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Location notes
Canterbury West station is on the line from Ashford to Margate and Ramsgate direct (not via Dover), whilst Canterbury East station is on the line from Faversham to Dover. Canterbury itself is a popular tourist destination.
The signal box at the east end of the station is particularly noteworthy and is still in use, despite the partial resignallingof the route.
The station is now 'home' to the citys 'high speed' service run by South Eastern using class 395 units to London St Pancras.
The signal box at the east end of the station is particularly noteworthy and is still in use, despite the partial resignallingof the route.
The station is now 'home' to the citys 'high speed' service run by South Eastern using class 395 units to London St Pancras.
Railway type and traffic
There are usually three trains per hour in each direction serving Canterbury West, these being two trains from Charing Cross to Ramsgate (portions that split from Dover trains at Ashford) and one terminating service from London Victoria via Maidstone. These are usually formed of class 375 units.
In addition to this The new St. Pancras High Speed services go to Ramsgate via Sturry and Minster and Magate via Ramsgate and Broadstairs.
In addition to this The new St. Pancras High Speed services go to Ramsgate via Sturry and Minster and Magate via Ramsgate and Broadstairs.
Environment
Canterbury West is a busy station on the edge of the city.
Road directions
Canterbury is just off the A2, and is the centre of a radius of roads throughout most of eastern Kent. Canterbury West station is on the north-west side of the ring road.
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Canterbury West map co-ordinates
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Canterbury West map co-ordinates
Parking
Due to the tourist nature of the city, parking is highly restricted. Best to get the train in.
Public transport
There is a regular train service from London, as mentioned above.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
There are toilets on the station. The main part of the city centre would be about a 10 minute walk away. There is a restaurant in the antiques market (old goods-shed) with views over the eastern end of the platforms.
Accommodation
There is plenty of accommodation in the area, but due to the touristy nature of the city, they can be busy.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Canterbury West
Streetmap links
Canterbury West general view map
Canterbury West close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Canterbury West
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Canterbury West
Googly map
Canterbury West general view map
Canterbury West close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Canterbury West
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Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
The station is formed of two platforms. There used to be two centre-roads, so the platforms are the equivalent of four tracks apart. To the east there is still a large signal box spanning the tracks and to the west a very busy level crossing. The light is best for trains entering/leaving the eastern end of the station from about 11am.
General views - All photographs © Mark Bearton unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking east
Fig 2 - Looking east
Fig 3 - Looking west
A telephoto shot over the crossing
Disclaimer
All information contained within this is site is © Trainspots. The images used on this site remain the property of the original photographer, as credited at the top of the page, and are used with their kind permission.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
Lenham Heath, HS1 Bridge 838
