London has topped the bucket list of traveling families, football fanatics and foodies for ages. And while Great Britain’s capital is undoubtedly one of the planet’s greatest cities, it’s merely the gateway to an island that gifted the world with everything from Hard Day’s Night to Hogwarts.
In partnership with: VisitBritain. Discover even more about what makes Britain great — including iconic train trips, world-class cuisine and winter events.
To experience some of Britain’s greatest hits — whether you love a good fabled castle, country pub, ancient distillery, natural hot spring or anything even remotely related to the Beatles — you need not rent a car and drive on “the right side” of the road.
Deal Alert: Cox & Kings has been arranging bespoke travel since 1758 — and Britain is their backyard, so they’ve put together some great packages that will get you out and exploring England and beyond.
With 21,000 miles of rail line and more than 2,000 operating train stations, the country is home to one of the most comprehensive public transport systems on earth. But beyond being gobsmackingly easy, train travel here turns out to be extremely cost-effective, too.
To narrow things down a bit for you, we’ve highlighted four favorite regions — all super-accessible by rail — and provided a micro-guide to each.
Southwest England
This corner of the country has attracted visitors for centuries with its hot springs and, well, henges. Unlike ancient pilgrims, however, you’ll likely depart from London’s Paddington Station. As your train makes its way into the countryside, keep an eye out for the turrets of Windsor Castle (less than an hour out of town), the medieval cathedral city of Salisbury (90 minutes from London), and the 360-foot-long Uffington White Horse that was carved into chalk hills during prehistoric times (about three hours outside London).
EAT: whatever’s in season at Restaurant Nathan Outlaw, Great Britain’s best restaurant according to the 2018 edition of the Waitrose Cookery School’s nationally revered Good Food Guide. Set atop Port Isaac — an English fishing village straight out of Central Casting — with views of the ruggedly handsome Cornish coastline, this seafood-centric spot is the flagship of a celebrity chef with two Michelin stars and countless BBC appearances to his name (which, not surprisingly, is Nathan Outlaw).
SEE: the sun rise — or set — from behind a prehistoric monument. Though Stonehenge’s origins, purpose and exact age remain a mystery, this place of pilgrimage is believed to be about 5,000 years old. Theorists credit everyone from druids to aliens with the UNESCO World Heritage Site’s creation, but no matter what you believe, the stone monument is breathtaking — especially at dawn and dusk. Once you catch your breath, visit the onsite museum and recreated Neolithic houses for a glimpse into everyday life circa 2,500 BC.
DO: Immerse yourself in the oldest tourist destination in England, just an 85-minute train ride from London Paddington. Bath’s healing hot springs — once a sacred site for the Romans — were rediscovered in the 18th century and quickly became a fashionable resort town. When in Rome, er Bath, do as the Romans practically did and soak in 90-degree mineral waters at the Thermae Bath Spa. One block from the original Roman Baths, this four-story day spa includes an open-air rooftop pool.
Wales
The two-hour train ride from London to Cardiff (the unofficial gateway to Wales) is an excellent preview of the countryside you’ll encounter on arrival. From there, the trip will be broken up by stops in impossibly charming Welsh towns with equally impossible names (think Llanrwst).
EAT: lamb, cheese and leeks, everyday Welsh fare that dates back to Celtic ancestral times — and still populates the menus of some of the best local restaurants, seven of which are Michelin-starred. Among these, the rural Walnut Tree Inn has been dubbed the best restaurant in Wales, with ever-changing seasonal specialties that keep locals and visitors coming back for more.
SEE: a seasonal spectacle by Mother Nature. At the RSPB Newport Wetlands Reserve — one of the newest additions to the 20 percent of Wales that’s protected — massive flocks of starlings gather from October onwards. To watch 50,000 or so birds form endlessly shape-shifting clouds, arrive just before dusk and prepare for a crazy cacophony. There’s an equally crazy grand finale: the birds suddenly drop into the resident reeds for the night. If you don’t mind bundling up for your wildlife sightings, head to the Pembrokshire Coast’s Strumble Head, where porpoise mommies and calves show up year-round, as does the occasional whale.
