Turn on the TV in the early evening and chances are you’ll see former politician Michael Portillo heading around the UK by train with his trusted Bradshaw’s guide in hand.
Sometimes, there’s nothing better than sitting back, relaxing, and watching the world fly by through a train window.
So, if you want to travel in style and enjoy some of the most incredible scenery the UK has to offer, here are 10 iconic UK train journeys to enjoy this summer.
1. Settle to Carlisle
Accessed easily through connections in Leeds and Lancaster, more than a third of this picturesque line weaves through the rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Oddly, the two-hour journey might be even better in the rain, with water pouring from the likes of Pen-y-gent and forming dramatic waterfalls.
The highlight of the trip is the dramatic 400-metre Ribblehead viaduct, comprising 24 giant arches.
2. Glasgow to Mallaig
While the initial journey out of Glasgow trailing the River Clyde may be nothing special, once the service reaches the countryside, you’re in for a treat.
The route climbs up to the banks of Loch Lomond, and then it’s time to head to the front carriages to look back as it curls around the horseshoe bend at the foot of Beinn Doran before carrying on to Fort William.
Fans of the Harry Potter series are then in for a treat as, towards the end of the line, the train runs along the 21 arches of the Glenfinnan Viaduct at the top of Loch Shiel – a sight commonly known as the route of the Hogwarts Express.
3. Snowdon Mountain Railway
Since the end of the 19th century, a narrow-gauge railway has climbed Snowdon and delivered passengers to the top of Wales’s highest mountain – although bear in mind engineering work means the train will only stop around three-quarters of the way to the peak in 2022.
The train departs from Llanberis station at 30-minute intervals, and you’ll be treated to the sight of the Ceunant Mawr waterfall, which crashes down over 100 feet into a gorge. After around 40 minutes the train stops at Clogwyn, where you are welcome to attempt the one-hour walk to the summit.
If you don’t fancy the walk, wait until 2023 when the train resumes its normal route!
4. Oxford to Hereford
Meandering through the Cotswolds and the rugged Malvern Hills, the Cotswold Line passes through three counties.
It’s a great route for hopping off and exploring the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with the villages of Charlbury and Moreton in Marsh the perfect place to enjoy a cream tea before your onward journey.
5. London to Scotland on the Caledonian Sleeper
Whether it is for business or leisure, the Caledonian Sleeper is an iconic way to travel from London to five lovely Scottish destinations.
Every room on board the train captures the spirit of Caledonian Sleeper, with en suite facilities in select accommodation. Departing six nights a week, you’ll travel through the night and arrive early in the morning in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Fort William, or Aberdeen.
Enjoy a meal or a dram of scotch in the Club Car, then get a great night’s sleep on a handcrafted Glencraft mattress. You’ll want to be up early for the West Highland stretch that links Glasgow with Fort William, where the service passes Loch Lomond and climbs 1,350 feet into snow-capped mountains.
6. The Bluebell Railway
If you’re looking for a day out with a difference, the Bluebell Railway will take you through 11 miles of glorious Sussex scenery behind a steam engine.
The railway was one of the first preserved heritage lines in the country and so boasts one of the finest collections of vintage steam locomotives and carriages in the UK.
Each of the four stations has been restored to evoke a different period in the line’s 137-year history. The quiet country junction of Horsted Keynes, with its small refreshment room on the island platform, is one of the most atmospheric of all heritage railway stations.
7. Londonderry to Coleraine
The stretch of line between Londonderry and Coleraine is a great way to enjoy the spectacular scenery of Northern Ireland.
The railway has plenty of history (more than 170 years of the stuff), but the real star here is the rolling views of the coast taking in Downhill beach and cliffs, Binevenagh, and the Foyle estuary.
Seasoned traveller and TV presenter Michael Palin even called it “one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world”.
8. Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog
The Ffestiniog Railway in North Wales is the world’s oldest narrow-gauge railway and also one of the most scenic, climbing more than 700 feet on its 13.5-mile journey.
You’ll travel from the harbour town of Porthmadog to the town of Blaenau Ffestiniog, travelling past waterfalls and forest, and across mountain slopes. The journey lasts for 75 minutes and the three trains are the original 150-year-old locomotives with all the original carriages.
9. Newcastle to Edinburgh
If you’ve ever travelled on the east coast mainline from London or York to Edinburgh, this is a stretch of railway you’ll already know well.
Just because the train might be hurtling along, you’ll be treated to fantastic views of the Northumberland and south-east Scotland coastline with the rails seemingly perched right on the cliff-edge above the North Sea.
In 2022 you can also enjoy the fast and inexpensive Lumo service, and, with its 100% electric-powered fleet, Lumo say they are also much more carbon-efficient than other train services.
10. The St Ives Line
It may only be a 10-minute journey, but the ride between the village of St Erth and the seaside town of St Ives gives you unparalleled views of the Cornish coast.
Make sure you sit on the right-hand side of the train as it trundles along the Hayle estuary before it climbs the dunes and curls around the crescent of Porth Kidney Sands.
With lovely cafes and walks at either end, it’s easy to spend a day going back and forth along the route – you’ll spot something new every time.
