A SMALL station in Manchester that first opened in the 1800s has been crowned the best in the country at the ‘World Cup of Stations’.

It has trackside seating, an upstairs and beat 150 stations across the country for the title.

Exterior view of the historic red brick Irlam railway station, featuring an outdoor seating area with red and white awnings and parasols, enclosed by a black metal fence with a sign that reads "WELCOME TO IRLAM."
Irlam Station has been crowned the ‘World Cup of Stations’ Credit: Alamy
Exterior view of the Irlam station building, featuring a "WELCOME TO IRLAM" sign and a red telephone box against a clear blue sky.
The station house was restored in 2015 after being closed for many years Credit: Alamy

‘The World Cup Of Stations’ was launched in honour of 200 years of railways in Britain and brings attention to the stories behind the stations and how much they’ve changed and brought communities together.

This year there was 150 nominations from across the country, but Irlam in took the title with 4786 votes.

Irlam Station first opened in 1873 and was used for many years although its building fell into disrepair in the 1980s.

The station itself remained opened to passengers and now sees as many as 350,000 passengers each year.

11 years ago, the station house was restored as part of a £2million project and reopened in March 2015.

It’s much more than a simple station now, as inside is a café-bar with train carriage booths.

The 142-year-old has been restored and reopened.

There’s a heritage hub too which has railway artefacts including formerly used .

In The Station garden is an homage to ‘s Platform 9 and three quarters, as well as James the Tank Engine.

Also outside in the Station Art Park are 3D which ‘reflect the area’s ‘ including a seating area and Hobbit-style cottage.

The Keighley Junction signal box, a two-story wooden structure painted cream and maroon with an external staircase leading to the upper floor.
The Signal Box has been restored and is used as an afternoon tea venue Credit: Alamy
Collage of travel items including a plane, sunscreen, passport, suitcase, and plane tickets, advertising The Sun's travel Instagram account.

Back inside the station house is Irlam Café Bar which serves up breakfast, main meals from burgers to toasted sandwiches, salads and even Sunday roasts.

Afternoon tea can be booked from £18.95 and train enthusiasts will love that you can enjoy this in the Signal Box.

It’s also a bar so there are plenty of drinks to try too and seats outside for trainspotting.

Above the train station is an Airbnb – the apartment can up to four people across two bedrooms and guests enter through the Station Master’s Door.

Brightly lit white bedroom with a double bed, decorated with two large tree-slice wall hangings, and an open wooden door leading to another room.
There’s a two bedroom Airbnb on the top floor of the Station House Credit: Airbnb
A sign reading "Platform 9 3/4" in the foreground, with a garden area and model railway elements in the background.
The gardens pay homage to the likes of Platform nine and three quarters Credit: Airbnb

One guest wrote in their review: “The apartment is located in a train station which makes this very special place.”

Another called it a “unique space perfect for train enthusiasts.”

A three-night stay for four in November can be booked for £404 – or £33.67pppn.

Tricia Williams, Managing Director of Northern, said: “The station has a unique charm and is well worth a visit. You can enjoy a meal in the café, take a tour of the gardens to see some amazing 3D artwork and visit the heritage hub.”

The other final four stations in the running were Cardoss in Argyll & Bute, Brookwood in Surrey, Yatton in and Berney Arms in Norfolk.

Last year’s winner was which closed in the 1960s and then reopened in 2024.