Whether you want to steam your way through the Scottish Highlands or take a grand tour of Yorkshire, you don't have to travel the world to experience epic rail journeys. We have plenty right here on our doorstep. From electric to steam and sleeper trains, there are plenty of ways to explore.
A quintessential spa town brimming with elegance, Harrogate has been a favoured destination of the in-the-know since the Georgian era, when it became known as the 'English Spa' due to its mineral spring waters. Today, a visit to the town presents a multitude of delights. From its restored Turkish baths with exquisite mosaic tiles to the explosion of colour found in its pretty botanical gardens, and of course, Bettys Tea Rooms - a sophisticated Yorkshire institution - there are very few towns that boast more English charm.
As England's largest, most famous, and many would argue, most scenic National Park, the Lake District truly epitomises rural English beauty. Venture to this idyllic corner of the country and you'll be greeted with rugged landscapes made up of heather-covered peaks, wildflower meadows, picture-postcard villages, and the jewels in the crown - sixteen tranquil, mirror-like lakes. It's no surprise that these are the storybook landscapes that inspired the likes of beloved children's author Beatrix Potter and renowned Romantic poet William Wordsworth.
Experience the timeless charms of the Isle of Man, a destination almost frozen in time and bursting with culture and beauty. This is truly a rail lover's paradise; soak up Victorian nostalgia on the Isle of Man Steam Railway, travel in some of the oldest working tramcars in the world on the Manx Electric Railway, and admire the views from the top of the island's only mountain on the Snaefell Mountain Railway. Add to this charming seaside resorts, immersive museums and heritage sites, and striking preserved castles, and you start to get an idea of the many delights the Isle of Man has to offer.
Scotland's Highland's are a place of wild and varied beauty; ancient landscapes that have remained almost untouched over the centuries, inspiring fascinating myths and legends that are just waiting to be uncovered. From fabled monsters lying in the depths of brooding lochs to fairytale castles brimming with history, this is a destination well worth exploring. Connecting it all are fantastic nostalgic railways that whisk you through spellbinding landscapes, the windows serving as the perfect picture frame as you wind past dense pine forests, rugged mountains, and endless, shimmering lochs.
Journey to a hidden treasure of the British Isles, an archipelago off the Cornish coast boasting azure seas and almost tropical climes. Travel by overnight sleeper train from London to discover the glorious Islands of Scilly.
Take a step back in time to a bygone era on the nostalgic North Yorkshire Moors Railway, a remarkable rail journey that uncovers the very best of North Yorkshire's untamed scenery. The historic, steam-hauled train pulls its restored vintage coaches on a winding journey through 'God's Own County', between the quaint market town of Pickering and the charming seaside resort of Whitby. Admire the passing scenery of dramatic heather moorland, trickling streams, and story-book villages - landscapes virtually unchanged since the line was first opened in the 1800s.
With more than 26 official 'Dark Skies', the Isle of Man makes it easy to reach for the stars, even if they are 1,500 light years' away. Every season brings astonishing astronomical sights and you don't even need to pack a telescope.
A fairytale castle with white-washed stone walls and exquisite landscaped gardens, Blair Castle is set in the stunning central Scottish Highlands. With history dating back to 1269, the castle and gardens are resplendent year-round.
The azure waters and warm climate of the Scilly Isles' provides subtropical splendour that wouldn't be out of place in the Caribbean. The Abbey Gardens on Tresco thrive year-round with plants from accross the world's Mediterranean climate zones, from Brazil to New Zealand and Burma to South Africa. The gardens really are a delight to explore.
The azure waters and warm climate of the Scilly Isles'
provide subtropical splendour that wouldn't be out of
place in the Caribbean. The Abbey Gardens on Tresco
thrive year-round with plants from accross the world's
Mediterranean climate zones, from Brazil to New Zealand and Burma
to South Africa. The gardens really are a delight to
explore.
Sail across one of the Lake District's most famous lakes, and experience the outstanding natural beauty, which has been inspiring artists and writers for centuries.
A fairytale castle with white-washed stone walls and exquisite landscaped gardens, explore a history dating back to 1269.
Saved by a railway preservation group in 1971, today passengers can still enjoy breathtaking views of the Cairngorms and the River Spey.
Take a horse-drawn boat trip along the Llangollen Canal, experiencing how goods where transported through this peaceful environment well into the 1960s.
Featured holiday ideas
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Want to escape the crowds and go off-grid for your next home-grown holiday? Then head to Scotland where, in the heart of the Highlands, you'll find the unique, and not to mention remote, Alladale Wilderness Reserve. A haven for wildlife (and humans), i newspaper correspondent Siobhan Norton gives the low-down on what to expect.
