Scenic train journeys in U.K.

[Foxytail]

looking for ideas for next year

I think there’s one down in the devon
and Cornwall area

What's your budget like? There's a fabulous multi day sleeper train one around the Scottish lochs but it costs £££

Following...

Swansea to Carmarthen

St Erth to St Ives (branch line) is stunning. Only short (10 mins) but really, really beautiful on a nice day. If you're fit and able, the coast path runs alongside for a big part of it so you can walk one way and get the train back.
Whilst in that neck of the woods (ish) the mainline from Exeter to Newton Abbot through Dawlish is lovely - literally along the sea wall for a lot of the journey here.

I can't believe that no-one has mentioned the Settle Carlisle railway. This is acknowledged to be the most scenic rail route in England.

I was going to recommend Dawlish

The stretch of the London to Cornwall line around Saltash is lovely as the railway seems to go right into the sea.

Not done St Erth to St Ives but the Liskeard to Looe line is gorgeous and goes through really varied scenery from deep lush greenery to an estuary full of wading birds. It's stunning.

Liskeard to Looe is lovely.

The mainline past Dawlish is interesting.

St Erth to St Ives is lovely.

the mainline from Exeter to Newton Abbot through Dawlish is lovely - literally along the sea wall for a lot of the journey here.

Also came here to say this. My favourite train trip.

westcoastrailways.co.uk/jacobite/cream-teas

Amazed only one other person has mentioned Settle to Carlisle!

Yep another vote for the line through Dawlish.

Also Alnwick to Edinburgh. Amazing coastal views.

Long long, time wise is the Exeter to Newton Abbot

ANd some of these others ?

www.seat61.com/settle-and-carlisle-railway.htm

Settle to Carlisle is beautiful. Also Glasgow to Fort William, absolutely stunning scenery.

Shrewsbury to Pwllheli, lovely coastal views.

Settle to Carlisle is stunning. Travelling over Ribblehead Viaduct hauled by steam train was just incredible.

Cumbrian coast is one I'd really like to try.

Dh and I want to do that trip @110APiccadilly. We just need Trans Pennine Express to get their act in order for us to get across the Pennines to get down to Shrewsbury.

Another vote for traveling the line along the North Wales coast.

Depends where you are starting from, but you can go as far as Holyhead, or get off in Bangor or somewhere further East. Sea on one side and mountails on the other. Beautiful.

Whatever route you do, it has to be steam hauled for maximum effect although, sadly, this will also shove the cost right up nowadays.
As many have said, Settle to Carlisle over the Ribblehead Viaduct is spectacular, and even better if you do it on a dark afternoon in the snow with your head out of the window for as long as you can manage without your eyeballs freezing or filling up with soot. The best bit is watching the engine, seeing the steam billowing, the glow of the fire and the sparks from the firebox. That was one of my favourite childhood memories from when steam trips were still affordable (late 70s/early 80s).
I hear the one that goes over the Glenfinnan (Harry Potter) Viaduct is also amazing.

Glasgow to Fort William and then get the train to Mallaig, over the Glenfinnan viaduct.
Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh.

Settle-Carlisle
York - Edinburgh (goes past Alnwick)
Glasgow - Fort William
Fort William - Mallaig
Edinburgh - Over Forth Rail Bridge into Fife

Derry to Coleraine - right on coast with great views. discovernorthernireland.com/blog/read/2020/06/take-one-of-the-worlds-great-railway-journeys-b91

Love the Exeter to Penzance trip as mentioned above too.

If you're willing to consider a heritage railway, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway is a lovely ride, though not much more than half an hour.

Another heritage railway trip worth doing is the Blaenau Ffestiniog railway.