Explore Early Wolverton

Wolverton grew up as a town around its railway station. The town was originally known as Wolverton Station. This is a trail around some of the most historic parts of Wolverton. It includes the sites of the first two stations including the famous Refreshment Rooms. The trail also takes you through the Triangle building (part of the early railway factory), the Park (where the town held sports events of national standing) and Glyn Square which was one of Wolverton’s “Little Streets”

1. Town Hall
​
Turn left out of the town hall/library entrance into Creed St and head to the junction with Stratford Rd. Across the road is Glyn Square, a 1970s shopping precinct with some remnants of its original railway themed decor on the cladding above the shop fronts. Carefully cross over Creed St and then also Stratford Rd and follow it as it heads away from the town centre.

2. The Carriage Works
 
After crossing the bridge above the railway line (this is the original 1838 mainline from London to Birmingham) turn left into the redeveloped “Carriage Works”. There is an access ramp a little further along Stratford Rd. Take the stairs or the lift immediately inside the building and walk around a preserved shell of an old railway workshop. Now residential and retail, follow the shop fronts to the “Reading Room”, an early factory building that was a library, a chapel and a sewing room.

3. The Reading Room
​
Turn left at the Reading Room. The trail now crosses the canal using a footbridge which has steps and no disabled access. If this is a problem for you, retrace your steps and pick up the trail as it loops back around from Wolverton Park. The canal footbridge is marked either side by two sculptures, Reaching Forward, by artist Martin Heron. Follow the line of the bridge down Lonsdale towards Wolverton Park.

4. Wolverton Park
 
Cross over Wolverton Park Rd to see the redeveloped sports ground. Beyond is the park keeper's lodge and the old gasworks. A green pastiche of the original Victorian grandstand is set below the embankment. The park is often open if you want to wander around but otherwise follow Wolverton Park Road left as it runs across the top of the park.

5. The Royal Train Shed
 
Before turning left at the roundabout note the long building on Earlestown Way. Before conversion into flats, this was the home of the Royal Train, which was built at Wolverton. The embankment was originally built to carry the main line which the trail now follows.

6. The Triangle Building
 
Follow Wolverton Park Rd alongside the Triangle building. This area was the heart of early Wolverton. The first engine shed, with its smithy and foundries were across the track here, as were the original workers’ houses. A single line, beyond the fence opposite, is still used to bring repair jobs into the works. Continue under the Stratford Rd bridge.
 

​7. The Second Railway Station
 
The warehouse here was built on the site of the works paint shop which was built on the site of the second railway station, famous for its refreshment rooms. The existing track can be clearly seen here heading towards the old carriage sidings. Carefully cross at the level crossing and then over the road onto Church Street.

8. The Weighbridge
 
Historically this area was a hive of activity where railwaymen and townsfolk worked in the stables and the goods yard. One building echoes this early railway era: a redevelopment of the weighbridge office tucked into the new housing at the foot of Church Street. It is also where the “Little Streets” housed generations of factory workers.

​9. The Telephone Exchange
 
Turn right at the 1969 telephone exchange, behind the shopping centre, and walk to the end of Glyn Square. This street, along with its neighbours which are now demolished, used to be one of the main residential streets of Wolverton.

10. The Old Market Hall
 
Past the white facade of the old 1954 British Rail Apprentice School (see the compasses set above the doorway) is the old Market Hall. Nearby was also the “drying ground” used by residents to air their laundry. Turn left along the side of the shops to return to the Town Hall.