Scenic and Famous Railway Lines of Great Britain
As the birthplace of railways we in Great Britain are justifiably proud of our heritage. We have a tradition of viewing the scenery from the train dating back to Victorian times. As a small island we have dramatically diverse scenery, from the lush Garden of England in Kent, to the wild mountains of Scotland and the beautiful Welsh coastline.
We have gathered together here some of the scenic and famous trains, for which we are able to supply tickets. Please do contact us if you would like more information, or to incorporate one or more into a longer trip.
All prices given include our cover charge and are for one adult travelling in standard class one way only, unless otherwise stated. Prices are subject to availability.
England
Atlantic Coast Line
Par to Newquay
From the English Channel to the Atlantic Ocean this line runs through the thickly wooded and steep granite slopes of the Luxulyan Valley alongside the River Par. The train then emerges into the lunar like landscape of the former China Clay industrial areas.
Total journey time approximately 50 minutes
Price from £6.90
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Bittern Line
Norwich to Sheringham
This line connects the magnificent city of Norwich with the north Norfolk coastal towns of Cromer and Sheringham, via the Norfolk Broads at Salhouse, Hoveton and Wroxham. Its name recognises a special, local bird, which has a distinctive booming call.
Total journey time approximately 1 hour
Price from £9.20
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Buxton line
Manchester to Buxton
An intriguing branch line which climbs from Manchester up the River Goyt Valley to the second highest railway summit in England before descending through the Peak District National Park to the spa town of Buxton
Total journey time approximately 1 hour
Price from £12.00
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Caldervale Line
Manchester to Bradford
The classic Victorian engineering of viaducts and tunnels as this line crosses the difficult terrain of the southern Pennines make this journey through bleak fells and moorlands a pleasure.
Total journey time approximately 1 hour 10 minutes
Price £13.90
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The Cornish Mainline
Plymouth to Penzance
After leaving behind Plymouth with its Naval Dockyard and nuclear submarine base this route boasts a multitude of different views including rivers, viaducts, muddy creeks, low hills dotted with dairy farms, the granite quarries of Bodmin Moor, the steep wooded valley of the River Fowey, coastal scenery and evidence of the china clay workings.
Total journey time approximately 2 hours
Price from £8.00
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Cotswold Line
Oxford to Hereford
This pretty route runs through two Cathedral cities and a Victorian spa as well as Cotswold towns and villages.
Total journey time approximately 2 hours 20 minutes
Price from £23.80
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Cumbrian Coast Line
Lancaster to Carlisle via Barrow-in-Furness
As well as the fascinating Victorian industrial sites this route offers stunning coastal scenery as it hugs the Irish Sea and passes through the Lake District National Park. Do ask for a ticket avoiding Oxenholme to see the coastal views!
Total journey time approximately 3 hours 40 minutes
Price from £31.30
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Derwent Valley Line
Derby to Matlock
This picturesque East Midlands journey takes you through ancient woodland and lush meadows, past picturesque hillsides and an impressive limestone gorge.
Total journey time approximately 35 minutes
Price from £8.20
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East Coast Mainline
Newcastle to Berwick-upon-Tweed
As you travel through rural Northumberland on the final English section of the East Coast Mainline there are delightful coastal views and and unforgettable rural panorama on the final approach to Berwick.
Total journey time approximately 45 minutes
Price from £7.00
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Esk Valley Line
Middlesborough to Whitby
A journey through the beautiful North Yorkshire Moors to the historic seaside town of Whitby.
Total journey time approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Price from £8.90
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Exeter to Plymouth
This line started as the rather eccentric 'atmospheric railway' but eventually became a vital link for the Great Western Railway. The coastal route has some steep gradients as it skirts the edge of Dartmoor.
Total journey time approximately 1 hour
Price from £6.00
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Gainsborough Line
Marks Tey to Sudbury
The landscape is straight out of Constable's paintings. The journey begins in leafy cuttings before crossing the River Colne on the great 32 arch Chappel viaduct. The line continues along the Stour Valley to Sudbury.
Total journey time approximately 20 minutes
Price from £6.60
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Golden Valley Line
Cheltenham Spa to Swindon
This journey takes you through the Cotswolds, and patchwork view of honey coloured mills and villages. The Thames and Severn Canal runs alongside the line and can be seen from the train, particularly between Stroud and Kemble.
Total journey time approximately 1 hour
Price from £6.00
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The Hastings Line
Tonbridge to Hastings
This railway follows a winding route across the sandstone hills of the High Weald characterised by tunnels and steep gradients. The thirty three mile route is dotted with historic towns as it meanders to the sea.
