Explore Britain by train with five of the best British rail trip itinerary ideas you can do in just one week, covering historic England, scenic Scotland, the Cornish coast, UK cities, and Wales and the Borders.
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I love a good rail trip and have travelled by train across Europe and beyond. But there are plenty of fantastic rail adventures close to home in the UK too – from Cornish coastal trains to the journeys across the wild Scottish highlands. And the country’s relatively small size means you can pack a lot into a short time, with rail passes available to keep costs down.
Whether you’re looking for history and culture, coast and countryside scenery or the UK’s coolest cities, there’s the perfect British rail trip for you. So here are five great itineraries for exploring Britain by train. It’s possible to do each of the routes in a week, but if you’ve got more time you can take it slower and spend more time in each place.
And if you’re ready to go, check out my detailed one-week itinerary posts – linked to after each route description below – for full details of which trains to take, how much they cost, how to book tickets, what to see and where to stay along the way.
5 itineraries for exploring Britain by train

Historic England
London > Salisbury > Bath Spa > Oxford > Stratford-upon-Avon > York
This rail trip takes you across England and back through time, featuring some of the country’s most impressive castles, cathedrals and colleges. Start with a full day in London, choosing from its selection of historic buildings, museums and monuments, including the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, British Museum and Shakespeare’s Globe.
Then catch a morning train to Salisbury (1.5 hours). This riverside city is known for its 13th-century cathedral, where you can see one of the surviving copies of the Magna Carta and take a tour of the tower. Or travel back 2000 years to Roman times at Old Sarum.

Next travel to Bath Spa (1 hour). Bath is known for its Roman history, so don’t miss the Roman Baths – and you can soak yourself in the modern version at the Thermae Spa with its rooftop pool. There’s also the beautiful Georgian architecture of the Royal Crescent and Circle, and whole festival dedicated to Jane Austen who lived in the city in the 1800s.
Then take the train to Oxford (1 hour 20 mins), one of the UK’s most famous university cities. Take a tour of the college quads – Harry Potter filming location Christ Church is the star, but Magdalen, New College, Trinity and All Souls are also well worth visiting.

Call in to the quirky Pitt Rivers Museum to see its anthropology exhibits or explore art and antiquities at the Ashmolean Museum. Then catch a morning train to Stratford-upon-Avon (1.5 hours). Spent the afternoon in Shakespeare’s home town – you can visit his birthplace, school and houses his wife and mother lived in, and see his plays at the RSC theatre.
Then finish your trip by travelling north to York (4 hours), where you’ll have the afternoon and the next morning to walk the Roman city walls, visit the Minster, explore the cobbled lanes and half-timbered buildings of the Shambles and have afternoon tea at Betty’s.
Read the full Historic England by train itinerary

Scenic Scotland
Edinburgh > Glasgow > Fort William > Mallaig > Isle of Skye > Inverness
This Scottish rail itinerary takes you from the lowlands to the highlands via rugged coastlines, lakes, moors and castles. Start in Edinburgh and spend the day discovering the city’s highlights, from Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile to the Palace of Holyroodhouse and views from Calton Hill. Or discover hidden gems like underground Mary King’s Close.
Then catch the train on to Glasgow (1 hour), where the focus is on art, design and culture – from street art trails and the eye-catching modern Riverside transport museum along the redeveloped waterside to the Art Nouveau buildings of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Next head north to Fort William (3 hours 45 mins), a lochside town that’s a hub for adventure sports in the nearby Nevis Range. The journey takes you into the Scottish Highlands along the West Highland Line, rated as one of the most scenic rail trips in the world. Go hiking or biking, or taste whisky with a view at the Ben Nevis Distillery.
Rejoin the West Highland Line to travel across the Glenfinnan Viaduct to Mallaig (1.5 hours) – or from April to October you could upgrade to a ride on the Jacobite steam train, also known as the Hogwarts Express from the Harry Potter films. Then leave the train behind and cross over to the Isle of Skye by ferry.

Spend a day exploring the Isle of Skye by bus or tour, with the pretty harbour town of Portree, the waterfalls of the Fairy Pools and the dramatic rock formations of the Quiraing. Then the following morning, cross the bridge to Kyle of Lochalsh where you can catch the train to Inverness (2 hours 40 mins), the capital of the highlands.
The Kyle Line is another of the UK’s top scenic train routes, passing lochs, mountains and herds of deer. Spend the evening and next morning in Inverness. Explore the castle and riverside, take a monster-spotting trip on Loch Ness or visit historic Culloden battlefield.
Read the full Scenic Scotland by train itinerary

The Cornish coast
St Ives > Falmouth > St Austell > Newquay > Looe > Plymouth
This UK train trip takes you to the far south-west of England, along some of Cornwall’s most beautiful coastal and countryside railways. Start off in the arty seaside town of St Ives, home to the Tate and Barbara Hepworth galleries along with beaches and coast walks.
If you’re travelling from London you can get reach St Ives on the Night Riviera overnight sleeper train (8 hours), changing at St Erth onto the St Ives Bay Line which runs past the golden sands of Carbis Bay. Then travel east to Falmouth (1.5 hours), changing in Truro onto the Maritime Line which runs through unspoilt countryside to the coast.

