Here’s a surprising fact: the railway line from Euston to Berkhamsted is older than your great-grandparents. It opened in 1837 as the London and Birmingham Railway. That means people in top hats were making this exact trip, possibly complaining about the exact same delays.
Another shocker: the train passes through Watford Junction, which sounds dull, but is actually a hive of fascinating misery. You’ll see people sprinting between platforms with the desperation of a gazelle being chased by a very late accountant.
Also, the train toilets are a philosophical experience. They are clean enough to not cause a panic, but small enough to make you question your life choices. Pro tip: hold it until Berkhamsted.
The Berkhamsted Arrival: A Triumph
When you arrive at Berkhamsted station, you’ll notice it has a distinctly calm vibe. The platform is open, the sky is bigger, and the air smells less like a thousand lives and more like freshly cut lawn.
The station building itself is a Victorian gem that has been tastefully updated, which means it has a coffee shop that charges £4.50 for a flat white. That’s roughly the same price as your train ticket, but you don’t care because you’ve made it.
Fun fact: Berkhamsted is one of those towns where the phrase “rush hour” means a slightly busier queue at the deli counter. The train from London delivers you right into the middle of a very English dream of cobbled streets and charity shops.
Euston Station London | Britain Visitor - Travel Guide To Britain
