Admire some of the UK's most beautiful countryside and coastal views from the comfort of your own carriage. Despite the railway's less-than-desirable reputation here in the UK, there are actually some pretty stunning journeys that trump sitting on the motorway for hours, and offer some uniquely stunning vistas on the way. Take the non-stop route from Aberdeen to Penzance, which has become somewhat of a bucket-list journey for being the UK's longest train journey. Featuring a whopping 35 stops over a staggering 13 hours and 20 minutes, this epic journey attracts tourists from all over - but may be way too intense for some.
If you're wanting some equally fantastic views, but can't commit to spending more than half a day sitting in a rattling carriage, the London to Penzance route may be a much better alternative for you. It's almost a third of the time and half the price, but glide through some of England's most picturesque villages. "Starting in Paddington Station, the train ride from London to Penzance is about 250 miles and takes around five hours to complete," explains Avanti West Coast. "This beautiful train journey travels through Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall. That means you can sit back, relax, and just take in the breathtaking English countryside.".
Passengers will leave the soaring skyscraper of the Big Smoke behind and start to melt into natural bliss - zipping through the tourist-mad market town of Totnes, which lies in the South Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, as well as the ancient stannary of Liskeard and the crystal-clear waters of Par. St Erth, which is often touted as one of the UK's most beautiful railway stations, is also on the slew of stops.
Want the latest travel news and cheap holiday deals sent straight to your inbox? Sign up for our Travel Newsletter. Many of these stops actually feature on the latter part of the Aberdeen to Penzance journey. "Thanks to this, you'll still get some of the same views as Britain's longest railway journey - all at a fraction of the cost and time," Avanti West Coast added. Tickets can vary depending on your flexibility, but you can grab a single adult fare for as little as £58.50 (or £108.30 if you want to upgrade to first class). Adding a railcard can reduce this to a much more affordable £38.95 and £78.20, respectively.
