{"id":73983,"date":"2025-05-04T13:46:13","date_gmt":"2025-05-04T13:46:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/73983\/"},"modified":"2025-05-04T13:46:13","modified_gmt":"2025-05-04T13:46:13","slug":"the-29-greatest-rail-journeys-you-can-take-in-britain-by-the-expert-whos-travelled-4000-miles-around-the-country","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/73983\/","title":{"rendered":"The 29 greatest rail journeys you can take in Britain – by the expert who’s travelled 4,000 miles around the country"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s 200 years since George Stephenson climbed into the cab of the aptly named Locomotion No. 1 and took 600 passengers on a 26-mile trip on the Stockton & Darlington Railway.<\/p>\n

Unsurprisingly, there was a buzz of excitement as the wheels rolled down the tracks, beginning in the small settlement of Shildon \u2013 considered the world\u2019s first railway town \u2013 and continuing towards Stockton on the River Tees. They were, after all, on the world\u2019s first public passenger steam train ride.<\/p>\n

It remains a joy to visit this hallowed train spot. But what other uplifting journeys are to be had across Britain \u2013 the proud home of the railways?<\/p>\n

North-East<\/p>\n

Shildon to Darlington, County Durham<\/p>\n

\"At <\/p>\n

At Shildon’s Locomotion Museum is packed full of old trains – including\u00a0Galatea and Duchess of Hamilton, pictured<\/p>\n

This intriguing 11-mile journey is where Stephenson\u2019s Locomotion No. 1 first chugged away in 1825. Drop by Shildon\u2019s Locomotion Museum, packed full of old locos; check out the remains of Britain\u2019s (and the world\u2019s) first station at Heighington; and enjoy crossing Skerne Bridge, the world\u2019s first such railway structure.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss: Seeing Locomotion No. 1.<\/p>\n

Middlesbrough to Grosmont, North Yorkshire<\/p>\n

Middlesborough comprised a few abodes by the River Tees before the railway came in the early 19th century, yet by the 1860s it had become an industrial \u2018infant Hercules\u2019 (Prime Minister William Gladstone\u2019s description). Departing from its atmospheric gothic station, you\u2019re soon travelling for 27 miles along the gorgeous Esk Valley Railway, passing bracken-clad moors and hills.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss:\u00a0The lovely tiled route map at Middlesbrough station.<\/p>\n

Berwick-upon-Tweed\u00a0to Newcastle, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear<\/p>\n

\"This <\/p>\n

This journey starts at the Royal Border Bridge at Berwick, pictured, to the King Edward VII Bridge at Newcastle<\/p>\n

This 62-mile journey goes from the Royal Border Bridge at Berwick (designed by George Stephenson\u2019s son Robert) to the King Edward VII Bridge at Newcastle, spanning the Tyne and opened by its namesake in 1906. Between the bridges, the tracks skirt the North Sea cliffs \u2013 so make sure you book a sea\u2011facing seat.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss: Gazing out to Holy Island in the North Sea.<\/p>\n

North-West\u00a0<\/p>\n

Settle to Carlisle, North Yorkshire and Cumbria<\/p>\n

Covering 73 bleak yet beautiful miles, this line was completed in 1876 at great expense \u2013 double the original budget of \u00a33.6million. Thank goodness the original investors stuck to their guns. You cross 22 viaducts, passing peaks and calling at Dent, Britain\u2019s highest mainline station (530 metres).<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss: The spectacular 24-arch Ribblehead Viaduct.<\/p>\n

Carlisle to Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria<\/p>\n

Avoid traffic-clogged Lake District roads and take to the Cumbrian Coast Line, which stretches 85 miles between Carlisle and Barrow, with long sections snaking along the Irish Sea. The fastest journey takes two hours 20 minutes, though you may want to hop off at Maryport to visit the intriguing Senhouse Roman Museum or at Ravenglass for a side-trip on the local heritage line.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss: The museum of rail paraphernalia at Ravenglass.<\/p>\n

Wales<\/p>\n

Llandudno Junction to Blaenau Ffestiniog, Conwy and Gwynedd<\/p>\n

\"Llanduno <\/p>\n

Llanduno beach is a seaside town in North Wales, which is surrounded by great scenery perfect to spot from a train<\/p>\n

