Britain's Best Train Journeys
All Aboard: Britain's best rail journeys remain rides to remember
Daniel Allen
In the days of empire Britain's train network was the world's finest transport system. Today the British remain justifiably proud of their long railway heritage, with names such as Stephenson, Trevithick and Brunel conjuring up images of industrial progress and a more relaxing and romantic era of rail travel.
Despite the frequent hassle and expense of contemporary rail commuting, there are few love affairs more passionate than that of the British with their railways. Defying the country's small size, Great Britain's dramatically diverse scenery has underpinned a tradition of scenic rail journeys that dates all the way back to the Victorian era.
For those with time to spare, many of those journeys are still the perfect way to explore. Resisting the impacts of privatisation and underinvestment, some of the most beautiful landscapes and impressive feats of engineering in the British Isles are best viewed by rail. Whether you're a resident or overseas visitor, here's a selection of some of Britain's top tracks.
Settle-Carlisle Railway
Originally constructed in the 1870s, this 72-mile (116-km) rail line in northern England connects Leeds with Carlisle. No other rail journey in England comes close to this route through the Pennines for jaw-dropping scenery. Departing from Leeds, trains traverse the Aire Valley to enter the Yorkshire Dales National Park, just north of Settle. Threading its way between peaks such as Ingleborough, Pen-y-ghent and Whernside, the entire line is stunningly picturesque.
The highlight of this journey is undoubtedly the majestic Ribblehead Viaduct, which carries the railway across Batty Moss in the valley of the River Ribble. Built in just four years (1870–1874) by navvy labour, the viaduct is the longest such crossing on the route, with the line carried over 24 massive arches, around 30 metres above the ground, before entering the Blea Moor Tunnel and scaling the heights of the Ais Gill in the Mallerstang Valley.
All of the stations on the Settle-Carlisle route offer great opportunities for local walks and hikes.
Snowdon Mountain Railway
Starting service in 1896, the 4.7-mile (7.2-km) Snowdon Mountain Railway has transported passengers from Llanberis, a little hamlet at the foot of Snowdon (the highest peak in Wales), to the 3560-foot (1085-metre) summit of the mountain. On clear days the views over the surrounding Snowdon Massif are simply spectacular.
The Snowdon Mountain Railway is Britain's only rack and pinion mountain railway, and also boasts the nation's highest station, perched just below Snowdon's summit. An interesting new visitor centre has recently opened at the top station.
Given the local geography it comes as little surprise that the railway is operated in some of Britain's harshest weather conditions. Services are stopped in cases of extreme weather, with the line remaining closed in the winter season from November through to mid-March.
Steam and diesel locomotives hauling individual carriages take about an hour to complete the journey from Llanberis along a single track narrow gauge line. Those lucky enough to have tickets on "The Snowdon Lily" or newer "The Snowdon Mountain Goat" carriages will be pushed by one of the railway's original 1896 steam locomotives.
Glasgow to Mallaig (or Oban)
The West Highland Line takes passengers on a relaxed ride through some of the wildest and most wonderful scenery on Scotland's west coast. The line splits some 40 miles north of its starting point in Glasgow, offering passengers two different journeys - across to the west coast and Oban, or northward to Fort William and Mallaig.
Striking upwards from Crianlarich on the Mallaig route passengers find no shortage of spectacle, with the remarkable Horseshoe Curve at Glenfinnan bending dramatically to the east and west before resuming the northward journey. Most of the line is a twisting single track railway through fabulous Highland scenery, often miles from the nearest road.
Just three ScotRail sprinter trains a day link Glasgow Queen Street with Fort William and Mallaig (fewer on Sundays), in addition to the London-Fort William sleeper. This route is not about speed: trains take nearly four hours to cover the 123 miles from Glasgow to Fort William, and over 5 hours to cover the 164 miles from Glasgow to Mallaig, stopping at all wayside stations.
Exeter to Penzance
Part of the 5-hour (or longer) journey between London and Penzance aboard the Cornish Riviera Express, this is arguably the most scenic stretch of mainline railway in Britain.
Leaving Exeter the line hugs the Exe Estuary, with a magnificent stretch of track along the seawall through Dawlish and Teignmouth. First time passengers will be amazed how close the track is to the sea here; at times, when the tide is in, a waist-high wall is all that comes between rolling stock and crashing waves, and at others there is not even a wall, just a footpath and a metal railing.
After the bucolic vales of the South Hams region, the line offers panoramic views across Dartmoor, before a succession of lofty viaducts designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The railway crosses into Cornwall over the Royal Albert Bridge, while the small tidal island of St. Michael's Mount, just before Penzance, is a fitting climax to the journey.
The Bittern Line
Located in Norfolk, the 30-mile (50-km) The Bittern Line runs from Norwich to Sheringham, via Cromer. Named after the bittern, a rare bird found in the reedy wetlands of Norfolk, it is one of eastern England's most picturesque rail routes, passing through the Norfolk Broads and on to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the north Norfolk coast.
Passenger numbers on the Bittern Line are increasing, and the route has seen a number of service improvements in recent years. At North Walsham Station, in the heart of the Broads, passengers can either hire bikes or head west on the nine-mile miniature Bure Valley Railway to Aylsham.
After North Walsham, the line passes quaint villages and rolling fields, before arriving at the beaches of Cromer and the onward dogleg to Sheringham.
Related UK Travel Articles
Hotels in the UK
Book Hotels in England - Booking.com
Find Accommodation in London - Booking.com
Search Hotels in Scotland - Booking.com
Hotels in Northern Ireland - Booking.com