Railway Journeys Worth Taking

There is something rather satisfying about travelling by train.

You get on, find a seat, put your bag down and then, for a while, somebody else does the driving.

No traffic jams. No searching for somewhere to park. No arguments about which lane you should be in.

And then there is the view.

Britain has some remarkable railway journeys, from dramatic Highland landscapes to seaside runs, rolling countryside and routes that seem to have been designed specifically for looking out of the window.

For a generation that grew up with British Rail, InterCity trains, packed commuter services and the excitement of a family day out by train, there’s also something wonderfully nostalgic about simply letting the railway take you somewhere.

Here are some journeys worth putting on the list.

The West Highland Line

Glasgow to Fort William and Mallaig

If you want dramatic scenery, this is difficult to beat.

The West Highland Line heads out of Glasgow before taking you through lochs, mountains and the remote landscape of Rannoch Moor. The route continues towards Fort William and Mallaig, with the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct providing one of the railway’s most recognisable sights.

And yes, Harry Potter fans will recognise parts of the journey immediately.

But you don’t need to be a Potter fan to appreciate it.

The scenery is the star.

The Settle-Carlisle Railway

Settle to Carlisle

This is one of those journeys where you really should try to get a window seat.

The 72-mile route crosses the Yorkshire Dales and Eden Valley, passing through some spectacular countryside, tunnels and viaducts. The Ribblehead Viaduct is the obvious showstopper, but the scenery throughout the journey is worth watching.

It is also a wonderful reminder of Victorian railway engineering.

And unlike some specialist railway experiences, you can travel on the regular mainline service rather than needing a steam-hauled excursion.

Exeter to Paignton

Devon coast

Fancy a railway journey with a bit of sea view?

The route from Exeter St Davids to Paignton takes you through the Devon countryside and along the famous Dawlish seafront.

There are stretches where the railway runs remarkably close to the coast, making it feel less like a commute and more like you’re already on holiday.

National Rail lists the journey among its scenic routes, with the line continuing towards Torquay and Paignton.

Perfect for a day out when you want the journey itself to be part of the experience.

The Heart of Wales Line

Shrewsbury to Swansea

This is a completely different sort of railway adventure.

The Heart of Wales Line winds through rural landscapes, small communities and some beautiful countryside between England and South Wales.

There are viaducts, valleys, villages and plenty of moments when you can simply sit back and watch the scenery go by.

National Rail highlights sections around Knucklas and the line’s route through some of Wales’s most picturesque landscapes.

It’s the sort of journey where you don’t necessarily need a major attraction at the end.

The railway is the attraction.

The Kyle Line

Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh

If your idea of a good train journey involves mountains, lochs and spectacular Highland scenery, put this one on the list.

The Kyle Line crosses Scotland from Inverness towards the west coast, eventually reaching Kyle of Lochalsh, with views across some seriously impressive landscapes. VisitScotland describes it as a beautiful and relatively uncrowded way to reach the west coast and the gateway to Skye.

It’s a long way to go just for a train ride.

But that’s rather the point.

The Far North Line

Inverness to Thurso

This is one for people who really want to get away from it all.

Heading north from Inverness, the railway takes you through remote landscapes towards Thurso.

Expect moorland, dramatic coastal scenery and enormous stretches of countryside.

You can even use Thurso as a base for travelling onwards towards John O’Groats.

It is less about a quick day trip and more about enjoying the feeling that you’ve travelled a very long way from home.

Norwich to Cromer

Norfolk

Not every scenic railway journey needs mountains.

The journey from Norwich to Cromer offers a gentler kind of British scenery, eventually bringing you to the North Norfolk coast.

Cromer itself is a classic seaside destination, complete with its famous pier and traditional seaside atmosphere. National Rail includes the route among its scenic journeys.

It’s an excellent reminder that a train journey can be part of a proper British day out.

The Ffestiniog Railway

Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog

Now we’re into heritage railway territory.

The Ffestiniog Railway takes passengers through spectacular Welsh mountain scenery, with the experience of travelling on a historic railway adding another dimension to the journey.

It can be combined with the Welsh Highland Railway for an even bigger railway adventure through Snowdonia, now known as Eryri. VisitBritain highlights both as standout heritage railway experiences.

And there’s something particularly satisfying about hearing a steam locomotive working its way uphill.

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Whitby to Pickering

This one combines two things Britain does rather well: heritage railways and seaside towns.

The route runs between Pickering and Whitby through the North York Moors, offering spectacular countryside along the way. There are also dining experiences available on the railway, making it possible to turn the journey into a proper occasion.

And arriving in Whitby by train feels rather more special than simply pulling into a car park.

Why train journeys feel different

Perhaps it’s because you actually have time to look around.

When you’re driving, you’re concentrating on the road.

When you’re a passenger in a car, you’re still often watching traffic.

On a train, you can sit back and watch Britain roll past the window.

Fields become villages.

Villages become towns.

Then suddenly you’re looking at mountains, a coastline or a completely different landscape.

And there’s no need to worry about where you’re going to park.

It’s about the journey, not just the destination

We’re often obsessed with getting somewhere as quickly as possible.

But some of Britain’s best railway journeys encourage you to slow down.

Take a packed lunch.

Get a decent window seat.

Put your phone away for a while.

Watch the countryside.

And let someone else worry about the driving.

Because sometimes the best part of a day out isn’t where you end up.

It’s everything you see on the way there.

Which British railway journey would you recommend?

And, perhaps more importantly, which one have you always promised yourself you’d take but still haven’t got around to?