Whilst when the summer dawns, our first instinct is often to open a holiday brochure (or web browser) and see what exotic and sunny locale we can afford to jet off to this year, we have been having a pretty wonderful summer in the UK. The weather has been consistently lovely and next year it might be even lovelier. So, why not consider staying put for your next vacation and exploring Britain by train!
The UK’s motorways are notoriously busy and notoriously uninspired, at least aesthetically. There is also something undeniably romantic about taking the train and the UK is blessed with some of the most exhaustive rail networks in Europe. Not to mention the fact you don’t need to worry about when you can have a tipple! So, here are just a few reasons why a UK rail trip could and should end up being your next holiday.
History – There is one primary reason why thousands of tourists from across the world flock to England every year – its history. We can often forget just how wealthy and comprehensive our history is and the vast majority of our major historical landmarks can be experienced by rail. From the various London landmarks (The Tower of London, Windsor Castle and countless more) to Salisbury Cathedral and the great Roman baths in the aptly named Bath, everything you could ever want to see and explore is linked by rail and there are plenty of existing rail trip routes to follow.
Choice – Wherever your journey takes you, there are networks ready to carry you off to some surprisingly remote and unique locations. The Thameslink Railway, for example, runs from London to Brighton, whilst Northern Rail handles the north, London Midland ferries guests between the capital and the Midlands and so on and so forth.
Budget – Whilst train fares in the country are a perpetual point of contention amongst passengers, they can be kept to an absolute minimum as long as you book in advance. You’ll be shocked at the savings you can make if you plan out your holiday itinerary and book your train tickets accordingly. You could even opt for a rail pass if you’re planning on using the train for the rest of the year.
Speed – With a direct rote and no traffic to speak of, it is possible to get a train from London to Scotland in just 4 hours. That same journey by car would take at least 8. And that’s on a good day when the M6 isn’t playing up again!
Enjoy the view – Finally, perhaps the most convincing reason to travel the UK by train is the stunning scenery and relaxing atmosphere of a good train ride. Once you’re hooked, you won’t want to travel any other way, particularly when you’re on holiday!
