View source for Bristol Temple Meads railway station

{{Short description| Major railway station for the city of Bristol, England }}
{{Use British English|date=October 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox station
| name               = Bristol Temple Meads
| symbol_location    = gb
| symbol             = rail
| image              = Bristol Temple Meads station (6466232797).jpg
| caption            = Facade of the station
| borough            = [[Redcliffe, Bristol]]
| country            = England
| coordinates        = {{coord|51.449|-2.580|type:railwaystation_region:GB_scale:10000|display=inline,title}}
| grid_name          = [[Ordnance Survey National Grid|Grid reference]]
| grid_position      = {{gbmapscaled|ST597725|25|ST597725}}
| manager            = [[Network Rail]]
| platforms          = 13 in use
| code               = BRI
| classification     = [[United Kingdom railway station categories|DfT category]] A
| original           = [[Great Western Railway]]
| years              = 1840
| events             = Opened
| years1             = 1871–1878
| events1            = Extended
| years2             = 1930s
| events2            = Extended
| years3             = 1965
| events3            = Original platforms closed
| mpassengers        = {{Rail pass box |pass_year=2020/21 |passengers={{decrease}} 2.033 million  |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{decrease}} 0.277 million}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2021/22 |passengers={{increase}} 6.628 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{increase}} 0.971 million}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2022/23 |passengers={{increase}} 9.292 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{increase}} 1.242 million}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2023/24 |passengers={{increase}} 10.227 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{increase}} 1.498 million}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2024/25 |passengers={{increase}} 10.877 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{increase}} 1.644 million}}
| footnotes          = Passenger statistics from the [[Office of Rail and Road]]
| embedded           = {{Infobox designation list|embed=yes
| designation1        = Grade I
| designation1_feature = Temple Meads Station
| designation1_date   = 1 November 1966
| designation1_number = 1282106<ref name="Listing">{{National Heritage List for England |num= 1282106 |desc=Temple Meads Station |access-date=4 January 2017 |mode=cs2}}</ref> 
}}
| mapframe           = yes
| mapframe-zoom      = 13
}}
'''Bristol Temple Meads''' is the oldest and largest railway station in [[Bristol]], England. It is located {{convert|118|mi|31|chain|mi km|lk=in}} away from [[London Paddington station|London Paddington]]. It is an important [[transport hub]] for [[public transport in Bristol|public transport in the city]]; there are bus services to many parts of the city and surrounding districts, with a ferry to the city centre. It is the busiest station in [[South West England]], and the fifth busiest in Southern England outside of London.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/usage/estimates-of-station-usage|title=ORR Station Usage Stats 2023-24}}</ref> Bristol's other major station, [[Bristol Parkway railway station|Bristol Parkway]], is a more recent station on the northern outskirts of the conurbation.

Temple Meads was opened on 31 August 1840, as the western terminus of the [[Great Western Railway]]. The railway, including Temple Meads, was the first to be designed by the British engineer [[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]]. Soon, the station was also used by the [[Bristol and Exeter Railway]], the [[Bristol and Gloucester Railway]], the [[Bristol Harbour Railway]] and the [[Bristol and South Wales Union Railway]]. To accommodate the increasing number of trains, the station was expanded in the 1870s by [[Francis Fox (civil engineer)|Francis Fox]] and again between 1930 and 1935 by [[Percy Emerson Culverhouse]]. Brunel's terminus is no longer part of the operational station. The historical significance of the station has been noted and most of the site is [[listed building|Grade I listed]].

Temple Meads, which has 13 active platforms across eight tracks, is managed by [[Network Rail]]. Most services are operated by the present-day [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]], with others by [[CrossCountry]].

==History==
The name ''Temple Meads'' derives from the nearby [[Temple Church, Bristol|Temple Church]], which was gutted by bombing during the [[Second World War]].<ref>{{NHLE|desc=Temple Church |num=1291644 |access-date=28 July 2006 }}</ref> The word "meads" is a derivation of "mæd", an [[Old English]] variation of "mædwe", [[meadow]], referring to the water meadows alongside the [[River Avon, Bristol|River Avon]] that were part of Temple parish. As late as 1820 the site was undeveloped [[pasture]] outside the boundaries of the old city,<ref name="lobel">{{cite book |last=Lobel |first=MD|title=The Atlas of Historic Towns, Volume 2: Bristol, Cambridge, Coventry, Norwich |year=1975 |publisher=The Scolar Press in conjunction with The Historic Towns Trust |location=London, UK |isbn=0-85967-185-2}}</ref> some distance from the commercial centre. It lay between the [[Bristol Harbour|Floating Harbour]] and the city's cattle market, which was built in 1830.

===Brunel's station===
[[File:Bristol Temple Meads railway station train-shed engraving.jpg|thumb|left|Engraving of interior of Brunel's train-shed from c1843, by [[John Cooke Bourne]]]]
The original terminus was built in 1839–41 for the [[Great Western Railway]] (GWR), the first passenger railway in Bristol, and was designed by [[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]], the railway's engineer.<ref name=Pevsner>{{cite book| last = Foyle| first = Andrew| title = Pevsner Architectural Guides: Bristol| publisher = Yale University Press| year = 2004| location = New Haven and London| isbn = 0-300-10442-1| url-access = registration| url = https://archive.org/details/bristol0000foyl}}</ref> It was built to accommodate Brunel's {{RailGauge|7ft1⁄4 in}} [[broad gauge]]. The station was on a [[viaduct]] to raise it above the level of the [[Bristol Harbour|Floating Harbour]] and River Avon, the latter being crossed via the Grade I [[listed building|listed]] [[Avon Bridge]]. The station was covered by a {{convert|200|ft|m|adj=on|sigfig=1}} [[train shed]], extended beyond the platforms by {{convert|155|ft|m}} into a storage area and [[motive power depot|engine shed]], fronted by an office building in the [[Tudor style architecture|Tudor style]].<ref name=Binding>{{cite book| last = Binding| first = John| title = Brunel's Bristol Temple Meads| publisher = Oxford Publishing Company| year = 2001| location = Hersham, UK| isbn = 0-86093-563-9}}</ref> Train services to [[Bath Spa railway station|Bath]] commenced on 31 August 1840 and were extended to [[London Paddington station|Paddington]] on 30 June 1841 following the completion of [[Box Tunnel]].<ref name=MacD1>{{cite book| last = MacDermot| first = E T| title = History of the Great Western Railway, volume I 1833–1863| publisher = [[Great Western Railway]]| year = 1927| location = London, UK}}</ref>

[[File:Bristol Temple Meads old station frontage (750px).jpg|thumb|right|Brunel's original station as it appeared in 2004]]
A few weeks before the start of the services to Paddington the [[Bristol and Exeter Railway]] (B&ER) had opened, on 14 June 1841,<ref name=MacD2>{{cite book| last = MacDermot| first = E T| title = History of the Great Western Railway, volume II 1863–1921| publisher = [[Great Western Railway]]| year = 1931| location = London}}</ref> its trains reversing in and out of the GWR station. The third railway at Temple Meads was the [[Bristol and Gloucester Railway]], which opened on 8 July 1844 and was taken over by the [[Midland Railway]] (MR) on 1 July 1845.<ref name=MacD1/> This used the GWR platforms, diverging onto its own line on the far side of the bridge over the Floating Harbour. Both these new railways were engineered by Brunel and were initially broad gauge.<ref name=MacD2/> Brunel also designed the [[Bristol and South Wales Union Railway]], but this was not opened until 25 August 1863, nearly four years after his death. It terminated at Temple Meads.

