You may have heard of the Rocky Mountaineer, the Bernina Express, or even the Bergensbanen in Norway.
These are all beautiful scenic railway journeys across the globe, which, truthfully speaking, you would have to make a full holiday out of to enjoy the ride to its fullest.
Sometimes what I think people tend to forget is that there are plenty of incredible train journeys closer to London, and even if you’re not quite such a train enthusiast as I am, you can still relish the views and landscapes you pass by.
So, in my opinion, here are some of the best train journeys, closer to home:
The North Downs Line, Surrey
Set in the viridescent Surrey Hills, the North Downs line is such a peaceful way to see the true rustic and rural nature of the North Downs.
Stretching just over 20 miles, the line runs from the historic city of Guildford to Redhill, a bustling commercial centre around 40 minutes outside of central London by train.
However, in between these two rather lively areas lie peaceful pastoral landscapes.
I’d definitely recommend this to those who love the countryside!
The Portsmouth to Southampton Line
Stretching just over 25 miles long, this line is a fantastic way to see the charming marine seascape that is the Solent.
Passing through picturesque towns and their harbours, and crossing over bridges and viaducts with alluring views, this line truly takes ‘the scenic route,’ gently traversing across the coast of the Solent and curving around into Southampton.
At one end lies Portsmouth Harbour, with its historic ships and coastal charm, and Gunwharf Quays, a vibrant waterfront shopping centre with a wide range of eateries and retail outlets, along with some excellent sea views.
At the other end of the line lies Southampton, a historic maritime city and port, with a myriad of important cargo from so many industries being transported across the globe from there.
It is also home to West Quay, a colossal shopping centre with a multitude of commercial amenities, and it’s just under an hour and a quarter away from central London by train.
I recommend this to anyone who loves a peaceful coastline and idyllic sea views.
The Brixton Line
This line is a short but sweet one, being just over 8 miles long, running from London Victoria to Beckenham Junction, with its fantastic high street with a countless number of shops and eateries.
The line travels through Brixton, where I think the true beauty lies with its Caribbean influenced culture, including delectable food and drink and vibrant market.
I recommend this to anyone who loves to travel through urban areas and experience different cultures and food.
I hope some ideas for day trips have sparked up, as the UK and even areas not too far from London actually have some beautiful landscapes and seascapes.
Enjoy!
