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Discover the UK on a family-friendly rail adventure this summer, exploring
cities, coastlines and plenty of bewitching scenery in betweenROME TO PALERMO
Cross the Straits of Messina on
this journey from the capital
to Sicily. There are daytime
options, as well as a sleeper
service, too. raileurope.comCHOCOLATE TRAIN
This delicious Swiss day trip
begins and ends in Montreux,
calling at Gruyères for its
eponymous cheese and Broc
for the Cailler chocolate
factory. Runs from May to
September. mob.chPARIS TO BARCELONA
Scenic highlights on this
near-seven-hour trip include
the Rhône Valley, the South of
France and the fringes of the
Pyrenees. raileurope.comLondon to Shanklin
After exploring the cultural highlights of the
capital, travel from Waterloo to Portsmouth
Harbour, and catch a ferry or hovercraft across
to Ryde Pier Head. From here, the Island Line
rumbles down to the resort of Shanklin, with
its beaches, coastal walks and crazy golf.
Linger in Portsmouth, too, if you have time:
the HMS Victory and the Historic Dockyard
are just minutes from the station. Book all
three parts of the journey at the same time,
through National Rail, Trainline and other
websites. nationalrail.co.uk thetrainline.com
Watercress Line
This Hampshire heritage line runs between
the historic market towns of Alton and
Alresford, the latter a transport hub for the
region’s thriving watercress industry. The
line holds regular themed days, most notably
Thomas the Tank Engine events — this year
from 6 -1 4 August — where you’re transported
by a full-sized working Thomas, while the Fat
Controller and friends look on. Book tickets
ahead of time; they entitle you to hop on and
off all day. watercressline.co.uk
West Highland Line
Whether you ride the whole line from
Glasgow to Mallaig or pick things up midway
at Fort William, there’s plenty to see and
do, from steam trains, fish and chips and
the unforgettable views. Immortalised in
the Harry Potter films, the arches of the
Glenfinnan Viaduct are a highlight even for
Muggles. The full journey from Glasgow is on a
scheduled ScotRail service while the Jacobite
Steam Train travels from Fort William to
Mallaig up to twice daily from April to October.
scotrail.co.uk westcoastrailways.co.ukNight Riviera
After rolling out of Paddington at night, this
sleeper service arrives on the Cornish coast
in Penzance in the morning, with sea views
appearing as if by magic when you wake up.
The train leaves London at 11 .45pm, but you
can board an hour earlier, and you’ll have
lounge access at Paddington before that.
Regardless of when you’re travelling, buy a
Family & Friends Railcard to get 30 % off the
(usually quite hefty) ticket price. gwr.com
BEN LERWILLTHREE EUROPEAN
RAIL ADVENTURES
Train driver waits at Alresford
station on the Watercress LineLeft: The Jacobite Steam Train
crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct