‘I travelled 4,000 miles across UK by rail – the country's most beautiful train journey takes 10 minutes and costs £3'
Tom did it using the National Rail service and went from the tip of Scotland all the way down to
Advertisement
6
Tom Chesshyre travelled over 4,000 miles across the UK on an epic train adventure
Credit: Tom Chesshyre
6
He found one of the most beautiful journeys is on the south coast of England
Credit: Alamy
He told Sun Travel that there are some incredible rail journeys to take around Britain - and a few that are further afield too.
To celebrate 200 years of modern railway, Tom headed around Britain using the train network.
And while Tom went across the thousands of miles, one of his favourite journeys was in the south of England - and only lasted 10 minutes.
Tom told us: "The rail is five miles long so it's only 10 minutes. It goes between St Erth and St Ives in Cornwall and make sure you're sitting on the right hand side for the best views.
Advertisement
Read More on Train Journeys
"It goes high up in the cliffs so you look down on the sandy coves below. It gives spectacular views of the coast, it was previously called the Cornish Riviera Express."
For anyone wanting to hop onboard on their next trip to the seaside, you can do this journey from just £3.10.
Tom spoke very highly of the scenery on the south coast, but he confessed that
Tom did a look around the north of Scotland and got to cross a famous bridge that movie fans will recognise.
Advertisement
Most read in News Travel
Tom said: "Get yourself to
"From
"Then get on a ferry from the the Isle of Skye to Mallaig which is back on the mainland and that is where you can get on the famous line that goes over the Harry Potter bridge, which is actually called the Glenfinnian Viaduct."
New £18m Scots train station near Glasgow set to open next year
6
You can cross the Harry Potter bridge on on a steam or National Rail train
Credit: Alamy
Advertisement
6
Tom has travelled more than 40,000 around the world for his train books
Credit: Tom Chesshyre
For anyone thinking these train journeys are expensive, they're surprisingly affordable.
You don't have to take the steam train, just get on a public service line instead. A ticket from Mallaig to Fort William, which crosses the viaduct, typically starts around £9.20.
If you want to do the epic steam journey, that's on the
Advertisement
One way to get up to Scotland is on the Caledonian Sleeper train which goes from London Euston to Aberdeen and covers nearly 400 miles.
Tom told us: "It was one of the most enjoyable journeys I've had, mostly because of the people.
"I made sure I got a seat in the dining car and it was there I met a guy who went to school with the drummer from Blur.
"I set an alarm for 5.30AM to see the sunrise over the
Advertisement
Tom's adventure around the UK has coincided with the
It's not just rail around the UK that Tom explored, he's even been to the other side of the world on trains.
6
Tom has travelled around the world on trains - including the Toy Train in India
Credit: Alamy
Tom added: "For a long train journey I don't think you can beat going from Perth to Sydney in Australia.
Advertisement
"It's the world's longest stretch of straight track across the Nullarbor Plain which is 300 miles long and it doesn't deviate at all. There are ghost towns behind the tracks and kangaroos.
"Another incredible journey which sadly you can't take now was on the Trans-Siberian Railway and I went from Moscow to Beijing, which was nine days on a train - it was quite claustrophobic for some.
"I was nosing around chatting to everyone and getting to know the people who run the dining carriage and finding out who the chef was having an affair with."
The final journey that Tom revealed was all the way over in India.
Advertisement
Tom explained: "In Kalka there's a little narrow-gauge train that's nicknamed the Toy Train because it's so tiny. It can't go more than 20 miles an hour and it winds through
"It's in the foothills of the Himalayas - it's beautiful. When you stop at the stations, you can lean out the windows and people will offer you chipatis and curry pots for rupees."
You can read more about Tom's journey across Britain in
Slow Trains Around Britain: Notes from a 4,088-Mile Adventure on 143 Rides is out now.
