Explore Britain’s Hidden Gems with a BritRail Pass
Some of the world’s most iconic and unique railway journeys can be found in Britain, setting off from vibrant cities, travelling past majestic peaks and cruising along the coast. Travelling by train is a great way to get around Britain more sustainably while relaxing and taking in the breathtaking scenery. Find the ideal BritRail Passes for your next trip from the VisitBritain Shop and enjoy journeys across the entire National Rail network. The mobile pass ensures flexible travel offering great value for money for your unforgettable adventure. Check out our thrilling rail itinerary ideas and explore the best of Britain’s nations and regions all year round.
Highlights of Scotland and the Lake District
- Route: London – Edinburgh – Fort William – Isle of Skye – Inverness – Glasgow – Windermere
- Ticket: BritRail GB M-Pass or BritRail Euro GB M-Pass (for European residents)
For vibrant cities, castles, lochs, highlands and coastlines, take the Caledonian Sleeper from London to Edinburgh and wake up in Scotland’s capital in the morning (cost of a berth or seat reservation is not included in the BritRail Pass and must be purchased in advance). From visiting the National Museum of Scotland to a Cheese Crawl, Edinburgh offers something for everyone.
Head north to Fort William, a waterside town which is at the foot of the Nevis Range, home to Britain’s highest peak Ben Nevis. The town is a great base for adventure travel with an abundance of outdoor activities offered, from paddleboarding to playing golf at Fort William Golf Club with stunning views.
The West Highland Line, renowned as one of the most stunning rail stretches in the world, crosses the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct as seen in the Harry Potter Hogwarts Express scenes - a must visit when in the area. From the final stop at Mallaig, the Isle of Skye ferry accesses the island’s magical landscape. Give sea kayaking a try or go on a dramatic hike to the Point of Sleat Lighthouse.
Back on the mainland take a train to Inverness, the gateway to Loch Ness. Make sure to pay Inverness Castle a visit or go on a thrilling Loch Ness speed boat tour.
Head South to Glasgow, a hotbed of art and culture with street art trails spanning across the city. Follow the City Centre Mural Trail or head to the Glasgow Botanic Gardens.
From Glasgow, take the train into the heart of the Lake District to Windermere. Explore the area on water by renting a motor boat or on land by following one of the many hiking routes.
Wales Culture and Castles along the coast
- Route: Cardiff - Aberystwyth - Harlech - Chester
- Ticket: BritRail GB M-Pass or BritRail Euro GB M-Pass (for European residents)
Immerse in castles, culture and the coastline by taking a trip across Wales. Starting in the vibrant city of Cardiff. Learn about Cardiff’s history in the heart of the city centre at Cardiff Castle or check out the new SCALE experience at the Principality Stadium. Climb up to the roof of the stadium with the option to zip wire or abseil at the end.
From Cardiff, take a train to Aberystwyth to enjoy a seaside break. Take a stroll through the lively town centre and along the Victorian promenade or watch the sunset from Constitution Hill.
From there continue your journey through Eryri (Snowdonia), Wales’s largest National Park all the way to the picturesque coastal town Harlech in North Wales. Visit Harlech Castle perched at the top of the hill or find unique souvenirs in one of the many independent shops along Harlech’s high street.
End the trip in the vibrant city of Chester for some great shopping, iconic architecture and roman heritage.
Cornwall Coasts, Eden Project and Maritime City
- Route: London - St Ives - Falmouth - St Austell - Newquay - Plymouth
- Ticket: BritRail South West M-Pass
Take a trip out to the Wild West of England on the Night Riviera sleeper train from London to stunning St Ives to arrive in the early morning (cost of a berth or seat reservation is not included in the BritRail Pass and must be purchased in advance). Explore St Ives’ variety of beaches within walking distance, try a traditional Cornish pasty at St Ives Bakery and find a combination of inspiring art and breath-taking scenery at the Tate St Ives.
Head East to Falmouth, via the quintessential market town of Truro and experience the rolling fields of Cornish countryside. Falmouth is a bustling harbour town with much to see and do. Make sure to visit Pendennis Castle and the award winning Falmouth Art Gallery or give one of the many water sports activities offered a go.
