More and more people are looking closer to home and planning a holiday in Britain this summer. Our research shows that more than two thirds of Brits are going on a UK holiday this summer, and a further 16% are considering taking one.
With so many amazing attractions on our doorstep, you can still enjoy the holiday of a lifetime without booking a flight - and you can do it all by train too. No need to worry about parking or traffic on this holiday!
We’ve put together our top spots for every kind of holiday you can think of, from outdoor wonders and hidden gems to historic sites and city breaks. And, of course, we’ve included how to get there by train.
We’re lucky enough to have some of the best National Parks in the UK easily accessible by train. You could get a secluded cottage in the Peak District with a group of friends, take the whole family to one of the charming towns dotted around the Lake District, or spend a weekend hiking and castle-hopping. Here’s our favourite destinations for an outdoor holiday.
Stretching across 912 square miles, the Lake District National Park is the UK’s biggest National Park. It’s home to 17 lakes as well as peaks including Scafell Pike, plus two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Strap on your hiking boots to enjoy one of its many walking trails, or go out on Lake Windermere for a boat trip and camp under the stars.
How to get there: You can get to Penrith or Oxenholme direct from Manchester in around 1.5 hours. Or, change at Oxenholme for a connecting service to Kendal or Windermere.
The Peak District National Park promises countryside, forests, villages and more. Spanning 554 square miles between Manchester and Sheffield, so there's a lot of options for a holiday here. Some popular towns to visit nearer to Sheffield include Bakewell, Buxton or Castleton. One of our favourite walks closer to Manchester is Dove Stone Reservoir. You’ll get views of the reservoir itself as well as the surrounding hills and moors. The circular walk around the reservoir is close to four miles and takes around two hours.
How to get there: To get to Dove Stone Reservoir you’ll need to hop on a bus at Greenfield Station to Clarence Hotel and the reservoir is around a one-hour walk from here. Bakewell, Buxton or Castleton are accessible by bus from Sheffield.
Northumberland is a fantastic spot for an outdoor holiday, packed with natural beauty and plenty of things to do, including hiking or visiting Hadrian's Wall. The coastline there is stunning too, with long sandy beaches and charming villages like Bamburgh and Alnwick waiting to be discovered. Plus, history lovers will have a blast checking out the ancient castles and historical sites.
How to get there: Bamburgh and Alnwick are a 40-50-minute bus ride from Berwick-Upon-Tweed train station. You can also catch the Tyne Valley Line to the southern part of Northumberland from Newcastle.
If you thought you needed to go abroad to see ruins, castles and historic wonders, think again. The UK is steeped in history, with loads of fascinating sites to explore. From the iconic Hadrian’s Wall, built by the Roman Empire, to ancient castles overlooking cities. All these destinations are close to (or in!) major cities too, so they’re easy to get to by train.
Majestically overlooking Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, Edinburgh Castle is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is an icon of the city. Go inside and take a tour to understand its fascinating history and enjoy the stunning views right across the city.
How to get there: Take the train to Edinburgh Waverley. Direct trains run from most major UK cities. The journey from Manchester Piccadilly takes around three and a half hours.
Hadrian's Wall is a must-visit for anyone interested in history and looking for a unique holiday experience. Walking along the wall, you'll find well-preserved forts, milecastles, and turrets, each with its own story to tell, all while soaking up the beauty of the surrounding countryside. The wall spans from Newcastle to Carlisle, coast to coast, so if you can access it from either city.
How to get there: Catch a train to Newcastle or Carlisle. From here there are connections to the Tyne Valley Railway, a historic and scenic railway line that provides easy access to Hadrian’s Wall.
York Minster is a stunning 7th century cathedral only a 20-minute walk of York train station. You can choose to explore the Minster or pay extra to climb its tower and admire amazing views across the city. York is full of historical attractions – you could also walk the York City Walls, first built by the Romans.
How to get there: Hop on a train to York, then it’s a 20-minute walk to York Minster.
Scarborough Castle is a coastal fortress offering panoramic views over Scarborough and the North Sea. The castle’s turbulent past includes attacks from Vikings, medieval barons, Tudor rebels, and a Parliamentary army. There’s an audio tour available for those who’d like to learn all there is to know about the castle and a Coffee Shed where you can purchase refreshments. The views are always worth the trip!
How to get there: Get a train to Scarborough station, then it’s a 23-minute walk to the castle.
We’re proud to have some of the best beaches in the North and Scotland on our network, so why not pack your beach towel and hop on a train to the seaside. You could soon be soaking up the lively atmosphere and golden sands of Scarborough beach or taking a serene coastal walk at Belhaven Bay in Dunbar. Here are our favourite spots for a beach holiday.
Scarborough Beach is the perfect spot for those who love to be in the heart of the action. With its lively atmosphere and golden sands, you’ll find cafes, ice cream parlours, arcades and traditional donkey rides here. A Victorian promenade links Scarborough’s north and south bays and the waves here often provide quality conditions for surfing. Head out to sea on a tour boat if you’re looking for another fun activity, or simply relax on the sand during sunny days.
How to get there: 5-minute walk from Scarborough station
This extensive beach is found within the John Muir Country Park and stretches from Belhaven to the north of the River Tyne.
It is fringed by low, sheltering sand dunes, rich salt marsh and colourful grasslands. Not only is the sand made for picnics, walking and sunbathing in summer, but there’s also a clifftop walk by Dunbar which passes the harbour and ruined castle.