{{Commons category|position=left|Brunel's Temple Meads railway station}}

===Bristol and Exeter Railway station===
[[File:2008 at Bristol Temple Meads - Bristol and Exeter House.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Bristol and Exeter Railway]] headquarters]]
In 1845 the B&ER built its own station at right angles to the GWR station and an "express [[Railway platform|platform]]" on the curve linking the two lines so that through trains no longer had to reverse. The wooden B&ER station was known locally as "The Cowshed";<ref name=Binding/> but a grand headquarters was built at street level on the west side of its station in 1852–54 to the [[Jacobean architecture|Jacobean]] designs of Samuel Fripp.<ref name=Pevsner/> The [[Portishead Railway|Bristol and Portishead Pier and Railway]] opened a branch off the Bristol and Exeter line west of the city on 18 April 1867, the trains being operated by the B&ER and using its platforms at Temple Meads.<ref name=awdry>{{Awdry-RailCo}}, P 19.</ref>

In 1850 an [[traction maintenance depot|engine shed]] was opened on the south bank of the River Avon on the east side of the line to the B&ER station.<ref>{{cite book| last = Lyons| first = E|author2=Mountford, E| title = Great Western Engine Sheds 1837–1947| publisher = Oxford Publishing Company| year = 1979| location = Poole| isbn = 0-86093-019-X}}</ref> Between 1859 and 1875, 23 engines were built in the workshops attached to the shed, including several distinctive [[Bristol and Exeter Railway 4-2-4T locomotives]].<ref>{{cite book| title = The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, Part 2: Broad Gauge| publisher = The Railway Correspondence and Travel Society| date=February 1953 |last=Reed |first=P.J.T. |editor-last=White |editor-first=D.E. |location=Kenilworth |oclc=650490992 }}</ref>
{{clear}}

===Goods stations===
[[File:Bristol RJD 9.jpg|thumb|right|A 1911 [[Railway Clearing House]] junction diagram showing railways around Bristol]]
The GWR built a {{convert|326|x|138|ft|m|0|adj=on}} [[goods shed]] on the north side of the station adjacent to the Floating Harbour, with a small dock for [[transhipment]] of goods to [[barge]]s (not seagoing ships, as the wharf was upstream of [[Bristol Bridge]]). Wagons had to be lowered {{convert|12|ft|m|0}} to the goods shed on [[elevator|hoists]]. On 11 March 1872, a direct connection to the harbour was made in the form of the [[Bristol Harbour Railway]], a joint operation of the three railways, which ran between the passenger station and the [[goods yard]], across the street outside on a bridge, and descended into a tunnel under the churchyard of [[St. Mary Redcliffe]] on its way to a wharf downstream of Bristol Bridge.<ref name=Binding/> The southern end of the tunnel can still be seen between the bottom of Guinea Street and the Ostrich public house. The footbridge across the entrance to Bathhurst Basin is on the site of the railway bascule bridge.

The B&ER had a goods depot at Pylle Hill (south of the station) from 1850, and the MR had an independent yard at Avonside Wharf on the opposite side of the Floating Harbour from 1858.<ref name=Maggs>{{cite book| last = Maggs| first = Colin| title = Rail Centres: Bristol| publisher = Ian Allan| year = 1981| location = Shepperton, UK| isbn = 0-7110-1153-2 }}</ref>

===Effects of the change of gauge===
On 29 May 1854 the Midland Railway laid a third rail along their line to Gloucester to provide [[Dual gauge|mixed gauge]] so that it could operate {{RailGauge|ussg}} [[standard gauge]] passenger trains while broad gauge goods trains could still run to [[Colliery|collieries]] north of Bristol. Sidings at South Wales Junction allowed traffic to be transhipped between wagons on the two different gauges. The GWR continued to operate its trains on the broad gauge,<ref name=MacD1/> but on 3 September 1873 it opened the standard gauge [[Bristol and North Somerset Railway]]. This had a junction nearly {{convert|1/2|mi|m|sigfig=1}} from the station on the London line and so mixed gauge was extended to that point. During the following year mixed gauge track was continued beyond Bath in connection with the conversion of the [[Wilts, Somerset and Weymouth Railway]] to standard gauge. Mixed gauge was laid through [[Box Tunnel]] on 16 May 1875 and so standard gauge trains could run to London, although broad gauge was retained west of Temple Meads and through trains from London to [[Penzance railway station|Penzance]] and other stations in [[Devon]] and [[Cornwall]] continued to be broad gauge.<ref name=MacD2/> Goods traffic was transhipped between the two gauges in the B&ER yard at Pylle Hill.

The B&ER converted the line to [[Taunton railway station|Taunton]] to mixed gauge by 1 June 1875, but the remainder of the line to [[Exeter St Davids railway station|Exeter]] was not done until 1 March 1876, three months after the B&ER had [[Consolidation (business)|amalgamated]] with the GWR. The remainder of the lines beyond Exeter were converted to standard gauge on 21 May 1892<ref name=MacD2/> so the extra rails at Temple Meads fell into disuse and were removed to leave a purely standard gauge layout. This allowed the through station to be rebuilt with two additional platform faces.<ref name=Binding/>

===1870s expansion===
[[File:Gare de Bristol.jpg|thumb|left|The main entrance to the station built in the 1870s between the terminal and through platforms. The tower was topped by a spire until [[World War II]].]]
The additional railway routes put the two short {{convert|140|yd|m|adj=on}} platforms of Brunel's terminus under pressure and a scheme was developed to extend the station. An enabling [[Act of Parliament]] for a new Bristol Joint Station was passed in 1865, and between 1871 and 1878 the station was extensively rebuilt by a committee formed of the three principal railway companies that used the station. Brunel's platforms were extended by {{convert|212|yd|m}} towards London, and a new three-platform through station was built on the site of the express platform, while the B&ER station was closed and the site used for a new carriage shed.<ref name=Oakley>{{cite book| last = Oakley| first = Mike| title = Bristol Railway Stations 1840–2005| publisher = The Dovecote Press| year = 2002| location = Wimbourne, UK| isbn = 1-904349-09-9}}</ref> From the 1960s, the work was usually attributed to Brunel's former associate [[Matthew Digby Wyatt]], but in 2020 it was established to be by Bristol architect Henry Lloyd under the superintendence of [[Francis Fox (civil engineer)|Francis Fox]], the engineer of the B&ER.<ref>{{cite journal| last = Martyn| first = David| title = Temple Meads Authorship| journal = Bristol Industrial Archaeology Society Journal| issue = 53| pages = 7–14| publisher = Bristol Industrial Archaeology Society| year = 2005 }}</ref> The curved [[wrought-iron]] train shed over the new through platforms was {{convert|500|ft|m}} long on the platform wall. The goods depot was rebuilt, with the inconvenient wagon hoists replaced by a steep incline from the east end of Temple Meads, which meant that the sidings in the goods shed were at right angles to their original alignment; and the barge dock was filled in.<ref name=Maggs/>

Trains on the Bristol and South Wales Union and the [[Midland Railway|Midland]] routes operated from the terminal platforms, while the GWR used the new through platforms.<ref name=Binding/> The [[Capital (economics)|capital]] costs of the new work were split 4/14 GWR/B&ER and 10/14 MR, and operating costs were split GWR 3/8, MR 3/8 and B&ER 2/8. Hence, when the GWR absorbed the B&ER in 1876 the split became GWR 5/8 and MR (later [[London, Midland and Scottish Railway|LMS]]) 3/8, until nationalisation on 1 January 1948.<ref>{{cite journal| last = Nichols| first = Gerry| title = Rebuilding Temple Meads Passenger Station 1870 to 1875| journal = Broadsheet| issue = 54| pages = 8–15| publisher = Broad Gauge Society| year = 2005 }}</ref>

