As the UK celebrates 200 years of the railway in 2025, there’s no better year to spotlight the grand railway hotels that have stood the test of time. Rich in railway heritage, timeless elegance and hidden stories, these hotels offer a ticket back to a golden age of travel.
The Milner York
In the heart of York, and just steps from the York’s train station The Milner York is a hotel rich with railway heritage, down to its name. Originally opened in 1878 as the Royal Station Hotel, this Grade II listed building was designed by William Peachey of the North Eastern Railway and remains an iconic example of Victorian architecture in the city.
Renamed in 2024 in honour of William Milner, a York Station foreman who heroically gave his life during WWII, the hotel pays tribute to both its past and the people who shaped it. Guests can enjoy classic British fare at Peachey’s Bar & Grill, named after the hotel’s original architect, and evening drinks in the hotel’s pub, The Swollen Gambler, named after George Hudson – a railway pioneer whose opulent lifestyle earned him fame.
Just next door, the National Railway Museum York offers a deeper dive into the city’s rich railway past – including stories and artefacts that connect directly back to The Milner York.
Rooms available from £103 per night in May. To book, visit The Milner York or call 020 7523 5052.
The Clermont London Charing Cross
A red bus on a street in front of a buildingAI-generated content may be incorrect.
Standing proudly on The Strand in central London, The Clermont Charing Cross is one of the capital’s original railway hotels, first opened in May 1865 as The Charing Cross Hotel, launching alongside the newly completed Charing Cross Station and serving as the grand gateway to London for travellers arriving from the south of England.
As the hotel approaches its 160th anniversary in 2025, The Clermont Charing Cross remains a London landmark. From the shallow steps of its grand staircase built to accommodate large Victorian ballgowns, through to grand public spaces that look over the railway concourse, the hotel’s rich history is evident in every corner. A ‘secret’ covered footbridge built in 1878 features photographs, documents and memorabilia proudly displaying this grand hotel’s rich railway heritage.
The hotel is just steps away from Trafalgar Square and London’s West End, perfect for exploring London’s cultural landmarks, with Charing Cross Station on the doorstep of the hotel.
Rooms available from £221 per night in May. To book, visit The Clermont Charing Cross or call 020 7523 5052.
The Clermont Victoria
A large room with a chandelier and flowersAI-generated content may be incorrect.
Opened in 1862 as The Grosvenor Hotel, the Grade II listed Clermont Victoria was built to serve the newly established Victoria Station and welcome rail travellers with both style and convenience – a tradition that continues to this day with its high ceilings, dramatic staircases and spectacular chandeliers.
Offering direct access for guests to and from the station concourse, national rail lines and the London Underground are quite literally at guests’ feet. Inside, historic documents and photographs line the path between station and hotel, telling the story of its prestigious railway past.
With the cultural landmarks of Buckingham Palace and Westminster just minutes away by foot, The Clermont Victoria is an elegant and convenient base for exploring the capital. London Victoria station provides access to national rail lines, with the London Underground just moments from the hotel enabling guests to navigate the capital with ease.
Rooms available from £238 per night in May. To book, visit The Clermont Victoria or call 020 7523 5055.