Scenic train journeys under one hour

Our choices and how to plan them

1. 

   Kent & East Sussex Railway

   On Kent & East Sussex Railway, Tenterden to Bodiam gives this compact outing its basic shape, with Weald countryside, Rother Valley, Bodiam Castle as the named landmarks to watch. For a compact pause on Kent & East Sussex Railway, we would consider Tenterden when fitting destination time into the outing. Make the short ride a part of the wider town or walking visit, keeping the transfer and homeward connection inside the complete plan.

   For the Kent & East Sussex Railway compact choice, the guide’s short side preference is both sides; compare it with the actual direction and named section before boarding. Read the complete route guide to bring the compact plan’s tickets, station stops, photography and access questions together, then choose the outward and return services that support the intended visit.²³⁴⁵⁶⁷

2. 

   Derry~Londonderry Line

   On Derry~Londonderry Line, Derry~Londonderry to Coleraine gives this compact outing its basic shape, with River Foyle, Benone Strand, Downhill cliffs as the named landmarks to watch. For a compact pause on Derry~Londonderry Line, we would consider Coleraine when fitting destination time into the outing. Make the short ride a part of the wider town or walking visit, keeping the transfer and homeward connection inside the complete plan.

   For the Derry~Londonderry Line compact choice, the guide’s short side preference is left to coleraine; right to derry; compare it with the actual direction and named section before boarding. Read the complete route guide to bring the compact plan’s tickets, station stops, photography and access questions together, then choose the outward and return services that support the intended visit.^{1314151617181920212223242526}

3. 

   Riviera Line

   On Riviera Line, Exeter to Paignton gives this compact outing its basic shape, with Exe Estuary, Dawlish sea wall, Teignmouth as the named landmarks to watch. For a compact pause on Riviera Line, we would consider Paignton when fitting destination time into the outing. Make the short ride a part of the wider town or walking visit, keeping the transfer and homeward connection inside the complete plan.

   For the Riviera Line compact choice, the guide’s short side preference is left to paignton; right returning; compare it with the actual direction and named section before boarding. Read the complete route guide to bring the compact plan’s tickets, station stops, photography and access questions together, then choose the outward and return services that support the intended visit.^{272829303132333435363738394041}

4. 

   St Ives Bay Line

   On St Ives Bay Line, St Erth to St Ives gives this compact outing its basic shape, with Hayle estuary, Carbis Bay, St Ives harbour as the named landmarks to watch. For a compact pause on St Ives Bay Line, we would consider St Ives when fitting destination time into the outing. Make the short ride a part of the wider town or walking visit, keeping the transfer and homeward connection inside the complete plan.

   For the St Ives Bay Line compact choice, the guide’s short side preference is right to st ives; left returning; compare it with the actual direction and named section before boarding. Read the complete route guide to bring the compact plan’s tickets, station stops, photography and access questions together, then choose the outward and return services that support the intended visit.^{4243444531464736483738394041}

5. 

   Bangor Line

   On Bangor Line, Belfast Lanyon Place to Bangor gives this compact outing its basic shape, with Titanic Quarter, Belfast Lough, Bangor seafront as the named landmarks to watch. For a compact pause on Bangor Line, we would consider Bangor, County Down when fitting destination time into the outing. Make the short ride a part of the wider town or walking visit, keeping the transfer and homeward connection inside the complete plan.

   For the Bangor Line compact choice, the guide’s short side preference is left to bangor; right returning; compare it with the actual direction and named section before boarding. Read the complete route guide to bring the compact plan’s tickets, station stops, photography and access questions together, then choose the outward and return services that support the intended visit.^{51145253254954555056572021222324}

6. 

   Looe Valley Line

   On Looe Valley Line, Liskeard to Looe gives this compact outing its basic shape, with Wooded Looe Valley, East Looe estuary, Looe harbour as the named landmarks to watch. For a compact pause on Looe Valley Line, we would consider Looe when fitting destination time into the outing. Make the short ride a part of the wider town or walking visit, keeping the transfer and homeward connection inside the complete plan.

   For the Looe Valley Line compact choice, the guide’s short side preference is right to looe after coombe reversal; compare it with the actual direction and named section before boarding. Read the complete route guide to bring the compact plan’s tickets, station stops, photography and access questions together, then choose the outward and return services that support the intended visit.^{5859606162636436384065}

7. 

   Tamar Valley Line

   On Tamar Valley Line, Plymouth to Gunnislake gives this compact outing its basic shape, with Tavy crossing, Calstock Viaduct, Tamar Valley as the named landmarks to watch. For a compact pause on Tamar Valley Line, we would consider Plymouth when fitting destination time into the outing. Make the short ride a part of the wider town or walking visit, keeping the transfer and homeward connection inside the complete plan.

   For the Tamar Valley Line compact choice, the guide’s short side preference is watch both sides; compare it with the actual direction and named section before boarding. Read the complete route guide to bring the compact plan’s tickets, station stops, photography and access questions together, then choose the outward and return services that support the intended visit.^{66676863696436384070}

8. 

   Bittern Line

   On Bittern Line, Norwich to Sheringham gives this compact outing its basic shape, with Norfolk Broads, Cromer coast, West Runton as the named landmarks to watch. For a compact pause on Bittern Line, we would consider Sheringham when fitting destination time into the outing. Make the short ride a part of the wider town or walking visit, keeping the transfer and homeward connection inside the complete plan.

