TrainPal Blog

When it comes to traveling to the UK, you may first think about the Parliament House, Big Ben, London Eye, Tower Bridge, a series of museums including the British Museum, or Edinburgh's castle, Loch Ness "Water Monster" and the mysterious Stonehenge beside Bath City. If you choose to travel to the UK, under normal circumstances, you will walk through these famous attractions, and then punch in and take pictures at each attraction. But in fact, is traveling in the UK really "just like that"? The answer is of course no, because Britain's most magnificent mountains and lakes, the most scenic beaches, and the best preserved mountain villages and towns, as well as various cultural heritage, are hidden in a total of 15 national parks. Let's take a look.（*Pictures from the Internet）What is a national park? The purpose of setting up national parks is to protect the rural areas with unique scenery and provide opportunities for tourists to visit these areas every year. Although the name is "National Park", the National Park in the UK is not exactly "National". In fact, land ownership in these national parks is scattered among private owners in these areas, and the country owns only a small portion. But the country will lead these landowners to protect the scenery together. There are currently 15 national parks in the UK, namely: 10 in England: The Broads, Dartmoor, Exmoor, the Lake District, the New Forest, Northumberland, the North York Moors, the Peak District, the South Downs and the Yorkshire Dales. 3 in Wales: the Brecon Beacons, Pembrokeshire Coast, and Snowdonia. 2 in Scotland: Cairngorms and Loch Lomond&the Trossachs.（*Pictures from the Internet）Most people in the UK have only visited a few national parks in the UK. Southerners vow to go to Northumberland one day, while Northerners are keen to learn about South Downs. In fact, considering that South Downs National Park is the closest park to London, few Londoners walk or bike through it, which is really surprising. By showing you those national parks that are easily reached by train, you can plan a trip well in advance, save a lot of money by getting there quickly, and then enjoy all the beauty. You will never be stuck in a traffic jam again, unlike 93% of people who drive to national parks. National Parks in Whales How to get to the Brecon Beacons National Park by train  This national park has many highlights, such as Black Mountain, Pen y Fan steep walls (886 meters) and limestone valleys, with less than 70 kilometers wide. As one of the three national parks in Wales, you must stay here overnight because it is also recognized as an international dark sky reserve. The main train station is Abergavenny, famous for local cuisine and the September food festival. Another option is to go to the old nomadic town of Llandovery on the western border of the park, which is ideal for hiking in Black Mountain and a favorite for mountain bike enthusiasts. How to get to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park by train  For those who want to enjoy a bit of a wild and windy coastline, there is nothing like getting off the train at Fishegard station to be part of the national park's coastline which is part of the larger Wales Coast Path. This is actually one of the smallest national parks in the UK, but it is home to a vast area of 12 blue flag beaches, offshore islands, large swathes of the Preseli Hills and the Gwaun Valley. Other stations to take you to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park by train are Tenby, Haverfordwest, Pembroke Dock and Milford Haven. How to get to Snowdonia National Park by train Snowdonia itself isn't a secret, with the highest peak in Wales being placed on every child's map of Britain at an early age. There are many secrets lying within this national park, however, such as the other great peak of Cader Idris, Mawddach estuarine trail or the stunning beach at Harlech. And Coed y Brenin is pretty much mountain biking mecca. Snowdonia train stations include Betws y Coed or Bangor for linking up with Snowdon Mountain Railway (see their site for booking). For coastal park head to Porthmadog, taking a stunning route from Shrewsbury through the Cambrian Mountains. Porthmadog is also home to the famous Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway, which you can book on their site. There are no secrets in Snowdonia National Park itself. Every child can see the highest peak of Wales on the map of England at a very young age. However, there are many mysterious and fun landscapes inside this national park, such as the other great peak of Cader Idris, Mawddach estuarine trail or the stunning beach at Harlech. For coastal park you can plan to go to Porthmadog, taking a stunning route from Shrewsbury through the Cambrian Mountains. Book the train ticket at trainpal.com now. National Parks in Scotland How to get to the Cairngorms National Park by train The two most popular train stations for the famous mountains of Scotland are Aviemore and Kingussie. The former is already a well-known ski center, but with mountain biking, canoeing, climbing, white water rafting, and canyoning also being offered, Cairngorm National Park is becoming one of the most exciting adventure destinations in the UK. It is also the largest national park in the UK. Of course, there are lakes here, but the mountains and mountain climate are the natural rulers here. Five of the six highest mountains in Scotland are located in this park, and 52 peaks are more than 900 meters, so bring your winter hiking equipment for the beauty. How to get to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park by train As one of Scotland’s two national parks, its name is deceptive because it actually has 22 large lochs, many small lochs and more than 50 rivers flowing through the park. There are canoe, sailing, fishing and swimming facilities. Take the train to Balloch which is on Loch Lomond to enjoy some wild water fun. Other lovely sites include Arrochar and Tarbet, which are part of the Three Lochs Way, where you can see the Arrochar Alps. Or take the train to Ardlui on the shore of Loch Lomond, walk along Crianlarich along the West Highland Way. Even the names makes you want to seek out the trains.（*Pictures from the Internet）If you are also interested in these national parks and would like to arrange for yourself a train journey in the UK, follow this article and there will be no problem. You can also check out the other 10 travel plans to travel to the National Parks in England by train in another article.