===Twentieth-century changes===
[[File:Bristol Temple Meads Station, original terminus with steam train and Diesel railcar - geograph.org.uk - 2124234.jpg|thumb|right|Original terminus in 1958]]
[[File:Bristol Temple Meads Station and an Up LMR express 2093479 27e4170c.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Paignton railway station|Paignton]] to [[Leeds railway station|Leeds]] express stands at Platform 7 (now Platform 5) in 1960.]]
[[File:Bristol Temple Meads from Bath Road bridge.jpg|thumb|right|A view looking northwards from Bath Road. The 1870s arched [[train shed]] is surrounded by the flatter canopies of the newer platforms opened in 1935.]]
In 1924 the goods depot was rebuilt with 15 platforms, each {{convert|575|ft|m}} long. Large warehousing and cellar space was provided to store goods, although by this time another city centre goods depot had been opened at [[Cabot, Bristol#Canon's Marsh|Canons Marsh]].<ref name=Maggs/>

Between 1930 and 1935 the through station was expanded under the direction of the GWR's chief architect P E Culverhouse, in [[Art Deco]] style, both eastwards over the old cattle market and southwards on a new wider bridge across Cattle Market Road and the [[New Cut (Bristol)|New Cut]] of the River Avon. This made room for the addition of five through-platform faces, while the removal of the narrow island platforms in the middle of the train shed allowed the main Up and Down platforms to be both widened and lengthened.<ref name=Oakley/> All the routes approaching Temple Meads were widened to four tracks to allow more flexibility.<ref name=Maggs/>

As part of this work, four [[Lever frame|manual]] [[signal box]]es were replaced by three power signal boxes, and the [[Railway semaphore signal|semaphore signals]] and [[Railroad switch|mechanical point]] linkages were replaced by [[British railway signals|colour light signals]] and point motors. The new Bristol Temple Meads East box was the largest on the GWR, with 368 miniature levers operated by three signalmen assisted by a "booking boy". The other two boxes were at Bristol Temple Meads West, and controlling the movements in and out of the new [[Bristol Bath Road TMD|Bath Road Depot]], which replaced the old B&ER locomotive works in 1934.<ref name=Maggs/>

During [[World War II]] the station was bombed, which led to the destruction of the wooden spire of the clock tower above the ticket office on 3 January 1941.<ref name=Oakley/> [[Gas lighting]] was replaced by [[fluorescent lamp|fluorescent]] electric lights in 1960.<ref name=Maggs/>

Bristol Panel Signal Box was built on the site of Platform 14. When opened, it controlled 280 multiple-aspect signals and 243 motor-worked points on {{convert|114|mi|km}} of route, the largest area controlled by a single signal box on [[British Rail]] at the time.<ref>{{cite journal| last = Kichenside| first = GM| title = The Bristol resignalling scheme controls the crossroads of the West| journal = Modern Railways| volume = 30| issue = 292| pages = 10–15| publisher = Ian Allan| year = 1973}}</ref>

The construction of this signal box, completed in 1970, involved the demolition of almost half of the 1870s extension to Brunel's terminus and completely blocked rail access to the Old Station.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bristol-rail.co.uk/wiki/Bristol_Powerbox |title=Bristol Powerbox |publisher=Bristol Railway Archive |access-date=2012-04-08 |archive-date=29 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120529190135/http://bristol-rail.co.uk/wiki/Bristol_Powerbox |url-status=live }}</ref>

A second main-line station serving the city, {{stnlnk|Bristol Parkway}}, opened in 1972. It is on the northern outskirts of the [[conurbation]] close to the [[M32 motorway]] and was designed as a [[park and ride]] facility for long-distance travellers.<ref name=Butt>{{Butt-Stations}}</ref>

In the late 1960s the [[Royal Mail]] built a mail conveyor at the northern end of the station, with significant aesthetic impact. This was out of use for many years following the transfer of Royal Mail's activities to the West of England Mail Centre at [[Filton]] and the opening of the short-lived Railnet Hub next to Bristol Parkway station in May 2000.<ref>"Royal Mail terminal opens at Bristol Parkway" ''[[Rail (magazine)|Rail]]'' issue 384 31 May 2000 page 7</ref> It was finally dismantled in stages and removed between October and December 2014.<ref>"Regional News" ''Rail'' issue 776 10 June 2015 page 18</ref> In 1990/91, £2 million was spent by [[InterCity (British Rail)|InterCity]] on a renovation of the main train shed and another £7 million on restoring some of the older areas of the station, including the refurbishment of the subway and construction of new retail outlets. The shorter of the two 1935 platform islands had been used only for parcels traffic since the 1960s but was temporarily brought back into passenger use during this work. It was fully restored for passenger use in 2001.<ref name=Oakley/>

In August 1998, a 15-month, £7 million project commenced with work performed on the external facade, clocktower, roof and paving.<ref>"Temple Meads loses out as work starts on new Parkway mail centre" ''Rail'' issue 334 1 July 1998 page 16</ref><ref>"New look for Temple Meads" ''Rail'' issue 338 26 August 1998 page 14</ref> As part of this work, the quarry from which the [[Dolomite (mineral)|dolomite]] stone had originally been extracted was reopened in [[Abbots Leigh]].<ref>"Railtrack gets Bristol quarry site approval" ''Rail'' issue 347 30 December 1998 page 12</ref>

{{Historical Rail Start}}
{{rail line two to one|previous1={{stnlnk|St Anne's Park}}|route1=[[Great Western Railway]]<br>[[Great Western Main Line|To London via Box]]|previous2={{stnlnk|Lawrence Hill}}|route2=[[Great Western Railway]]<br>[[Cross-Country Route|To London via Badminton,<br>To Cardiff]] and [[Severn Beach Line|Pilning via Avonmouth]]|next={{stnlnk|Bedminster}} |col={{GWR colour}} }}
{{rail line|previous={{stnlnk|Brislington}} |route=[[Great Western Railway]]<br>[[Bristol and North Somerset Railway|To Radstock]] |col={{GWR colour}} }}
{{rail line|previous={{stnlnk|Fishponds}} |route=[[Bristol and Gloucester Railway]]<br>(later [[Midland Railway]]) |col={{MR colour}} }}
{{s-end}}

===Closure of lines===
Passenger traffic on the old North Somerset line ceased on 2 November 1959, and many more closures followed after the publication of [[Richard Beeching|Dr Beeching's]] ''[[Beeching Axe|The Reshaping of British Railways]]'' in 1963. The connection to the Bristol Harbour Railway was closed on 6 January 1964; passenger trains to [[Bristol and Portishead Pier and Railway|Portishead]] were withdrawn on 7 September 1964; and most local services in the north of the city were withdrawn on 23 November 1964. The following year saw local services on the Midland route to Gloucester withdrawn<ref name=Avon>{{cite book| title = Railways in Avon, a short history of their development and decline 1832 – 1982| publisher = Avon County Planning Department| year = 1983| location = Bristol| isbn = 0-86063-184-2| author = prepared by the County Planning Department}}</ref> and the Midland route to {{stnlnk|Bath Green Park}} via {{stnlnk|Mangotsfield}} was closed on 7 March 1966. {{stnlnk|St Anne's Park}} and {{stnlnk|Saltford}} on the line towards Bath survived until 5 January 1970.<ref name=Avon />

