Euston Railway Station

Euston is a triumph of 1960s design which, these days, looks less like a triumph and more like an ugly concrete block of brutalist architecture. The sixties makeover is so comprehensive that it's surprising to discover that this is one of London's oldest railway stations. People have been leaving Euston for Birmingham and beyond since 1837. As part of the 'improvements', a beautiful Doric arch was replaced with sixties concrete slabs. But there are at least a couple of nods to the past: two Portland stone entrance lodges remain, the war memorial also survived and a statue of Robert Stephenson, chief engineer for the London and Birmingham Railway, still stands. It may be a carbuncle but, for getting to the north, it's very handy - the sleeper to Scotland is one of the few remaining overnighters still going.

Regular train services depart Euston for destinations in the Midlands, the Northwest and Scotland.