Twyford Station, Berkshire
Twyford Station is a railway station in the village of Twyford, Berkshire. It serves as an important hub connecting the surrounding communities to central London via the Elizabeth Line. Located just east of Reading, it is one of the westernmost stations on the Elizabeth Line and provides both local and express services.
Location and Station Layout
The station sits at the junction of Station Road and Waltham Road in the heart of Twyford village. The main entrance is on Station Road, featuring a modest ground-level station building that houses a ticket office, waiting area, and small convenience kiosk. Additional access is available via a side entrance with ramp access to platforms, making it friendly for those with reduced mobility.
History and Naming
Twyford Station was originally opened by the Great Western Railway (GWR) on 1 July 1839, making it one of the oldest railway stations still in use. The station has borne the name "Twyford" since its inception, named after the village it serves. The word "Twyford" is derived from Old English and means “double ford,” referring to a crossing of two streams or rivers in the area.
The name Twyford is commonly pronounced as TWY-fuhd, with the emphasis on the first syllable. In the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), it is transcribed as /ˈtwaɪfəd/.
Distance from Central London
By road, Twyford Station is approximately 35 miles (56 km) west of Charing Cross, a standard reference point for measuring distances in London. Rail services, however, make the journey much faster than road travel.
Rail Services and Connections
Twyford Station offers National Rail and Elizabeth Line services but is not part of the London Underground network. It lies on the Elizabeth Line’s western branch, which runs from Reading through to the City and beyond.
There are no London Underground stations in Twyford itself. Passengers travelling to destinations on the Bakerloo Line, Central Line, Circle Line, or other lines must change trains within London.
Elizabeth Line Services
- Preceding station: Reading
- Following station: Maidenhead
Services run at regular intervals throughout the day, with increased frequency during peak hours. All Elizabeth Line trains from Twyford travel through London Paddington before continuing eastwards.
Fares and Journey Times
To Reading Station
- Adult single fare: £3.90 (paper ticket)
- Oyster/contactless fare: £3.00
- Journey time: Approximately 7 minutes
To Abbey Wood Station
- Adult single fare: £20.50 (paper ticket)
- Oyster/contactless fare: £18.60
- Journey time: Approximately 1 hour 20 minutes
To Charing Cross Station
There is no direct train from Twyford to Charing Cross. Travellers must change at London Paddington for either the Bakerloo Line or Jubilee Line, and then at Waterloo or Embankment to complete the journey to Charing Cross.
- Adult single fare: £21.20 (paper ticket)
- Oyster/contactless fare: £19.30
- Estimated journey time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Fun Fact
During the steam era, Twyford Station played a role in transporting strawberries from the local farms to London markets. The region was once known for its prolific strawberry fields, and trainloads of fresh produce would leave Twyford during the summer months for hungry Londoners.
Quick Facts
- Location: Twyford, Berkshire
- Opened: 1 July 1839
- Lines Served: Elizabeth Line, National Rail
- Preceding Elizabeth Line Station: Reading
- Following Elizabeth Line Station: Maidenhead
- Distance from Charing Cross (by road): Approx. 35 miles (56 km)
- Station Entrance: Station Road
- On-site Facilities: Ticket office, waiting room, small kiosk
- Fare to Reading: £3.90 (paper), £3.00 (Oyster/contactless); 7 minutes
- Fare to Abbey Wood: £20.50 (paper), £18.60 (Oyster/contactless); 1 hr 20 mins
- Fare to Charing Cross: £21.20 (paper), £19.30 (Oyster/contactless); 1 hr 25 mins with interchanges
- Fun Fact: Once a major shipping point for local strawberry harvests
Twyford Station is 
on the Map of London Underground
Painting of Twyford Station, Berkshire (View image in full size)
