It may surprise you that the UK is actually bursting with hidden treasures that should be finding their way on to your bucket list of places to visit, with some of the most impressive and unique railway stations to see on the way.
Whether you’ve been tempted by our #OffTheBeatenTrack and want to find ski terrain closer to home in Aviemore, or you’re wanting to find peaceful, unspoilt beaches, look no further because Britain has it all.
Whitby, North Yorkshire
Whitby remains as one of Britain’s flourishing seaside towns and is full of foodie attractions. Its station was opened in 1836 and still functions today, bringing its quaint tea shops and maze of cobbled streets to you.
It wouldn’t be the real Whitby experience if you didn’t visit the infamous Magpie Café. Standing on the quayside for 75 years, the café is one of the best places to get your serving of fish and chips by the sea. The atmosphere is reminiscent of a cosy wartime tearoom and with over 20 types of fish freshly bought each day, you can’t go wrong!
Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
Continuing with the seaside theme, one of Britain’s first seaside resorts is a must visit. Great Yarmouth has been a popular seaside resort since 1760 and today, there’s more to do than ever for all of the family.
Great Yarmouth does have its own train station to get you straight into the centre, but for a more unusual rail experience, Berney Arms station might be worth a look. Far from the nearest road, the only way to get there is by boat along the River Yare, on foot, or by rail on one of the few trains that will stop there (even if requested!). Although it’s stranded in the middle of marshy fields, it is reputed to be Britain’s shortest station and home to one of the country’s most remote pubs.
The Cotswolds, South West England
If country living is more your thing, the Cotswolds should be high up on your bucket list. There are picturesque market towns in abundance, with pretty limestone cottages surrounded by lush green valleys. The area is perfect for country walks and you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to finding a hearty lunch afterwards.
Most of the Cotswolds is accessible by trains directly from London, home to some of the most impressive train stations in the UK. Take your pick from Bath, Cheltenham, Stratford, Chippenham, Gloucester, Kemble, Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham and Oxford from Paddington Station.
Beachy Head, East Sussex
This chalk headland is the highest sea cliff in Britain, rising to 162 metres above sea level offering views of the south east coast and it has become a landmark for sailors in the English Channel. The location has been used in many films, music videos and books over the years, including Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, making it an exciting place to visit.
The nearest train station to Beachy Head is Eastbourne and regular services run from several major southeast cities and towns. Eastbourne itself is a piece of Britain’s history worth visiting itself, with a seafront of Victorian hotels, a pier, and a Napoleonic era fort and military museum, this one is a must for the history lovers.
Stonehenge, Wiltshire
One of the most famous sites in the world is on our doorstep. Stonehenge is the remains of a ring of standing stones set within earthworks and is believed to have been constructed from 3000BC to 2000BC. The site was added to the UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites in 1986.
The mysterious structure is undoubtedly something to be seen in a lifetime, especially when it sits right here in the UK. The nearest train station to Stonehenge is Salisbury, the ‘city in the countryside’ and home of the four original Magna Carta manuscripts.
It’s never too late to get exploring, and what better place to start than here with your UK bucket list. Have a look on our website today for train ticket prices and start ticking off your bucket list!
