Edinburgh Waverley has been given a festive boost with the opening of LNER’s new Family Lounge, launched in partnership with Edinburgh’s Christmas. Scotland’s busiest station was transformed for the occasion, with seasonal entertainment and giveaways marking the arrival of the operator’s third dedicated family space.

The new lounge joins existing facilities at London King’s Cross and York, continuing LNER’s rollout of family-friendly areas across its network. Positioned within the station’s historic customer atrium, the space is open to all families, regardless of train operator, whether preparing for a trip along the East Coast Main Line or stepping into the city for a winter visit.

Designed with young travellers in mind, the lounge includes a play area inspired by Edinburgh Castle, bespoke murals of the Forth Bridge and other landmarks, and beach hut-style seating complete with tabletop games. Children can also enjoy interactive activities, soft flooring, crawl spaces and infinity sensory screens unique to the Waverley site. Seating, sofas and coffee tables provide a comfortable spot for parents to unwind, alongside a private breastfeeding area.

To celebrate the launch, families passing through the station were met with a Christmas celebration featuring Father Christmas, panto characters and exclusive prizes from Heart of Midlothian FC, Hibernian FC and Edinburgh Rugby.

Colette Casey, LNER Customer Experience Director, said:

“Our new Family Lounge in Edinburgh sees LNER continuing to lead the way when it comes to making rail travel more attractive and inclusive for families. Millions of customers start or end their journey at Edinburgh each year, and we can’t wait for our family travellers to experience and enjoy this new, exciting space.”

Unique Assembly, the team behind Edinburgh's Christmas, added:

"We were thrilled to bring extra seasonal sparkle to Waverley Station for families travelling to and from Edinburgh, with a special surprise visit from Santa himself. The new LNER Family Lounge is a fantastic addition to the station, helping make festive journeys to the capital's spectacular Christmas attractions even more magical!”

Alongside the family facility, a new Passenger Assist Lounge has also opened in the atrium. This separate area offers a calm waiting space for those needing additional assistance, and will now serve as the main meeting point for customers using Passenger Assist services.

Image: LNER