 After knowing the national parks of Wales and Scotland, if you are also interested in other national parks and want to arrange a train trip in the UK, keep reading. Or go directly to trainpal to order train tickets.(*Pictures from the Internet)How to get to The Broads National Park by trainMore well known as the Norfolk Broads, this national park has many rare features. The first is that its main gateway city of Norwich is located right on its edges. Second, it was actually man made by peat diggers over the centuries. Third, it has unique wildlife in its vast wetlands, from bitterns to butterflies, and also traditional local wherry boats to traverse them. Take a mainline train to Norwich and then a local one to Hoveton and Wroxham. Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft are also popular with those who want to explore by boat or combine broads with beach. How to get to The Dartmoor National Park by trainIf you plan to take the train to Dartmoor, Exeter and Plymouth are the two stations you should go to. Both stations are located on the main line of southwest England, connecting Bristol and London. From towering granite and rugged marshes to tree-lined trails and bustling market towns, Dartmoor National Park in southern Devon is a contrasting place, with a variety of activities for every visitor. Walking, climbing, biking, photography, mansion, cream tea-no matter what your hobby, you can be satisfied here. How to get to The Exmoor National Park by trainThe best-connected station for Exmoor National Park is Taunton, to the east of the park on the mainline through the South West of England with regular connections to Bristol, London, Birmingham, and the North. From Cornwall and Devon, head for Tiverton Parkway or change at Exeter for the Tarka Line that runs up to Barnstaple. Exmoor National Park extends for 267 square miles along the north coast of Somerset and down into Devon, famous for its incredible landscapes ripe for explorers, including vast swathes of open moorland – home to the iconic Exmoor ponies - tranquil ancient wooded valleys and the highest cliffs in England. Exmoor is a great place to pull on your walking boots and head off for a hike or a short stroll – whatever your pace is, there's always a path for you. How to get to the Lake District National Park by trainThe largest national park in the UK is more than 2362 square kilometers. Its lakes, tarns and mountains are a beautiful combination of poetry, art and music. There are a few trains to the Lake District, and the historic Kendall Wool Town is an amazing starting point, although you can also reach its center at Windermere Station too. This historic station is only a skimming stone's throw away from the famous lake's shore. Penrith is the entrance to the Northern Lakes, and Oxenholme is another route on a branch line to the Kendall area. How to get to the New Forest National Park by trainOne of the few national parks with a station at its heart, making it an even more beautiful space. The majority of it is in Hampshire, with a few wonderful Wiltshire bits too. Take a train to Brockenhurst to enter a world of woodland, wild ponies, wisteria-clad houses, woodlarks and warblers. More than a hundred mainline trains take you there every day, to head from track to trails. Because New Forest National Park has hiking and cycling trails a-plenty. Another good New Forest train station is Ashurst New Forest which is on the edges of the park. How to get to Northumberland National Park by trainThe historical Kingdom of Northumbria is one of the crown jewels of the British National Park. The most notable sights include the Hadrian’s Wall, the wild places within the Cheviot Hills or Redesdale and North Tyne Valleys. Newcastle is a gateway city where you can connect to local trains to Wylam, Prudhoe, Stocksfield, Riding Mill, Corbridge, Hexham, Haydon Bridge, Bardon Mill and Haltwhistle to go to the wild places. Even crazier at night, because this national park is part of Europe's largest dark sky reserve. Head to the coast stations in Alnmouth and Berwick-upon-Tweed to explore some of the wildest and most wonderful coasts in the UK. How to get to the North York Moors National Park by trainIn the works of the Brontë sisters, the vast open fields are famously captured, although Lewis Carroll and Bram Stoker also liked the coastal areas of the park. The scenery and sea views of this national park are as diverse as its literati. Take the train to York, Middlesbrough or Whitby. In fact, the train between Middlesbrough and Whitby passes through the park in many places, especially between Great Ayton and Butterby. Commondale and Glaisdale are good places for hiking, such as the 8km long Glaisdale Egton bridge trail. How to get to the Peak District National Park by trainIt is easy to take the train to the Peak District National Park, because there are many train lines extending or very close from the surrounding major cities to the Peak District. The nearest train station to the Peak District is Glossop, considered to be the gateway town. The Peak District is the first of 15 national