Notes: Kew Gardens station was opened on 1.11.1887 by the Liverpool, Southport and Preston Junction Railway. The station was situated on the Hillhouse Junction (on the CLC Aintree to Southport Lord Street Line) to Southport Central line.

The Station was named after a nearby 12 acre pleasure grounds and boating lake which closed in 1930. The station was on an embankment and consisted of two wooden platforms with the wooden ticket and waiting facilities on both platforms.

Initially services ran from Southport Central to Altcar and Hillhouse but in July 1897 the line became part of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (L&Y) and on 1.5.1901 its northern terminus switched to Southport Chapel Street.

In July 1906 the L&Y introduced a railmotor service which became known as the 'Altcar Bob'. Consisting of an engine and single coach combination with a driving cab at one end of the coach there are a number of suggestions as to why the service got its name. Some say that the original driver was called Bob, others say that the name could be related to the ticket fare, a Bob being the general term locally for a Shilling. More likely it was named Altcar Bob by railwaymen who it is said referred to small engines as Bob.

On 13.11.1926 services ceased to operate as far as Altcar and Hillhouse and terminated at Downholland instead.

An early victim of road competition Kew Gardens station closed to passengers on 26.9.1938. The line remained in situ through the station site until 1964 as a stabling point for excursion coaches.

For more about Altcar Bob see the Southport.gb.com web site.

To see the other stations on the Southport - Altcar & Hillhouse line click on the station name: Southport Central, Southport Ash Street, St. Lukes, Meols Cop, Butts Lane Halt, Heathley Lane Halt, Shirdley Hill, New Cut Lane Halt, Halsall, Plex Moss Lane Halt, Downholland & Altcar & Hillhouse