Coastal Rail Trips in the UK

It’s no secret that the UK has great coastlines. It is called the British Isles, of course. While there are many different coastlines in the country, most of them are beautiful and can be combined with other destinations. But with you want to take a train ride that provides mostly beautiful seas and cliffs, you can do it in style. Here are a few places to take Britain’s famous rail journeys where you will take in gorgeous vistas of the ocean and the wildlife that surrounds it.

Flying Scotsman on the Northumberland Coast

The train from London to Edinburgh is famous for a reason, many reasons in fact. It is not just a great way to get from the English capital city to the Scottish capital city, you can do so on an old steam train while taking in beautiful views. The charming, quaint, and quite beautiful Northumberland coastline provides dramatic scenes that you think of when you think of the UK’s rugged coast. That’s not all, you will encounter small cities and country fields on the under five-hour journey. Considering all this, it is no wonder that MoneyPug, a site used to compare cheap holidays, says that it is one of the most popular options for traveling from London to Edinburgh.

South Devon on the Dawlish Coast

This route is famous for its coastal views, so famous in fact that even after it was destroyed by a storm in 2014 it got restored. The short, gorgeous ride along the coast begins in Exeter, a bustling city, to the small coastal town of Dawlish. The line runs parallel to the mouth of the river Exe and stops at the edge of the English Channel. There is no wondering why people love this train journey, it’s amazingly beautiful and takes you to a quaint place for an alternative British coastal experience.

Durham to Berwick-upon-Tweed

Another great journey with beautiful views of the sea, the line between Durham and Berwick-upon-Tweed is as filled with history as it is great scenes of the coast. On this route you can view archaic castles from and seaside cliffs after one another. There is also an airfield from the Second World War on the route. This is a great option for anyone interested in history and seeing an awesome British coastline.

St Erth to St Ives

This short trip from St Erth to St Ives provides gorgeous views, especially in the right weather. The costal route in Cornwall was opened in 1877, so it has some of that old British rail history that so many are fond of. The line has been used for all sorts of things, including to transport fish, but nowadays people on holiday are its main cargo. It’s only four miles and 12 minutes long but many believe there is no railway in Britain that is lovelier. The slow, coastal train will take you back in time.

The End of Southern Steam to Weymouth

This thematic route is a day trip on a steam train that is popular to take to the seaside resort town of Weymouth. You can do this so easily it makes the perfect weekend getaway for couples. Not so much about the trip but the destination, you can travel to a beautiful town by the sea on an old locomotive.

Glasgow to Mallaig

The trip from Glasgow to Mallaig goes through some of the most remote landscapes in the UK. It is one of the most scenic rail trips in the country, and in addition other natural wonders like the River Clyde, it also provides stunning views of the coastline. You won’t regret taking this trip. Its beauty is savage and untamed.

Wherever you are visiting in the UK, there is likely a coastal rail journey near you. There are many beautiful places to visit and dramatic coastlines to gawk at. But if you really want to see the coast, take a train. You will get to take in vistas that are charming, beautiful, and romantic. There is no better way to do it—the views provided are unique and lovely, and the ambiance is unbeatable. You won’t forget it.