Tour map of Rothley

A tour of Rothley Station

The entrance:

By foot:

You are able to walk from the surrounding villages such as Thurcaston along Station Road, Swithland road, Westfield lane and The Ridgeway until you come up to the Road bridge where you can walk down the restored and reopened station stairs, or walk down the driveway, next to the Stationmasters house.

We offer a "Walks from the Line" guide book which is useful for walkers!

It offers a number of routes available in the surrounding area and will usually

take you to one of our stations along the line.

Available for purchase from the booking office. £3.50

The Car Park:

Rothley offers a safe, enclosed car park which is in-view of the the Station and surrounding buildings. Parking is FREE, however certain events may restrict the car parks availability. Such as Children's funfair and War Weekend events!

Disabled spacing:

There are a number of specially paved disabled spaces for wheelchairs, and ease of travel. They are located by the main crossing gate.

General Parking:

Access to the station from the car park is to the far left via the Foot Crossing. The car park is also a short walk from Ellis' Tea Room, Picnic area and Model Railway - These can all be accessed via the pavement.

CarPark

Paved disabled parking spaces by the railway crossing gate

Picnic area and garden railway:

The Charnwood Forest Railway (CFR) is a 'G' scale garden railway located beyond the carpark, next to Ellis'. It is a very popular attraction to Rothley and draws in crowds of all ages! It runs on; Saturdays, Sundays & Bank Holidays, and in most weathers!

There is also a grass picnic area which can be enjoyed during the warm weather.

During certain events, you can even drive a train for a small charge.

Picnic Garden ellis

Ellis' Tearoom:

For hot food, sandwiches and meals this is the place to be, located next to the Garden Railway, Ellis' Tearoom offers a selection of warm foods which aren't available in the Platform tearoom.

During the warmer weather, you can sit outside and watch the trains pass the station.

Open 10am until 4pm everyday. **

** Longer during summer months and special events.

Picnic area, Garden Railway & Ellis' Tearoom

Station Buildings

Gent's:

Everyone needs to go at some point, maybe its the amount of cups of teas you may consume during your visit! The gents toilet still has its original enamel urinal and with our restoration work the whole of the gents is covered with a roof. Originally only the 'sit-down' was covered and you can still see the markings of the roof!

General Waiting room & Ladies:

Whether you need a place to sit and rest, or just to escape the elements, you can take a seat in the waiting room and view a number of pictures, posters and maps.

The open fire will be lit during the winter months! Who can resist the roar of a coal fire?!

Leaflets are available here. The entrance to the Ladies toilets is at the back of the room... however don't be fooled by the "engaged" toilet - its actually the original doorway into the loo!

Waitingroom / Tearoom

Tea Room:

Originally the Ladies waiting room and entrance to the Ladies toilet. It is now the location of our tea room where you can buy light snacks; tea, cakes, sweets, ice cream and homemade cakes*! Don't forget to get warmed by the open fire during winter.

* You can find many delicious homemade cakes on various weekends, for allergens please ask a member of staff!

The tearoom underwent a redecoration during the closed Christmas period of 2011 and additional redecoration during the 2013 Christmas period

Station Masters office & Booking office:

You can always find a member of staff in the Station masters office. There is an old typewriter, pens and ink wells. You can buy your train tickets from the booking office window which has seen over 100 years of coins being passed through it! (Take a look at the small wearing in the wood). Information, tickets and leaflets are available here.

Did you know? The main gas light fitting in here and the tea room were from Woolworth's in Leicester!

Parcels office:

The first room under the stairs, recreated to look like a parcels office with many parcels, books, cases, stamps, even a cat. You can also listen to the Story of Madge Sleath - A female porter at Rothley, as well as finding many items of interest on display.

(Have you found the false teeth yet?!)

Click on the photos below to see the enlarged version:

SMO and Parcels