Total journey time approximately 1 hour
Price from £18.20
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Heart of Wessex Line
Bristol to Weymouth
A beautiful 87 mile route through Bath, Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset. The line runs through Thomas Hardy's "dream country". The line is still a perfect way to go Far from the Madding Crowd, running through the deep, green Avon valley, winding between the river and Kennet & Avon canal and emerging onto the broad Wiltshire plains before reaching the cider orchards and distant honey coloured spires of Somerset. As it enters Dorset, it traverses an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, before sweeping over the South Dorset Downs to the World Heritage Jurassic Coast at Weymouth.
Total journey time approximately 2 hours 45 minutes
Price from £19.40
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Hope Valley Line
Manchester to Sheffield
After leaving behind busy Manchester the railway line shares the valley with the River Goyt and the Peak Forest Canal. The foothills of the Penines are then visible as the journey continues through the former mill town of New Mills. The climb continues through dense woodland and spectacular views to the summit of the line as the train emerges from Cowburn tunnel. The line then follows the Vale of Edale down to Bamford station and a final climb away from the river Derwent through the Totley tunnel and a final descent to Sheffield.
Total journey time approximately 1 hour 20 minutes
Price from £7.50
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The Isle of Wight
Ryde to Shanklin
After leaving Ryde the railways passes through farmland and chalk downland and past the remains of a first century Roman villa. The line then skirts the coast to Shanklin.
Total journey time approximately 25 minutes
Price from £6.50
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Looe Valley Line
Liskeard to Looe
After leaving Looe the route makes a 180 degree turn and descends down the valley to Coombe Juntion. The trains reverses, and heads south through the wooded valley of the East Looe River, hugging the river bank and following the disused canal to Sandplace where the tidal estuary begins. The area is popular with birdwatchers.
Total journey time approximately 30 minutes
Price from £6.40
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The Maritime Line
Truro to Falmouth
This scenic branchline runs from the Cathedral city of Truro over the Pennranwel high viaduct and along the river Fal to Falmouth. Celebrations are planned for the 150th anniversary during 2013.
Total journey time approximately 25 minutes
Price from £6.40
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The New Forest and the Dorset Coast
Southampton to Weymouth
The Bournemouth Belle and Channel Island Boat Train formally used this route along the Hampshire Coastline.
Total journey time approximately 30 minutes
Price from £26.90
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The Settle and Carlisle line
Settle to Carlisle
The line runs through remote regions of the Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines, and is considered to be the most scenic railway in England
Total journey time approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes
Price from £22.20
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St Ives Bay line
Penzance to St Ives
This dramatic, picturesque branch line leaves the Cornish Mainline at St Erth, passing golden sands, panoramic craggy cliffs and the colourful harbour of St Ives as well as running along sandunes and steep cliffs 30 metres above sea level.
Total journey time approximately 25 minutes
Price from £6.40
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Tarka Line
Exeter to Barnstaple
The Tarka Line follows the gentle river valleys of the Yeo and Taw. From Eggesford to Barnstaple the line forms part of the Tarka Trail, a 180 mile long distance route tracing the journeys of 'Tarka the Otter' in Henry Williamson's classic novel.
Total journey time approximately 1 hour 15 minutes
Price from £11.80
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Tamar Valley Line
Plymouth to Gunnislake
This fourteen mile route is one of the loveliest in England. The train follows the magnificent River Tamar and its estuary before crossing the Calstock viaduct. The views are ever changing, from the Royal Naval Dockyard in Plymouth and Brunel's Royal Albert Bridge over the Tamar, to the quiet countryside of the Bere Peninsula. The area's industrial past is evident as the line climbs towards Gunnislake. Market gardens and orchards are also visible on the last stretch of the line.
Total journey time approximately 45 minutes
Price from £7.60
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Tyne Valley Line
Newcastle to Carlisle
Also known as the Hadrian's Wall line this is Britains first coast to coast railway stretching across England's narrowest point. The route follows the Rivers Tyne and South Tyne.
Total journey time approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Price from £6.50
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West Coast Mainline
Lancaster to Carlisle via Oxenholme
Climb through the Lake District National Park to one of Britain's highest, and most famous, summits at Shap before descending through open countryside.
Total journey time approximately 55 minutes
Price from £9.50
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The Wherry Lines
Norwich to Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft
The Wherry Lines Railways can transport you from the magnificent city of Norwich to the lively East Coast resorts of Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft through the Eastern section of the Norfolk Broads and along the rivers Wensum, Waveney and Yare.
