From Manchester’s thriving cultural scene to Cornwall’s coastal charms, the best places to visit in England span countryside, coast and cities, all peppered with historic sights and spectacular panoramas. London is only a fraction of this nation’s story. Once you leave the capital, you’ll soon find a very different pace of life and appreciate just how diverse our accents, cultures and communities can be – sometimes, even only a city or two apart.
Nearly all of my favourite places in England are reachable by train from London. Some are doable as day trips, but it’s best to plan at least a one-night stay to fully appreciate these incredible things to do in the UK and in case of any rail delays. Whether you want to find a beach you can’t believe is in England, visit a living, vintage museum, or enjoy a non-London city break, these are some of the best places in England to explore by rail.
Train booking tips in England
- The UK’s rail system can (at times) be chaotic and expensive. Be sure to book tickets in advance for the best deals (most advance tickets start selling about 12 weeks ahead) and try to avoid peak travel times so you can enjoy the savings of Super Off-Peak Tickets.
- Split Tickets, when you book two tickets rather than one direct route, can offer further savings and most search platforms now include these results.
- If you’d prefer to make all your arrangements together, some companies allow you to book combined UK rail and hotel breaks so you can rewview ticket and accommodation prices simultaneously.
- Remember, if you don’t have a seat reservation (some services don’t offer them) and the train is crowded, you can still get onboard most services, just expect to stand during busy times.
- National Rail runs the overall UK train network, but there are various companies across the country that operate different services, and some have different ticketing options and prices. As such, it’s worth considering all options presented, as sometimes there can be time, route and cost differences to get from A to B. Heading north and into Scotland, for example, there are multiple operators including CrossCountry, Lumo, Avanti West Coast and LNER.
The Jurrasic Coast
Take the train from London Waterloo to Poole (2 hours) or Weymouth (3 hours). The Jurassic Coaster bus service provides onwards coastal connections.
I might be biased, as it’s where I grew up, but this glorious southern swatch of coast (pictured in the header photo) remains my favourite place to visit in England. Along the Dorset stretch of the Jurrasic Coast, you’ll find some of the UK’s most dazzling beaches. But the proper pull is the fossil-filled beaches and abundant pre-historic fossils that span millions of years and are still being discovered today. Add to this picturesque Durdle Door, an arch that sits over gentle waters, stone-built pubs dishing up fish and chips, ancient castle runs and even a swannery, and you’ve got an ideal UK Staycation.
By rail, Weymouth and Poole are decent gateways with bus connections. However, you might want to consider renting a car or hiring a campervan from London to enjoy a road trip at your own pace – it will also make it much easier to combine Dorset with Devon and Cornwall.
Oxford
Take the train to Oxford from London Paddington (55 minutes) or London Maylebone (1 hour 30 minutes).
Oxford, home to the renowned university, is one of England’s most famous places to see. It’s also a commuter city, so there are plenty of rail links with London, making it a decent day trip for those pressed for time. Pre-book a tour to see some of the 13th-century University of Oxford buildings and the most beautiful parts of the Bodleian Library. However, even if the celebrated colleges don’t appeal, Oxford offers plenty more.
Take your pick from excellent museums, including Ashmolean’s Art and Architecture Collection (England’s oldest public museum) or Pitt Rivers’ natural history exhibitions. Head inside Oxford Castle for centuries of history and to learn about its use as a prison. Or dip into the delightful Covered Market for a snack or souvenir. Strolling and soaking up the storied streets flanked by sandstone buildings might be enough for you; Oxford is magical even if you don’t enter one of the monument attractions.
Bristol
Take the train from London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads; the journey is around 90 minutes.
Bristol is one of the easiest cities in England to visit by train from London. And, more importantly, it’s one of the best. Historical buildings, like the mighty Bristol Cathedral, clash with the abundance of street art. Unsurprising, given this is Banksy’s hometown. As you stroll the city’s colourful laneways, you’ll spot murals and stencil art on nearly every corner. There’s also plenty of more classical representation, especially inside the hulking Bristol Museum.
Bristol also brags plenty of green spaces and chilled-out spots to pause along the River Avon. Hop on a boat trip and sail out to see the Clifton Suspension Bridge, or take a hot air balloon (the city has an annual festival in August) for a bird’s eye perspective. Combine all this with the top-notch nightlife, decent LGBTQ+ scene, and excellent theatre, and you’ve got an awesome city break full of free-spirited, student-heavy energy.