On 12 September 1965, the terminal platforms were closed. This allowed the platforms to be renumbered with the order reversed (see list below).<ref name=Maggs /> The redundant train shed became a covered car park in February of the following year, but from 1989 until 1999 the original (Brunel) part was an interactive science centre known as [[Exploratory Hands-on Science Centre|The Exploratory]] and an exhibition space. From 2002 to 2008, it housed the [[British Empire and Commonwealth Museum]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.empiremuseum.co.uk/aboutus/relationalnews.htm#move |title=News |access-date=2007-03-13 |work=British Empire and Commonwealth Museum |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070401161447/http://www.empiremuseum.co.uk/aboutus/relationalnews.htm#move |archive-date=1 April 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> {{As of|2016}}, the shed, now known as the Passenger Shed, is a venue for events such as conferences and weddings.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.brunels-old-station.co.uk/ |title=Brunel's Old Station|website=www.brunels-old-station.co.uk |access-date=8 August 2016 |archive-date=20 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820115726/http://www.brunels-old-station.co.uk/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:2008 at Bristol Temple Meads - Platform 13 subway sign.jpg|thumb|right|This sign should read "Platforms 1 to 12" but refers to the earlier numbering system when these platforms were numbers 1 and 2. They are now 15 (left) and 13 (right).]]
[[File:2008 at Bristol Temple Meads - Power Signal Box.jpg|thumb|right|Bristol Panel Signal Box, built on the old Platform 14]]
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Old!!New!!Location
|-
|1||15||
|-
|2||13||
|-
|3||12||West end
|-
|4||11||East end
|-
|5||9 & 10||East and west ends numbered differently
|-
|6||7 & 8||East and west ends numbered differently
|-
|7||5||East end in the main train shed
|-
|8||6||West end beyond (new ) platform 5
|-
|9||3||East end in the main train shed
|-
|10||4||West end beyond (new) platform 3
|-
|11||2||West end bay (not in use)
|-
|12||1||East end of arrival platform
|-
|13||Closed||West end of arrival platform
|-
|14||Closed||East end of departure platform
|-
|15||Closed||West end of departure platform
|}

{{Bristol Temple Meads (simplified)|float=left}}

{{clear}}

===Enterprise zone and station redevelopment===
[[Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone]], an [[enterprise zone]] with an area of {{convert|70|ha}} centred on Temple Meads,<ref name=BP1>{{cite news|url=http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/enterprising-idea-radically-new-approach/story-19489241-detail/story.html |title=An enterprising idea with a radically new approach |newspaper=[[Bristol Post]] |date=8 July 2013 |access-date=18 March 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402095845/http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/enterprising-idea-radically-new-approach/story-19489241-detail/story.html |archive-date=2 April 2015 }}</ref> was announced in 2011,<ref name=BP2>{{cite news|url=http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Bristol-enterprise-zone-looks-momentum/story-20963315-detail/story.html |title=Bristol enterprise zone looks to keep up the momentum |newspaper=Bristol Post |date=16 April 2014 |access-date=18 March 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402100649/http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Bristol-enterprise-zone-looks-momentum/story-20963315-detail/story.html |archive-date=2 April 2015 }}</ref> and launched in 2012. Network Rail is a partner in coordinating development in the zone.<ref name=BP1/> In November 2012, Network Rail announced a £100 million redevelopment of the station, with two unused platforms to be opened up. Station Approach Road will be turned into a public square and the station's main entrance moved to the north side.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-20328428 |title=Bristol Temple Meads station to get £100m investment |work=BBC News Online |date=14 November 2012 |access-date=18 March 2015 |archive-date=22 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150422045729/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-20328428 |url-status=live }}</ref> A large bridge above the tracks at the east end of the station which was erected in the 1970s for postal traffic was demolished at Christmas 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=The removal of the conveyor belt at Bristol Temple Meads station timelapse|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTEHtMxuRNA| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150116183847/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTEHtMxuRNA&gl=US&hl=en| archive-date=2015-01-16 | url-status=dead|via=YouTube|publisher=Network Rail|access-date=2015-06-12}}</ref> In November 2016, the [[University of Bristol]] announced that it plans to build a Temple Quarter Campus to the east of the station, replacing the derelict [[sorting office]] which was formerly connected to the station by the bridge.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/bristol-university-to-take-over-royal-mail-sorting-offices-by-temple-meads-for-new-300m-campus/story-29935566-detail/story.html |newspaper=Bristol Post |title=Bristol University to take over old sorting office by Temple Meads for new £300m campus |last=Yong |first=Michael |date=29 November 2016 |access-date=29 November 2016 |archive-date=29 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129210332/http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/bristol-university-to-take-over-royal-mail-sorting-offices-by-temple-meads-for-new-300m-campus/story-29935566-detail/story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Bristol and Exeter House has been redeveloped by TCN UK as a business hub for [[small and medium-sized enterprises]]. Part of Brunel's station has found a new use in a redevelopment by the City Council, the [[University of Bristol]] and the West of England [[Local enterprise partnership|Local Enterprise Partnership]].<ref name=BP1/> Opened in 2013 as the Engine Shed,<ref name=BP2/> it hosts [[business incubators]] for startups.<ref name=G1>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/small-business-network/2014/feb/10/bristol-tech-industries |title=Why tech industries are thriving in the south-west of England |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=10 February 2014 |access-date=18 March 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402205029/http://www.theguardian.com/small-business-network/2014/feb/10/bristol-tech-industries |url-status=live }}</ref>

