RailUK First Class Lounge Guide

[Ascot]

National Rail Enquiries says that there is no First Class lounge at this station. Roll your mouse over the first symbol in the ribbon below the station address.

It won't show up on there like Ebbsfleet. It's not a national facility, like the Stations-made-easy doesn't include Eurostar sides.


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[Ascot]

Sorry, I didn't realise. It was there when I worked there (year 10 work experience)... but that was 2010.

My apologies.




Yes, apologies. It was there when I worked for Eurostar as part of work experience back in year 10.

It might be still there, I haven't been to that part of the world in years & then it was domestic. If anyone is there could they have a look?


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[district]

I will speak with my contact at Eurostar

 

[All Line Rover]

It won't show up on there like Ebbsfleet. It's not a national facility, like the Stations-made-easy doesn't include Eurostar sides.


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Ah, thanks for that - I didn't realise.

According to Eurostar, there is a Business Premier lounge at Ashford. According to this page, it appears that the Business Premier "lounge" is just a small part of the main departure lounge that is reserved for Business Premier ticket holders.

 

[Ascot]

No big update for tonight but a few things done nonetheless.

- I have created a template ready for Ashford however I am awaiting confirmation from district before uploading this.

- Eurotunnel have a lounge for FLEXI ticket holders at Folkestone, has anyone got any information to this?

- NEWS Regus have announced a partnership with the NL Railway system to add business lounges to a few of the stations. After the trial they may consider this to other areas. If this does ever get to the UK then these may well be added to the guide.

 

[PFX]

As I think I mentioned some time ago, I had intended to get a picture of the Liverpool St lounge. I arrived there yesterday afternoon to find that it was closed so no picture. There was no indication anywhere to say if it is normally closed on Sundays and no staff around to ask.

It made my 1st class Stansted Express ticket pretty worthless really since I couldn't avail of the lounge at the airport either due to my gate location.

 

[Bungle73]

I'm in the King's Cross lounge now. I can't really take a photo because there are quite a few people in here. I showed my lounge pass to the member of staff and he took it off me. That's odd, it's supposed to last all day. I said nothing because I won't need it again.

Edit: The NRM artefacts are displayed in the wall opposite the windows looking onto the platforms btw.

 

[lyesbkz]

I showed my lounge pass to the member of staff and he took it off me. That's odd, it's supposed to last all day.

Had you asked for it back I'm sure you'd have been given it (after all it does say on the pass that it's valid all day for more than one use).

Though I've always carried a couple of copies when I know I'll be using more than one lounge just in case!

 

[matt]

- Eurotunnel have a lounge for FLEXI ticket holders at Folkestone, has anyone got any information to this?

I have used the flexi lounge a couple of times. Its a lounge plus toilets. There are complimentary magazines and newspapers. The complimentary refreshments are a baguette, packet crisps, chocolate bar, a cake plus a can of drink. There is also a tea/coffee machine. It has its own lane so you are always nearly at the front of the queue for boarding le shuttle.

 

[WCMLaddict]

Here is a photo from the Doncaster FC lounge.

 

[Ascot]

I have used the flexi lounge a couple of times. Its a lounge plus toilets. There are complimentary magazines and newspapers. The complimentary refreshments are a baguette, packet crisps, chocolate bar, a cake plus a can of drink. There is also a tea/coffee machine. It has its own lane so you are always nearly at the front of the queue for boarding le shuttle.

Thanks for that. I'll get round to adding this tonight.

Here is a photo from the Doncaster FC lounge.

Many thanks, I'll add that tonight to the guide.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Update tonight.

Eurotunnel Folkestone has been added as well as a few images been sent. Many thanks for all the submissions so far, keep them coming!

 

[Deerfold]

Do you know what hours lounges tend to keep on Bank Holidays?

Specifically, I'll be travelling first with a change at Manchester Piccadilly on Bank Holiday Tuesday 5th June.

I did have a look on the Virgin website but there seems to be no mention of Bank Holidays on their times.

I'm hoping they don't do Sunday hours or I'll miss the lounge there *again*.

 

[All Line Rover]

Do you know what hours lounges tend to keep on Bank Holidays?

Specifically, I'll be travelling first with a change at Manchester Piccadilly on Bank Holiday Tuesday 5th June.

I did have a look on the Virgin website but there seems to be no mention of Bank Holidays on their times.

I'm hoping they don't do Sunday hours or I'll miss the lounge there *again*.

Are you travelling with Advance tickets or walk-up tickets?

 

[lyesbkz]

Do you know what hours lounges tend to keep on Bank Holidays?

. . .
I did have a look on the Virgin website but there seems to be no mention of Bank Holidays on their times.

Your best bet would probably be to Tweet them

Are you travelling with Advance tickets or walk-up tickets?

I'm curious as to what difference this would make?

