London is the entry point for so many travelers, and yet, so few take time to explore the UK.
Instead of swimming across the English Channel the moment you’ve finished your afternoon tea, stay awhile in these British Isles and discover cities, villages, and national parks that are just as meaningful and memorable as mainland Europe.
Here are the top destinations in the UK you absolutely must visit by train.
Brighton Palace Pier in Brighton, England. Image Credit: Getty Images, Kenji Lau
1. Brighton, England
🚉 Station: Brighton
📸 See: Brighton Palace Pier | Kemptown | The Lanes
🏨 Stay: Hotel du Vin Brighton | Legends Hotel | Malmaison Brighton
This English seaside retreat may be one of the closest beaches to London — but it’s the shopping and clubbing that’ll convince you to make the trip no matter the weather. A great LGBTQ destination before, during, and after Brighton Pride, Brighton and Hove offers plenty to keep you busy — whether you’re bumming on the beach, shopping vintage boutiques, partying through the moonlight, or having a basket of fish and chips on the pier.
Read also: Seaside towns and beaches near London by train: explore the best beach day trips
2. Stirling, Scotland
🚉 Main train station: Stirling
📸 See: Stirling Castle | The National Wallace Monument | Church of the Holy Rude
🏨 Stay: The Golden Lion Hotel | Hotel Colessio | The Portcullis
Stirling, the Gateway to the Highlands, sits between Edinburgh and Glasgow. It’s deserving of a stop, not because it’s small enough for a day trip, but because an extended stay lets you immerse yourself in Scottish history. Explore the castle, stopping first in the cemetery behind the Church of the Holy Rude where you’ll find one of the most serene spots in Stirling, then visit Cambuskenneth Abbey (temporarily closed), the National Wallace Monument, and the Old Town Jail.
Salthouse Dock in Liverpool, England. Image Credit: Getty Images, Andrea Pistolesi
3. Liverpool, England
🚉 Main train station: Liverpool Lime Street
📸 See: World Museum | The Beatles Story | Royal Albert Dock
🏨 Stay: The Resident | Pullman Liverpool | Crowne Plaza
Visit the home of the Fab Four and you’ll find more than Strawberry Fields. When you’re not visiting Ringo Starr’s childhood home or strolling down Penny Lane, explore more of Liverpool’s non-musical history at the Maritime Museum, the World Museum, St Luke’s Bombed Out Church, and Speke Hall.
Read also: The Beatles locations in Liverpool: step into the history of the Fab Four
4. Edinburgh, Scotland
🚉 Main train station: Edinburgh Waverley
📸 See: Edinburgh Castle | Dean Village | The Scotch Whisky Experience
🏨 Stay: Virgin Hotels Edinburgh | Market Street Hotel | Royal Mile Backpackers
One trip to Edinburgh is enough to make you fall in love forever. Scotland’s magic comes alive in the capital from the Royal Mile to the top of Arthur’s Seat. Spend days upon days entangled in Edinburgh’s museums, pubs, and theaters. Do yourself a favor and visit during Fringe; it’s one of the best events in the UK and one of the coolest ways to experience Edinburgh.
Grasmere, Lake District, Cumbria, England. Image Credit: Getty Images, joe daniel price
6. Lake District, England
🚉 Main train station: Windermere
📸 See: The World of Beatrix Potter | Wordsworth Grasmere | Rydal Cave
🏨 Stay: Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa | The Royal Oak at Keswick | The Wordsworth
Yes, the waters of the Lake District are where many spend their trips: canoeing, picnicking, swimming, and boating are just a few of the leisurely ways to enjoy the lakeside. Landlubbers can have just as relaxed or recreational a time with hiking, cycling, touring manor houses, and eating their way through Cumbria.
Read also: How to get to Cumbria’s Lake District by train from London
5. Wrexham, Wales
🚉 Main train station: Wrexham Central
📸 See: Wrexham AFC | Tŷ Pawb | Parish Church of St Giles
🏨 Stay: Wynnstay Arms Hotel | The Lemon Tree | Ramada Plaza by Wyndham
The success of not only the Wrexham AFC, but of their docuseries Welcome to Wrexham, has brought crowds to Wrexham to see a Red Dragons match. See the city’s history off the pitch at the Wrexham County Borough Museum (though it is currently closed for refurbishment), take the little ones to XPLORE! Science Discovery Centre, and walk across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.