Stonehenge
Take the train from London Waterloo to Salisbury (1 hour 30 minutes), then take a local bus or the dedicated Stonehenge Tour Shuttle (30 minutes).
Stonehenge isn’t the most straightforward place to visit in England by train, but it’s doable if you don’t mind taking a bus for the final stretch. And, given it’s the country’s most important prehistoric site, chances are you’ll want to plan Stonehenge into your itinerary.
The intriguing collection of Neolithic-placed sarsen stones is quite the sight and one of our nation’s greatest mysteries. Surrounded by burial mounds and a popular place to be on the solstice due to the alignment, it all feels somewhat ethereal, especially when you try to understand how these 25-ton stones were placed. As a tip, you can see the site from the Heritage Path nearby, but you’ll need to buy a ticket to get closer.
Brighton
Take the train to Brighton from London Bridge or London Victoria; the journey takes around one hour.
I spent a few months living in Brighton and made some of my fondest memories there. It has a special atmosphere compared to many of the UK’s cities, which is helped by the seaside, decent nightlife, a thriving community, and many independent businesses.
Come to eat fish and chips on the pebble beach or play arcade games on the pier, explore the iconic Indo-Islamic-style Royal Pavilion, or shop for quirky art and hand-produced wares in the photographic pedestrianised streets. Brighton is by far one of the UK’s most progressive cities, so there are plenty of vegan-friendly restaurants, decent LGBTQ+ bars and space, and alternative-culture hangouts to find if you stay longer than a day.
Cornwall
Take the daytime train from London Paddington to Truro or Penzance in around five hours. The Night Riveria, one of the UK’s two sleeper trains, travels between Paddington and Penzance overnight, with cabin and seat options.
It’s impossible not to fall for the charms of coastal Cornwall. This is the stuff that UK beach holidays are made of: ice creams and pubs galore, surf and sunbathing-friendly shorelines, quaint villages, plenty of historical sights and more contemporary attractions like the domed gardens of the Eden Project. You’d need at least three days to tour all of the best places to visit in Cornwall, and being one of the further-flung places to visit in England by rail, the sleeper service to Penzance is my recommendation.
Penzance isn’t only a great base; there’s also plenty of attractions to explore nearby. St Michael’s Mount, a tidal island similar to France’s Mont St Michel, and the open-air, cliff-hugging Minack Theatre should be on your agenda. If you’d prefer to stick to nature, tackle the multi-day South West Coast and walk to St Ives, one of Cornwall’s most idyllic harbour towns (also reachable by bus) or take the ferry from Penzance for a day trip on the sun-kissed Isles of Scilly.
Durham
Take the train from London King’s Cross to York with LNER and it’s around three hours direct; alternative operators require a change at Newcastle.
If you are looking for the quintessential British experience that has it all, then don’t look any further than a visit to Durham. Easily accessed by train and close to Newcastle International Airport, Durham’s city boasts a UNESCO-listed castle and cathedral, while the rest of the region is packed full of history, nature and one of the best museums I’ve ever visited.
Durham city itself is most famous for its castle and cathedral, both spectacular and deserving of a few hours, while cool cafes and historic architecture are close by. Outside of the city, you have the Durham Heritage Coast, ideal for hiking and relaxing, and plenty of castles and green rolling hills in the region – it’s also reasonably easy to get around by public transport for those not wishing to hire a car.
Be sure to visit Beamish Museum (reachable by bus), a living museum where I spent a full day– it was that good! Imagine a museum meets theme park vibe, where everything is fully interactive, and you can discover the history of England from the 1800s onwards. From old-school sweet shops and photography studios fully staffed to vintage trams and busses driving around, the chance to see history played out, there are actors in the ‘homes’ and ‘schools’, for example, makes this an excellent opportunity to experience history.
Colchester
Take the train from London Liverpool Street to Colchester in just over an hour.
If you’ve ever seen a particular reality show about Essex, you might not expect this area of England to be overflowing with historic villages and towns, but it does offer plenty to discover. Here, you’ll find Georgian, Roman and Norman stories in the forms of Colchester Castle and the town’s museum with thousands of years of history. With plenty of crooked, historic half-timbered buildings converted into hotels or pubs, it’s an easy and enjoyable overnight stay or day trip from the capital.