parks in the UK and was established in 1951. More than 10 million people visit the Peak District every year, and many of them come to enjoy the various outdoor activities offered here. Mountain biking, hiking and climbing are the most popular sports, but there are also opportunities to try everything from horse riding to paragliding. Or you can simply take a look at the culture and history of the villages, towns and historical sites of the Peak District National Park. How to get to the South Downs National Park by trainFor people living in the southeast of England, this is an invaluable rural refuge. It is one of the best national parks near London, in fact it is also the closest national park to London. The regular train from Waterloo to Victoria takes 60-90 minutes to reach the stations of Winchester and Lewis, which are the entrances to the national park. The name of the park comes from the grassy-topped wave of hills, but there are also ancient woodlands, rivers and white cliffs on the Sussex coast. Winchester and Lewes are the main gateways, with more regional starting points at Amberley in the Arun Valley, Southease in the Ouse Valley or Liss in Hampshire. How to get to the Yorkshire Dales National Park by trainYorkshire Dales National Park is located in the north of England. It is located between four other national parks-Northumberland National Park (North), North York Moore National Park (East), Peak District National Park (South) and Lake District National Park (West). It is an excellent central point to explore the most spectacular scenery in the UK. Cities close to the national park include York, Harrogate, Bradford and Leeds in the south, Lancaster, Preston and Carlisle in the west, and Darlington and Middlesbrough in the northeast. All these cities are closely linked to domestic and international tourism, including buses, railways and aviation. The rugged limestone, striking valleys, waterfall trails and ancient forests are just a few of the natural highlights of this national park. In fact, this is one of the most famous scenic train trips in the UK. One of the favorite places for hikers is Houghton in Ribblesdale, from which you can reach the Three Peaks. (*Pictures from the Internet)If you are interested in these National Parks and want to arrange a train trip in the UK, please come to trainpal.com to book train tickets right away. Buying the cheapest train tickets in advance can save you a lot of money. 

There are many types of transportation for travel, and the most common way to travel in the UK is probably by train. Many people like to travel by train, because the train ticket in Britain is cheap and the railway is convenient. In the UK, there are also many wonderful railway adventures, from the scenic seaside train to crossing the desolate Scottish highlands. The relatively small area of this country means that you can enjoy many things in a short time.So here are five itineraries to get around Britain by trains. Whether you are looking for history and culture, coast and country scenery, or the coolest city in the UK, there is a perfect British rail travel for you.(*Pictures from the Internet）Five Itineraries for Exploring Britain by TrainHistoric England Travel Route by Train London > Salisbury > Bath Spa > Oxford > Stratford-upon-Avon > York This train journey takes you through the country, featuring some of England's historic castles, cathedrals and universities. The train departs from London and it takes your first day to explore the city-there are museums and historical buildings everywhere, so choose a few places to visit, such as the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Windsor Castle, etc. Then take the early train to Salisbury (1.5 hours) to visit its 13th-century cathedral-visit the tower and see the existing copy of the Magna Carta. Next, you can take the train to Bath Spa (1 hour). Don't miss the city's famous Roman Baths-enjoy a modern version of the spa at Thermae Bath Spa. Bath also has some beautiful Georgian buildings. Then take a train to Oxford (1 hour 15 minutes), one of the most famous university cities in the UK. You can take a train to Shakespeare's hometown Stratford-upon-Avon after seeing a variety of handicrafts (1.5 hours) at Oxford's eccentric Pitt Rivers Museum. You can visit his birthplace, the house where his wife and daughter live, and you can also go to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre to watch a play. Then end your journey in York (3 hours and 45 minutes). Wander around the Roman city walls, visit the cathedral, explore the cobblestone alleys, and then go home. Scenic Scotland Travel Route by TrainEdinburgh > Glasgow > Fort William > Mallaig > Kyle of Lochalsh > Inverness This Scottish railway itinerary takes you all the way to the highlands, passing through rugged coastlines, lakes, moors and castle ruins. Starting from Edinburgh, spend one day exploring the highlights of the city, such as the Castle and the Royal Mile. Then take the train to Glasgow (1 hour 15 minutes), where the focus is on art, design and culture-from street art trails to the striking