Take the train further north to the old market town St Austell. Make sure to pay the family-run St Austell Brewery a visit for a truly Cornish experience. If you have the time, hop on a bus and visit the nearby Eden Project, a must-see attraction which is home to plants from all over the world.
The next stop is Newquay on the north Atlantic coast which is known as the surfer’s mecca. Take a surf lesson with St Ives Surf School on Fistral beach or explore the rugged Cornish coastline on a Sea Safari.
And finally, Plymouth marks the journey’s end with an iconic lighthouse and plenty of options for award-winning food and drink. Book a session with Social Paddle Board to explore the city’s coastline differently.
City Cultural Tour
- Route: London - Brighton - Bristol - Manchester – Liverpool – Leeds
- Ticket: BritRail England M-Pass
Take in some of the highlights of Britain’s cities travelling by train. Start in London and take the train South to Brighton. The seaside resort offers an abundance of fun experiences such as Brighton i360, The Royal Pavilion or The Upside Down House.
Travel to Bristol and follow the footsteps of Banksy on a street art walking tour. If you are looking for a unique immersive experience, you must visit the amazement park Wake the Tiger which expanded earlier this year.
Your next stop is Manchester, a northern powerhouse packed with cultural hotspots and famous for its football and music scenes. Explore the National Football Museum, join a themed tour with Manchester Taxi Tours or purchase tickets for a concert at the innovative Co-Op Live Arena opening in April 2024.
Liverpool is under an hour by train from Manchester and home to a wide variety of museums and attractions. Head to the British Music Experience to test your knowledge on the Spice Girls for their 30th anniversary, visit the birthplace of the Beatles at The Cavern Club, and take a tour of the Royal Liver Building which was used as a filming location in The Batman.
Finally, pay Leeds a visit and discover what makes it such a hidden gem of a city starting with the North capital’s foodie scene. Eat your way around the city with Leeds Food Tours or follow their Street Art Trail to explore the city.
-ENDS-
Notes to editors:
- VisitBritain wants to encourage visitors to explore more of Britain and the wonderful attractions and experiences on offer, boosting businesses and local economies. Its research shows that the more areas a visitor stayed in while in the UK, the more likely they are to have travelled by train.
- We know how important the journey is to the overall travel experience including on perceptions of our welcome, influencing destination choice and repeat visits. And more than two thirds of international visitors we surveyed also said they were thinking more about sustainability and the environmental impact when planning their trips.
Quotes:
VisitBritain Partnerships Director Louise Bryce said:
“We are thrilled to announce the global launch of our BritRail Pass range on the VisitBritain Shop, offering travellers a fantastic opportunity to explore Britain's landscapes and cultural heritage.
“The BritRail Pass also promotes environmentally friendly travel, aligning with our sustainability goals, and by encouraging international visitors to explore beyond London, it offers the chance to explore lesser-known parts of Britain, with some stunning scenery along the way. The ease and convenience of rail travel to access our outstanding attractions and local businesses, and in a relaxing way, also broadens travel itineraries, encouraging visitors to discover more and stay longer. We're excited to make this iconic travel experience easily accessible to visitors worldwide.”
Chief Executive Officer for Rail Delivery Group (RDG) Jacqueline Starr:
“Britain has an incredible railway that makes it possible to travel the length and breadth of the country by train. Nothing beats seeing world-renowned British landmarks in person and travelling by rail is the most convenient and sustainable way to do it. That’s why we’ve worked with Visit Britain to bring back this very popular BritRail Pass which is a fantastic way for holidaymakers to go green, see the country and support local British businesses.”
VP of Sales for ACP Rail International Tim Roebuck said:
"ACP Rail International has been the leader in global sales of the BritRail Pass for over 20 years. We are pleased that Visit Britain is again able to help spread the news about this great, sustainable travel offer. An offer specifically available only to overseas visitors to Britain. The BritRail Pass offers travel on all of the fast and frequent services between over 2500 stations across England, Wales and Scotland and is simple and easy to use".
Ask us about our special discounted rates for Travel trade! For more information, get in touch with VBShoptrade@visitbritain.org. All BritRail M- Passes are available to book on the VisitBritain Shop website.
Supporting assets can be found here on the VisitBritain image library. Please register to get access. Once registered accompanying images can be found here.
For further information contact the Visit Britain press team at pressandpr@visitbritain.org