Bath
Take the train from London Paddington to Bath Spa; the journey takes around 1 hour 20 minutes.
The honey-coloured stone that covers most of Bath, the small traditional shops and the towering Cathedral make this a real gem to discover in the south-west of England. The main draw is the Roman baths, which have now been converted into a museum. Entree fees will set you back around £20, which seems fair given the work involved to keep this vast place in check.
Bath Abbey, with its enormous fan-vaulted ceiling above the long stained-glass window, is breathtaking, and it is perhaps one of the most striking buildings I’ve seen in England. If you want a sweeping view of the city, a paid ticket will allow you access to the tower to look down on the city below. With street performers and classical musicians usually around in the squares, grab a picnic lunch and enjoy the old-world vibes, people-watching, and grandeur of Bath around you; it’s also well connected to London by train.
Manchester
Take the train from London Euston to Manchester in around two hours; cheaper and slightly longer options usually involve a change in Crewe.
A city break in Manchester is an excellent alternative to London. You’ll never see all of London in a few days, but Manchester is more compact. With its well-connected airport, trams and free city centre buses, it makes a viable standalone city break in England. For most from abroad, though, it remains one of Europe’s underrated cities. Many might think of Manchester and imagine booze, shopping and Oasis singing ‘Wonderwall’, but there’s plenty more to the city than that.
Of course, the music heritage is enormous. Artists such as The Smiths, The Stone Roses, and the aforementioned Gallagher brothers hail from here, but for a younger crowd, these names may no longer be the reason to visit. Instead, focus on the many free museums, theatre options, capital-rivalling cafes, and the ever-evolving art scene. Then, of course, there are first-class traditional pubs and trendy dining spots, such as Mackie Mayor, and parties into the early hours.
Don’t miss the John Rylands Library, one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the canvas-rich Manchester Art Gallery – all with free entrance. Head to the People’s History Museum or The Pankhurst Centre to dive deeper into Manchester’s inspiring social-justice fighting past. The latter, focused on the Suffragette Movement for women’s votes, is particularly personal.
Castleton for the Peak District
Take the train from Euston to Castleton (involving a couple of changes) in around four to five hours. You might want to visit Manchester first, as it’s only 20 minutes away and will break up the journey.
We are spoilt for National Parks in England, but The Peak District is one of my favourites. A few years back, I got to lead a photo walk through Castleton for Lonely Planet and fell in love with the village of Castleton, which seemed to have as many pubs as people nearly and is a short train connection to Manchester. Famed for cycling and hiking, the national park mixes dramatic limestone valleys with moorlands, and if you plan an extended visit, the Pennine Way footpath is a great way to explore much of the park and for the adventurous, continue all the way onwards to Scotland.
Windsor
Take the train from London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside with a change in Vauxhallor Clapham Junction; alternatively, go from London Paddington and change in Slough. Both options take around one hour.
While for many, Windsor is seen as home to the King, for me, the city was a familiar beer-sinking spot when I was a student in nearby Reading. Only a short train ride away from London without breaking the bank, Windsor Castle is a must for tourists visiting, but the slower-paced life along the rivers and the history of nearby Eton make it one of the best day trips from the capital when you visit England.
Be sure to pop into St George Chapel and marvel at the stained glass windows, and try to time your visit on a day when you can see the changing of the guard. A boat trip and picnic here is also a pretty chilled way to spend an afternoon in one of the country’s royal boroughs.
Carlisle for Hadrian’s Wall
Take the direct service from London Euston to Carlisle with Avanti in around 4 hours; LNER is an alternative from London King’s Cross changing in Newcastle.
In the very north of England near the Scottish Border, Hadrian’s Wall spans 80 miles from both sides of the coasts and is dotted with barracks and forts along the lush green landscape of the hills, offering one of the best UK adventure holidays for hikers.
When I visited, I used the charming country town of Carlise as base; the train connections help, as does the impressive castle. The Roman history of Britain can really come alive here if you catch the lighting of the flames along the length of the wall as I did many years ago. Excavations are ongoing, so if you time your visit right, you can see history being unearthed live right before you. If you plan a road trip from England to Scotland, spending a night here is well worth it.
