:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/TAL-lead-image-UKTRAINS0125-17f9d197e2d646298c4d741059fe7d46.jpg "I have taken 30 train trips around the UK; here are 8 of my favorites")
- These scenic routes take you past iconic UK landmarks, including Glenfinnan Viaduct in Scotland and St. Ives Bay in Cornwall.
- Many trains pass through iconic national parks such as the Peak District in northern England and Snowdonia in Wales.
- The coastal routes of Scotland and Northern Ireland offer the opportunity to enjoy fantastic sea views.
“I have rarely heard a train go by and not wanted to be on it,” said Paul Theroux in the first line of his 1975 travel classic “The Grand Railway Bazaar.” I often feel the same way, even though Theroux was about to embark on an epic 40,000 kilometer journey from London to the Far East and back again.
But as monumental as your journey sounds, trips around the UK can also give me the same sense of wonder and wanderlust as those in remote corners of the world. From the sea-washed coastlines of Cornwall to cinematic mountain excursions through the mist-shrouded Scottish Highlands, the UK’s rail network offers a wealth of sublime scenery.
These are some of my favorite train routes around the UK.
Settling in Carlisle
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Crossing the scenic valleys and viaducts of the rural valleys of Yorkshire and the North Pennines, the Settle-to-Carlisle line offers a magnificent 73 mile journey through the heart of northern England. Opened to passengers in 1876, the 104-foot-high Ribblehead Viaduct is a spectacular highlight of the journey, which takes less than two hours.
Curiously though, this iconic line perhaps should never have been built in the first place. Not only did it cost a fortune to build, but there were already two good coastlines east and west. Furthermore, it took extraordinary 19th-century engineering to traverse a stunning landscape with relatively few potential paying passengers. In the end Victorian arrogance triumphed, and today we all enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Glasgow to Mallaig
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For more than five hours, this famous Scottish journey through the West Highland Line It is one to savour. Departing from Glasgow Central Station, the Glasgow-Mallaig line follows the mighty River Clyde before entering the wild glens of Loch Lomond.
Its meandering journey up Scotland’s west coast is littered with heather-covered hillsides and crystal-clear lochs, which would normally be enough to satiate most romantic travellers. But towards the end of the journey comes the final touch: crossing the spectacular Glenfinnan Viaduct. The 21-arch viaduct was completed in 1901 and is most recognizable as part of the route of the Hogwarts Express which appears in four harry potter movies.
Manchester to Sheffield
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Manchester and Sheffield are great cities in their own right, but this trip is all about what’s in between. He Hope Valley Line It was completed in 1894 and runs through some of the most beautiful countryside in the Peak District, one of the UK’s best national parks. The trains used here are not large (sometimes only two cars), but the gentle ride through wide valleys and chocolate box villages is what captures the heart.
And if you enjoy hiking, the small village of Edale is a particular highlight. Not only are there some major hills to tackle, such as Mam Tor and Kinder Scout, but it also marks the starting point of the Pennine Way, Britain’s oldest long-distance footpath.
Lancaster to Carlisle
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The Lake District is one of the most popular and picturesque areas of the UK, but its outer banks are less travelled. He West Coast Main Line Carlisle is fired upon from Lancaster in less than an hour, but the Cumbria coastlineturning left at Carnforth, slow dances around the windswept coasts of Cumbria.
The mist-shrouded peaks of the Lake District always seem to be in view, but it’s the desolate scenes looking out over the waves of the Irish Sea that are most compelling. Yes, it’s almost three hours longer than the main line, but the sea-hugging sections on either side of St. Bees Head make it worth every moment.
Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog
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He Ffestiniog Railway In Wales’ stunning Snowdonia National Park is the world’s oldest independent railway company, founded in 1832. There are two beautiful heritage lines available here, but what I love is the journey from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog.
If, like me, you are fascinated by steam trains, climbing aboard the smoking engine next to the Porthmadog estuary is exciting before you even set off. Powered by brown Double Fairlie locomotives, this route twists and spirals through steep slopes and quiet forests before ending in the former slate mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog, where the views are splendid.
St Erth to St Ives
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The 4.25 miles St. Ives Bay Line in Cornwall it is as pretty as it is concise. Taking just 10 minutes from its start in St. Erth to the popular seaside town of St. Ives, this short journey is a charming embodiment of the British summer getaway.
Sparkling turquoise water comes into view in the Hayle Estuary, but the brief majesty of this route really becomes apparent once you enter St Ives Bay and see the golden arch of Porthkidney Sands. Look for swaying gray seals and descending gannets as the train winds its way along the picturesque Carbis Bay and eventually arrives in St. Ives.
Trip Coleraine Derry
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This Northern Ireland line starts in Belfast, but the journey takes 40 minutes. from Coleraine to Derry that you will want to experience. Follow the River Bann towards the coast, where the expanse of sea appears beyond Castlerock and the calm sands of Downhill Beach are lapped by soapy waves.
The train then returns to the gentle countryside and the view from the left-hand windows is dominated by the imposing Binevenagh, a steep hill 1,263 feet high. Keep an eye out for hang gliders and paragliders taking off from its summit. Finally, the River Foyle leads the line to its final stopping point at Derry.
From Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh
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The Isle of Skye is pretty spectacular as it is, but this three hour trip Towards its eastern entry point from Inverness there is a grand hors d’oeuvre. Along the expanse of the southern flank of the Beauly Firth, the sinuous line dances around several lakes on its way towards the Highlands.
Keep an eye on the right side of the carriage for a view of the Torridon Hills, a sandstone range with some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in Britain. The journey ends at Kyle of Lochalsh, but if you’re heading to Skye, prepare for more glorious views.
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