Plans to build a 12,000-capacity arena<ref>{{cite web |title=Council handed land for Bristol Arena by the government |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-32076706 |work=BBC News Online |date=27 March 2015 |access-date=29 November 2016 |archive-date=3 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203103956/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-32076706 |url-status=live }}</ref> on the former site of the [[Bristol Bath Road Traction Maintenance Depot]], to the south of the station, were cancelled in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bristol Arena will not be in the city centre after Marvin Rees confirms decision |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/bristol-arena-not-city-centre-1968999 |work=Bristol Post |date=2018-09-04 |access-date=2019-09-23 |archive-date=17 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017072053/https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/bristol-arena-not-city-centre-1968999 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===21st century===
The Great Western Main Line from London to Bristol was part of [[21st-century modernisation of the Great Western Main Line#Bristol Temple Meads|electrification]] plans first announced by the UK government in 2009.<ref name="vision">{{cite web|url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/uploadedFiles/networkrailcouk/Contents/Improvements/The_Great_Western/WesternVision.pdf |title=Modernising the Great Western |publisher=[[Network Rail]] |access-date=9 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130413065743/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/uploadedFiles/networkrailcouk/Contents/Improvements/The_Great_Western/WesternVision.pdf |archive-date=13 April 2013 }}</ref> However, because of cost overruns and delays, on 8 November 2016 the government announced that several elements of the programme would be deferred including electrification south-west of Thingley Junction near [[Chippenham railway station|Chippenham]], and between Temple Meads and [[Bristol Parkway railway station|Bristol Parkway]]. Although this left Temple Meads un-electrified, the [[Hitachi Super Express]] trains are bi-mode so can operate on diesel around Bristol and can use electricity where the electrification work is complete.<ref name="bbc-20161108">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-37908735 |title=Great Western electrification: Intercity line work 'deferred' |work=BBC News |date=8 November 2016 |access-date=10 November 2016 |archive-date=9 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109230635/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-37908735 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Written statement to Parliament, Rail update: rail investment in the Great Western route |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/rail-update-rail-investment-in-the-great-western-route |publisher=gov.uk |author=Paul Maynard |date=8 November 2016 |access-date=8 November 2016 |archive-date=8 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108195542/https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/rail-update-rail-investment-in-the-great-western-route |url-status=live }}</ref> The electrification plans do not extend west of Bristol, so local services will continue to be provided using diesel trains, with [[British Rail Class 165|Class 165]]/[[British Rail Class 166|166s]] cascaded from [[Thames Valley]] services scheduled to replace the [[British Rail Class 150|150]]/[[British Rail Class 153|153]]/[[British Rail Class 158|158s]] on local services.<ref name="Bristol to London">{{cite news|url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Bristol-London-line-electrified/story-11312089-detail/story.html |title=Bristol to London line to be electrified |work=This is Bristol |publisher=[[Northcliffe Media]] |date=23 July 2009 |access-date=5 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923070847/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Bristol-London-line-electrified/story-11312089-detail/story.html |archive-date=23 September 2013 }}</ref><ref name="Rail772">{{cite journal|title=How the West will win with new trains|author=Clinnick, Richard|journal=[[Rail (magazine)|Rail]]|publisher=[[Bauer Media]]|date=15 April 2015|pages=58–59|issue=772|location=Peterborough|url=http://www.railmagazine.com/trains/new-trains/how-the-west-will-win-with-new-trains|access-date=12 October 2015|archive-date=8 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151108085845/http://www.railmagazine.com/trains/new-trains/how-the-west-will-win-with-new-trains|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Portishead branch line]], which runs along the south side of the [[River Avon, Bristol|River Avon]] from a junction just beyond {{rws|Parson Street|3=Parson Street station}} is proposed to be reopened.<ref name="metro">{{cite news|author=Ribbeck, Michael |publisher=[[Northcliffe Media]] |work=[[The Post, Bristol]] |date=6 July 2012 |access-date=6 July 2012 |title=£100 million Bristol Metro train network by 2016 |url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/100-million-Bristol-Metro-train-network-2016/story-16492523-detail/story.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708233227/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/100-million-Bristol-Metro-train-network-2016/story-16492523-detail/story.html |archive-date= 8 July 2012 }}</ref> There is an aspiration of two trains per hour between {{rws|Portishead}} and Temple Meads in peak periods, possibly calling at {{rws|Bedminster}} and Parson Street.<ref name="fight">{{cite news|url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/New-fight-launched-reopen-railway-line/story-12794171-detail/story.html|title=New fight launched to reopen railway line|publisher=[[Northcliffe Media]]|author=[[Bristol Evening Post]]|work=This is Bristol|date=18 June 2011|access-date=8 May 2012|quote="The aspiration is for a regular service on a reopened line with new stations at Ashton Gate, Pill and Portishead and stopping trains at Parson St and Bedminster."|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120919111131/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/New-fight-launched-reopen-railway-line/story-12794171-detail/story.html|archive-date=19 September 2012}}</ref><ref name="GWRUS">{{cite web|url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/great%20western/great%20western%20rus.pdf |title=Great Western Route Utilisation Strategy |author=[[Network Rail]] |access-date=20 May 2012 |date=March 2010 |pages=41, 51, 60, 63, 128, 165, 210, 211 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120901170231/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/great%20western/great%20western%20rus.pdf |archive-date=1 September 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Portishead-rail-link-plan-track/story-11274636-detail/story.html|title=Portishead rail link plan is latest in long-running saga|publisher=[[Northcliffe Media]]|work=This is Bristol|date=20 August 2008|access-date=8 May 2012|quote=The most expensive option would see two trains an hour on the line at peak times and one in less busy periods, with trains calling at Pill, Ashton Gate, Bedminster and Parson Street, a passing loop and additional signals.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120918011835/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Portishead-rail-link-plan-track/story-11274636-detail/story.html|archive-date=18 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Ship-shape and Bristol fashion|author=Broadbent, Steve|journal=[[Rail (magazine)|Rail]]|publisher=[[Bauer Media]]|date=16 May 2012|pages=46–53|issue=696|location=[[Peterborough]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Portishead-rail-link-signals-encouraging-says/story-14180692-detail/story.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913060602/http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Portishead-rail-link-signals-encouraging-says/story-14180692-detail/story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 September 2012|title=Portishead rail link signals are encouraging, says North Somerset MP Liam Fox|work=Western Daily Press|publisher=Northcliffe Media|date=19 December 2011|access-date=28 December 2011}}</ref> The line was built in the 1860s but closed to passenger traffic in 1964, leaving [[Portishead, Somerset|Portishead]] as one of Britain's largest towns without a railway station. The line was reopened for freight traffic to serve [[Royal Portbury Docks]] in 2001, and the restoration of passenger traffic is considered part of the [[Greater Bristol Metro scheme]], which was given the go-ahead in July 2012 as part of a City Deal, whereby local councils would be given greater control over money by the government.<ref name="metro" />

The Metro scheme could also see the reopening of the [[Henbury Loop Line]] to passengers, with the possibility of services from Temple Meads to {{rws|Bristol Parkway}} via {{rws|Clifton Down}} and {{rws|Henbury}}.<ref name="metro" /> Plans for a loop were rejected by the West of England Joint Transport Board, but in July 2015 [[Bristol City Council]]lors voted to send the decision back to the board for further discussion.<ref name="hllbbcdrop">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-33562999|title=Transport chiefs drop Henbury Loop plan|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation|BBC]]|access-date=16 September 2015|date=17 July 2015|archive-date=19 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150719235549/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-33562999|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Huge-majority-rethink-decision-Henbury-Loop/story-27690968-detail/story.html |title=Huge majority back rethink on decision for Henbury Loop at a special meeting |work=[[Bristol Post]] |publisher=[[Local World]] |access-date=16 September 2015 |date=28 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928010413/http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Huge-majority-rethink-decision-Henbury-Loop/story-27690968-detail/story.html |archive-date=28 September 2015 }}</ref>

On 1 April 2014, [[Network Rail]] took over management of the station from First Great Western.<ref name="ModernRailways150">"Two more stations for NR" ''[[Today's Railways UK]]'' issue 150 June 2014 page 13</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-24986332|title=Reading railway station to be managed by Network Rail|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation|BBC]]|access-date=26 November 2013|date=18 November 2013|archive-date=21 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131121041408/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-24986332|url-status=live}}</ref>

In December 2021, [[South Western Railway (2017-2025)|South Western Railway]] services to [[London Waterloo railway station|London Waterloo]] were withdrawn,<ref name="Bristol Live SWR WAT">{{cite news |last1=Millen |first1=Ross |title=Anger as South Western Railway stops trains from Bristol Temple Meads |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/anger-south-western-railway-stops-6355255 |access-date=18 October 2024 |work=Bristol Live |date=20 December 2021}}</ref> followed by GWR services to [[Brighton railway station|Brighton]] in 2022.<ref name="Sussex World GWR BTN">{{cite news |last1=Stack |first1=Joe |title=Railway service company to be scrapped at Chichester, Worthing and Brighton |url=https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/people/railway-service-company-to-be-scrapped-at-chichester-worthing-and-brighton-3584763 |access-date=18 October 2024 |work=Sussex World |date=24 February 2022}}</ref> In 2024, direct services to {{rws|Oxford}} were reintroduced by GWR on a trial basis on Saturdays only.<ref name="BBC 2024 OXF">{{cite news |last1=Dimitrova |first1=Galya |title=Direct Oxford-Bristol trains back after 21 years |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c23l3x8zd3vo |access-date=19 October 2024 |work=BBC News |date=14 September 2024}}</ref> In March 2025, the regional transport body covering Oxford, [[England's Economic Heartland]], proposed an hourly, all-week Bristol to Oxford service to start from 2026.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bullock |first1=Clara |title=Direct Bristol-Oxford trains could run every hour |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cedlxqg7ex5o |access-date=13 April 2025 |work=BBC News |date=13 March 2025}}</ref>

A new station reception was opened in 2023, replacing the information desk on platform three.<ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Chloe |date=2023-04-19 |title=Bristol Temple Meads sees new station reception opened officially |url=https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2023/04/bristol-temple-meads-sees-new-station-reception-opened-officially.html |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=RailAdvent |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==== Refurbishment ====
In 2013, it was announced that the station roof would be refurbished as part of a scheme to transform the station over the 25 years commencing 2013.<ref>{{cite news |date=17 October 2013 |title=Bristol Temple Meads station roof to be replaced |work=[[BBC News]] |publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation|BBC]] |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-24573816 |url-status=live |access-date=19 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017181333/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-24573816 |archive-date=17 October 2013}}</ref> In September 2021, foundations were installed for a planned eastern entrance to the station.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Foundations completed for new eastern entrance at Bristol Temple Meads station |url=https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/foundations-completed-for-new-eastern-entrance-at-bristol-temple-meads-station |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=Network Rail Media Centre |language=english}}</ref> Following the erection of scaffolding inside the station, work on the roof began in April 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Shashana |date=2022-03-28 |title=Restoration of historic Temple Meads roof to start next month |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/restoration-historic-temple-meads-station-6869164 |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=BristolLive |language=en}}</ref>