From Llandudno Junction, the station for the Victorian-era seaside town, it\u2019s a 27-mile ride into the hills to the small town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. You follow the pretty River Conwy, slowly rising via farmsteads, woodland and rocky escarpments with former slate quarries dotted with rhododendron bushes.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss: The lovely little platform cafe at Llandudno.<\/p>\n

Craven Arms to Llanelli, Shropshire and Carmarthenshire<\/p>\n

Slicing cross country on the Heart Of Wales Line, this 90-mile ride cuts between Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons, traversing remote green valleys between rolling hills. It\u2019s a Transport For Wales service, often with no more than a carriage or two. There\u2019s an exhilarating feeling as you leave the west coast mainline rattling into the depths of mid-Wales.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss: Taking some snacks\/drinks for the three-hour journey.<\/p>\n

South-West<\/p>\n

Exeter to Teignmouth, Devon<\/p>\n

It’s 15 miles heading south from the cathedral city along the muddy River Exe, passing a half-sunk vessel by the shore and arriving at a seawall by the English Channel. Golden, red-tinted sands run along the tracks, broken by small headlands with crumbly cliffs. On the section at Dawlish, sometimes closed and occasionally damaged during storms, you almost feel you\u2019re surfing along the waves.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss: Getting a sea-facing seat.<\/p>\n

Truro to Penzance, Cornwall<\/p>\n

\"St <\/p>\n

St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall is a great spot from this train, with its castle perched up on the hill<\/p>\n

This 30-mile ride slides between rolling hills from the county capital towards the end of the Cornish line: Penzance, Britain\u2019s southernmost station. On the run-in, on the left, is the island of St Michael\u2019s Mount, with its mysterious castle.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss: A coffee\/tea at old-fashioned Sullivan\u2019s Diner, next to Penzance station.<\/p>\n

St Erth to St Ives, Cornwall<\/p>\n

This five-mile journey on Cornwall\u2019s north coast leaves the Plymouth-Penzance mainline at the pretty little station of St Erth, winding along clifftops with great sweeps of sand. St Ives, once a sleepy fishing village, became popular with tourists when the Cornish Riviera Express from London began in 1905.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss: Carbis Bay, just before St Ives.<\/p>\n

West Country<\/p>\n

Castle Cary to Dorchester West, Somerset and Dorset<\/p>\n

From the elegant market town of Castle Cary, this ride takes you 30 miles south on the remote Heart Of Wessex line through classic English countryside. The joy here is the sense of isolation, watching little farmsteads pass by, crossing Yeovil Junction and rattling towards Dorset\u2019s county town.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss: Lovely skies around sunset.<\/p>\n

Exeter to Okehampton, Devon<\/p>\n

\"Okehampton <\/p>\n

Okehampton station sits right on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, and features an excellent bookshop<\/p>\n

This route covers 15 miles and is special for being part of a section of the Dartmoor Line that was reopened in 2021 (after closing in 1972). Okehampton station is right on the edge of Dartmoor National Park.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss: The excellent little bookshop at Okehampton station.<\/p>\n

The South<\/p>\n

Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin, Isle of Wight<\/p>\n

\"Make <\/p>\n

Make sure to stop halfway at Smallbrook Junction for a side-journey on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, pictured<\/p>\n

Arriving by ferry, it\u2019s a few strides from the dock to Ryde Pier Head station, where old London Tube carriages await, along with some newer, purpose-built ones. This quaint, eight-mile ride to the old-fashioned seaside resort of Shanklin bumps along tracks past quiet suburbs and fields.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss: Stopping halfway at Smallbrook Junction for a side-journey on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.<\/p>\n

Tonbridge to Hastings, Kent and East Sussex<\/p>\n

This 33-mile line traverses the sandstone hills of the High Weald, cutting through tunnels and winding around contours, calling at historic towns such as High Brooms, Tunbridge Wells and Battle. Expect wooded hillsides, farmland with fruit trees and tranquil countryside before arriving at the fun seaside town of Hastings.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss: It\u2019s a short walk from Hastings station to the beach.<\/p>\n

East of England<\/p>\n

Norwich to Sheringham, Norfolk<\/p>\n

\"In <\/p>\n

In Sheringham, the North Norfolk Railway offers steam rides<\/p>\n

It’s a 25-mile ride from Norwich to the seaside town. The route curves across ploughed fields and flatlands with canals, with the occasional village with a flint church poking up.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss: In Sheringham, join the brilliant \u2018Poppy Line\u2019 North Norfolk Railway offering steam rides.<\/p>\n

