Two London stations are finalists in the annual World Cup of Stations competition — and they could hardly be more different.
The competition — organised annually by the Rail Delivery Group — invites the public to vote on a shortlist of stations, chosen as the creme de la creme under a given theme; in 2026, that theme is "creating connections that matter."
Since it began in 2019, no London station has won the award; most winners have been located further north, in the likes of Glasgow, Huddersfield and Liverpool. Last year's World Cup victor was in the former mining village of Ashington in Northumberland.
Maybe this is the year that changes. Among the 20 finalists in 2026 are St Pancras International, and the rather less grand South Tottenham Overground station. On the surface, St Pancras has it all: shops, restaurants, continental connections. But this competition will be judged on that theme of connections, and here, South Tottenham has a story to tell, thanks to the plight of station assistants Ray McDonagh and Azaz Khan, who have planted a sensory garden, where local pupils with special educational needs, and people living with dementia, can spend time.
A particularly heartwarming moment occurred in the garden when, during a visit from a special educational needs school, a young boy asked Raymond and Azaz whether he could have a flower for his mother. To the boy's joy, Azaz grew a flower especially for him. It was only later that Azaz was told the boy's mother had recently died, and that the flower was for her grave.
Among other stations in the running for this year's World Cup is Saltcoats in Scotland, where unused space has been transformed into a home for a local karate club; and Crediton near Exeter, where former station buildings have become a community café and a home for music and the arts.
Voting for the World Cup of Stations 2026 is now open, with the shortlist of 20 whittled down on Wednesday 14 October, before the ultimate victor is crowned on Sunday 18 October.
See the shortlist of 20 and cast your vote on the Rail Delivery Group website.
