Scenic Railway Journeys of Britain
The pick of Britain's Railway Journeys ... in which getting there is truly half the fun.
A generation ago, Britain's railways were almost consigned to history when, in a cost cutting exercise, the British Government foolishly closed thousands of stations and lines across the country. But some gems survived, and now rail travel grows more popular by the day. Many of these are among the more scenic journeys across Britain.
West Highland Railway, Scotland
One of the most popular and scenic train trips in Europe (and possibly the world), the West Highland Line links the major ports in Scotland to Glasgow, and takes just over 5 hours from one end to the other.
The Cotswold Line
The Cotswold Line service carries passengers through the rolling hills of Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire and on to the more rugged charms of Herefordshire via Great Malvern, which has one of the finest stations in the country.
Edinburgh - Dundee - Perth
Riding the rails from Edinburgh up the coast to Dundee, inland to Perth and then back to Edinburgh is one of the best ways of seeing much of what Scotland is about in a single day train journey.
Exeter to Penzance
Containing arguably the finest stretch of coastal mainline railway in Britain, the journey west from Devon's capital begins with the glorious stretch along the seawall through Dawlish and Teignmouth.
Settle Carlisle Railway
Running through the heart of the Eden Valley and the Yorkshire Dales is one of the most picturesque stretches of railway line in the UK, with plenty of photo opportunities for lovers of railway infrastructure like me.
Dingwall to Kyle of Lochalsh
Completed in 1897, the line was the most expensive rail project of its day: the result is a gem of a railway passing over deserted beaches and through fishing villages, and offering views of mountains and herons - and eagles and otters if you are lucky.
Classic Steam
Travelling by steam train evokes a sense of nostalgia for Britain's great, pioneering railway past, combined with the simple delight of seeing an enormous plume of steam bursting from a train as it pulls out of a station.
TransPennine Express
Travel across the north of England by rail - from Liverpool on the east coast to Scarborough on the west coast - visiting industrial towns and cities that played a major role in, and were forever changed by, the Industrial Revolution.
Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway
For the past 88 years the 15 inch gauge Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway has been an integral part of the landscape of the Romney Marsh in Kent.
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