==Description==
{{wide image|Bristol Temple Meads, panorama from south.jpg|1024px|The station from the south. The main approach is from the left, behind the brown brick offices (Collett House). The turrets behind these belong to Bristol & Exeter House, which hides Brunel's building. Fox's extension can be seen to the right of Bristol & Exeter House, linking Brunel's station with the large arch of the main train shed. The flatter canopies belong to Culverhouse's 1935 extensions, with platform 4 on the extreme left and Platform 15 partly hidden by the trees on the right. The lower modern buildings behind the station are the [[Temple Quay]] office complex, on the site of the old goods shed. The demolition rubble in the foreground is the remains of [[Bristol Bath Road TMD]].}}

===Approaches===
[[File:Bristol Temple Meads approach road (750px).jpg|thumb|left|The station approach looks straight towards Fox's [[Turret (architecture)|turret]]ed 1870s station entrance. Part of Brunel's original station on the left with Fox's 1870s extension between that and the entrance; the current station [[train shed]] is to the right of the entrance.]]
Although it is now possible to reach the station through the Temple Quay office development (on the site of the [[goods shed]]) or from the [[Bristol Ferry Boat Company]] landing stage on the [[Bristol Harbour|Floating Harbour]], the traditional and main approach is from Temple Gate. [[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]]'s Tudor-style offices, later used by the former [[British Empire and Commonwealth Museum]], face this road and are flanked on the north side by an archway that used to be the main station for departing passengers; a matching arch on the other side was the arrivals gateway but was removed when the station was expanded in the 1870s.<ref name=Binding/>

Opposite these offices are the Grosvenor Hotel and the derelict George Railway Hotel, which were built in the 1870s,<ref name=Pevsner/> on either side of the site of the [[Bristol Harbour Railway]] bridge. A modern [[public house|pub]] named The Reckless Engineer as a tribute to Brunel faces the approach road to the station.

[[File:Bristol Temple Meads sunset.jpg|thumb|Autumn sunset over Bristol Temple Meads station]]
On the right of the Station Approach but at a lower level is the B&ER office building designed by Samuel Fripp; the 1930s offices known as "Collett House" (named after [[Charles Collett]]) and a disused parcels depot lie beyond. On the left is Brunel's original station building.  The [[train shed]] is {{convert|72|ft|m}} wide with a wooden box-frame roof and [[cast iron]] columns disguised as [[Hammerbeam roof|hammerbeams]] above Tudor arches. It is believed to be the widest hammerbeam roof in England and, along with most of the station, is a Grade 1 [[listed building]],<ref>{{NHLE|desc=Bristol Old Station, Temple Meads |num=1209622 |access-date=2007-03-13 }}</ref><ref>{{NHLE|desc=Temple Meads Station |num=1282106 |access-date=2007-03-16 }}</ref> and forms part of a proposed Great Western Railway [[World Heritage Site]].<ref name=UNESCO>{{cite web | title = The Great Western Railway: Paddington-Bristol (selected parts) | publisher = United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation | year = 1999 | url = https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1319/ | access-date = 22 May 2008 | archive-date = 27 May 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080527212224/http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1319/ | url-status = live }}</ref> At the top of the slope an entrance on the left to the covered car park marks the junction between the original terminus and Fox's 1870s extension.

Ahead is the turreted main station building, and to the right a flat area marks the site of the B&ER station. The tunnel beneath this area was the route for passengers to and from the Down platform from 1878 until the station was enlarged in 1935.<ref name=Oakley/>

Outside the old station building is a statue of Brunel, moved here in 2021 but first erected in the city centre in 1982.<ref>{{Cite web|last=White|first=Cameron|date=2021-10-01|title=Isambard Kingdom Brunel statue unveiled outside Bristol Temple Meads railway station|url=https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2021/10/isambard-kingdom-brunel-statue-unveiled-outside-bristol-temple-meads.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-03|website=RailAdvent|language=en-GB|archive-date=3 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003200821/https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2021/10/isambard-kingdom-brunel-statue-unveiled-outside-bristol-temple-meads.html}}</ref>

===Station===
Entering the main building, the ticket office and ticket machines are immediately ahead, and the route from Temple Quay and the ferry is on the left; a newsagent is on the right, next to the platform entrance.<ref name=brimap >{{cite web | url = https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations-and-destinations/stations-made-easy/bristol-temple-meads-station-plan | publisher = National Rail Enquiries | title = Bristol Temple Meads Station map | access-date = 25 April 2022}}</ref> Customer Information System screens by the entrance show arrival and departure information for all platforms, as do displays on each of the [[Railway platform|platforms]].

It is located {{convert|118|mi|31|chain|mi km|lk=in}} from [[London Paddington station|London Paddington]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Padgett |first=David |editor-last=Munsey |editor-first=Myles |title=Railway Track Diagrams 3: Western & Wales |edition=6th |date=June 2018 |orig-year=1989 |publisher=Trackmaps |location=Frome |isbn=978-1-9996271-0-2 |at=map 6B }}</ref>
There are 13 numbered platforms serving 8 tracks. The platforms are numbered from 1–15 with 2 and 14 omitted. Platforms 1, 13 and 15 do not share tracks with any other platform. Platforms 3–12 consist of five tracks that are each subdivided into a pair of numbered platforms. Of those, the odd numbered platforms are at the north end of the station, while even numbers are at the south end.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Jacobs |first1=Gerald |title=Railway Track Diagrams Book 3: Western |date=2000 |publisher=Trackmaps |isbn=0-9549866-1-X |page=5 |edition=3rd}}</ref><ref name=Quail>{{cite book| last = Jacobs| first = Gerald| title = Railway Track Diagrams Book 3: Western| publisher = Trackmaps| year = 2005| location = Bradford-on-Avon| isbn = 0-9549866-1-X}}</ref> All platforms are signalled for trains in either direction and the flexible layout means that trains on any route can use any part of the station.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.livedepartureboards.co.uk/ldb/station.aspx?T=BRI|title=BRI Network Rail Live Departures and Arrivals|work=National Rail Enquiries|access-date=2008-07-04|archive-date=16 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516092814/http://www.livedepartureboards.co.uk/ldb/station.aspx?T=BRI|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Bristol Temple Meads, automatic ticket gates and platform 3.jpg|thumb|right|Platform 3 and the ticket gates that control entrance to the platforms]]

Entrance to the platforms is controlled by automatic ticket gates on Platform 3, which is used by many northbound [[CrossCountry]] trains and local services to [[Bristol Parkway railway station|Bristol Parkway]] and [[Gloucester railway station|Gloucester]]. The main station restaurant and bar is on the left<ref name=details>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/BRI/details.html|title=Station Facilities: Bristol Temple Meads|work=National Rail Enquiries|access-date=2008-07-04|archive-date=19 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080519153917/http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/bri/details.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and the short Platform 1, a [[Bay platform|bay]], is beyond this. This is most frequently used by [[Severn Beach Line]] trains but is long enough to handle any four-car [[Diesel Multiple Unit]] (DMU). Behind Platform 1 is a brick wall that forms part of the signal box and on this are some metal artworks created by artists with learning difficulties to celebrate Brunel's 200th anniversary in 2006; an interpretation panel is nearby. The High Level Siding beyond Platform 1 is the rump of the Bristol Harbour Railway, and [[Bristol Barton Hill TMD]] can be seen in the distance alongside Bristol East Junction (formerly South Wales Junction) where the lines to Bristol Parkway and Bath diverge.

