Trivia: cathedrals, abbeys and castles which can be seen from trains

[DelW]

Guildford cathedral is visible from the station platforms as well as from trains standing at them. The line towards Reading passes closer to it, but I don't think it's visible from that because of trees and buildings in the way.

The railway passes Newport (south Wales) castle so closely that I think part of it had to be demolished by the railway builders. There's not much of it left now.

 

[ScotsRail]

Linlithgow Palace on the Edinburgh/Glasgow line.
Dunblane cathedral.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

West of Haymarket you also catch a glimpse of Tynecastle.

Nice try, but isn't that the Heart of Midlothian FC football stadium?!

 

[Sheridan]

Conwy Castle can definitely be seen from the railway!

 

[D6975]

Lindisfarne castle on Holy Island is normally discernable in the distance from the ECML along the section of track a few miles South of Berwick-upon-Tweed.

And not too far from there, Bamburgh Castle is visible from the ECML. In Ireland, Blarney Castle can be seen from the train between Mallow and Cork.
Here in Bristol, the cathedral can be seen as you pass through the Bedminster/Parson St area.
There are at least 2 castles on the Cambrian heading towards Pwlheli, Harlech/Criccieth.

 

[urbophile]

Harlech.

 

[Western Lord]

Conwy Castle can definitely be seen from the railway!

And while we are in North Wales, Harlech Castle is rather prominent and further along the Cambrian Coast Line you can see Criccieth Castle. You used to be able to see Caernarfon Castle from the Welsh Highland station, but the new station building might have blocked the view.

 

[Magdalia]

Peterborough Cathedral is visible on the approach from March.

Norwich Cathedral spire used to be visible from Norwich station but might now be obscured by trees?

Chelmsford Cathedral is not very imposing but I expect it is visible from trains arriving from the Colchester direction.

Arundel has a castle and a cathedral visible from the Arun Valley line.

 

[urbophile]

Durham, Ely and Truro cathedrals can definitely be seen from trains, and I think St. Pauls can be seen going northwards into Blackfriars. How many other cathedrals, or abbeys or - presumably a far longer list - castles can be seen from trains on passenger services?

I can't swear to it but I think St Paul's can also be seen from between Vauxhall and Waterloo. My memory might be playing tricks though.

 

[birchesgreen]

Worcester cathedral can be seen by trains crossing the river at Worcester.

I would have thought Stokesay castle is visible from the train, you can see the train from the castle grounds anyway.

 

[spyinthesky]

Guildford cathedral is visible from the station platforms as well as from trains standing at them. The line towards Reading passes closer to it, but I don't think it's visible from that because of trees and buildings in the way.

The railway passes Newport (south Wales) castle so closely that I think part of it had to be demolished by the railway builders. There's not much of it left now.

Learn something new everyday. Traditionally cities had a Cathedral/Minster unlike some more modern made ones such as Southend or Brighton & Hove. I was not aware of towns having one.

 

[ChrisC]

Derby Cathedral with its very tall tower can clearly be seen to the north of the station. Also views of it when approaching Derby from the Spondon direction.

Nottingham Castle can be seen up on the hill as you approach Nottingham station from the west but not as clearly as it once was due to lots of new buildings beside the railway.
Newark Castle very much in view near Newark Castle Station.
Belvoir Castle can be seen from the Nottingham to Grantham line around Bottesford.

 

[Mikey C]

Rochester Castle is just about visible from the railway

I assume Elephant and Castle doesn't count

 

[duncombec]

Rochester Castle is just about visible from the railway

I assume Elephant and Castle doesn't count

And Rochester Cathedral is very visible, given it is closer to the railway than the castle!

Canterbury Cathedral can be seen briefly from trains into Canterbury East.

 

[Tomp94]

Arundel Castle is visible from Arundel Junction.... it's probably visible from the station too....but am unsure, as its been a while since I've been there.

 

[Western Sunset]

Corfe Castle from, er, Corfe Castle station...

 

[DelW]

Learn something new everyday. Traditionally cities had a Cathedral/Minster unlike some more modern made ones such as Southend or Brighton & Hove. I was not aware of towns having one.

These days, city status is separate from having a cathedral. The Guildford diocese was created, and the cathedral building started, before the Second World War, though it was mainly built in the 1950s.

Guildford has made several applications for city status, including a current one for the platinum jubilee competition.

 

[BeijingDave]

Look out across the racecourse from the left side window when on a Chester - North Wales train and you can see Chester Castle.

