12 of Europe's most beautiful train journeys are in Britain – with Victorian carriages and stargazing
09/18/2024 10:57 AM
TRAIN journeys offer a unique perspective on a destination as they travel through constantly changing landscapes and offer spectacular views along the way.
If you’re thinking of hitching a ride on a scenic railway excursion soon, the most beautiful train journeys in Europe have just been revealed -with the majority of them being based in Britain.
Of a list put together by Rustic Pathways, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express took the top spot.
The private luxury train service from London to Venice and other European cities, owned by Belmond, is famed for its opulent style.
Expect luxurious accommodation, fine dining, white-glove service, and an Art Deco champagne bar.
The train passes through the Swiss Alps, Italian Dolomites, and Brenner Pass, with views of the Matterhorn mountain in Zermatt on a clear day.
These are the British train journeys that also made the most beautiful list.
Vale of Rheidol Railway
The Vale of Rheidol Railway journey runs between Aberystwyth and Pontarfynach (Devil’s Bridge) in Mid Wales, and offers stunning views of open fields, woodlands, and mountain scenery.
You might also see red kites and buzzards soaring above the valley.
The train uses historic carriages built between 1923 and 1938, and the narrow-gauge railway follows the terrain’s contours, with steep gradients and sharp curves.
Kyle Line
The Kyle Line in Scotland offers a scenic train journey from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, and takes in the Highlands’ mountains, forests, lochs, and moors.
The train passes the shores of Loch Carron, where you can stop off at the village of Plockton. Also Attadale, where you can explore the colourful Attadale Gardens.
The downhill slope between Loch Luichart to Garve is a great spot for deer watching.
During the final stretch of the journey, passengers can enjoy incredible views of the Isle of Skye.
Settle-Carlisle Railway
The Settle-Carlisle Railway offers a scenic journey through the Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines,
It’s a 63 mile trip, usually taking around 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Highlights include views of Ribblehead Viaduct and Eden Valley and Dent Station – the highest mainline station in England.
In the past, the railway has hosted dark skies events, for family-friendly stargazing at Ribblehead Viaduct.
Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways
The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways journey, which starts at Porthmadog Harbour, stretches for 40 miles through the glorious Snowdonia National Park, with views of mountains, rivers, castles, coastlines, and ancient oak woodlands.
It uses a unique route, including horseshoe bends, a complete spiral, and tunnels through the mountain.
The railway also offers Gold experiences with plush armchair bays, an observation saloon, and optional cream teas and picnic baskets.
At the end of the line is Blaenau Ffestiniog, a slate-quarrying town.
Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway
The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway in Cumbria is one of the world’s oldest and longest surviving narrow gauge railways.
It’s known for its scenic views of the Cumbrian coast, rolling hills, and distant mountains.
Locals have nicknamed it the ‘La’al Ratty’, which means ‘little railway’ in the local Cumbrian dialect.
Brecon Mountain Railway
One of the best ways to see the views in the Brecon Beacons National Park is on the Brecon Mountain Railway.
The line runs from Pant, 3 miles North of Merthyr Tydfil, to Torpantau following part of the route of the original Brecon & Merthyr Railway which closed in 1964.
Some of the best views look over Bannau Brycheiniog, including the Taf Fechan and Pontsticill Reservoirs.
Lynton and Barnstaple Railway
The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway in North Devon is special for many reasons.
It’s the only steam railway in the UK where passengers ride in Victorian carriages designed in the 1890s.
They were designed to provide the best views of the scenery, with the train passing through Parracombe and West Lyn valley.
For the best views of West Lyn, look to the right hand side.
Llangollen Railway
Llangollen Railway, a volunteer-run heritage railway in Denbighshire, North Wales, operates between Llangollen and Corwen.
It runs through the Dee Valley, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), and offers views of the river and the surrounding countryside.
The scenery changes with the seasons, from spring lambs to colourful foliage.
Bala Lake Railway
Bala Lake Railway in North Wales celebrates the heritage of the small railways that used to transport slate from the quarries to the docks.
The trains are all over 100 years old and were once used in the slate quarries.
After leaving Llanuwchllyn, the line descends the 1 in 70 Dolfawr Bank, offering views of the lake, water meadows, and hillsides.
Keep an eye out for herons and buzzards that nest near the line.
Jacobite Steam Train
The Jacobite Steam Train runs a 41-mile round trip between Fort William and Mallaig in the Scottish Highlands.
The train and route were famously used in the Harry Potter films, giving the train its nickname, the Hogwarts Express.
Included in the route are Glenfinnan Viaduct, a stop at Arisaig, Britain’s westernmost mainland railway station, and Britain’s highest mountain, shortest river, and deepest freshwater loch.
South Devon Railway
The South Devon Railway runs between Buckfastleigh and Totnes Riverside in Devon and along the River Dart, passing through some of Devon’s most beautiful countryside.
The 14-mile round trip route also includes a stop at Staverton – a lively village that has the best surviving medieval bridge in Devon.
Look out the right hand side of the train for the best views along the river.
West Somerset Railway
The West Somerset Railway is 22.75 miles long, making it the longest independent standard gauge heritage railway in the UK.
It runs from Bishops Lydeard, near Taunton, to Minehead, a seaside town.
Passengers can enjoy views of the Quantock Hills and Exmoor countryside, as well as the Bristol Channel.
Sun Travel's favourite train journeys in the world
Sun Travel's journalists have taken their fare share of train journeys on their travels and here they share their most memorable rail experiences.
Davos to Geneva, Switzerland
“After a ski holiday in Davos, I took the scenic train back to Geneva Airport. The snow-covered mountains and tiny alpine villages that we passed were so beautiful that it felt like a moving picture was playing beyond the glass.” – Caroline McGuire
Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen
“Nothing quite beats the Shinkansen bullet train, one of the fastest in the world. It hardly feels like you’re whizzing along at speed until you look outside and see the trees a green blur. Make sure to book seat D or E too – as you’ll have the best view of Mount Fuji along the way.” Kara Godfrey
London to Paris by Eurostar
“Those who have never travelled on the Eurostar may wonder what's so special about a seemingly ordinary train that takes you across the channel. You won't have to waste a moment and can tick off all the top attractions from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées which are both less than five kilometres from the Gare du Nord.” – Sophie Swietochowski
Glasgow to Fort William by Scotrail
“From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey from Glasgow to Fort William gazing out the window. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond.” – Hope Brotherton
Beijing to Ulaanbatar
“The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city’s high-rises give way to crumbling ancient villages and eventually the vast vacant plains of Mongolia, via the Gobi desert. The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of the desert is among the best I’ve witnessed anywhere.” – Ryan Gray
The most beautiful train journeys in Europe (full list):
1. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
2. Vale of Rheidol Railway
3. Kyle Line
4. The Flam Railway
5. Bernina Express
6. Settle-Carlisle Railway
7. Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways
8. Gotthard Panorama Express
9. Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway
10. Brecon Mountain Railway
11. Lynton and Barnstaple Railway
12. Llangollen Railway
13. Bala Lake Railway
14. Jacobite Steam Train
15. The Bergen Railway
16. South Devon Railway
17. Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway
18. West Somerset Railway
19. Glacier Express
20. Le Train Jaune