Visit Falmouth’s castle and maritime museum, or take a boat ride along the Fal River or across to neighbouring St St Mawes and the Roseland Peninsula. Then take a morning train to St Austell (1.5 hour) where you change onto a bus to reach the Eden Project, whose two giant biomes bring the rainforest and the Mediterranean to Cornwall.
Head back to St Austell to catch the train along the Atlantic Coast Line to Newquay (2 hours). Check out some of Newquay’s 11 beaches and watch the surfers in action on Fistral Beach – or give it a try yourself. Grad a traditional Cornish pasty and watch the fishing boats come into Newquay harbour, or head underwater at Blue Reef Aquarium.

Then travel on to the pretty fishing village of Looe (3 hours). The Looe Valley scenic train line connects Liskeard and Looe, running along an estuary full of birdlife. Walk a stretch of the South West Coast Path to Polperro or visit the marine nature reserve of Looe Island, and make sure to try some local seafood and wine from Looe Valley Vineyard.
Finally travel on to your final stop in Plymouth (1 hour). Take a walk along the city’s waterfront, climb to the top of Smeaton’s Tower lighthouse and follow the journey of the Pilgrims at the Mayflower Museum before heading home – or exploring more of Devon.
Read the full Coastal Cornwall by train itinerary

UK cities
London > Brighton > Bristol > Manchester > Liverpool > Leeds
This city-centric train route takes you to some of the UK’s coolest cities, with coffee shops, vintage shops, street art and quirky bars along the way. Start off in London and the East End’s most hipster neighbourhood – Shoreditch. Visit Brick Lane market, take a graffiti tour and try food from around the world at the Box Park shipping container pop-up market.
Then catch the train south of London to Brighton (1 hour 15 mins) for a day at the seaside. Visit the Brighton Pavilion, shop the narrow streets of the Lanes and play the slot machines on the pier before tucking into fish and chips on the beach.

The next day travel west to Bristol (1 hour 40 min). This harbourside city is a centre for independent food, art and craft businesses. Try tasty street food at St Nicholas Market or at Cargo in Wapping Wharf, and go Banksy spotting in Stokes Croft. Visit Brunel’s historic steamship the SS Great Britain or walk over Clifton Suspension Bridge at sunset.
Catch the train north to Manchester (4 hours). This north-west city famous for its football music is a great place to catch a gig or shop for vinyl and vintage fashion before a night in the Northern Quarter’s bars. Or visit the museums and media hubs of Salford Quays.

Then from Manchester, it’s only a 45-minute train ride to local rivals Liverpool. Check out the exhibits at the Tate Liverpool and Merseyside Maritime Museum in the Albert Dock, or take a Beatles themed walking tour and catch the ferry across the Mersey.
Then finally travel north-east to the West Yorkshire city of Leeds (1.5 hours). Discover local artworks on the Leeds Welcome Art Trail, visit the Corn Exchange for indie shops in a stunning setting, sunbathe in Roundhay Park and take a tour of Leeds’ craft breweries.
Read the full UK cities by train itinerary

Wales and the Borders
Cardiff > Shrewsbury > Aberystwyth > Harlech > Llandudno > Chester > Cardiff
This final Britain by train itinerary takes you across Wales, travelling from the capital through the unspoilt Welsh Marches to the spectacular coastline and mountains of North Wales. Start in Cardiff and spend the day exploring its historic side at the castle and its modern side among the contemporary buildings of redeveloped Cardiff Bay.
Then catch the train north to Shrewsbury (2 hours), a traditional market town across the border which was home to Charles Darwin. Visit its castle and take a boat trip on the River Severn. Then head back into Wales and the coastal town of Aberystwyth (2 hours) – a seaside holiday favourite with its sandy beach, Victorian promenade and Wales’ oldest pier.

Next catch the scenic Cambrian Coast Line north through Snowdonia National Park to Harlech (3 hours). Enjoy the views as you cross the estuary at Barmouth along the way. Then explore Harlech’s hilltop castle or take an afternoon trip to the nearby quirky, Italian-style village of Portmeirion (the closest station is at Minffordd, 15 mins from Harlech).
Next head to Porthmadog (25 mins) where you can change onto the Ffestiniog Railway’s historic steam trains to travel to Blaenau Ffestionig in vintage style (1 hour 15 mins).

