CHESTER has been revealed as one of the most popular train stations in the Northwest, according to new research.

Analysis of online searches placed the station among the most frequently selected rail destinations in the region.

Data from West Somerset Railway placed the station fifth in the top ten, with an average monthly searches total between July 2023 and June 2024 of 33,100.

The top performer in the region was Manchester Piccadilly, with 201,000 average monthly searches.

Completing the top five are Liverpool Lime Street (165,000), Manchester Victoria (90,500) and Manchester Oxford Road (60,500).

Liverpool Central (27,100), Blackpool North (22,200), Preston (18,100), Warrington Bank Quay (18,100), and Stockport (18,100) made up the rest of the top ten, respectively.

The most popular journey from Manchester Piccadilly is to London Euston, and this is the same for Liverpool Lime Street, whilst passengers at Manchester Victoria’s top choice is Leeds.

Manchester Piccadilly and Liverpool Lime Street were the only stations from the Northwest to make it into the overall top ten, placing seventh and tenth respectively.

Speaking on the findings, Samantha White from West Somerset Railway who conducted the research said: “It is amazing to see that there are so many searches for train stations in the United Kingdom, including Manchester Piccadilly being the most searched station in the North West and 7th in the UK overall.

“I feel that 6 million average searches across the United Kingdom in the last year goes to show that there is a desire in the public to use train services as a main form of public transport. Whether that be commuting to work or travelling to beautiful areas of the country on a holiday, the demand for train travel remains high.”