of 8 | London King's Cross | Newark Northgate |
| London – Harrogate stop 2 of 9 | London King's Cross | Grantham |
| London – Aberdeen stop 2 of 26 | London King's Cross | Peterborough |
May–December 2026 timetable · not every train calls at every station
LNER trains call at Stevenage northbound to pick up passengers only and southbound to set down only (May–December 2026 timetable), so LNER cannot be used for journeys between London and Stevenage. Great Northern and Thameslink run frequent trains from London. Northbound LNER trains reach Peterborough, Doncaster, Leeds and beyond.
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
- 23 July 1973 (present station); the first station opened in 1850
- Platforms
- 5
- Managed by
- Great Northern (Govia Thameslink Railway)
- Passengers a year
- 4.7 million (April 2024 – March 2025) Source: orr.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
Did you know?
- The 1973 station replaced one 73 chains (about 1.5 km) further north and was built only about 200 metres from the New Town centre.
- Platform 5, a terminal platform for Great Northern's half-hourly trains to Moorgate via the Hertford Loop, was officially opened on 3 August 2020.
- Just south of the station is Langley junction, a grade-separated junction where the Hertford Loop leaves the East Coast Main Line; the two lines meet again at Alexandra Palace.
Photos of Stevenage
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An LNER Azuma at Stevenage, where LNER picks up northbound and sets down southbound Photo: Southsea_Matt, CC BY 4.0 -
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The 1973 station's island platforms and the footbridge concourse above the tracks Photo: Peter Trimming, CC BY-SA 2.0 -
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Platform 5, opened in 2020 for Great Northern trains to and from Moorgate via the Hertford Loop Photo: Rcsprinter123, CC BY 3.0
Arriving at Stevenage
LNER only sets passengers down here on southbound trains. The platforms sit below a footbridge concourse: take the stairs or lifts up, then leave by the main entrance on Lytton Way, which is step-free. A walkway leads to Stevenage Bus Interchange and the New Town centre, a few minutes away; the Old Town High Street is about 20 minutes' walk. The entrance on the other side of the tracks serves the leisure park and is reached by a long, steep ramp.
The station was built in 1973 roughly 220 yards from the New Town centre. A walkway links it to Stevenage Bus Interchange, and the Gordon Craig Theatre and leisure complex are directly opposite. The Old Town High Street is about 20 minutes' walk to the north.
Getting around
The town centre is a short walk from the station, and Stevenage Bus Interchange is reached by a walkway. For Knebworth House, Great Northern trains call at Knebworth, the next station to the south.
Other train services and connections
- Great Northern (including Hertford Loop services and trains to Cambridge and Peterborough)
- Thameslink (cross-London services to Brighton, Gatwick Airport and Horsham, plus Cambridge and Peterborough)
- Hull Trains (limited service)
- Lumo (limited service)
Station facilities
- Step-free accessStep-free to all platforms via the main Lytton Way entrance (category B1); the leisure park entrance has a long, steep ramp
- LiftsFrom Lytton Way to the footbridge, and from the footbridge to every platform
- Ticket officeMon–Thu 06:15–20:30, Fri 06:15–21:45, Sat 06:30–21:30, Sun 08:00–20:15
- Ticket machinesOn the footbridge at the south end of the platforms, and on platform 5
- ToiletsOn the footbridge concourse and on platforms 2 and 3
- Accessible toiletUnisex accessible toilet on platforms 2 and 3
- Baby changingAvailable
- Waiting roomsHeated waiting areas on all platforms
- Wi-FiNo Wi-Fi at the station
- Food and drinkRefreshments available
- ShopsAvailable
- Cash machineIn the station entrance
- Left luggageNot available
- Car parksSmall station car park (17 spaces, APCOA) plus the council-run Railway South car park
- Cycle storage266 sheltered spaces with CCTV, in the car parks
- Taxi rankYes
- BusesStevenage Bus Interchange, reached by a walkway from the station
- Help pointsIn limited locations; the assistance meeting point is by the ticket office
- StaffingNational Rail lists staff help 24 hours a day
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
The Great Northern Railway opened Stevenage's first station in 1850. Local coaching businesses had opposed the line, fearing for their trade on the Great North Road, and their fears proved right: the coaching trade ended soon after the trains arrived.
Designation as Britain's first New Town in 1946 moved the heart of Stevenage south, and on 23 July 1973 British Rail replaced the old station with the present one, 73 chains (about 1.5 km) further south and only about 200 metres from the new town centre. It was built with two island platforms serving four tracks. A refurbishment completed in 2014 added lifts between the street and the platforms, and a fifth, terminal platform for Hertford Loop trains opened in 2020.