[[File:Temple Meads Underpass.jpg|thumb|The subway, below the station, links the platforms]]
On the right of the entrance is the subway that links all the platforms, reached either by steps or [[elevator|lift]];<ref name=details/> it houses the main public toilets, [[automated teller machine]]s (ATM) and several catering outlets (there is catering on all [[Island platform|platform islands]] except 13–15). A passenger information office and lounge are above the subway, the [[British Transport Police]] office and cycle racks are beyond,<ref name=details/> and at the western end is Platform 4, used by only a few trains. Alongside this is Platform 2, another bay platform but not signalled for passenger trains and used only for stabling empty trains, as is the former [[Motorail (British Rail)|Motorail]] unloading bay alongside. At the far end of this track is the old Fish Dock, occasionally used for stabling engineers' on-track equipment. Beyond the end of the platform the tracks swing to the right (the west) and pass out of sight beneath Bath Road Bridge, a girder bridge that carries the [[A4 road (England)|A4]] out of the city.

The first island platform comprises platforms 5 to 8. Platform 5 is inside the main train shed while 6 is a southerly extension and 7 and 8 were added outside the supporting wall in the 1930s.<ref name=Oakley/> Platform 5 is used by trains towards [[Cardiff Central railway station|Cardiff]] and platform 7 to [[Portsmouth Harbour railway station|Portsmouth]]; platforms 6 and 8 are the main platforms for [[Weston-super-Mare railway station|Weston-super-Mare]] and stations to [[Penzance railway station|Penzance]]. Between platforms 5 and 7 are the two spur sidings that are long enough to stable a single [[British Rail Class 153|Class 153 DMU]].

The third island platform comprises platforms 9 to 12 and also dates from the 1930s.<ref name=Oakley/> It is longer than platforms 5–8 but the rear of a [[InterCity 125|High Speed Train]] on the west end platforms will block part of the east end platform.<ref name=Quail/> A wide variety of trains use these platforms, including to and from [[Paddington railway station|London Paddington]] and [[Weymouth railway station|Weymouth]].

The final island platform is shorter and only has east-end platforms 13 and 15: 15 is used by most trains from Paddington that continue westwards to Weston-super-Mare or beyond. Platform 13 is a terminus platform and is used by many trains from Paddington, some local services and occasionally by CrossCountry. There is another siding beyond platform 15 that used to be the In/out Road for [[Bristol Bath Road TMD]]. This depot has been demolished. Between platforms 3/4 and 5/6 are the Up Through line and the Middle Siding, the latter is often used to stable [[British Rail Mark 1|Mark 1]] carriages between ''[[Torbay Express#Summer steam excursion|Torbay Express]]'' duties in the summer months. The Down Through line runs between platforms 11/12 and 13.<ref name=Quail/>

To the north of the station lies [[Arriva TrainCare]]'s Barton Hill TMD, and to the south-east of the station lies [[St Philip's Marsh depot]] which services the Great Western Railway fleet. This is accessible from both ends of Temple Meads station.

Other facilities include pay phones, public [[Wi-Fi]], a post box, photo booth, and passenger assistance such as information points, waiting rooms, a lost property office, [[first aid room]], and [[Closed-circuit television|CCTV]].<ref name=details/>

In ''Britain's 100 Best Railway Stations'' by [[Simon Jenkins]], the station was one of only ten to be awarded five stars.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Morrison |first1=Richard |date=9 December 2017 |title=Review: Britain's 100 Best Railway Stations by Simon Jenkins |work=[[The Times]] |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/article/review-britains-100-best-railway-stations-by-simon-jenkins-w5mjwgvf5 |url-access=subscription |access-date=15 December 2021 |archive-date=9 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709155050/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/review-britains-100-best-railway-stations-by-simon-jenkins-w5mjwgvf5 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Passenger volume==
Temple Meads is the busiest station in the Bristol area and the [[South West England|south west region]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/media/axnd1tyj/station-usage-2022-23-statistical-release.pdf |title=Statistics 2022-23 |publisher=Office of Road & Rail}}</ref> Official statistics show it to have the 35th-largest number of people entering or leaving any national rail station, the 14th busiest outside London. Comparing the year from April 2009 with the year from April 2002, estimated passenger numbers increased by 52%.{{#tag:ref|Annual estimated passenger usage based on sales of tickets in stated financial year(s) which end or originate at Patchway, from [[Office of Rail and Road]] statistics.<ref name="ORRusage">{{cite web|url=http://orr.gov.uk/statistics/published-stats/station-usage-estimates|title=Estimates of station usage|publisher=[[Office of Rail and Road]]|access-date=19 October 2015|archive-date=25 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625013846/http://www.orr.gov.uk/statistics/published-stats/station-usage-estimates|url-status=live}}</ref> Methodology may vary year on year.|group="note"|name="ORRusagenote"}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!&nbsp;!!2002–03!!2004–05!!2005–06!!2006–07!!2007–08!!2008–09!!2009–10!!2010–11!!2011–12!!2012–13!!2013–14
|-
|'''Entries'''||align="right"| 2,590,543||align="right"|2,823,258||align="right"|3,039,104||align="right"|3,279,898||align="right"|3,541,946||align="right"|3,914,814||align="right"|3,937,843||align="right"|4,204,670||align="right"|4,442,313||align="right"|4,549,684||align="right"|4,761,420
|-
| '''Exits'''||align="right"| 2,586,575||align="right"|2,818,114||align="right"|3,027,136|| style="text-align:right;"|3,268,961||align="right"|3,540,152||align="right"|3,914,814||align="right"|3,937,843||align="right"|4,204,670||align="right"|4,442,313||align="right"|4,549,684||align="right"|4,761,420
|-
| '''Interchanges'''||align="right"|unknown||align="right"|798,961||align="right"|856,644||align="right"|917,595||align="right"|845,178||align="right"|890,706||align="right"|979,955||align="right"|1,107,555||align="right"|1,327,179||align="right"|1,386,664||align="right"|1,434,465
|-
!Total!! style="text-align:right;"| 5,177,118!! style="text-align:right;"|6,440,333!! style="text-align:right;"|6,922,883!! style="text-align:right;"|7,466,454||align="right"|7,927,276||align="right"|8,720,334||align="right"|8,855,641||align="right"|9,516,895||align="right"|10,211,805||align="right"|10,486,032||align="right"|10,957,305
|}
The statistics cover twelve-month periods that start in April.

