Britain · TRAIN EXPERIENCES
Good train journeys fill up weeks ahead and the best go first. Below: the 13 to book early, what each includes, and how they differ once you are standing there.
Review of the South Downs and Seven Sisters day trip from London, with train tickets, coastal walks, Devil’s Dyke, and practical booking advice.
“10/10 trip, guides, experience. We got extremely lucky and had a clear sky day and the best views. Our tour guide, Paul was the best and made sure we got as much time as possible with the views we had today.”
Review of the Jacobite Steam Train and Highlands Tour from Inverness, with Loch Ness, Mallaig, pricing, stops, practical tips, and drawbacks.
“Trip was amazing! Our guide was very knowledgeable and we learned so much from her! She was able to get us in to see the train come back around the viaduct and that was spectacular! I would recommend this tour to anyone who wants to learn more about the highlands and get to ride on the same route they rode in Harry Potter, I would highly recommend it! I would also suggest sitting on the left hand side of the trail so so you can the best pic/video of the train going over the viaduct from the inside!”
Review of Gray Line Scotland’s 13-hour Highlands tour from Edinburgh, including Harry Potter locations, Glencoe, Mallaig, and the Jacobite train.
“Brandon was great. We felt a little carsick on the bus, but loved the scenery, commentary from Brandon, and activity. The train was fantastic too! We would love to do more tours and see more of the Highlands!”
Explore the North York Moors, Whitby Abbey, Heartbeat sites, and a Harry Potter steam railway on this lively York day trip.
“Mark was so informative and friendly. He stopped at great picture spots. He made getting in the steam train so convenient. Highly recommend this day trip with Mark.”
Review of Mountain Goat Tours’ Manchester Lake District day trip, with Windermere cruise, Hawkshead, Tarn Hows, and seasonal train ride.
“It was an absolutely unforgettable day - my first introduction to the Lake District, and I couldn’t have asked for a better guide than Jean for it! She is not only an inexhaustible source of knowledge about the culture and history of the region, but also a great driver, amazing storyteller and overall lovely person. I loved the day and will be back to explore more. The tour is warmly recommended to everyone who has a day in the area - it will give you a great first impression and provide you with plenty of ideas and inspiration for longer stays.”
Review of Mountain Goat’s Lake District tour from Liverpool, with Windermere cruise, steam train, Tarn Hows, Hawkshead, and seasonal cream tea.
“Our guide Colin was absolutely fantastic, giving us information regarding the different aspects of areas of outstanding beauty. He also pointed out different historical aspects . We were given ample amount of time to enjoy our tour at the various stop off points. The boat trip on lake Windermere was so enjoyable and we loved it and the steam train of the Lake & Haverthwaite railway was wonderful and it’s brilliant that it’s been brought into use . Would 💯 recommend this tour”
Review of the Harry Potter Studio Tour from London, with train tickets, shuttle details, timings, costs, flexibility, and practical advice.
“Pretty straight forward. We bought the entry ticket with transportation. We stayed in soho so from there we went to the eustion station and took the trolley to Watford junction. From there as soon as you leave watford station you’ll see the line for the Harry Potter shuttle. Came within 10 mins and took us to the studio. When coming back you’ll take the same shuttle that dropped you off back to that same pick up station next to watford junction. You’ll then take the trolly back to eustion. Definitely recommend if you love Harry Potter and not sure how to get there on your own.Read more”
A practical review of Haggis Adventures’ 3-day Skye tour, with the Jacobite Steam Train, Loch Ness, Glen Coe, hostels, and value tips.
“This trip will always remain a special memory for me. We visited many stunning places, but what truly made the experience fantastic was our guide and driver, Tiegan. Their energy and passion really added to the journey. We covered a total of 18 locations, some in detail and others as quick photo stops. Isle of Skye is beautiful. Tiegan shared numerous facts and stories throughout, and their storytelling kept everyone engaged for all three days. The trip is definitely worth the price, though it’s worth noting we opted for the hostel, which factored into our evaluation of the cost. It was an incredible experience with a great group, and Tiegan…”
Review of the 3-day Isle of Skye tour from Inverness, with the Jacobite Steam Train, fairy pools, castles, whisky, B&B stays, and practical tips.
“Our tour was exceptional, thanks to our outstanding guide, Harrison. His knowledge, wit, and passion for Scotland transformed every stop into a memorable experience. Harrison went above and beyond, surprising us with hidden gems and extra activities not on the itinerary. His warm personality made the tour feel like traveling with a knowledgeable friend. His positive attitude and ability to keep everyone engaged were remarkable. This tour was the highlight of our Scottish vacation, offering a perfect blend of nature, history, culture and fun. Highly recommended!Read more”
Ride the Jacobite Steam Train from Glasgow through Glen Coe, Glenfinnan, Mallaig, Inveraray, and Scotland’s dramatic Highlands.
“We enjoyed everything especially our driver heather. Very informative. Love the music she played in the minivan. Enjoyed the trip and the train, I would highly recommend it. i would highly recommend heather. Only two suggestions for improvement: 1. i think there should have been small bottles of chilled water on the mini bus. 2. The last stop was beautiful, but nothing was open. Maybe you can work with the board or council of that town and have at least one store open that can sell souvenirs, drinks, maybe some small salads or prepared sandwiches. I don't know if that particular castle is open to the public.But I certainly would…”
Ride a vintage Routemaster from London to two Sussex vineyards for eight English wine tastings, a local lunch, and South Downs views.
“we had a very enjoyable day- unfortunately due to some transport difficulties we had a nerve wracking journey at the start - but once we arrived all was well. The two visits were very informative and the wine was delicious and varied. the pace of the trip was good, allowing time to enjoy both visits- we just thought that the lunch was limited and the food, especially the cheese, ran out quickly.”
Review of the 13.5-hour North York Moors tour from London, featuring a steam train to Whitby, Goathland, Helmsley, and moorland scenery.
“Our trip was wonderful. Ben A was great, funny and knowledgeable about every places we passed. Exceeded expectations.”
Review of a small-group Windsor Castle tour by train from London, with castle entry, Eton, royal history, and practical planning tips.
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