Thorpe-le-Soken to Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex<\/p>\n

This short journey of five miles or so is all about escaping down the line \u2013 known as the Sunshine Coast Line \u2013 to the seaside resort of Walton-on-the-Naze, which was put on the tourist map by trains in 1867. You cut across gorgeous emerald countryside, before pulling into the terminus, a short walk from the amusement pier.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss: The striking mural of Winston Churchill at Frinton-on-Sea station.<\/p>\n

Grimsby to Barton-on-Humber, Lincolnshire<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The Humber Bridge, the world’s longest single span suspension bridge, can be seen from this route<\/p>\n

Your reward for this peculiar, 21-mile ride passing bulk terminals, warehouses, power stations and electricity pylons \u2013 as well as some long, flat arable farms \u2013 is a superb view of one of Britain\u2019s greatest engineering structures, the Humber Bridge, the world\u2019s longest single span suspension bridge when it opened in 1981. From Barton-on-Humber station it\u2019s a short walk to the river.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss: The brilliant little cafe\/bar facing Humber Bridge.<\/p>\n

North of England<\/p>\n

Sheffield to Chinley, South Yorkshire and Derbyshire<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

A passenger train on the Hope Valley railway line, running through the rolling hills of the Peak District<\/p>\n

The Hope Valley line runs through the Peak District, connecting Sheffield and Manchester. The Sheffield side is especially beautiful, with tracks winding past Hathersage, Edale and Hope, before arriving at Chinley. Fells rise all around and carriages are often occupied by walkers.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss: Walking from Chinley to see spectacular old viaducts from below.<\/p>\n

Liverpool to Manchester<\/p>\n

OK, so it may not be especially scenic, but Stephenson\u2019s 31 miles of tracks between these two cities were just as important to train history when they opened in 1830 as the Stockton & Darlington Railway five years earlier. You can visit Edge Hill station, where the locos set forth to Liverpool Road station in Manchester \u2013 now preserved as part of the fantastic Science And Industry Museum.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss: Seeing the old tunnels at Edge Hill in Liverpool where the 1830 trains began their journeys.<\/p>\n

Scotland<\/p>\n

London Euston to Aberdeen<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The Caledonian Sleeper is an overnight rail journey beetween Scotland and London – but make sure to book a table for dinner in the dining car<\/p>\n

The Caledonian Sleeper offers rides from Euston to Fort William, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. The latter makes a superb choice. You leave in the evening, enjoying the plush dining car, before arriving around dawn, crossing the Tay Bridge to Dundee and traversing scenic coastline via St Andrews.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss: Booking a table in the dining car.<\/p>\n

Inverness to Thurso, Inverness-shire and Caithness<\/p>\n

This long journey of 107 miles (three hours, 45 minutes) offers an escape into a peaty, empty landscape, skirting estuaries, lochs and the coast before arriving at Thurso, Britain\u2019s most northerly station.<\/p>\n

Fittingly, this route is known as the Far North Line. It was completed in 1874 thanks to the financial contributions of the Duke of Sutherland.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss: Thurso\u2019s lovely history museum.<\/p>\n

Mallaig to Glasgow, Highlands and Lanarkshire<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The Glenfinnan Viaduct was made famous as the route taken by the Howarts Express in the Harry Potter films<\/p>\n

It’s a blockbuster five hour and 20 minutes, 130-mile journey from the peaceful west coast port of Mallaig to Glasgow. The highlight comes quickly: the Glenfinnan Viaduct, with its 21 spans and long curving shape \u2013 made famous thanks to journeys taken by the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss: Booking a seat on a steam train ride, if you can get a space.<\/p>\n

Northern Ireland<\/p>\n

Belfast to Derry<\/p>\n

Over 90 miles, the Belfast to Derry Line connects with Antrim, Ballymena, Coleraine and Castlerock \u2013 making it an excellent way to explore Northern Ireland. It crosses rolling emerald green farmland and slides by mountains and luminous snaking rivers.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss: The spectacular coastal section after Bellarena, before curving inland to Derry.<\/p>\n