most scenic train journeys in England?

[thetravelman]

Hi everyone I'm planning a trip around England this summer and just wondered what routes would be the most scenic? any help would be much appreciated

 

[gazthomas]

For me:
Cumbrian Coast line
Settle and Carlisle
South West main line through Devon
Carlisle to Newcastle
East Coast main line north of Newcastle
South coast lines east/west of Brighton are okay

If you could extend beyond England, then:

Scotland:

West Highland line
Oban line
Highland mainline
Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh
Invesness to Wick/Thurso
Glasgow to Stranraer
East coast main line - Aberdeen to Edinburgh around Montrose

Wales:

Cambrian Coast
Heart of Wales
Llandudno - Blaenau Ffestiniog
North Wales Coast

 

[Kite159]

Dawlish coast on a Pacer (larger windows to enjoy the view)
Cumbrian Coast line
Esk Valley to Whitby

 

[Zamracene749]

Agree with all of the lines mentioned, but for me the unmissable one is the Settle and Carlisle. It's simply stunning on a good day, rather than running along valley bottoms much of it was built high up along the hillsides and thus the vistas are absolutely gorgeous

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Whilst I'm not as enthusiastic about it as some on here, the S&C (Settle-Carlisle) is definitely worth a look, as is the neighbouring Carlisle-Newcastle, in my opinion the most underrated line in England. If you're down in the West then I also recommend Newton Abbot-Exeter-Exmouth (certainly the first bit), and Exeter-Barnstaple.

 

[yorkie]

Hi everyone I'm planning a trip around England this summer and just wondered what routes would be the most scenic? any help would be much appreciated

Is there any reason why you're restricting yourself to just England?

Where would you be based while you're here?

 

[fowler9]

Another mention for Newcastle to Carlisle. Beautiful. Chester down through Gobowen is lovely.

 

[yorksrob]

If you're up North West, the Little North Western between Skipton and Lancaster is rather picturesque and in my opinion, underrated.

Down South, the route between Ashford and Brighton takes in some enjoyable and varied scenery, including the Romney Marsh, beach huts on the South Coast, the South Downs, culminating in a delightful trip over the rooftops of Brighton.

The whole of the main line through South Devon and Cornwall to Penzance is wonderful, particularly the coastal stretch around Dawlish. Also, take in the St Ives branch which has some coastal views to compete with anywhere in the world.

 

[thetravelman]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions just realized I can get a sleeper train to Glasgow for £15 pound so I'm thinking of doing the Glasgow to mallaig route then then hopefully the edinborugh to newcastle line

 

[yorkie]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions just realized I can get a sleeper train to Glasgow for £15 pound so I'm thinking of doing the Glasgow to mallaig route

Ah, so you're not restricting yourself to England. That's a wise choice, as that line is more scenic than any in England!

There is the option to do Fort William to Mallaig by steam train, but there is a hefty price premium for it. It's a lot cheaper to travel on the normal Scotrail DMU.

 

[Clip]

I quite liked the trip out to Tenby a few years back.

 

[Merseysider]

The Greenfield - Marsden section of track has some lovely views

In all seriousness though, the branch line from Oxenholme - Windermere is well worth a ride - one can see for miles around. Regarding the S&C line, it is wonderfully scenic and when I did it, had the advantage of a (Northern!) catering trolley.

The WCML between Carlisle and Oxenholme gave some beautiful views back in February, when the whole place was covered in snow.

And finally, the line from Manchester down to Buxton. It's rarely mentioned but there is plenty to see en route.

 

[mrben253]

S&C is a must do line for beautiful scenery, the Cumbrian coast is also amazing, plus DRS class 37s and mk2's operating on it from may!

The west highland line is also a definite must if you want to venture into Scotland, I'd also recommend the ferry/ bus trip across the isle of skye to kyle of lochalsh, then train from there to inverness, and back down the highland mainline if you wanted to do a circular route.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Since Scotland's been mentioned, I would recommend Stirling-Perth-Inverness-Kyle as a trip, possibly then onto Skye as above then Mallaig back towards Glasgow. Absolutely exceptional scenery on all of those legs.

 

[les.]

Since Scotland's been mentioned, I would recommend Stirling-Perth-Inverness-Kyle as a trip, possibly then onto Skye as above then Mallaig back towards Glasgow. Absolutely exceptional scenery on all of those legs.

That's the exact trip that I did only the other week. We stayed in Plockton and then went to Kyle and caught the bus from there to Armadale on Skye and then caught the ferry to Mallaig.

As you say the scenery is stunning, especially the last 30 or so miles of the Kyle line when the track snakes around Loch Carron and then the section between Mallaig and Fort William. Stunning scenery and we even got the good weather, which makes it all so much more enjoyable.

 

[pompeyfan]

As mentioned cornwall is impressive, although a mention of the Tamar Valley line and the Looe Branch are worth a mention in particular.

 

[thetravelman]

thanks for the help everyone just wondered if there was any trains from settle to wales ?

 

[yorksrob]

thanks for the help everyone just wondered if there was any trains from settle to wales ?

Not directly.

Might be worth getting the train from Giggleswick (near Settle but on the Lancaster, rather than the Carlisle line) then changing to the West Coast Main Line at Lancaster to go South.

 

[30907]

Not directly.

Might be worth getting the train from Giggleswick (near Settle but on the Lancaster, rather than the Carlisle line) then changing to the West Coast Main Line at Lancaster to go South.

Or the Sunday afternoon Dalesrail from Settle to Preston.

 

[Iskra]

My shouts

Skipton-Lancaster (Bentham/Little Furness) Line.
Settle-Carlisle.
Cumbrian Coast line.
ECML between Newcastle and Aberdeen.
WCML between Preston and Carstairs
GWML between Taunton and Penzance