Rothley Station
Travel back in the time to 1912
Rothley Station was constructed as part of the “London Extension” of the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway. In 1897, the company adopted the now familiar name “Great Central Railway”, and the new line opened to passenger traffic on 15th March 1899. The station was built with a single island platform between two running lines, with pedestrian access provided via a staircase from the road bridge. On the platform, the waiting rooms, booking office, and toilet buildings were provided. A modest goods yard, with goods shed and coal store, was on the east side of the station.
The station is restored to its 1912 appearance – two years before the outbreak of the First World War. In those days the railway station was an important feature of village life. The nearby villages of Rothley and Cropston had grown significantly, with well-to-do commuter housing having been built nearby. In addition to a regular passenger service, the station also provided goods facilities and deliveries of milk, agricultural goods, machinery, and parcels were commonplace.
By the stairs is a recreated parcels room, with exhibits and a recording by Madge Sleath who worked as a porter here.
Lighting on Rothley station is provided entirely by restored gas lamps in all buildings, and also on the platform itself. The station was never equipped with electricity during its life as part of the national railway network, and a supply was only installed when the preserved Great Central Railway came into existence in the 1970s.
During winter months, heating is provided by roaring coal fires in the waiting room and tearoom. In the car park you’ll find Ellis tearoom, (a converted goods store shed) and next to it you’ll find a picnic area and garden railway which runs most weekends. Opposite the platform is the station signal box, an original GCR structure relocated from Wembley!
Discover & Dine
Key facts
Construction Date
1899 as part of the line expansion
Time Period for Station
At Rothley you're traveling back to 1912
Platforms
There are two at a length of 441" (134 m)
Must sees
Look out for
Visit the parcels office by the stairs
During the winter month
Stay warm in the waiting room by the coal fire
Next to the Ellis Tea Room
Discover the garden railway
Signal Box
The signalbox at Rothley is positioned mid-station on the Down side of the line, replacing the original box which stood at the south end on the same side. It is a genuine Great Central Railway structure, originally located at Blind Lane, Wembley, and is entirely wooden, now mounted on a new concrete base. The box controls both the station area and the carriage sidings.
Of particular interest are the Down Distant and Down Outer Home signals—both motor-operated, upper quadrant types. Points are mechanically operated, though only one set is directly controlled from the box; the others are worked via a ground frame released electrically from the signalbox.
Next to the box is a timber lamp hut, originally from Whetstone.
When first opened in 1990, the box controlled a passing loop—hence its central position on the station. The launch of the Double Track project in 2000 introduced block working northward on the new double line.
Garden Railway
The Charnwood Forest Garden Railway (CFR) is located at Rothley station on the Great Central Railway, Leicestershire and is set as a European narrow-gauge railway. Run separately from the GCR by our own dedicated team of volunteers, it operates Saturdays, Sundays and Bank holidays throughout the year.
Platform Tea Room
A sit down, a cup of tea and a delicious slice of cake? The station team room at Rothley has one of the warmest welcomes on the railway!
Open at weekends while trains are running, you’ll find delicious homemade cakes and a great selection of hot and cold drinks including hot chocolate and soups, snacks and ice creams.
There are tables and chairs outside on the platform, so stay a while and watch the trains go past. Rothley is a great place to drop in, even if you are not planning to travel on board the trains.
If the station tearoom is closed, or you’re looking for a bigger meal, why not try Ellis tearoom at Rothley?
Ellis Tea Room
The Ellis Tearoom at Rothley Station is a charming spot overlooking the platform and passing steam trains. Situated in a beautifully restored and converted original goods shed, located in the station yard, the tearoom provides a cosy atmosphere in which visitors can enjoy a selection of homemade cakes, light lunches, and classic British afternoon teas. Ellis Tearoom is open Wednesday to Friday from 10:00 to 16:00, Saturday and Sunday from 09:00 to 16:00, making it an ideal stop to refuel on your railway adventure!
Visiting the Station
- Rothley Station, Station Rd, Rothley, Leicester LE7 7LA
- Saturday & Sunday - 10:30 to 16:30
- Free car parking daily
- Via the main car park
- Wifi found in Ellis Tearoom
