Redruth Train Station

Redruth railway station has been serving the town of Redruth in Cornwall since it first opened in 1852. Redruth is deep in the heart of Cornwall, sitting between Truro and Camborne on the tail end of the CrossCountry network.

The station has seen many changes over the years thanks to development changes to the local railway, and alterations to services. Back in 1838, the Hayle Railway opened Redruth’s first train station on the west side of the town. This railway had the primary aim of moving goods to and from local mines and harbours, as an industry transport service. The railway opened to passengers in 1843, and a few years later the West Cornwall Railway (WCR) took over the Hayle Railway. When WCR took over the railway, they rebuilt and extended it to make it a more functional, wide-reaching line. This reconstruction involved the building of a viaduct above Redruth and a new station – which was opened in 1852.

In 1888, the original timber viaduct – which was built to the designs of Isambard Kingdom Brunel – was replaced by a masonry structure, now with two tracks rather than one. Further refurbishments took place in the 1930s when the main station buildings were replaced and modernised.

One very special feature of Redruth train station is their resident cat – Hector. Passengers travelling through Redruth have been fawning over Hector since 2013, where he loves the attention that locals and tourists give him. Adopted by the train station staff (with the blessing of his family) when he kept coming back to the station, Hector now lives a life of luxury with all the fuss passengers give him!

You can reach Redruth train station from a wide range of locations across the UK, with trains operated by Great Western Railway and CrossCountry serving the station. Popular routes on CrossCountry trains include Penzance to Redruth, Plymouth to Redruth, Bristol to Redruth, York to Redruth, and Aberdeen to Redruth.

At Redruth train station facilities include free public Wi-Fi, ticket machines, a ticket office, toilets including accessible toilets, lost property, bicycle parking, and a car park which is open 24 hours a day Monday-Friday.

Things to do in Redruth

One of the most popular local spots near Redruth is Carn Brea, a monument sitting 738 feet above sea level and overlooking the towns of Camborne and Redruth. Though from a distance, Carn Brea might appear to be a fairly small monument, it is in fact a 90-foot granite obelisk, erected in memory of Francis Bassett, Lord de Dunstaville. Bassett was part of a family who had been important to the local mining industry for over 700 years, but it was his work in miner welfare that forged such a powerful memorial. Inside Carn Brea, there is a staircase leading to a viewing platform for a unique view of the Cornish landscape surrounding.

Just outside of Redruth is a National Trust site focused on the mining heritage of Cornwall, which is both local to Redruth and integral to the history of Cornwall as a county. The old engine houses and mining exhibitions are a fascinating insight into mining work in days gone by, serving as an evocative reminder of Cornwall’s former role at the centre of world engineering and industrial innovation.

In the town of Redruth itself, you will find plenty of inviting restaurants and cafes to sample delicious Cornish dishes and a wide range of shops to explore – from high-street favourites to unique boutiques.