modern riverside transportation museum. Next, you can head north into the highlands and head to Fort William (3 hours 45 minutes), which is a riverside town and an adventure sports center near the Nevis Mountains. Take the train across the Glenfinnan Viaduct to Mallaig (1 and a half hours). Or between April and October, you can take the Jacobite steam train, famous for Harry Potter movies. Then get off the train and take the ferry to Skye. Before crossing the bridge to Kyle of Lochalsh, take a bus tour of the island. Take the train from Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness (2 hours and 40 minutes). The Kyle train line passes lakes, mountains and deer herds along the way. Explore the castles and cathedrals of Inverness or take a monster discovery tour on Loch Ness. Finally, you can go back to Edinburgh by train (3.5 hours). The Cornish Coast Travel Route by TrainLondon > St Ives > Falmouth > Newquay > Looe > Plymouth > Exeter This is a British train journey that takes you to southwest of England, along Cornwall's most beautiful coastal and country railways. You will start your journey from London, where you can take the train to Cornwall. Arrive in St Erth early the next morning, transfer to St Ives Bay Line, and pass through the golden beaches of Carbis Bay to St Ives. This art-filled coastal town has some beautiful beaches and promenades. Next leave St Ives, you will take the train to Falmouth (1.5 hours), change to the coastline at Truro, crossing the countryside to the coast there. Before taking the train back to Truro and along the Atlantic coastline to Newquay (3 hours), you must go to see Falmouth Castle and Maritime Museum. Then visit the seven-mile beach. Then continue your journey to the beautiful fishing port of Luye (2.5 hours).       Be sure to taste Looe's fresh seafood before going to Plymouth (1 hour). Walk along the city's waterfront, visit the aquarium, and climb the lighthouse at Smeaton Tower. Finally, catch the train from Plymouth to Paington (1 hour). Then continue taking the train along the Riviera line for 45 minutes to Exeter. City Hotspots Travel Route by TrainLondon > Brighton > Bristol > Manchester > Liverpool > Leeds > Glasgow This train route will take you to the coolest cities in the UK, with many coffee shops, antique shops, street art and bars along the way. Departing from London, head to the most fashionable community in East London-Shoreditch. Taste food from all over the world in the Box Park containers. Then take the train from South London to Brighton (1 hour 15 minutes). Shop on the narrow streets, play arcades on the pier, and then walk along the beach to the neighboring Hove. Next, take the train across the UK to Bristol (3.5 hours). The city is the center of an independent food, arts and crafts enterprise-taste delicious food at St. Nicholas Market and Wapping Wharf. Next head north to Manchester (4 hours). In bars and clubs in the northern region, it is a good choice to go to a concert or buy vinyl records. Or you can visit the museum and media center in Salford Quays. It takes only 45 minutes by train from Manchester to Liverpool. Look at the design symbolism at RIBA North and Tate Liverpool. Then head northeast to Leeds (1.5 hours). Visit the city for shops and stunning settings. Finally, take the train to Glasgow (4 hours) to end your journey in the cultural city of Scotland. Learn about its museums and galleries, and try out some of the best restaurants in Finniston. Wales and the Borders Travel Route by Train Cardiff > Shrewsbury > Aberystwyth > Harlech > Llandudno > Chester > Cardiff This last British train journey takes you through Wales, from the capital to the coast and mountains. Strating from Cardiff, spend an afternoon exploring its old city in Cardiff Bay and the castle. Then take the train north to Shrewsbury (2 hours), a traditional market town across the border of England, which is the home of Charles Darwin. Visit its castle and buy local gifts. Then return to Wales and the seaside town of Aberystwyth (2 hours). It has a sandy beach, Victoria Promenade and the oldest pier in Wales. The next stop is the scenic Cambrian coastline, going north through the Snowdonia National Park to Halekh (3 hours). When you cross the estuary along Barmouth, remember to enjoy the amazing scenery outside your window. Explore the hilltop castle of Harlech, or travel to the Italian-style village of Portmeirion (the nearest station is in Minffordd, a 15-minute drive from Harlech). (*Pictures from the Internet）Next, go to Porthmadog (25 minutes), you can transfer to the historical steam train of the Ffestiniog railway and go to Blaenau Ffestionig (1 hour 15 minutes) in retro style. Then return to the 21st century and head to Llandudno (1 hour and 15 minutes), another Victorian seaside resort in Wales. From there, cross the border to Chester (1 hour). Explore the Roman ruins of the city, stroll through the city walls, and shop. Then return to Cardiff (3 hours) to end the journey.If you are interested, book your ticket now at trainpal.com. Trainpal offers the cheapest train routes throughout the UK.