DO: Snag tickets to watch the national sport of Wales. Nope, not football, but rugby. The season has just gotten started at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium (the national team’s home turf). Whether or not you’re a fan of the sport, you can’t help but get swept up in the Welsh national anthem (Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau), the possible haka dance of the visiting team (the New Zealand All Blacks come to town in November) and the raw animal energy of the game. If you’re around in February or March, try to catch a match of the Six Nations tournament — Wales hosts England (Feb. 23) and Ireland (March 16).
Northern England
Once home to all kinds of royalty — from musical to medieval — this region of rolling hills and rock and roll is a three-hour train ride from London. Making your way to the North York Moors? You may find that one of the stations you pass through looks oddly familiar: Goathland Station, featured in the Harry Potter films.
EAT: the offerings at the village pub (okay, it’s a Michelin-starred village pub) that was just named the best restaurant in the world by the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards. In case you missed the resulting flurry of press, the gorgeously middle-of-nowhere outpost known as Black Swan puts an eccentric spin on local Yorkshire specialties (think venison with smoked local fruit) to the delight of pretty much everyone.
SEE: the dramatic natural backdrops of Yorkshire. Still dotted with Norman castles and medieval abbeys, the rolling hills of “God’s Own Country” boast residents who can trace their heritage back to the Romans and Vikings who first settled in Northern England. You’ll get lost in time wandering the sea- and moor-side villages of Robin’s Hood Bay and the thousand-shades-of-green inside Yorkshire Dales National Park.
DO: the Beatles Magic Mystery Tour in Liverpool — only two hours from London’s Euston Station. Because, really, you’re here — and you have to. This two-hour bus ride takes you past the childhood homes of John, Paul, George and Ringo and makes stops at sites that inspired their songs. Read: Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields.
Scotland
A four-hour train ride from London’s King Cross Station along the Northumbrian coastline transports you to a country with Celtic cities, mythical monsters, cutting-edge cuisine and a whisky tradition that will outlive us all. On Northbound trains, snag a seat on the right side for a peek at The Holy Island of Lindisfarne and the resident 16th-century castle. Train (and/or Potter) buffs can ride the historic Jacobite Steam Train along its 84-mile roundtrip route past freshwater locats, rivers and the highest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis. Following the West Highland Railway’s Mallaig Extension opened more than 100 years ago, you’ll traverse an expanse you’ll likely recognize as the Hogwarts Express on the big screen.
EAT: haggis, of course. But beyond the national dish, don’t miss Highlands beef, beloved for its quality and used to rave-winning effect at Inverness’s famed The Mustard Seed. Foodies can devour scones, shortbread, Shetland salmon and shellfish. The diverse cuisines all pair perfectly with Scottish whisky and ales.
SEE: Edinburgh’s architecture. It reads like a biography of this ancient city — arguably one of the most beautiful in Europe. Among other plot points in the life story of this millennia-old seat of power are the medieval Old Town, the 18th century New Town and the heavily fortified, hilltop Edinburgh Castle — onetime home to the likes of Mary Queen of Scots.
DO: a whisky distillery tour. Originally called “water of life,” the malt was distilled by Scottish friars for centuries and is now the national drink, supporting almost $2 billion in salaries annually. From Scotland’s southern shores to the far-reaching Highlands, you’ll find five whisky-producing regions, each claiming to be the best, naturally. And though you could make an entire vacation of seeing whose claim is rightful, a good starting point is at one of the first legalized distilleries in Scotland: the nearly 200-year-old Glenlivet.
Insider Tips for Riding the Rails
- BritRail Passes offer discounted tickets for tourists from outside Great Britain and include such perks as complimentary airport transfers, free children’s tickets, flexible travel and itineraries spanning the British Isles. Buy an M-Pass, and your mobile phone is your ticket during your train travels. You can purchase tickets 11 months in advance.
- Download VisitBritain’s new rail brochure to find inspiring train journeys through Britain, from day trips to longer journeys, including top TV and film locations.
- Buying a return fare is often cheaper than two single tickets purchased separately.
- Advanced tickets cost less than those bought the day of travel but often restrict ticket changes and cancelations; purchases can be made up to 12 weeks ahead of travel.
- If you are traveling during busy times — think Friday evenings — reserve your seats in advance.
- Most trains have onboard Wi-Fi available and are outfitted with power outlets, so you can post those Instagrams from your trip through Great Britain.
Ready to go? Check out these vacations from Cox & Kings, which include time in London, then train trips exploring various parts of Great Britain.
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