UK Rail Holidays

From the comfort of your train seat, you can watch on as breathtaking vistas unfurl before you.

For some of us, rail journeys evoke a strong sense of nostalgia, of a connection to an era bygone. Taking the train through the UK’s charming and picture-book landscapes grants you the opportunity to escape the everyday.

Perhaps your rail journey will take you through the Scottish Highlands, where you can drift peacefully from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh through the remote northern highlands where the mountains soar and the rolling fields get greener and greener. The highlight of any Scotland rail journey will certainly be the cinematic crossing of the 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct, the impressive structure featured in the Harry Potter films. You can even indulge your nostalgic side even further with a trip on the steam-hauled Strathspey Railway alongside the River Spey. Of course, it won’t just be about the journey. While travelling in comfort and style will make your heart sing, having interesting destinations waiting for you on the other side will make it all the more memorable. Take Mallaig, this picturesque seaside city overlooks the sound which separates the mainland from the Isle of Skye and was once a thriving fishing harbour. These days, it is perhaps best known as the terminus for the West Highland Railway.

Another treasured UK rail journey takes place on the Isle of Man, where you can discover the island on board its historic Steam Railway. Board the train for a scenic journey through a narrow-gauge to Port Erin, a seaside village with a beautiful enclosed sandy beach. You can even take things up a notch on the Isle of Man and take the Snaefell Mountain Railway, the British Isles' only electric mountain railway, which will transport you to the 2,000-ft high summit. You can’t beat the view on a clear day.

Wherever you go, with trains covering ground that is not typically accessible by road, you are sure to uncover some of the UK’s most beautiful hidden gems.