Britain's railway heritage runs incredibly deep, spanning several centuries. So you might not be shocked to learn that the planet's oldest surviving railway station can be found right here in the UK.

Situated in Manchester, Liverpool Road Station was constructed almost two centuries ago in 1830. As a vital component of the pioneering Liverpool and Manchester railway, this transport hub revolutionised travel and connectivity across the region.

It represented the world's first steam-powered, inter-city railway line, engineered to connect Liverpool with Manchester during the height of the industrial revolution.

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The station actually remained operational for merely 14 years before closing its doors in 1844, following the launch of Manchester Victoria station nearby.

Despite this, it continued functioning as a freight depot until 1975, before shutting down for good and being preserved shortly thereafter. According to Guinness World Records, it remains the oldest surviving station building on the planet, reports the Mirror.

Now boasting Grade I Listed protection, the station is incorporated within the Science and Industry Museum. But during its heyday, it played a pivotal role in establishing Britain's railway infrastructure.

The site included a brick viaduct, canal-style warehouses, and one of the earliest modern girder bridges, allowing trains to traverse Water Street in Manchester city centre. Passengers reached the station by horse-drawn carriage, with first and second-class travellers obliged to buy their tickets in separate halls.

Luggage was subsequently hoisted onto the carriage roof, with passengers permitted to board once a bell sounded - this very same bell remains on display within the station building to this day.

Passenger services at the station ceased when the adjacent Victoria station opened in 1844, following which it functioned as a goods yard from 1923 until 1948.

Following the nationalisation of Britain's railways in 1948, British Railways assumed control until the site closed down nearly three decades later.

Upon closure, Granada Studios acquired one of the warehouses, utilising a section of it as the Coronation Street set. The National Transport Trust reports that after Liverpool Road discontinued rail operations in the 1970s, Earlestown Station in nearby Newton-le-Willows claimed the distinction of Britain's oldest operational station.