the Travel Enthusiast
- 10 Aug
erato in Travel Planning | 1 COMMENTTravelling Britain by train: The East Midlands and beyond
Manchester
There has always been an element of mystique to travelling by train. In the 40s, train travel was an indulgence of the elite, who would hop across continents in style with their own compartments.
In many ways modern train travel can be akin to a stint in a mobile hotel, depending on how much money you want to spend. However, for those looking to embark on a sightseeing trip, train travel presents an amazing opportunity to venture into areas of Britain we may not normally visit.
City dwellers may be reluctant to abandon the endless conveniences of the likes of London, Norwich or Liverpool, but with such short, no-nonsense journeys to places like Nottingham and Sheffield, the East Midlands (and beyond) is easily accessible.
The UK’s heartland comprises of several outstanding cities and beautiful countryside in equal measure, and is well worth a trip from one of the major cities in the north, south and east that operate frequent rail services to the region. If you’re thinking of taking some time out from the concrete jungle, read on for our top three rail journeys in Britain.
Peak District, Derbyshire
Peak District, Derbyshire /©stanleyfearns.co.uk
If you fancy leaving the bright lights of Liverpool, London or Norwich behind for a weekend then the Peak District is the perfect destination. If ever there was a poster boy for a picnic in Britain, it’s this beautiful part of the country. However, this isn’t just your average wicker basket and blanket in the local park.
This part of Derbyshire, with bowling greens, towering rock faces and secret waterfalls, will make you feel like you’ve left the British Isles and fallen onto a Thai island. You can roam around the lush gardens of Chatsworth or Hardwick Hall, or cycle through the tunnels of the Monsal Trail.
However, if nature doesn’t get your adrenaline pumping, you could always take the drop into Oblivion at the amazing Alton Towers. Who knows, after abandoning the sardine-inspired underground for the Peak District, you may want to extend your cheap train tickets to London.
Liverpool
In the past, leaving cities like Norwich, Sheffield or Nottingham for destinations such as Liverpool would never have been an option for a day trip. Before improved rail links, travelling to the city seemed more of a Beatles pilgrimage; nowadays by train you can reach the land of the Scouse in just a few hours.Liverpool is often regarded as the ‘laid-back’ London, it has the some of the best shopping the UK has to offer and with one of the largest galleries in the country, Tate Liverpool, and the recently opened Museum of Liverpool, the city also boasts some amazing cultural events too.
Of course, for Beatles enthusiasts, the attractions are endless. Liverpool boasts the site of their first ever gig, and a Beatles Museum to boot. It may be worth transforming your day trip into an all-nighter, as Liverpool is famous for the most affordable nightlife around.
Regular trains serve Liverpool from as far afield as Norwich and visit cities like Nottingham and Manchester along the way, offering the perfect opportunity to explore this famous city from further afield.
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London – The tower bridge
From your base in the East Midlands, travelling to London for a day trip has never been easier. Stations including Sheffield, Nottingham, Chesterfield, Loughborough, Leicester and Corby all offer the chance to buy cheap train tickets to London St Pancras and the chance to explore the capital in a little more depth.
Whether it is taking in one of the fabulous West End extravaganzas that are currently showing, visiting a huge sporting event at the new Wembley Stadium, or perhaps even heading down in preparation for the start of the 2012 Olympics, London has so much to offer.
From ancient churches and buildings, fabulous Georgian squares, to some of the world’s most famous monuments including Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square, Eros in Piccadilly Circus, the London Eye, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, and not forgetting the majesty of Buckingham Palace, one trip to the capital is never enough.
A common misconception about train travel is that it can be costly. However, online booking has changed all that. By searching for the best fare finder at least two weeks before your journey, you will save fistfuls of cash, and grab yourself a seriously cheap trip in the process. Until then, your carriage awaits.
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There are some great train journeys to be had across the UK. The routes to those destinations mentioned show off some of the great UK countryside.