 

[Magdalia]

Learn something new everyday. Traditionally cities had a Cathedral/Minster unlike some more modern made ones such as Southend or Brighton & Hove. I was not aware of towns having one.

The traditional link between Church of England Cathedrals and City status was established at the reformation but it broke down in the Victorian era. I think Southwell was the first place to be established at a Church of England Cathedral, without being awarded City status.

There has never been such a link for Roman Catholic cathedrals, Arundel being an example.

 

[Western Sunset]

You would've been able to see Wimborne Minster from the old S&DJt line, though the Wimborne connection closed to passenger traffic in 1920.

 

[Wychwood93]

Maiden castle - a bit cheeky as it started as a hill fort!

 

[Western Sunset]

If we include palaces, then Hampton Court Palace from Hampton Court station.

 

[matchmaker]

Surely Stirling Castle? And of course Kilchurn on Loch Awe.

Stirling Castle (especially the limewashed Great Hall) can be seen for miles around due to its elevation. Dumbarton Castle can be seen clearly from Gourock/Wemyss Bay trains on the opposite bank of the Clyde.

 

[scragend]

Manchester Cathedral, where the line crosses over Victoria St just before you enter Victoria station?

 

[robert thomas]

Neath Castle and Neath Abbey on opposite sides of the track and about a mile apart

 

[Requeststop]

Powderham Castle on the wrong side of the train south of Exeter, but most people are looking at the River Exe estuary. Yes of course Truro Cathedral, always lifts my heart when I'm travelling home after a few months away from home, and I suppose, St Michael's Mount may not be a cathedral or a castle but on arrival into Penzance, it is castle like and it is a chapel and former monastery.

Good luck to the people of Marazion on their bid for city status!

Of course there are the named Castle Class trains (exHST's) now running in the South West and South Wales all named after castles within the service regions.

 

[D6130]

Kirkstall Abbey, Skipton Castle (briefly....if you know where to look), Pendragon Castle, Lammerside Castle, Brough Castle (on a clear day) and Appleby Castle are all visible from a Leeds-Carlisle train.

Carlisle Castle and cathedral are very close to the WCML to the North of the station.

Lancaster Castle and cathedral (or is it still officially a priory church?) are very close to the North end of the station.

Lincoln Cathedral is visible about 15 miles away - if you know where to look - from the ECML North of Newark, as it is from all four lines entering and leaving the city itself.

Conisbrough Castle is visible from the Sheffield-Doncaster line.

Sanqhuar Castle is visible from the G&SW line.

Kilchurn Castle is visible from the Crianlarich-Oban line.

Old Inverlochy Castle is alongside the Fort William-Mallaig line.

Thirlwall and Prudhoe Castles are visible from the Newcastle-Carlisle line.

The ruins of Furness Abbey are alongside the Dalton-Barrow line (propped-up with lots of bright red scaffolding last time I passed).

Stokesay Castle - mentioned above - is definitely visible from the Marches Line, as are Ludlow Castle, Hereford Cathedral and Abergavenny Castle.

Loughor Castle, Kidwelly Castle, Llansteffan Castle, Carmarthen Castle and Pembroke Castle are visible from the Swansea-Pembroke Dock line.

Stafford Castle is (briefly) visible from the WCML.

Chester Cathedral is also visible from the line alongside the race course, as well as the castle.

Both Liverpool cathedrals are visible from the Runcorn line....and probably the Chat Moss line too.

 

[Rescars]

The view of Durham is spectacular from the train.

Also Berwick-upon-Tweed. The ECML goes straight through the middle of the castle - or what's left of it. There was rather more of it before it's Great Hall was demolished to clear the site for the station.

 

[Bullfield WEst]

Learn something new everyday. Traditionally cities had a Cathedral/Minster unlike some more modern made ones such as Southend or Brighton & Hove. I was not aware of towns having one.

The town of Blackburn has a Cathedral, It should be visible from the track from the west end approach I believe. https://blackburncathedral.com/

 

[urbophile]

Lancaster Castle and cathedral (or is it still officially a priory church?) are very close to the North end of the station.



Both Liverpool cathedrals are visible from the Runcorn line....and probably the Chat Moss line too.

Lancaster Priory Church (or is it now a minster?) is the one you mean. It's C of E but not a cathedral. There is a Catholic cathedral in Lancaster but I doubt if it is visible from the train.

Both Liverpool cathedrals are also visible from the Wirral Line (Chester/Ellesmere Port branch)

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The view of Durham is spectacular from the train.

It always amazes me how few people actually look at it. Most people are glued to their phones or seem totally unfazed by having one of those non-window window seats.