British trains can be unreliable. They can be crowded and sweaty and expensive, but what you can’t say is that you never get gorgeous views out of the window. Several train routes in the UK traverse such stunning landscapes they’re worth trying out solely for the views, and one has just been named amongst ‘the most beautiful and iconic rail routes’ in the world by the BBC.
Scotland’s spoiled for impressive railways. Experiences like soaring over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, known for its starring role in the Harry Potter films, often top rankings of the most scenic routes in Britain, such as the Express’ list back in August, and Time Out’s too. This time the magic must’ve worn off, because it was a different line entirely which made the cut.
The Far North Line, named uncreatively based on its location in mainland Britain, chugged its way into the BBC’s unranked list of the top nine most impressive railways in the world. You can tell just how far north this route is because Inverness is its southernmost point.
Carrying passengers across the 168 mile stretch from Inverness to Thurso, this journey is also sometimes referred to as the UK’s most remote train line. It traverses the Flow Country, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Europe’s largest bog which the Times named one of the best places to visit on Earth, and passes several gorgeous old castles. Some of these fortresses even offer discounted entry with a valid train ticket.
If you ride to the end of the line, your trip will take a total of four hours. It’s definitely worth getting out at some point and taking in the highland scenery, which the BBC describes as ‘rugged and remote’ properly. Plus, since Scotrail has abandoned peak fares on all journeys it’s a pretty affordable getaway.
Although the Far North Line was the only UK entry on the list, our next-door neighbour the Isle of Man also featured with its historic electric mountain railway. This small-but-mighty mountainclimber is the only one of its kind across all of Britain and its dependencies, and, according to the BBC, was ‘integral in bringing tourism to the island in 1893 when it first opened’.
The carriage takes passengers right to the highest point on the island for some unparalleled views across the island and the Irish sea.
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