Advertisement
6
One of the most beautiful journeys lasts just 10 minutes
Credit: Alamy
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Shortest flights in UK including route that's quicker than making a Pot Noodle
With the kids breaking up for the school summer holidays today, many families will be gearing up to jet off to exotic locations abroad. And while many of us are used to sitting on planes for hours on end to get to our favourite destinations, you can actually take flights from the UK that last just minutes. Advertisement 3 The shortest passenger flight in the entire world is the Loganair flight between Westray and Papa Wrestay Credit: Alamy 3 The flight holds a Guinness World Record 3 Journeys on the tiny plane cost from £8 Credit: Alamy Westray to Papa Westray The Passengers can travel between the two tiny islands in just one and a half minutes, with the record for the fastest flight just 53 seconds. The Tickets will set you back just £8, and the flight is much quicker than the alternative option, a 25 minute ferry. Advertisement Read more travel stories Other Orkney Inter-Island Flights Although the Westray to Papa Westray flight is by far the UK's shortest, there are also a number of other short flights connecting the Orkney Islands. These Loganair flights connect the islands to Kirkwall, Orkney's main hub. For example, Kirkwall to Westray takes between 10 and 15 minutes, and Kirkwall to Sanday takes around 15-20 minutes. London to Channel Islands Anyone looking for a holiday close to home this summer can fly from the capital to the Channel Islands, such as Jersey and Guernsey in around 30-40 minutes. Advertisement Most read in News Travel , the largest of the . Its beaches are well known for their beauty, with a range of landscapes on offer, from wide, open spaces to secluded coves and lunar-like expanses, making it the perfect destination for anyone who isn't a fan of long haul flights. Travel chaos as TWO flights have mid-air emergencies within A MINUTE at major UK airport UK mainland to Isle of Man Another popular tourist destination within the UK is the You can access the island by ferry (as influencer Advertisement Regular flights take off from airports such as Manchester and Liverpool, and take between 30-50 minutes. Flights from mainland Scotland to Scottish Islands Loganair also runs short flights connecting people in other remote Scottish Islands to the mainland. For example, a flight from either Glasgow or Edinburgh to the Outer Hebrides takes around 50 minutes, and a flight from one of the main Scottish cities to Shetland takes approximately one hour. None of these islands are far from the mainland, but due to challenging ferry conditions, are often the preferred option for travellers . Advertisement If you're looking for an adventure a bit more long haul, Qantas has unveiled plans to launch the The non-stop flights are expected to take over 19 hours, and are set to launch in 2026. How to get a free upgrade to first class on a plane Travelers often wonder how to secure an upgrade to first class without paying the premium price. According to a flight attendant, there are several strategies passengers can employ to increase their chances. Firstly, loyalty to an airline is crucial; frequent flyers and those with elite status are more likely to receive upgrades. Additionally, booking directly with the airline rather than through third-party sites can improve your odds, as can being flexible with your travel dates and times. Dressing smartly and arriving early can also make a difference. While airlines generally prioritize upgrades based on status and fare class, a well-dressed passenger who checks in early may catch the staff's attention. It's also beneficial to be polite and friendly to the airline staff, as they have the discretion to upgrade passengers at their own judgment. Lastly, if you're celebrating a special occasion, such as a honeymoon or birthday, it doesn't hurt to mention it. While not guaranteed, some flight attendants might consider this when deciding on upgrades. Overall, while there's no surefire way to get a free upgrade, combining these strategies can certainly improve your chances.
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Beaches at holiday hotspot visited by 7.9 million Brits per year at risk of disappearing
BEACHES in the popular Spanish city of Barcelona are at risk of disappearing. The swathes of sand are actually man-made, created some 30 years ago when 5 The beaches at Barcelona are eroding quickly Credit: Alamy 5 The man-made beaches are affected by storms, climate change and climbing sea levels Credit: Alamy Around 7.9 million British tourists visited Barcelona in 2024 to explore the But severe winter storms and rising sea levels have seen heavy coastal erosion and there are now fears these In February 2025, the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (AMB) warned that the beaches north of Barcelona have lost about 30,100 square meters of sand in the last five years, according to One of the worst cases is Montgat, a 30minute drive up the coast from Barcelona, which has lost 70 per cent of its beach surface in four years. Read More on Beaches After major storms last year, parts of Montgat were left almost without a beach completely. Lines of rocks were then installed to serve as a breakwater, but there are fears this still won't be enough to protect the beach. One local, Ana García, told One reason for the faster Most read in News Travel Before their creation, the shoreline along Barcelona was gravelly, rocky and not very accessible. For the Olympics in 1992, city authorities used thousands of tonnes of sand to expand its beach front because it thought sandy beaches would appeal to tourists - and they would be proven right. The little-known Spanish beach town that's easy to get to 5 The beaches look completely different now as they used to be gravel rather than sand Credit: Alamy 5 The region of Catalonia is prone to damaging storms Credit: Alamy The beaches are thought to bring in around £52million each year in tourist income. Over the last 20 years, the rate of erosion along the east coast of Spain has done nothing but speed up. In an effort to maintain the coastline, the beaches have been topped up with fresh sand every spring imported from other areas. But due to the rate of erosion, enhancing beaches by replacing the sand in this way is not having a long-term impact. It is completely possible that without major intervention, the beaches in Barcelona and beyond could disappear. Solutions proposed include creating sand dunes to protect the precious beaches. But it's not just Spain that is facing a beach erosion crisis, it's happening right here in the UK. The Holderness Coast, where the Barmston Beach sits, is the Last year, the Between Barmston and Fraisthorpe, erosion reached up to five meters in some parts of the coast last year. Barmston Beach has been directly affected and has lost its Here are the And one of 5 The beaches at Barcelona are at risk of disappearing Credit: Alamy
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
The unspoilt sunshine spot with 100km of coastline, quiet beaches, historic sites, €3 pints & Aer Lingus flight from €48
IF you're looking to enjoy one of the most beautiful places in Europe without the tourists, look no further than Cilento. This region is located in the province of Salerno, in southern Campania, Italy. 5 The Cilentan coast in southern Italy spans 100km Credit: Alamy 5 A narrow street with old houses of a medieval town Credit: Getty Images - Getty 5 There are numerous small fishing villages Credit: Alamy It is a stunning place to head on The beach is the perfect place to relax, with a warm You can also see the extensive mountain range of the Southern Dolomites, which in places reaches over 1,700 metres. The region is full of small fishing villages and unspoiled nature, making it the perfect place to see some beautiful sights. READ MORE IN TRAVEL If you're looking for a relaxing holiday, there are a number of areas with Palinuro is one of the most striking, with many beaches featuring crystal-clear waters and karstic caves. You can enjoy some nature along the Sentiero della Primula (Primrose Path), which takes you along 14 km of views including the sea, forests, rivers and archaeological sites. Or head to Marina di Camerota, which is located at the foot of the hills with ancient towers and olive groves dating back centuries. Most read in Travel Rocky headlands peer over the sea, looking out over stunning beaches. Punta Licosa remains relatively uncrowded but is a rocky beach with a crystal-clear seabed located in the shadow of Mount Licosa. SOCIAL MEDIA PIC SPOT This gorgeous island is full of pine forests and is perfect for brightening up your Instagram. Another site worth a visit is the Capelli di Venere waterfall, which is located within the Capello Oasis of Casaletto Spartano. It is also the perfect place for history buffs, with a range of sites including sanctuaries, monasteries and ancient manor houses. Dotted along the region, you'll find settlements dating back 250,000 years. The area of Cilento itself is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, classed as a cultural landscape of extraordinary value. Or visit the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park, which features on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The National Park is a UNESCO Mab Biosphere Reserve area is included in the UNESCO Geoparks network as a result of its several karstic caves. CHEAP PINTS This is full of archaeological sites, including Paestum and Velia, as well as Certosa di Padula. The Charterhouse on the Vallo di Diano is the largest monastery complex in southern Italy and here you can enjoy a range of art treasures. And you can enjoy these sites relatively quietly, with few It's the perfect place for And even better, a To get there, fly to Naples with It is then a one to two hour drive to the region from there, and you can get a car or bus. 5 Santa Maria di Castellabate village on the coast of Italy Credit: Getty Images - Getty 5 One of the secluded beaches in Palinuro Credit: Getty Images - Getty
