Why is Maghull the best railway station in the UK?

It is a mild Friday morning in October and although rush hour has been and gone, Maghull railway station is still a hive of activity.

There is a hustle and bustle that you might not expect at a North West station at this time of the year, or indeed any time of the year, for that matter.

But Maghull is not just a couple of dreary platforms where you can make your way from A to B.

In fact, the unassuming Merseyrail station is basking in the afterglow of its victory in the 2024 World Cup of Stations competition - having just been named best in the UK.

And it doesn't take too long to work out what impressed the judges at the Railway Delivery Group, organisers of the contest.

When the BBC turned up to find out just what makes Maghull so special, the first thing we notice is the car park - it is free, and there are plenty of parking spaces, as well as a bus exchange service.

Big tick.

The entrance to the station is through a traditional-style brick building that leads to a ticket office, and, since February, The Coffee Carriage café.

A footbridge takes engers across to a second platform, which includes a waiting area with a railway-themed stained glass window, donated by a local artist.

Heading in, we immediately bump into 85-year-old volunteer Margaret Walton, armed with her trusty litter-picker, plastic bucket and high-vis jacket.

A member from the Maghull Volunteers group comes every single day - "including Christmas" - to keep things looking spic-and-span, she tells us.

But Margaret's contribution to station life is far more than the clean pavements outside.

Intricate murals depicting station life, including the staff working there today, adorn the brick building - are all painted by Margaret in her spare time.

When asked whether she studied art, she quipped: "Oh no, I taught myself - they wouldn't let me into college because I couldn't spell."

Outside the station building are lovingly-maintained planter boxes, a "secret garden", and quirky sculptures - all the handiwork of Maghull Volunteers and other community groups.

Chairwoman Doreen Bird, 81, said the group has been together approximately 20 years after being founded by the late Nigel Winchester and Alan Pritchard.

"I just love it," she said, when asked what motivated her to keep Maghull station looking its best.

"It's amazing really how much people appreciate the station being as beautiful as it is.

"What one lady said to me is; 'it makes me smile every Monday morning when I really don't want to go to work'.

"That's all it takes, I think that's why we do it."

And the evidence from our visit backs that up.

As we chat to the staff there, several engers stop to offer their congratulations or ask "did you win then":[]}