Europe has some pretty stunning train journeys [1], but the UK also has more than its fair share of scenic rail routes that help you see the sights. From the sandy beaches of South West England to the wild marshes of East England, through the moors and mountains of Wales and North England up to the breathtaking backdrop of lochs and hills in Scotland, these trains show you the other side of locomotive travel compared to your daily commute. Check out the routes you'll want to add to your bucket list, including beautiful countryside, coastal lines, and even the famous Harry Potter steam train [2]. Choo-choo this way for Insta train travel inspiration galore.
North England: Settle to Carlisle
Route: Settle to Carlisle
Duration: 1 hour, 45 minutes
You'll get to travel through the Yorkshire Dales National Park on the Settle to Carlisle route, full of barns, valleys, and rolling hills. Great views come courtesy of Ribblehead Viaduct (pictured), which is comprised of 24 arches that are 400 metres long and 31 metres high. You can even travel by steam train.
South West England: St Ives Bay Line
Route: St Erth to St Ives
Journey time: 15 minutes
Travel along the Cornish coastline with views of Carbis Bay and Hayle Towans's golden sands, with the sea stretching out beyond, and backed by grassland and dunes.
Wales: Mount Snowdon
Route: Base to peak of Mount Snowdon
Duration: 1 hour
Don't fancy trekking all the way up Wales's highest mountain? Hop on an 1896 locomotive at Llanberis Station and travel to the summit, with a 30-minute stopover to admire the view from 1,085 metres above sea level.
East England: Wherry Lines
Route: Norwich to Yarmouth/Lowestoft
Journey time: 45 minutes
Journey alongside river banks, past charming villages, and through the wild marshes that feature in Charles Dickens's novels with a trip on the Wherry Lines — known as the gateway to the Southern Norfolk Broads.
Northern Ireland: Londonderry to Coleraine
Route: Londonderry to Coleraine
Duration: 50 minutes
Michael Palin apparently called this "one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world," which is quite the compliment given how far and wide he's travelled. The journey takes visitors along the coast, past landmarks like Mussenden Temple, and through a pair of long railway tunnels before arriving in Coleraine for connections to the famous Causeway Coast.
South West England: Exeter to Dawlish
Route: Exeter to Dawlish
Duration: 11 to 30 minutes
When you see the waves crashing up to the tracks, it's not surprising to learn that the route was destroyed by a coastal storm in 2014. It's been rebuilt and runs along the River Exe — look out for otters, egrets, and seals on the sandbanks and estuary — finishing up by the sea in a quaint seaside town in Devon.
North West England: Lakes Line
Route: Oxenholme to Windermere
Journey time: 20 minutes
Travel through the Cumbrian countryside, picturesque rural villages, and woodland paths as you head into the Lake District National Park and its world-famous scenery.
London to Scotland: Caledonian Sleeper
Route: London Euston to various cities in Scotland
Duration: 7 hours, 30 minutes to Glasgow; 8 hours, 10 minutes to Edinburgh; 10 hours, 5 minutes to Aberdeen; 11 hours, 5 minutes to Inverness; and 12 hours to Fort William
As you'd expect on a long-distance sleeper train, there's a wealth of wonderful scenery. Enjoy hillside views of Edinburgh Castle or the lochs and peaks en route to Fort William. New carriages in 2019 will offer upgraded "comfort seats" and en-suite cabins with double beds. You can even take your pet in your cabin or book your bike on board.
Wales: Cambrian Coastline
Route: Shrewsbury to Welsh Coast
Journey time: 3 hours, 45 minutes
If it's a coastal rail journey you're after, then you'll be inspired by this route from Shrewsbury in Shropshire to the Welsh countryside. Travel past Snowdonia National Park, the Dyfi Biosphere Reserve, and the Cambrian Coast. There are two branches from Machynlleth to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli.
North England: Penistone Line
Route: Sheffield to Huddersfield
Journey time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
This route through the South Pennines opened in 1850 and consists of no less than four viaducts made with Victorian engineering skills. In addition to the rolling countryside, you'll journey through villages and urban cities.
Wales: Conwy Valley Line
Route: Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog
Journey time: 1 hour, 25 minutes
You'll be able to say you've travelled through the longest single bore tunnel in Wales and been taken 240 metres above sea level on this 30-mile journey from Llandudno Bay through the rolling Welsh countryside of the Conwy and Lledr valleys to the rugged mountains of Snowdonia National Park.
East England: Gainsborough Line
Route: Marks Tey to Sudbury
Journey time: 19 minutes
You'll travel along the second largest brick-built structure in England on this line as you trundle across the 32 arches of Chappel Viaduct standing 23 metres high. Named after 18th century artist Thomas Gainsborough, the line is close to Gainsborough's House Museum, as well as the East Anglian Railway Museum.
London to Edinburgh: Flying Scotsman
Route: London King's Cross to Edinburgh Waverley
Duration: 4 hours 20 minutes
This iconic train quickly takes you the 630 km. from England's capital to Scotland's capital, passing by the Northumberland coastline, cities, countryside, and plenty of landmarks (like Newcastle's The Angel of the North) along the way.
South West England: Tamar Valley Line
Route: Plymouth to Gunnislake
Journey time: 45 minutes
Pass by sheep and cows in the rolling fields, pretty river crossings, and quaint villages as you head out of Plymouth and travel into the picturesque Tamar valley. Highlights include the views from Calstock Viaduct.
Scotland: West Highland Line
Route: Fort William to Mallaig
Duration: 1 hour, 25 minutes
Starting near Ben Nevis, the Jacobite steam locomotive travels through breathtaking mountainous hillsides. Harry Potter [3] fans flock to the stunning Glenfinnan Viaduct (pictured) on this line, which was featured in the movies. Other notable landmarks on the route include the shortest river in the UK, Britain's westernmost mainland railway station, and the deepest seawater loch in Europe: Loch Nevis.