River Spey in Aviemore, Cairngorms National Park in Scotland. Image Credit: Getty Images, VWB photos
8. Cairngorms National Park, Scotland
🚉 Main train station: Aviemore
📸 See: Balmoral | The Cairn Distillery | Cairngorm Mountain
🏨 Stay: Coylumbridge Hotel | The Smugglers Hostel | The Fife Arms
On your way to or from Inverness, stop off at Cairngorms National Park and you might skip your next city break altogether. Explore the mountains and valleys on foot, bicycle, or even golf cart. This four-season outdoor playground is a haven for snowsports, hiking, and mountaineering — but also home to breweries and distilleries should you need a break indoors. It also has Queen Elizabeth’s favorite royal residence, Balmoral Estate. Bonus points if you spend the night in the lovely Aviemore and fall asleep to the pipers in the street.
7. Londonderry, Northern Ireland
🚉 Main train station: Derry~Londonderry
📸 See: Bloody Sunday Monument | Tower Museum | Peace Bridge
🏨 Stay: Bishop's Gate Hotel Derry| Shipquay Hotel | Maldron Hotel Derry
Belfast is far from the only city in Northern Ireland, so check out the other side of the country with a visit to Londonderry. Home of the Derry Girls show, this walled city has seen its share of violence and peace. Between the Tower Museum, the Siege Museum, and the Museum of Free Derry, you can trace the city’s tumultuous past before finding tranquility along the riverwalk.
Dolbadarn Castle ruins in Snowdonia National Park, Wales. Image Credit: Getty Images, Jim Monk
9. Snowdonia National Park, Wales
🚉 Main train station: Shrewsbury
📸 See: National Slate Museum | Castell y Bere | National White Water Centre
🏨 Stay: Penmaenuchaf Hall Hotel | Oakeley Arms Hotel | Plas Yn Dre
Snowdonia National Park — or Eryri National Park as it’s known in Welsh — is the largest national park in Wales. An area of the park has a UNESCO World Heritage Site with four English-built castles; but when in Wales, make sure you visit the homegrown castles like Dolbadarn and Castell y Bere. Stay until nightfall in this Dark Sky Reserve and the Milky Way will come out to meet you.
Read also: Visit the best castles in Europe during your next getaway
10. County Antrim, Northern Ireland
🚉 Main train station: Belfast Lanyon Place
📸 See: Giant’s Causeway | Glens of Antrim | Carrick-a-Rede
🏨 Stay: The Bushmills Inn Hotel | The Fullerton Arms | The Merchant Hotel
Belfast is a great starting point for exploring County Antrim. Take the Black Taxi Tour and see the Titanic museum then head out of the city. Game of Thrones fans should walk the King’s Road at the Dark Hedges, while Harry Potter fans should use a portkey to go to the Giant’s Causeway. And if you’re searching for a place to pop the question, across the Carrick-a-Rede bridge you’ll find your “I do”.
Colorful houses in Bristol, England. Image Credit: Getty Images, Chris Griffiths
More top destinations in the UK
Use the UK’s vast train network to check out these other destinations across Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Bristol, England
Main train station: Bristol Temple Meads
Skins fans can run amok chasing filming locations around the city, but do note that this city is as laid-pack as it is lively. Banksy has made his mark on this town, too. Wander the city in search of his art and you’ll stumble across other gems like the Wookey Hole Caves, the SS Great Britain, and the lovely Bristol Zoo Project.
Falkirk, Scotland
Main train station: Falkirk Grahamston
Train aficionados like us need no convincing to visit Falkirk’s Museum of Scottish Railways and the scenic Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway. This town near Stirling has surprises in store for all types of travelers, including a heritage trail noting where Robert Burns has visited, the ship-like Blackness Castle on the water, The Lonely Broomstick gift shop for Potterheads, and the famous Kelpies equine sculptures.
South Stack Lighthouse in Anglesey Island, Wales. Image Credit: Getty Images, joe daniel price
Anglesey Island, Wales
Main train station: Bangor | Holyhead
Between the massive Beaumaris Castle and the once largest copper mine in the world (also known as The Copper Kingdom), the Isle of Anglesey has enough sites to satiate a day trip’s schedule. Razorbills and guillemots flock to the South Stack Lighthouse while woodpeckers and kingfishers find refuge in the Dingle Nature Reserve. Prehistoric tombs, Celtic shrines, and family-friendly beaches are only the start of things to do on Anglesey Island.
Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland
Ferry terminal: Rathlin Island Ferry
Puffins gather and seals bark on the shores of Rathlin Island. This island is as short of a ferry ride from mainland Northern Ireland as its landmass is small. Wander the Ballyconaghan Trail and Kinramer Trail where you’ll stand on cliffs and peer at Scotland across the water.
Download the Trainline app and start planning your UK journey today.
Edinburgh skyline at sunset. Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Wirestock
