Stevenage for nearly an hour

[DeeGee]

So, in the interests of trying to get a rail fare to the airport as cheaply as my Ryanair fare from the airport, I've bought myself the cheapest ticket I could find from Doncaster to Stansted Airport, and it goes via Stevenage and Cambridge. It's an early start and a long door to door journey.

One joyful element of this ticket is that I have a 59 minute layover at Stevenage. It's an advance ticket so we can discuss the whys and wherefores about leaving the station at some other time.

What I'm wondering is whether there's anywhere near enough to Stevenage Station that I can sit in the warm with a coffee at 9am on a December Friday that won't leave me running for a train. Alternatively, I've not been to Stevenage in a few years, what retail is there on the station itself that would be affordable for someone travelling on a budget?

Its about a four hour journey door to door all told, so I wouldn't mind seeing something that's not trains for half an hour. And I'm unlikely to have had much for breakfast before setting off.

 

[class442]

A quick google shows me a Puccino's cafe on platform 3/4 that has seating. Can't comment on the affordability though.
There's a costa on the concourse without seating.

For cheap and nice there's a Gregg's, a 6 minute walk into the town centre, as well as many other cafe options.

 

[sprunt]

Stevenage station is 5 minutes' walk from the town centre, with the usual selection of chains including a Starbucks at least. It's also adjacent to a theatre/leisure centre complex that I'd imagine has some kind of cafe in it, it's also across the road from a leisure park with a selection of the chain restaurants that implies. Pretty sure you'll find something during that time you're there.

 

[DeeGee]

Thanks for this so far.

I'd seen on a map where things were and can see that it's not far from town. Technically, I'm not allowed to leave the station environs though, so I'd be keen to know if anyone knows the outlets on the station and whether they're viable for an hour's transfer.

 

[gazthomas]

If you can get out there's a McDonalds in the leisure park (west station exit) and a Wetherspoon (Old Post Office, east station exit) 5 minutes walk away towards the town centre.

There are two coffee shops with limited seating on each of the platforms, not sure if the Costa at the top of the bridge is accessible "rail side".

I regularly used the station for 10+ years and I found the staff accomodating to polite requests, for example to go onto the platform to meet people from the train.

 

[KatieLouLou]

If you can get out there's a McDonalds in the leisure park (west station exit) and a Wetherspoon (Old Post Office, east station exit) 5 minutes walk away towards the town centre.

There are two coffee shops with limited seating on each of the platforms, not sure if the Costa at the top of the bridge is accessible "rail side".

I regularly used the station for 10+ years and I found the staff accomodating to polite requests, for example to go onto the platform to meet people from the train.

That Wetherspoon has now closed as part of the town centre redevelopment. McDonalds is probably the closest "coffee" with seating (and you can keep an eye on the trains across the car park too!). Using the lifts from the platform allows you to avoid the gateline, if exiting the station through the barriers is a worry.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Time to factor in the event of any delays or cancellations to train services

 

[DeeGee]

That Wetherspoon has now closed as part of the town centre redevelopment. McDonalds is probably the closest "coffee" with seating (and you can keep an eye on the trains across the car park too!). Using the lifts from the platform allows you to avoid the gateline, if exiting the station through the barriers is a worry.

That's certainly an option that allows for breakfast.

 

[Ediswan]

Stevenage station is 5 minutes' walk from the town centre, with the usual selection of chains including a Starbucks at least. It's also adjacent to a theatre/leisure centre complex that I'd imagine has some kind of cafe in it, it's also across the road from a leisure park with a selection of the chain restaurants that implies. Pretty sure you'll find something during that time you're there.

It does, but not open until 10am.

The bus interchange has a coffe shop and an indoor waiting area, not sure of the hours though.

 

[Mikey C]

Thanks for this so far.

I'd seen on a map where things were and can see that it's not far from town. Technically, I'm not allowed to leave the station environs though, so I'd be keen to know if anyone knows the outlets on the station and whether they're viable for an hour's transfer.