Total journey time approximately 35 minutes
Price from £9.20
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Wales
The Cambrian Coast line
Machynlleth to Pwllheli
This line follows the coast from Machynlleth to Pwllheli, passengers are treated to views of the intricate coves, sandy beaches and river mouths that make this one of the most interesting coastlines in the United Kingdom. The further north you get on this line the more mountainous the terrain gets. On a clear day between Minffordd (incidentally our office is situated a few steps from this stop) and Porthmadog stations Mount Snowdon, the highest peak in England and Wales, can be seen sitting proudly overlooking the country.
Total journey time approximately 2 hours 15 minutes
Price from £17.80
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Conwy Valley Line
Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog
Another line very close to us. From the Victorian sea side resort of Llandudno to the slate quarries of Blaenau Ffestiniog this route includes one of the longest railway tunnels in Britain. Blaenau Ffestiniog has a joint station with the Ffestiniog Railway.
Total journey time approximately 1 hour 20 minutes
Price from £10.60
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Heart of Wales Line
Shrewsbury to Llanelli
One of Britain's favourite rural railway lines. It runs through bustling market towns rolling hills and faded Victorian spa resorts.
Total journey time approximately 3 hours 20 minutes
Price from £16.50
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West Wales line
Swansea to Pembroke Dock
This scenic former mainline linked London with Ireland and took over sixty years to complete. It now traces the South West Wales coast line and river estuaries linking Pembrokeshire villages, towns and seaside resorts.
Total journey time approximately 2 hours 30 minutes
Price from £17.50
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Scotland
Dingwall and Skye Line
Dingwall to Kyle of Lochalsh
From East Coast to West Coast this is one of the most scenic routes in the UK. The line begins with a climb to Raven's Rock Summit before dropping down into the forrested shores of Loch Garve. Increasingly dramatic landscapes follow culminating in a gorgeous coastal climax as the train pulls in to Kyle.
Total journey time approximately 2 hours
Price from £12.20
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East Coast Mainline
Berwick-upon-Tweed to Edinburgh
As the East Coast Mainline from Scotland crosses the border the train runs along the cliff tops with views out across the North Sea and then descends through rich farmland past the rolling Lammermuir Hills.
Total journey time approximately 55 minutes
Price from £7.00
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Far North Line
Inverness to Thurso and Wick
Passing through some of the most remote locations in Britain this journey passes diverse coastal and inland scenery.
Total journey time approximately 3 hours 45 minutes to Thurso
Total journey time approximately 4 hours 25 minutes to Wick
Price from £14.90
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The Flying Scotsman
Edinburgh to London Kings Cross
The Flying Scotsman is an express passenger train service that has been running between London and Edinburgh - the capitals of England and Scotland respectively - since 1862. From 23 May 2011 the Flying Scotsman brand was relaunched for a special daily fast service operated by East Coast departing Edinburgh at 05.40 and reaching London in exactly four hours, calling only at Newcastle.
Total journey time 4 hours
Price from £65.50
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The Highland Chieftain
London Kings Cross to Inverness
This route is one of the longest journeys in Britain that can be completed on one train, covering 581 miles.
Total journey time approximately 8 hours
Price from £49.00
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The Highland Mainline
Perth to Inverness
This line, which includes Britain's highest standard gauge railway summit crosses the Grampians through wild heather moorlands, and dramatic, bleak mountain scenery.
Total journey time approximately 2 hours 15 minutes
Price from £14.000
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West Coast Mainline
Carlisle to Glasgow
The line runs over the Esk estuary with views across the Solway Firth and then climbs to Beattock Summit with views of the Lowther hills. The train then runs through the industrial landscapes of Lanarkshire.
Total journey time approximately 55 minutes
Price from £10.00
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The West Highland line
Mallaig and Oban to Glasgow
The West Highland Line is considered the most scenic railway line in Britain, and has become famous both through the Jacobite Steam train and the Harry Potter films. The route passes the highest mountain in Britain (Ben Nevis). The line includes the highest (Corrour) and most Westerly (Arisaig) mainline stations in Britain. It also passes the largest (Loch Lomond), longest (Loch Awe) and deepest (Loch Morar) lochs in Britain.
Total journey time from Oban approximately 3 hours 20 minutes
Price from £12.30
Total journey time from Mallaig approximately 5 hours 20 minutes
Price from £18.20
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