 

[Deerfold]

Your best bet would probably be to Tweet them

I'm have a go this evening.

I'm curious as to what difference this would make?

With Virgin, I don't think it makes any. I know with EC it does.

 

[tamesidedepot]

I'm have a go this evening.




With Virgin, I don't think it makes any. I know with EC it does.

Sat in the lounge at Euston at the moment (in fact have been here since 1600 as my meeting was cancelled). Always get an advanced first (cheaper than off-peak standard for SPT-EUS) and never had a problem with being admitted. Nice and relaxed, occasional brew and a biscuit. Teach me to book the 2100 though in future

 

[All Line Rover]

Your best bet would probably be to Tweet them



I'm curious as to what difference this would make?

With Virgin, if you hold an Advance ticket, you are only allowed to purchase a Weekend Upgrade on the train. Of course, staff at the departure station can show discretion, but this is not guaranteed, so it is not always possible to use the First Class lounge at your departure station.

 

[lyesbkz]

With Virgin, if you hold an Advance ticket, you are only allowed to purchase a Weekend Upgrade on the train. Of course, staff at the departure station can show discretion, but this is not guaranteed, so it is not always possible to use the First Class lounge at your departure station.

Ah yes, I meant difference in terms of Deerfold's question - for a moment there, you had me worried that they were introducing restricted opening hours for Advance 1st ticket holders! (I wouldn't put it past them ..)

 

[OwlMan]

FYI a new page for "The Manual" was introduced this week for East Coast first class lounges.
Copy attached.

Peter

 

[Ascot]

FYI a new page for "The Manual" was introduced this week for East Coast first class lounges.
Copy attached.

Peter

Thanks for the heads up, I'll keep an eye on it and do a few updates. I'm not sure if you want to remove the link just in case?


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[ainsworth74]

I have three pics of the Paddington lounge for you, not sure which one you want to use as there two bits to it. The modern looking section (which seems to be open whenever the lounge is) and the older more fancy looking section (which seems to be close in the evening even when the rest of the lounge is open).

 

[Ascot]

I have three pics of the Paddington lounge for you, not sure which one you want to use as there two bits to it. The modern looking section (which seems to be open whenever the lounge is) and the older more fancy looking section (which seems to be close in the evening even when the rest of the lounge is open).

Those are brilliant, thanks for capturing them. If you don't mind I'll use the 2nd one for now.

On that note, thanks to everyone for contributing to FGW as this section is now complete. Reviews and lounge feedback always welcome.

 

[scotsman]

Only teas/coffees in the GLQ lounge

 

[ainsworth74]

One pic of Edinburgh East Coast first class lounge. A real pain to find this one as there is pretty much no signage until you're stood right outside the door to get in! Also if you're buying a lounge supplement you can't buy it at the lounge and have to buy it from, I think, the ticket office but the man wasn't very clear as he just told me not to bother and waved me in so I could be wrong. Either way you don't buy the supplement from the lounge itself.

 

[All Line Rover]

One pic of Edinburgh East Coast first class lounge. A real pain to find this one as there is pretty much no signage until you're stood right outside the door to get in! Also if you're buying a lounge supplement you can't buy it at the lounge and have to buy it from, I think, the ticket office but the man wasn't very clear as he just told me not to bother and waved me in so I could be wrong. Either way you don't buy the supplement from the lounge itself.

I had to buy it from the ticket office. A bit of a faff but it's worth it if you've got a long wait. Was there still a large selection of biscuits and Eat Natural bars on the wall to the left of the TV?

 

[Ascot]

One pic of Edinburgh East Coast first class lounge. A real pain to find this one as there is pretty much no signage until you're stood right outside the door to get in! Also if you're buying a lounge supplement you can't buy it at the lounge and have to buy it from, I think, the ticket office but the man wasn't very clear as he just told me not to bother and waved me in so I could be wrong. Either way you don't buy the supplement from the lounge itself.

Thanks for getting the photo. Interesting to know about the supplement.

 

[ainsworth74]

Was there still a large selection of biscuits and Eat Natural bars on the wall to the left of the TV?

Yup.

It's a nice place to wait if you've got an hour or more for a connection but not worth it for anything less really.

Thanks for getting the photo.

No problem

 

[calc7]

Surely a FDS to/from Haymarket is cheaper than a lounge supplement?

 

[All Line Rover]

Surely a FDS to/from Haymarket is cheaper than a lounge supplement?

Yes, as is mentioned in the first post of this thread.

 

[bb21]

I'll provide you with a picture of the King's Cross lounge drinks area later. Also to be expected is a picture of the Wakefield Westgate lounge.

Shame that Leeds closes so early.

Edit: Here they are. The Wakefield lounge picture was taken with my back against the opposite corner. It is that small.

I notice that the OP has mysteriously forgotten to put the pictures already supplied into the opening post. Maybe those were not aesthetically pleasing enough.