==Services==

===Rail===
[[File:Bristol Temple Meads CIS 158771.jpg|thumb|right|Customer Information System showing arrivals and departures]]
[[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]] operates main line services between Bristol Temple Meads and {{stn|London Paddington}}, some of which continue beyond Bristol to {{stnlnk|Weston-super-Mare}} or {{stnlnk|Taunton}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=BL Train Times |url=https://www.gwr.com/~/media/gwr/pdfs/plan-journey/timetables/2022/updated-pdfs-june-2022/bl-15-may-to-10-december-v6.pdf?la=en |publisher=Great Western Railway |access-date=2022-06-22}}</ref> The company also operates other routes through Bristol such as between {{Stnlnk|Cardiff Central}} and {{stnlnk|Portsmouth Harbour}},<ref>{{cite web |title=B1 Train Times |url=https://www.gwr.com/~/media/gwr/pdfs/plan-journey/timetables/2022/train-times-15-may-to-12-dec-2022/b1-train-times-15-may-to-10-dec-22-updated-110522.pdf?la=en |publisher=Great Western Railway |access-date=2022-06-22}}</ref> Cardiff Central and {{stnlnk|Taunton}} including extensions as far as {{stnlnk|Penzance}},<ref>{{cite web |title=B4 Train Times |url=https://www.gwr.com/~/media/gwr/pdfs/plan-journey/timetables/2022/train-times-15-may-to-12-dec-2022/b4-train-times-15-may-to-10-dec-22-updated-110522.pdf?la=en |publisher=Great Western Railway |access-date=2021-06-22}}</ref> {{stnlnk|Worcester Foregate Street}}/{{stnlnk|Gloucester}}<ref>{{cite web |title=B3 Train Times |url=https://www.gwr.com/~/media/gwr/pdfs/plan-journey/timetables/2022/train-times-15-may-to-12-dec-2022/b3-train-times-15-may-to-10-dec-22-updated-110522.pdf?la=en |publisher=Great Western Railway |access-date=2022-06-22}}</ref> and {{stnlnk|Westbury}}/{{Stnlnk|Weymouth}},<ref>{{cite web |title=B10 Train Times |url=https://www.gwr.com/~/media/gwr/pdfs/plan-journey/timetables/2022/train-times-15-may-to-12-dec-2022/b10-train-times-15-may-to-10-dec-22.pdf?la=en |publisher=Great Western Railway |access-date=2021-06-22}}</ref> and {{stnlnk|Severn Beach}} and {{Stnlnk|Weston-super-Mare}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=B9 Train Times |url=https://www.gwr.com/~/media/gwr/pdfs/plan-journey/timetables/2022/train-times-15-may-to-12-dec-2022/b9-train-times-15-may-to-10-dec-22-updated-110522.pdf?la=en |publisher=Great Western Railway |access-date=2022-06-22}}</ref> As of 2024, a trial of Saturday-only direct services to {{rws|Oxford}} is underway.<ref name="BBC 2024 OXF" /><ref name="GWR 2024 OXF">{{cite web |title=Great Western Railway restores direct Bristol to Oxford services |url=https://news.gwr.com/news/great-western-railway-restores-direct-bristol-to-oxford-services |website=Great Western Railway |access-date=19 October 2024}}</ref>

Regular [[CrossCountry]] services run south to {{stnlnk|Paignton}}, {{stnlnk|Plymouth}} and {{stnlnk|Penzance}} and north to {{stnlnk|Birmingham New Street}}, {{stn|Manchester Piccadilly}}, {{stnlnk|Derby}}, {{stnlnk|Leeds}}, {{stnlnk|Newcastle}} and [[Edinburgh Waverley railway station|Edinburgh]]. A limited number of services operate to other destinations in the north such as {{stnlnk|Glasgow Central}} and {{stnlnk|Aberdeen}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Scotland, the North East & Manchester to the South West & South Coast |url=https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/media/5671/scotland-north-east-manchester-book-v1-2_rakesh-bansal.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/media/5671/scotland-north-east-manchester-book-v1-2_rakesh-bansal.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |publisher=CrossCountry |access-date=2021-06-22}}</ref>

{{rail start}}
{{rail line|previous={{stnlnk|Bristol Parkway}}| next=[[Weston-super-Mare railway station|Weston-super-Mare]] or {{stnlnk|Taunton}} | route=[[CrossCountry]]<br>[[Cross Country Route|Scotland and Northern England – South West England]] |col={{XC colour}} }}
{{rail line|next={{stnlnk|Nailsea & Backwell}}|previous={{stnlnk|Bath Spa}}|route=[[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]]<br>[[Great Western Main Line]]|col={{FGW colour}}}}
{{rail line one to two|previous={{stnlnk|Filton Abbey Wood}}|next2={{stnlnk|Bath Spa}}|route2=[[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]]<br>[[Wessex Main Line|Cardiff Central – Portsmouth]] |next1={{Stnlnk|Nailsea & Backwell}}|route1=[[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]]<br>[[Bristol to Exeter line|Cardiff Central – Penzance]]|col={{FGW colour}}}}
{{rail line one to two|previous={{stnlnk|Lawrence Hill}}|next1={{stnlnk|Keynsham}}|route1=[[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]]<br>[[Heart of Wessex Line|Worcester – Weymouth]] |next2={{Stnlnk|Bedminster}}|route2=[[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]]<br>[[Severn Beach Line|Severn Beach - Weston-super-Mare]] |col={{FGW colour}}}}
{{end}}

=== Bus ===
Bus services at the station include the [[Airport Flyer]] A1 service, [[73 Hengrove–UWE Frenchay Campus|service 73]] to [[University of the West of England|UWE Frenchay]], and [[MetroBus (Bristol)|metrobus]] route m2.<ref>{{cite web |title=Metrobus Network (map) |url=https://travelwest.info/app/uploads/2023/03/metroBus-m1-m2-m3-m3x-m4-no-zone-map_268x284.5mm_april23-1536x1447.png.webp |website=Travelwest |access-date=23 July 2024}}</ref>

==Incidents==
On 14 November 1909, [[suffragette]] activist [[Theresa Garnett]] attacked [[Winston Churchill]] – at the time an MP and government minister – with a dog whip at Temple Meads station, causing a cut on his face.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/nov/15/winston-churchill-struck-with-dog-whip-suffragist-1909|title=Suffragist outrage: Winston Churchill struck with a dog whip - archive, 1909|date=15 November 2019|work=The Guardian|access-date=8 September 2025|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> She was arrested and jailed for a month.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://museums.bristol.gov.uk/narratives.php?irn=3985 | publisher = Bristol City Council Museum Collections | title = Whipping Churchill | access-date = 8 September 2025}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Bristol railway map|collapse=yes}}
*[[Rail services in Bristol]]
*[[Commuter rail in the United Kingdom]]

==References==
===Notes===
{{reflist|group=note}}
===Citations===
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book| last = Buchanan| first = RA|author2=Williams, M| title = Brunel's Bristol| publisher = Redcliffe Press| year = 1982| location = Bristol| isbn = 0-905459-39-3}}
*{{cite book| last = Gomme| first = A|author2= Jenner, M|author3= Little, B| title = Bristol: an Architectural History| isbn = 0-85331-409-8| year = 1979| publisher = Lund Humphries| location = London}}
* {{cite book| last = Harris| first = Peter| title = Bristol's Railway Mania 1862–1864| publisher = Bristol Branch of the Historical Association| year = 1987| location = Bristol| isbn = 0-901388-49-1}}
* {{Jowett-Centres1}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Bristol Temple Meads railway station}}
{{stn art lrnk|BRI|BS16QF}}
*[http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20090903043020/http%3A//pastscape.english%2Dheritage.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id%3D1008221 Detailed historic record for Bristol Temple Meads railway station], English Heritage
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120302032554/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/VirtualArchive/bristol-temple-meads/ Bristol Temple Meads Station (excerpts from original plans)], Network Rail Archive
*[http://www.urban75.org/vista/bristol02.html Panoramic photograph inside the train shed]
*[http://www.urban75.org/photos/bristol/bristol13.html Photographs of Bristol Temple Meads]
{{Brunel}}
{{Bristol railway stations}}
{{Major railway stations in Britain}}
{{Transport in Bristol}}
{{good article}}

[[Category:Railway stations in Bristol]]
[[Category:DfT Category A stations]]
[[Category:Grade I listed buildings in Bristol]]
[[Category:Grade I listed railway stations]]
[[Category:Former Great Western Railway stations]]
[[Category:Bristol and Exeter Railway]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Great Britain opened in 1840]]
[[Category:Great Western Main Line]]
[[Category:Isambard Kingdom Brunel railway stations]]
[[Category:Network Rail managed stations]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by CrossCountry]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by Great Western Railway]]
[[Category:Bristol Harbourside]]
[[Category:Art Deco railway stations]]
[[Category:History of Bristol]]
[[Category:Severn Beach Line]]
[[Category:Art Deco architecture in England]]