Trains to Stafford
How to get there, what to do and how to get home with Avanti West Coast.
People
Stafford might be the county town of Staffordshire, but it’s only the third most populous, after Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme (and also the least hyphenated of the three). That said, it’s no hamlet. With a population of well over 120,000 for the borough, it’s a lively, buzzing town with bags of history, most of it not only on display but in everyday use. Walk around the town centre and you’ll pass plenty of Georgian, Victorian and modern architecture, and even a very prominent Tudor building that’s still in use today.
Being located almost halfway between Stoke and Birmingham, Stafford is perfectly placed to be a commuter town for both cities. With the West Coast Mainline joining all three, along with Edinburgh, London and a host of other cities, it’s no wonder people choose to live here. Of course, it’s not populated entirely by commuters. It has plenty of businesses and shops here, making the town centre a pleasant and thriving place to live and work. So if you’re planning a visit to sample the history and the lifestyle, here’s all you need to know about trains to Stafford.
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Stafford Station Information
If you’re not familiar with Stafford or its station, you’ll find everything you need right here, There’s information from accessibility to parking and ticketing to WiFi coverage. More details on our wider network can be found on this page.
Things to do in Stafford
Stafford Castle is perched on a hilltop to the south west of the town, and is well worth a visit when you’re here. It dates back to Norman times, but was restored as a place to live in the 1800s, and was actually inhabited until the early 20th century. It was only in the 1960s that it was handed over by the owners to the local authorities to make it public. There’s a well appointedvisitor centre to let you know all about the history, and even if you have no interest in Medieval structures, the views from the hill are stunning.
Many believe that the Ancient High House is the oldest surviving Tudor building in England, and back in its day would have dominated the skyline, being an unprecedented four storeys high (and was probably called the Not Very Ancient High House). It literally stands out in the street, not least because it’s adjoined on both sides by much more modern buildings. What’s charming is that it’s still in use today as normal everyday shops, which really brings it to life. You can admire it from outside orbook a tour if you want to see more.
Just outside Stafford is the beautiful forest ofCannock Chase. You can spend a whole day exploring the woodlands, but there are also activities like Go Ape treetop activities, or you can hire a mountain bike and ride the perfect trails. It’s where the locals go, and attracts peace-lovers from Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Stoke and beyond.
Popular Avanti West Coast trains to Stafford
| Travelling to Stafford | Fastest time |
|---|---|
| Wolverhampton Stafford | 12 minutes |
| Manchester to Stafford | 52 minutes |
| London to Stafford | 1 hour 17 minutes |
| Crewe to Stafford | 17 minutes |
| Tamworth to Stafford | 19 minutes |
| Coventry to Stafford | 1 hour 10 minutes |
| Liverpool to Stafford | 53 minutes |
| Lichfield to Stafford | 12 minutes |
| Birmingham New Street to Stafford | 30 minutes |
| Nuneaton to Stafford | 23 minutes |
FAQs
Tickets usually become available to book online and on the app 12 weeks in advance. You can sign up for AdvanceTicket Alerts to be notified when tickets for your routes become available. Remember that the earlier you book, the more you save - and with anAdvance ticket, you’ll always have a seat booking for stress-free travel, whatever your destination.
When you travelFirst Class with Avanti, all you need to do is sit back and relax - and let us take care of the rest. You’ll enjoy roomier seats with a guaranteed table, so you can catch up on emails, watch an episode of your favourite show, or get stuck into a good book. We also offer complimentary food and drink on board in First Class, served to you at your table by a dedicated host (subject to availability), with acarefully chosen menu featuring suppliers local to our routes. And if you’re departing from or arriving at one of our stations with a First Class Lounge, you can take advantage of it to enjoy snacks, refreshments, comfortable seating and free, fast Wi-Fi.
There is a taxi rank directly outside the main station entrance.
Yes, it’s easy to get to Stafford by train. Avanti West Coast runs regular trains to Stafford, so you can travel in comfort from wherever you are in the country. Check ourtrain times page for up-to-date information on routes, journey times, and train timetables.
The station car park is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can leave your car for the duration of your trip.
The best way to get cheap tickets to Stafford is to book in advance. You can do that online or on theAvanti West Coast app - and remember that when you book directly with us, you don’t pay any booking fees. It’s also easy to upgrade or change your ticket when youbook with us, giving you more flexibility. There are also lots of otherways to save with Avanti. If you’re travelling with friends, family, colleagues or with a school group, consider booking a group ticket to benefit from cheaper tickets, or if you fall into one of our eligible groups, you could save up to a third on the cost of train tickets with a railcard.
The train station is served by various bus services, including service 101. There's also a car park at the station for those who prefer to drive, as well as ample bike parking (including sheltered bike storage).
Stafford is a great place to visit all year round, with most visitors coming to the town during the summer months. There is plenty to see and do no matter when you visit, including both cultural events in the town and outdoor activities in the surrounding countryside.