How many stations are there called "Witton"?

[sn5775]

Hi all,

I've just noticed that Witton station, on the Chase Line, just outside central Birmingham is referred to as "Witton (West Midlands)" on the planners.

Is there another station called "Witton" somewhere, or has there been one in the past that has since closed?

Many thanks.

 

[swt_passenger]

I think the place they’re trying to differentiate might be Whitton on the Waterloo to Reading line.

 

[NER1621]

Witton-le-Wear, on the Weardale Railway. Still open in preservation.

Witton Gilbert, on the now-closed Lanchester branch.

Both in County Durham

 

[Mag_seven]

I think the place they’re trying to differentiate might be Whitton on the Waterloo to Reading line.

One has an "h" in it, the other doesn't.

 

[swt_passenger]

One has an "h" in it, the other doesn't.

Yes I agree but it’s the only possibility I can think of.

 

[Ian Hardy]

The SWR station is Whitton (London) to avoid confusion with Witton (West Midlands).

It is strange that stations two stops towards London from Whitton is St Margaret's (London) and the station two stops going in the other direction is called Ashford (Surrey), it was however called Ashford (Middlesex) but it was renamed long after Middlesex disappeared as a county.

To add to the confusion, there was also a station called Whitton in Lincolnshire, on a branch of the Great Central Railway going north from Scunthorpe but that closed in 1925.

It is perhaps luckly that there was never a railway line built to serve the RAF station at Wyton in Cambridgeshire.

When spoken Witton, Whitton and Wyton all sound the exactly the same.

 

[Bank Foot AM]

When spoken Witton, Whitton and Wyton all sound the exactly the same.

They're just witten differently!

 

[Ian Hardy]

They're just witten differently!

Yes, but when you go to a ticket office and ask for a return to Witton, Whitton or Wyton, how does the ticket clerk know which one you require a ticket to, without needing some clarification.

 

[Bank Foot AM]

Yes, but when you go to a ticket office and ask for a return to Witton, Whitton or Wyton, how does the ticket clerk know which one you require a ticket to, without needing some clarification.

Wandering further off topic, that reminds me of a colleague who, when receiving a telephone request for a rail ticket, would always ask, "From where to where?" My hope was that one day someone would reply, "From Ware to Ayr". Unfortunately, I don't think they ever did.

 

[Recessio]

Happens with other stations too that could be confused even with slightly different names. Seaford (Sussex) versus Seaforth & Litherland station. Or Hayes (Kent) versus Hayes & Harlington.

Especially for passengers and tourists if English isn't their first language, it could be an expensive mistake to make!

 

[Old Yard Dog]

And, for what its worth, Witton Albion FC are based on the outskirts of Northwich

 

[Peter Mugridge]

One has an "h" in it, the other doesn't.

This reminds me of the Newton / Neilston issue at Glasgow Central!

 

[norbitonflyer]

There is also Witham in Essex - the "h" is silent, unlike its namesake river in Lincolnshire.

I mentioned Mottingham in SE London to someone today, who thought I was talking about a city in the East Midlands.

 

[izvor]

Cowden often called Cowden (Kent), on tickets at least - why? I can only think of Cooden Beach (Sussex) or Cowdenbeath, hardly likely to cause confusion surely.

 

[The exile]

Wandering further off topic, that reminds me of a colleague who, when receiving a telephone request for a rail ticket, would always ask, "From where to where?" My hope was that one day someone would reply, "From Ware to Ayr". Unfortunately, I don't think they ever did.

Ware to Wye would be a good one as well!

 

[Andy Pacer]

'Preston Lancs' as shown on some boards is another odd one.

 

[The exile]

'Preston Lancs' as shown on some boards is another odd one.

As opposed to Preston Park, presumably.

 

[DaventryRabbit]

Three Oaks to Four Oaks via Sevenoaks

Rye to Lye via Wye

(Both probably valid routes)

 

[Falcon1200]

Cowden often called Cowden (Kent), on tickets at least - why? I can only think of Cooden Beach (Sussex) or Cowdenbeath

Do locals in Fife perhaps shorten Cowdenbeath to just Cowden? Although still unlikely to cause confusion, I agree!

 

[Haywain]

Or Hayes (Kent) versus Hayes & Harlington

As with Harlington (Beds).

 

[pitdiver]

Hayes and Harlington and Harlington (Beds)

 

[pokemonsuper9]

There's also Atherton (Manchester) and Atherstone (Warwickshire).

 

[JohnRegular]

Swindon is sometimes 'Swindon (Wilts)'; I think I have only seen this on printed tickets.
Presumably to avoid confusion with the two stations named Swinton.

 

[nw1]

It is strange that stations two stops towards London from Whitton is St Margaret's (London)

I remember in some 80s timetables this was shown as "St Margarets GLC" and I assumed it was some kind of Council facility. The 1982 GBPTT shows this (Table 147).

Similarly there was "Reedham GLC" between Purley and Smitham and I assumed that was another council facility. Can't see it in the 1982 GBPTT (it's Reedham (Surrey) on that one; Table 178) but do recall it from a bit later.

 

[The exile]

Three Oaks to Four Oaks via Sevenoaks

Rye to Lye via Wye

(Both probably valid routes)

Surely Four Oaks to Sevenoaks needs to go via Three Oaks (otherwise you’re still three short when you get there!) Three Oaks to Sevenoaks via Four Oaks is a bit harder to justify other than in terms of arithmetic.

 

[nw1]

Surely Four Oaks to Sevenoaks needs to go via Three Oaks (otherwise you’re still three short when you get there!) Three Oaks to Sevenoaks via Four Oaks is a bit harder to justify other than in terms of arithmetic.

You could also have Rye to Leigh via Wye, which would be possible but would involve a loop round East Kent.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Feb 2026 ==

Swindon is sometimes 'Swindon (Wilts)'; I think I have only seen this on printed tickets.
Presumably to avoid confusion with the two stations named Swinton.

There is a small place called Swindon somewhere I believe, possibly Gloucestershire? Doesn't have a station though.

 

[91130nut]

Do locals in Fife perhaps shorten Cowdenbeath to just Cowden? Although still unlikely to cause confusion, I agree!

I seem to recall that locals in Fife pronounce it Coo-denbeath !

 

[SargeNpton]

Making that distinction between Witton and Whitton is essential for away supporters travelling to watch their team play at Aston Villa, as Witton is the station they have to travel to.

 

[Elecman]

The 2 Adlingtons in Lancashire and Cheshire

 

[The exile]

The 2 Adlingtons in Lancashire and Cheshire

Are there still trains which stop at both?