The first station in Holyhead was opened by the Chester and Holyhead Railway on 1 August 1848, but this was replaced by the second on 15 May 1851. The present station was opened by the London and North Western Railway on 17 January 1866 and still retains its overall roof. It originally had four platforms, but only three are currently in use, the track to the former platform three having been lifted. Platform one on the western side of the station is separated from the other two by the ferry terminal buildings and inner harbour and is the one normally used by Avanti West Coast services to London Euston. Most Transport for Wales DMU services use platform two. Platform three is outside the train shed and is used by the early morningPremier Service to Cardiff Central, plus a few other trains at busy periods. There are carriage sidings and servicing facilities alongside platform one, whilst platform three also has an engine release line & run-round loop available. A rail-served container terminal next to the station closed in 1991 when the traffic transferred to Liverpool. It has since been demolished and is now used as a car parking area for the Stena Line ferry service. Passenger ships previously used to berth in the inner harbour next to Platform 1, this ceased when the port was re-developed. Stena Line built an administration building between platforms 1 and 2 in the early 1990s.
Facilities
The station is fully staffed, with a ticket office in the main ferry terminal - this is manned seven days per week. Self-service ticket machines are also provided for use outside these times and for collecting pre-paid tickets. The terminal also offers covered waiting accommodation, a payphone, a photo booth, left luggage office, toilets, shops, and a cafe. Train running details are offered via digital information screens, timetable posters, and automated announcements. Step-free access is available to all platforms.
Services
Holyhead is served by a basic Transport for Wales hourly service throughout the week to Shrewsbury with services continuing to Birmingham International and Cardiff Central on alternate hours. A limited number of trains run to/from Crewe, whilst two services operate to Manchester Piccadilly on weekdays only. Most Sunday services run to/from Crewe. Avanti West Coast operate services to London Euston via the West Coast Main Line, with six departures and five arrivals from London Euston on weekdays, with a sixth arrival from Birmingham New Street, four services to and from London Euston on Saturdays and four departures and three arrivals from Euston on Sundays, with the fourth arrival originating at Crewe. Holyhead station adjoins the Holyhead Ferry Port, with sailings to both Dublin and, until September 2014, to Dún Laoghaire. It is connected to the town centre by a steel pedestrian/cycle bridge named The Celtic Gateway.
