Cross Gates Station is on the Selby Line, operated by Northern, and lies 4.25 miles (7 km) east of Leeds railway station. It is accessible via a ramp from the street above. The station still has an active ticket office, staffed part-time (Mondays to Saturdays only from early morning until the early afternoon).
Train travel between Cross Gates and Leeds is fast, taking just 6 minutes on average. See our Train Timetables for more information.
Location
The station is operated by Northern and is located on the Selby Line, about 4.25 miles (7 km) east of Leeds railway station. The station is staffed part-time and has two platforms. It’s served by regular trains to Leeds, with services taking just nine minutes during peak weekdays and 38 minutes to Bradford Interchange.
In its heyday at the turn of the century the new Cross Gates station instilled pride among local residents and made a good impression on visitors. At this time about 80 trains a day stopped at the station, providing a frequent service that enabled the village to develop from a pit village into a desirable commuter suburb.
This 1890s view shows the station at its best, still decorated with flowers and surrounded by attractive gardens. A few years later the line was quadrupled and the station moved slightly to the east. The station now had two wide facing, but slightly staggered, platforms and two fast lines running between them. Private sidings were added for the Royal Ordnance Factory at Barnbow; these remained until 1924.
Today, the site of the station is occupied by the Crossgates Shopping Centre which provides a wealth of wallet-busting retail therapy. Nearby is Temple Newsam, an historic house and working farm jam-packed with fascinating historic collections and intriguing displays.
History
Cross Gates was a village and station on the outskirts of Leeds, opened by the Leeds and Selby Railway in 1834. The original small station closed six years later but reopened in 1850 as a large suburban station serving a growing community.
As the village continued to grow into a commuter suburb, Cross Gates station served the increasing numbers of people travelling here to work in the city. By 1911 the station had quadrupled in size and was at its peak as the village developed into a prosperous area of Leeds.
The station was also a hub of activity for the local community, with a number of different social clubs and activities operating in and around it. In the parish magazine of the day residents could be found playing Whist at the local club, playing cricket at the Recreation Ground or organising trips out to local beauty spots. In the 1891 Census there were 15 separate trades listed for residents of the village and a few names remain familiar today, such as the cabinet makers Linson and Stringer, or the builder Marshall.
The station is still used regularly for trains to Leeds and is undergoing major improvements and upgrades. The village is currently in the process of being redeveloped as part of the HS2 project and there are plans for a new island platform at the east end.
Getting There
Cross Gates Station is serviced by Northern Rail, which offers a range of ticket types and travel options. Express trains offer a faster journey time, while local services make more stops and provide a more relaxed experience. The company also offers a number of facilities to help passengers get to their destination comfortably and on time.
The station is small and only has two platforms, but it serves a large area and attracts lots of commuters. A wide ramp leads to both platforms, and the down platform building is protected by a canopy. The station is staffed part-time and features digital information screens and a passenger announcement system.
There are several trains each hour throughout the day on weekdays, with peak-time services to Leeds taking just nine minutes and Bradford Interchange in 38. On Sundays and in the evening, there are hourly services to York and Selby.
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Things to Do
Whether you’re looking to shop ’til you drop, unwind at a spa or get your laugh on at a comedy club, Cross Gates Station is home to plenty of places to explore. Here are just a few of the top 5:
At Get Air, you can fly through wall-to-wall trampolines, foam pits, dodge ball courts and a 12,000 square-foot Albany Ninja Lab inspired by the hit TV show American Ninja Warrior. Get in on the action and compete against your friends or the clock to be crowned champion.
Across the street is Crossgates Commons, which offers even more shopping and dining options. Here you can find everything from a Zara to a new Hilton dual-branded hotel and the award-winning Spa Mirbeau.
