Maidenhead Station, Berkshire
Maidenhead Station is a major railway station located in the town of Maidenhead, within the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire. As one of the key stops on the Elizabeth Line, it provides fast and efficient rail access to central London, the City, and beyond, making it an essential commuter and regional transit hub.
History and Naming
The original Maidenhead Station opened in 1838 as part of the Great Western Railway, designed by the celebrated engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. It was initially located slightly east of its present site but was resited in 1871 to its current location. Since its inception, the station has been known simply as "Maidenhead," named after the town it serves. The name derives from the Anglo-Saxon "Maiden Hythe," meaning "new wharf," referencing its early role as a riverside settlement along the Thames.
Location and Station Layout
The station lies to the north of Maidenhead town centre, with its main entrance on Station Approach, which connects to Shoppenhangers Road and King Street. A secondary entrance is located on the north side at Station Road. There is a ground-level station building that includes a staffed ticket office, ticket machines, waiting areas, and small retail outlets such as cafés and newsagents.
By road, the distance from Maidenhead Station to Charing Cross in central London is approximately 30 miles (48 km), making it a manageable commute or day trip destination.
Services and Connectivity
Elizabeth Line: Maidenhead is served by the Elizabeth Line, offering direct services to Reading in the west and Abbey Wood and Shenfield in the east. The line provides frequent trains, particularly during peak hours. The next station to the west is Twyford, and to the east is Taplow.
National Rail: In addition to Elizabeth Line services, Maidenhead is served by Great Western Railway (GWR), providing direct connections to Reading, Oxford, Didcot Parkway, and London Paddington.
London Underground: While Maidenhead is not part of the London Underground system, passengers can easily interchange with the London Underground stations via Elizabeth Line stops such as Paddington (for the Bakerloo Line, Circle Line, District Line, and Hammersmith & City Line) and Bond Street (for the Jubilee Line and Central Line).
Fares and Travel Times
- To Reading Station:
- Single ticket: £5.40
- Oyster/contactless fare: £4.70 off-peak / £6.00 peak
- Estimated travel time: 13 minutes
- To Abbey Wood Station:
- Single ticket: £15.20
- Oyster/contactless fare: £12.80 off-peak / £15.20 peak
- Estimated travel time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- To Charing Cross Station:
- Journey requires interchanging from the Elizabeth Line at Bond Street or Tottenham Court Road to reach Charing Cross via the Northern Line or walking from Embankment Station.
- Single ticket: £15.20
- Oyster/contactless fare: £12.80 off-peak / £15.20 peak
- Estimated travel time: 1 hour 5 minutes, including interchange
Fun Fact
Maidenhead Station's line features one of Brunel's engineering marvels just to the east: the Maidenhead Railway Bridge, also known as the Sounding Arch. This Grade I listed structure spans the River Thames and held the record for the flattest brick arch in the world at the time of its construction. The bridge remains in active use and is admired for its graceful design and historical significance.
Quick Facts
- Location: Maidenhead, Berkshire
- Opened: 1838 (resited in 1871)
- Rail Lines: Elizabeth Line, Great Western Railway
- Entrances: Station Approach (main), Station Road (secondary)
- Distance to Charing Cross: 30 miles (by road)
- To Reading Station: 13 mins, £5.40 single / £4.70-£6.00 Oyster
- To Abbey Wood: 1 hr 5 mins, £15.20 single / £12.80-£15.20 Oyster
- To Charing Cross: 1 hr 5 mins via Elizabeth Line + Underground
- Nearby Landmark: Maidenhead Railway Bridge (Brunel’s Sounding Arch)
Maidenhead Station is 
on the Map of London Underground
Painting of Maidenhead Station, Berkshire (View image in full size)
