From the sprawling British countryside to our unbeatable beaches, our bustling cities and its towering skyscrapers, to everything in between; the UK boasts so many incredible rail routes that show off our inescapable beauty in a profoundly romantic way. But there’s one in particular that combines all of the above, showcasing the best of British along the country’s longest rail journeydeparting from the heart of Scotland and making its way down to the Cornish coast – however, you’re going to need a whopping 13 hours and twenty minutes free to endure this route in its entirety.
This epic train journey departs from Aberdeen once a week, and winds its way down to Cornwall to conclude in Penzance later that evening, making several stops along the way at key points of interest. From the ancient city of Edinburgh to a lovely hotspot in the Cotswolds, it’s a great way to see a long stretch of the country in a singular day.
The longest train ride in the UK:
Operated by CrossCountry, this 774-mile route is an odyssey for anyone who wants to partake in a staycation via rail, seeing the entirety of Britain in all its glory without the hassle of airports or traffic. The journey departs Aberdeen once a week at 8:20, and it takes 13 hours and twenty minutes to get to Penzance (without delays).
Start your trip with an evening in Aberdeen, a city steeped in maritime history that’s famed for its striking gray-stone architecture. As the trail departs its primary station, passengers are treated to stunning coastal views along Scotland’s east coast, stopping at Scottish hotspots like Dundee and Edinburgh along the way.
The route then takes you through must-visit cities like York, boasting a medieval charm that’s hard to beat, as well as more buzzy spots like Leeds, Birmingham, and Bristol, with a total of 36 stops if you include Aberdeen.
From Edinburgh onwards, there is better access to more frequent direct trains to Penzance should you wish to make this journey more of a holiday. That being said, nothing is stopping you from doing the entire journey in one day and witnessing some of the best that the UK has to offer from the train window.
Other stops along this incredible rail route include Haymarket, Newcastle, Cheltenham Spa, Exeter St Davids, and more.
All the stops from Aberdeen to Cornwall:
Aberdeen, Stonehaven, Montrose, Arbroath, Dundee, Haymarket, Edinburgh Waverley, Dunbar. Berwick-upon-Tweed, Alnmouth, Newcastle, Durham, Darlington, York, Leeds, Wakefield Westgate, Sheffield, Chesterfield, Derby, Burton-on-Trent, Birmingham New Street, Cheltenham Spa, Bristol Parkway, Bristol Temple Meads, Taunton, Tiverton Parkway, Exeter St Davids, Newton Abbot, Totnes, Plymouth, Liskeard, Bodmin Parkway, St Austell, Truro, Redruth, St Erth, Penzance.
A ticket for this train route costs around £130 depending on when you book. For more information and to book your tickets, click here to visit the official CrossCountry website.