   For the Bittern Line compact choice, the guide’s short side preference is right after cromer towards sheringham; compare it with the actual direction and named section before boarding. Read the complete route guide to bring the compact plan’s tickets, station stops, photography and access questions together, then choose the outward and return services that support the intended visit.^{71727374757677787980}

9. 

   Borders Railway

   On Borders Railway, Edinburgh Waverley to Tweedbank gives this compact outing its basic shape, with Midlothian hills, Gala Water, Scottish Borders as the named landmarks to watch. For a compact pause on Borders Railway, we would consider Galashiels when fitting destination time into the outing. Make the short ride a part of the wider town or walking visit, keeping the transfer and homeward connection inside the complete plan.

   For the Borders Railway compact choice, the guide’s short side preference is watch both sides; compare it with the actual direction and named section before boarding. Read the complete route guide to bring the compact plan’s tickets, station stops, photography and access questions together, then choose the outward and return services that support the intended visit.^{81828388485869878810111289}

10. 

    Avocet Line

    On Avocet Line, Exeter St Davids to Exmouth gives this compact outing its basic shape, with Topsham, Exe Estuary, Exmouth seafront as the named landmarks to watch. For a compact pause on Avocet Line, we would consider Exmouth when fitting destination time into the outing. Make the short ride a part of the wider town or walking visit, keeping the transfer and homeward connection inside the complete plan.

    For the Avocet Line compact choice, the guide’s short side preference is right to exmouth; left to exeter; compare it with the actual direction and named section before boarding. Read the complete route guide to bring the compact plan’s tickets, station stops, photography and access questions together, then choose the outward and return services that support the intended visit.^{91921639394959697986499}

11. 

    Dartmoor Line

    On Dartmoor Line, Exeter St Davids to Okehampton gives this compact outing its basic shape, with Crediton countryside, Dartmoor foothills, Okehampton station as the named landmarks to watch. For a compact pause on Dartmoor Line, we would consider Okehampton when fitting destination time into the outing. Make the short ride a part of the wider town or walking visit, keeping the transfer and homeward connection inside the complete plan.

    For the Dartmoor Line compact choice, the guide’s short side preference is left to okehampton; right to exeter; compare it with the actual direction and named section before boarding. Read the complete route guide to bring the compact plan’s tickets, station stops, photography and access questions together, then choose the outward and return services that support the intended visit.^{10010110216310310490105106107}

12. 

    Atlantic Coast Line

    On Atlantic Coast Line, Par to Newquay gives this compact outing its basic shape, with Luxulyan Valley, Goss Moor, Newquay coast as the named landmarks to watch. For a compact pause on Atlantic Coast Line, we would consider Newquay when fitting destination time into the outing. Make the short ride a part of the wider town or walking visit, keeping the transfer and homeward connection inside the complete plan.

    For the Atlantic Coast Line compact choice, the guide’s short side preference is right to newquay; left to par; compare it with the actual direction and named section before boarding. Read the complete route guide to bring the compact plan’s tickets, station stops, photography and access questions together, then choose the outward and return services that support the intended visit.^{108109163110111112113114115116117118}

13. 

    Maritime Line

    On Maritime Line, Truro to Falmouth Docks gives this compact outing its basic shape, with Cornish valleys, Penryn, Falmouth Harbour as the named landmarks to watch. For a compact pause on Maritime Line, we would consider Falmouth when fitting destination time into the outing. Make the short ride a part of the wider town or walking visit, keeping the transfer and homeward connection inside the complete plan.

    For the Maritime Line compact choice, the guide’s short side preference is left to falmouth; right to truro; compare it with the actual direction and named section before boarding. Read the complete route guide to bring the compact plan’s tickets, station stops, photography and access questions together, then choose the outward and return services that support the intended visit.^{119120121163122123124125126}

14. 

    Severn Beach Line

    On Severn Beach Line, Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach gives this compact outing its basic shape, with Clifton, River Avon, Severn Estuary as the named landmarks to watch. For a compact pause on Severn Beach Line, we would consider Bristol when fitting destination time into the outing. Make the short ride a part of the wider town or walking visit, keeping the transfer and homeward connection inside the complete plan.

    For the Severn Beach Line compact choice, the guide’s short side preference is left to severn beach; right returning; compare it with the actual direction and named section before boarding. Read the complete route guide to bring the compact plan’s tickets, station stops, photography and access questions together, then choose the outward and return services that support the intended visit.^{127128129163130131132}

15. 

    Wherry Lines (Norwich–Lowestoft)

    On Wherry Lines (Norwich–Lowestoft), Norwich to Lowestoft gives this compact outing its basic shape, with River Yare, Somerleyton Swing Bridge, Oulton Broad as the named landmarks to watch. For a compact pause on Wherry Lines (Norwich–Lowestoft), we would consider Norwich when fitting destination time into the outing. Make the short ride a part of the wider town or walking visit, keeping the transfer and homeward connection inside the complete plan.

    For the Wherry Lines (Norwich–Lowestoft) compact choice, the guide’s short side preference is watch both sides; compare it with the actual direction and named section before boarding. Read the complete route guide to bring the compact plan’s tickets, station stops, photography and access questions together, then choose the outward and return services that support the intended visit.^{133134135136137138139140141142143}