How to get there: A train to Dunbar + bus (120)
A haven for adventure seekers, Saltburn Beach is known for its excellent surfing conditions and is considered to be the best spot for catching waves in the area. Other activities to enjoy include kayaking, canoeing, jet skiing, windsurfing and swimming. The beach boasts Victorian heritage and is home to the UK’s oldest water balanced funicular lift, formal Italian gardens, and one of the country’s most famous miniature railways.
How to get there: Catch a train to Saltburn station, then it’s a 5-minute walk to the beach
For an adventure that’s less about adrenaline and more about art, hit Crosby beach near Liverpool and check out the sculptures. The beach is home to ‘Another Place’ by Anthony Gormley, and it features 100 cast-iron life-size figures spread along 3km of the shore and stretching out 1km to sea. They’re all casts of the artist’s own body standing on the beach and looking out to sea.
How to get there: Catch a train to Liverpool then catch a connecting train from Liverpool Central to Blundellsands & Crosby. Once you get there, it’s a 10-minute walk to the beach.
If you love to beat the crowds and find a secret corner of the world for your holidays, these are our top picks. Some of these destinations may be a little bit more difficult to reach by train, but that's what makes them hidden!
Holy Island, also known as Lindisfarne, is a tidal island tucked away off the Northeast coast of England. What makes Holy Island so special is that it’s only accessible at low tide via a causeway, so if you stay the night you’re completely secluded from the rest of the world. The landscape is stunning, with beautiful beaches, a charming village, and even ruins and a castle for those who love a touch of history on their holidays. It's an ideal destination for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle and discover a truly magical place.
How to get there: Go by train to Berwick-upon-Tweed, then get a 34-minute bus (477) to the island. The bus operates to the island on most days during the summer months, depending on the tide. Be sure to check the safe crossing times to plan your journey.
You might have heard of Saltburn-on-the-Sea on the North Yorkshire coast, but have you heard of Runswick Bay? This cliffside village is a 43-minute bus or 25-minute taxi from the Saltburn-on-the-Sea train station. The bay is a crescent shape with golden sands and a (very) small collection of bed & breakfasts and hotels overlooking the beach from a cliff. Kayaking and paddleboarding are popular, or you can just relax and enjoy the scenery in peace.
How to get there: From the Saltburn-by-the-Sea train station, it’s a 45-minute public pus (X4).
Not everyone wants to go so far off the beaten track to find their hidden gem, so we thought we’d include one that was a bit more central. Jesmond Dene is a lush, wooded valley in Newcastle, perfect to visit as part of a city break to Newcastle. It’s full of winding paths, greenery and stunning waterfalls, you’ll forget you’re so close to the city! As you explore the park, you'll come across the charming Millfield House, the historic Old Mill, and the quaint Pet's Corner, which is ideal for families.
How to get there: You can walk to Jesmond Dene from Newcastle upon Tyne station in 35 minutes, or get an 11-minute bus.
It’s hard to choose the best destinations for a city break, with so many of the best cities in the North and Scotland on our network. We’ve selected some of the biggest cities in the UK because we know they’re absolutely stuffed full of cultural attractions, affordable places to stay and delicious food.
If you’re keen to see iconic landmarks on your trip, Newcastle is a top choice. Newcastle is home to Gateshead Millennium Bridge, the medieval Newcastle Castle, the historic Tyne Bridge, and more. If you take a short trip outside the city, you can go see the Angel of the North too.
For a bit of arts and culture, there’s theatres, galleries, and museums like the Great North Museum and the Discovery Museum. No visit to Newcastle is complete without sampling its famous nightlife, with bustling bars, clubs, and live music venues dotted throughout the city.
How to get there: The main train station is Newcastle upon Tyne.
Manchester is best known for its rich industrial heritage, cultural scene, and warm Mancunian hospitality. You can explore the city's iconic landmarks such as Manchester Cathedral and the historic Manchester Town Hall in Albert Square, or take a trip to one of Manchester’s galleries or museums. We recommend the Museum of Science and Industry for a family trip to learn about the history of Manchester – plus, it’s free entry.
It's not just the city centre that’s worth seeing either – if you want to get outdoors, why not go for a walk in Chorlton or Sale. Both options are an easy tram journey from the centre and full of green spaces like Chorlton Water Park, an ideal spot for a picnic or woodland walk.
How to get there: Manchester has several city centre train stations: Manchester Oxford Road, Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria.
Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city, so it’s no surprise there’s absolutely loads going on. We love Glasgow for its vibrant arts scene, lively nightlife and gorgeous Victorian and Art Nouveau architecture. Our favourite attraction is the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. It's free entry and has a gallery for everything you could imagine, from art to ancient Egypt.
For shopping and dining, head to Buchanan Street and the trendy West End for plenty of shops, cafés and restaurants to choose from. Whether you're immersing yourself in history and culture or simply enjoying the city's vibrant atmosphere, Glasgow promises a memorable city break.
How to get there: The main train stations are Glasgow Central and Glasgow Queen Street.
Ready for your UK getaway? You can browse and book your tickets online or via our TPExpress app. We’ve got some great prices on our top northern UK holiday destinations, so you can book your holiday without breaking the bank.
Manchester to Oxenholme in the Lake District can be as little as £10.20*, Manchester to York for £14.30* and Manchester to Edinburgh for just £23.40*. Don’t forget you can save by booking in advance, using Railcard discounts or group discounts – find out more about how to get cheap train tickets here.
*Subject to availability
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