Half a day in Stevenage
A New Town museum, an Old Town lunch and a lakeside park, ending with a show opposite the station.
-
Morning
The New Town story
Start at Stevenage Museum on St George's Way, about 10 minutes' walk from the station (open Wednesday to Saturday).
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Lunch
Lunch in the Old Town
Walk up to the Old Town High Street for lunch at The Mulberry Tree.
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Afternoon
Lakes and open space
Spend the afternoon at Fairlands Valley Park, with four lakes, a sailing centre and a splash park.
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Evening
A show by the station
Catch a play, concert or pantomime at the Gordon Craig Theatre, a couple of minutes from the platforms.
Things to do near Stevenage
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.
Stevenage Museum
The town's museum on St George's Way covers Stevenage from prehistory to the New Town era. As of September 2026 it opens Wednesday to Saturday.
Fairlands Valley Park
A 120-acre park with four lakes, a sailing centre, a splash park and a play area, right in the heart of the town. Good for a stroll or an active afternoon on the water.
Knebworth House
A Grade II* listed country house with listed gardens and parkland, also famous as the venue for the Knebworth rock festivals. It opens on selected dates, mainly between March and September, so check the calendar first.
Distances are approximate. Opening times and prices change — check the official website before you go.
Eat & drink near the station
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Pub
The Mulberry Tree
A historic Greene King pub on the Old Town High Street with a beer garden and wood-burning stove, serving pub favourites and Sunday roasts.
Day trips from Stevenage
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Cambridge
The historic university city.
Direct Thameslink and Great Northern trains take about 40 to 45 minutes, several an hour (checked on National Rail for October 2026).
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York
The minster, the city walls and the National Railway Museum beside the station.
LNER trains pick up at Stevenage northbound; most reach York in about 1 hour 30 minutes (May–December 2026 timetable).
-
Leeds
Free national museums, Victorian arcades and Kirkgate Market.
Northbound LNER trains from Stevenage reach Leeds in about 1 hour 50 minutes (May–December 2026 timetable).
Where to stay in Stevenage
Stevenage has hotels close to the town centre and along the A1(M) corridor. Use the search link to compare what is available for your dates.
Tips for your visit
- Do not try to use an LNER train to get from London to Stevenage (or the reverse): LNER only picks up here northbound and sets down southbound.
- LNER relaxes some Off-Peak restrictions on Fridays for journeys to and from London King's Cross or Stevenage (not between the two), per LNER's Off-Peak ticket page.
- Knebworth House has seasonal opening; check its dates before travelling.
Questions about Stevenage station
Can I take an LNER train between London and Stevenage?
No. LNER trains only pick up at Stevenage when heading north and only set down when heading south, so they cannot be used between London and Stevenage. Great Northern and Thameslink run frequent trains to London instead.
Is Stevenage station step-free?
Yes, via the main entrance on Lytton Way: National Rail lists step-free access to all platforms (category B1), with lifts from the street to the footbridge and down to each platform. The leisure park entrance is reached by a long, steep ramp.
How far is Stevenage town centre from the station?
The New Town centre is only a few minutes away along the walkway past the bus interchange. The Old Town High Street is about 20 minutes' walk.
Is there parking at Stevenage station?
National Rail lists a small station car park with 17 spaces, run by APCOA, plus the council-run Railway South car park. There are also 266 sheltered cycle spaces.
Is there left luggage or Wi-Fi at Stevenage station?
No. National Rail lists neither left-luggage facilities nor station Wi-Fi at Stevenage.
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.
- assets.ctfassets.net/mxack5k9p2sw/7jQOjS38muWdVQbPCRGxyV/809f4c4fe0a29fcd38233147ab0f48…
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevenage_railway_station
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knebworth_railway_station
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevenage
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Craig_Theatre
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knebworth_House
- everyonetheatres.com/theatres/gordon-craig-theatre/
- stevenage.gov.uk/stevenage-museum
- stevenage.gov.uk/leisure-culture-and-wellbeing/parks-and-open-spaces/fairlands-valley-park
- knebworthhouse.com/opening-times-prices/
- lner.co.uk/tickets/off-peak-tickets/
- routing.openstreetmap.de/
- nationalrail.co.uk/stations/svg/
- dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/usage/estimates-of-station-usage
- greeneking.co.uk/pubs/hertfordshire/mulberry-tree
- nationalrail.co.uk/journey-planner/
Travelling to Stevenage?
Check live times and fares with LNER, or compare prices on Trip.com. Book early for the best chance of a cheaper Advance fare.