With the Rail Sale offering discounts of up to 50% on tickets, now's the perfect time to explore lesser-known villages by train. This article highlights five picturesque destinations accessible by rail, each offering unique experiences from scenic walks and historical landmarks to vibrant community events and charming pubs.
Rail journeys can uncover the many quirks of this country. Mellifluous place names, carriage-window peeping views on to unknown streets, a better sense of where counties split and nations diverge – an unharried train trip is a pleasure in itself. With a few days left of the Rail Sale, which includes most operators, now is an opportune time in which to book a day trip (or even an overnight stay) to a village a little off the tourist trail. Each of the places below is on a rail line.
Ticket prices vary depending on where you begin, of course, but the sale includes discounts of up to 50 per cent on more than two million advanced tickets. It ends on 20 January and applies to travel until 31 January.Boating on the Norfolk Broads is easy from Acle (located between Great Yarmouth and Norwich, on the River Bure). It's well placed for trips on the Norfolk Broads and visits to the nearby coast. It’s a favourite among boaters who moor at Acle Bridge, a 20-minute walk from the village. In Acle, you can join the Weavers’ Way walk, a 61-mile route from Cromer to Yarmouth that features woodland, riverside portions and country house estates. Market stalls congregate in Acle every Thursday morning, and there’s a farmer’s market on the second Saturday of the month. For those seeking a scenic hike, Morar, situated between the coves and bays of Morar Bay – stretching from Morar to Arisaig – makes for glorious few hours. You’ll need sturdy footwear, as it crosses uneven and boggy land en route. The community of Cottingham, nestled below the Yorkshire Wolds, has medieval beginnings. Its Anglican church dates back 800 years. There are two Victorian high streets and a cemetery where the poet Philip Larkin is buried. Cottingham holds a market every Thursday and nearby attractions include Skidby Mill, a grade II listed windmill and museum, and the Humber Bridge.Lelant, between Penzance and St Ives, on the St Ives Bay Line, is a quieter spot to get off the train (it’s a request stop). You could make it the start of a walk to the latter seaside town. The village crowds around a sandy portion along the River Hayle, which leads to the estuary of the same name. Pub breaks might include The Badger Inn, which has simple rooms (doubles from around £65) and – around a 15-minute walk from the station – The Old Forge, which has a pizza happy hour every evening from 5-6pm.If you're looking for a charming Cotswolds village away from the region’s best-known centres, consider Bourton-on-the-Water. Thatched-and-stone-walled cottages characterise this east Cotswolds village. There’s a strong sense of community, centred around the pub and the village hall. Standout events include a music festival in August and an ale festival in September. For nature lovers, Ashford New Forest railway station is the perfect starting point to explore the heaths and woodland of the National Park. A low-key, 1.5-hour hike starts from Ashford New Forest railway station and veers into open lawns where you might spot wild ponies grazing.
RAIL SALE TRAVEL VILLAGES UK NATURE HISTORY COMMUNITY PUBS
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