Our gateway to the world

Keighley is the KWVR’s northern terminus and is conveniently placed just on the edge of the town centre so you’re just a short walk from all that the town centre has to offer. It is split into two halves. Our half of the station oozes 1950s British Railways atmosphere and there are loads to see on platforms 3 and 4 while across platforms 1 and 2 are the connections with national mainline rail services to Bradford, Carlisle, Leeds, Skipton and the West Coast.

Platform 4 is the usual departure platform for the KWVR branch. It retains many of the original features. For example, a superb glass canopy and the original waiting room, although the original toilets succumbed in recent times to modern hygiene standards. Still in use are two rooms under the ramp, now housing the Station Master’s office and the staff mess room. The booking office on platform 4 is a newly constructed addition while the ticket collector’s hut was originally a telephone box at Wakefield Kirkgate. Next door to the booking office is the gift shop and buffet.

Look to platform 3 you will see that it is quite bare in comparison to platform 4. Between the 1950s & 1990s with limited financial resources, British Railways was forced to make serious cutbacks, hence removing the canopies and even closure of the Worth Valley branch. The KWVR has collected a large quantity of suitable ironwork, hoping that the platform 3 canopies will be restored one day.

There is a turntable at the end of platform 3 which was acquired in 1990 from Garsdale where it used to turn engines on the Settle to Carlisle line. The signal box at the end of Platform 3 might look as though it has always been there but it was dismantled and moved to the Railway from Shipley, Bingley Junction. When it is brought into use it will control all movements on the KWVR side of the station. The original Keighley West signal box was further round the curve and gradient leading away from the station.

Things you can do in Keighley

Heritage and Shopping

Keighley has some amazing historic buildings that are well worth seeking out or if you just want to wander around the town centre, you’ll find an amazing array of retail opportunities ranging from varied stalls in the indoor market to independent shops course, supermarkets.

Places to Visit

Cliffe Castle and Museum

An impressive, castellated house and grounds with its own museum. The house was at one time owned by a textile magnate and later by a Lord Mayor of London! Careful, they close on Mondays.  

Website

Keighley Bus Museum

Just a short walk from the station in Dalton Lane the museum houses a superb collection of buses and trolleybuses from around the country as well as fascinating examples of emergency vehicles.  

Website

East Riddlesden Hall

a 17th Century Manor House now owned by the National Trust that puts you in touch with the area’s amazing agricultural and industrial past. Fascinating for all age ranges.

Website

Keighley Cougars Rugby League Club

the town’s best-known sporting asset that plays at Cougar Park just half a mile from Keighley Station. Match days provide good family fun with access to bars and corporate entertainment facilities.

Website

Food and Drink

No need to look too far for good food and drink in Keighley. Just across the road is the Boltmakers Arms, a pub that gives its name to a famous Timothy Taylor brewery beer only a short walk from the station you can find restaurants serving food from around the world and there is a great selection of fast-food outlets.

There’s also a well-stocked refreshment bar on Platform Four at the station.

Quick Station Information

  • Connections with the national railway network, Platforms 1 (Eastbound) & 2 (Westbound)
  • Platforms 3 & 4 for KWVR services
  • Limited Free Parking
  • Platform Gift Shop
  • Platform Buffet
  • Picnic Area
  • Level Access
  • Toilets