Then head back into the 21st century as you travel on to Llandudno (1 hour 15 mins). Another of Wales’ Victorian seaside resorts, Llandudno has panoramic views from Great Orme, which you can reach on foot or via the historic tramway or Llandudno Cable Car.
Finally travel across the border to Chester (1 hour). Explore the city’s Roman ruins, walk around its city walls, admire the Eastgate Clock and shop the medieval black and white Rows. Then finish off your trip by travelling south back to Cardiff, passing the impressive Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Herefordshire countryside and Shropshire Hills along the way.
Read the full Borders and Wales by train itinerary

Martha
Wednesday 31st of May 2023
Hi Lucy This site is great! My husband and I will be arriving at Southampton after a transatlantic cruise on Sat April 20, 2024. We don't have our return flight plans yet as we are hoping to stay in England for at least a week. In 2012 we spent a month (Sept) traveling and sightseeing the UK by rail and had a great time - carrying only backpacks. We had time to visit the popular spots: London, Bath, York, Chester, Edinburgh, Loch Ness, Penzance, Bournemouth, Aberystwyth and much of Wales. This time (we are older!) and we will have luggage (ugh). We are thinking about exploring some less touristy places and poking around smaller villages, etc. Maybe staying at a B&B or somewhere that is centrally located and near a well connected train station where we can take day trips or short rail excursions in and out. Is that possible or even a good idea? Where would you suggest? Do we need a travel agent? I expect we will depart from Heathrow. Any advice will be appreciated!!
Lucy Dodsworth
Sunday 25th of June 2023
Hi Martha, one area I'd definitely recommend is the Cotswolds. You can stay in Moreton-in-Marsh which is on a mainline train route from London and get from there via train to Oxford and Stratford-on-Avon, and there is a good Cotswold tour from Moreton as well as buses to places like Broadway, Chipping Campden and Stow-on-the-Wold. I have a whole website about the Cotswolds with lots of info (https://explorethecotswolds.com) and it's easy to explore without needing a travel agent.
tracie
Tuesday 23rd of May 2023
Hi Lucy, We are going to be in UK for 14 total days (not including travel to and from the US). We want to do two of these (exactly what I was thinking and perfectly laid out, thank you!). Wondering if you can help me understand the best way to buy the train tickets. We are family of 4 with an 18 yr old and 16 yr old. Starting and ending in London - want to do this: London > Salisbury > Bath Spa > Oxford > Stratford-upon-Avon > York - then from York do this: Glasgow > Fort William > Mallaig > Isle of Skye > Edinburgh to catch the Tattoo then back down to London. Maybe I need a travel agent to help :-)
Lucy Dodsworth
Friday 26th of May 2023
You can buy tickets for specific trains in advance from the rail companies but it might be worth looking at getting a railpass – either an InterRail One Country Pass for the UK or a Britrail pass – as that means you can be more flexible. You can buy these in advance online and there are good discounts for under 25s.
Jan
Friday 2nd of September 2022
The last itinerary very misleading. You really can’t get from Aberystwyth to Llandudno via the route shown on the map.
Lucy Dodsworth
Friday 2nd of September 2022
Hi, if you see the full itinerary is explains that it involves taking the Ffestiniog Railway rather than a normal train, which is now running through from Porthmadog and Blaenau Ffestiniog: https://www.ontheluce.com/wales-by-train-itinerary/ (timings have been tweaked slightly to reflect the new timetable).
Amy G
Thursday 27th of February 2020
This info is amazing, thank you for posting Lucy! I am researching/looking into traveling to the UK (specifically Scotland) for the first time (coming from Toronto, Canada) this year and wasn't really sure where to start in terms of transportation once I arrived. I have bookmarked your page just for future reference. These routes and links will be so helpful, especially for a newbie to the area.
Also, love your blog & will definitely check out more of your recommendations .
Cheers,
Amy
Lucy
Monday 9th of March 2020
Thanks Amy, great to hear it was useful! And have a wonderful trip.
Maxine Chivers
Friday 31st of January 2020
There are great value Train Rovers available in Britain. I bought the one called Solent and Seven. It was wonderful for days out with my children. We got a discount on it by using my railcard. It is called the Family and Friends Rail Card and it costs around £30 a year. It gives me a third off all train tickets and my children go for a few pounds each. A way to save money in Britain is called split ticketing. You buy two of more tickets. For example Worle to Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Temple Meads to Weymouth. It makes a lower cost for your journey. Sometimes an Advance Single has a low price. So buy two single tickets. The spa in Bath may let you have extra time if your show your train ticket. Always buy food and drinks outside the train stations. On the train they will be expensive. For example a bottle of water for £1.70.
Lucy
Friday 31st of January 2020
Some great ways to save money on train travel in the UK – I did a round up in this post too https://www.ontheluce.com/budget-train-travel-in-the-uk/