I assume you mean going through the ticket barrier, as if you're allowed through surely it makes no difference whether you hang around the station area or walk into town?

The Costa is outside the gateline, and there's a convenience store opposite it too. McDonalds is a short walk away in a large retail/leisure park to the west of the station.

 

[DeeGee]

I assume you mean going through the ticket barrier, as if you're allowed through surely it makes no difference whether you hang around the station area or walk into town?

The Costa is outside the gateline, and there's a convenience store opposite it too. McDonalds is a short walk away in a large retail/leisure park to the west of the station.

Advance Ticket Doncaster-Stansted Airport route Peterborough+LNER, with a reserved itinerary via Stevenage (not my choice of route - cheapest one I was offered)

As I understand it, on an AP ticket I'm permitted to cross the gateline in order to use station facilities, but I'm not allowed to leave the station premises as that constitutes Break of Journey which is not allowed.

 

[MikePJ]

So, in the interests of trying to get a rail fare to the airport as cheaply as my Ryanair fare from the airport, I've bought myself the cheapest ticket I could find from Doncaster to Stansted Airport, and it goes via Stevenage and Cambridge. It's an early start and a long door to door journey.

One joyful element of this ticket is that I have a 59 minute layover at Stevenage. It's an advance ticket so we can discuss the whys and wherefores about leaving the station at some other time.

What I'm wondering is whether there's anywhere near enough to Stevenage Station that I can sit in the warm with a coffee at 9am on a December Friday that won't leave me running for a train. Alternatively, I've not been to Stevenage in a few years, what retail is there on the station itself that would be affordable for someone travelling on a budget?

Its about a four hour journey door to door all told, so I wouldn't mind seeing something that's not trains for half an hour. And I'm unlikely to have had much for breakfast before setting off.

I used to change fairly regularly at Stevenage as it was often a good way to get a bargain fare between Cambridge and places in Yorkshire. The Puccino's is fine - it's quite small, and it sells coffee and pastries. I don't remember what the prices are like.

 

[12LDA28C]

If you're a fan of felines you might be lucky enough to see the station cat Nala whilst you're there!

 

[Amos]

If you can get out of the station the market is within walking distance.Should get a decent breakfast there.

 

[DeeGee]

If you're a fan of felines you might be lucky enough to see the station cat Nala whilst you're there!

I saw an article about the cat. Fingers crossed.

 

[ASharpe]

I once cooked a fry up on the platform at Stevenage on my trangia about 15 years ago. Never been into the town, just the Asda.

 

[xotGD]

I had a 55 minute fester at Stevenage a couple of weeks ago.

The waiting room was warm enough, and the toilets are "airside" on the footbridge level. I had a book.

 

[Hadders]

Advance Ticket Doncaster-Stansted Airport route Peterborough+LNER, with a reserved itinerary via Stevenage (not my choice of route - cheapest one I was offered)

As I understand it, on an AP ticket I'm permitted to cross the gateline in order to use station facilities, but I'm not allowed to leave the station premises as that constitutes Break of Journey which is not allowed.

Where GTR provide the connecting train into a long distance Advance ticket they allow you to take any train, so you don't have to fester at Stevenage for an hour. You could continue to Cambridge and wait longer there.

If you do spend time at Stevenage, in addition to the waiting rooms on the platform there are 4 places that sell coffee but nowhere to get a newspaper (sign of the times!)
Pop into the town centre for Starbucks, Costa, Greggs and a couple of independent coffee shops
There's a large Tesco with a cafe and a large Asda a short walk away
As noted by others the Wetherspoons has closed down
The library is another place you could wait but doesn't open until 10am so is of no use to you this time
If you fancy a walk then pop up to the Old Town or take a walk through Town Centre Gardens.

I doubt you'll have an issue getting through the barriers if you do choose to pop into town. The barriers will be in use but the staff are normally ok.