Stuff

I think it’s probably fair to say that very many people find Euston a horrible, miserable depressing station. It is not one you want to spend time in.

For some considerable time it has been a building site. It is often closed at weekends. As a passenger it can be confusing.

It can also be very busy.

If you are arriving at Euston, you have perhaps come from Scotland, Glasgow perhaps, or stations down the west side of England, eg Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham.

The whole area is pretty grim and unpleasant.

Underground

To get to the Underground, at the time of writing you have to go out of the front of the station, turn right and then right again to go back in and down. Last time we were there it was closed and people were queuing because it was so busy.

Euston is served by the Victoria line, towards Oxford Circus, and two branches of the Northern line, to Bank, Leicester Square or Charing Cross.

If you cross the busy Euston Road, it is a short walk to Euston Square, which will take you to Hammersmith in the west and Liverpool Street to the east.

Buses

If you come out of the station and walk straight ahead there are some narrow and smelly paths that lead to a bus station. Here you can get so many buses, mainly going east but not all, too many to list.

Some of the buses go from across the main road, and there are multiple bus stops so it is confusing.

If you want to get to Trafalgar Square, for example, you need to get a 91 bus from near the Prezzo restaurant.

Taxis

The station is quite centrally placed and north of the main bits of London. There are many hotels nearby.

Getting to your accommodation may be best, and most sensible, by taxi.

To find the taxi rank, come out of the station, across the forecourt with all the drunks and beggars, and bear right.

We find the taxi rank confusing.

If you are arriving at Marylebone, then you have perhaps come from Birmingham, Oxford or possibly Stratford Upon Avon or Warwick.

It’s a nice station, but small, with only a few platforms and some very congested ticket gates. There are a few places to eat or get coffee.

It’s walking distance to Baker Street.

Underground

Bakerloo line, turn right as you go through the ticket barrier. This will get you to Oxford Circus or Piccadilly Circus.

Taxi

There is a small taxi rank at the front of the station, outside.

Bus

Buses don’t really go near Marylebone Station. The best bet is to come out of the station and go ahead but slightly left, down Great Central Street and find a bus there or on Marylebone Road (or, if you are lucky, your hotel may be right there). It’s a very short distance.

If you find yourself there with spare time, avoid Madame Tussaud’s. It’s expensive and the queues are silly. Last time we were there we saw souvenir shops for The Beatles and Sherlock Holmes. Avoid those too. Sherlock Holmes did not exist, and The Beatles’ Apple shop was at number 94, a long way away.

Go and enjoy the park.

Paddington is one of London’s most historic stations.

It is to the west of London. If you are coming from the west country, eg Penzance, Wales, eg Swansea or other points west, eg Bristol or Bath, or Reading or Heathrow, this will be your stop.

It’s possible your accommodation may be near Paddington. Sussex Gardens, Lancaster Gate and Queensway are not far away. Walking distance, if you are not too burdened with heavy bags or too tired.

If not, it’s a great place to get away from. Go left and left and up the escalators for the taxi rank.

Go straight ahead and outside for buses.

The station is served by the Elizabeth line across London, going through Bond Street towards Liverpool Street, and these tube lines:

• Circle, District and Hammersmith (towards Hammersmith, Liverpool Street, King’s Cross, Victoria, Earl’s Court…)
• Bakerloo (Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus)

Note that there are separate Underground stations. Trains that go to and from Hammersmith go from a station beyond the taxi rank and down again. If you are arriving by train, it’s possible your platform may have ramps at the back end of the train that will take you up to this part of the station. It’s a good short cut, and do-able with bags.

Other tube trains go from the main part of the station, down some steps or escalators and through narrow corridors and maybe bridges. It is reasonably well signposted, but can get very busy.

As you come out from the train platforms, the Elizabeth line is to the right and almost outside.

As you look at our picture, taxi and Hammersmith line is to the left, left and up, other Underground is forward and down, and Elizabeth line is right.

If you are in the area and the weather is nice, do try Little Venice.