We’ll explore a different destination for each Book Club, and a lucky Silver Travel Book Club reader can win a free copy of that month’s book.
After such a fantastic response to our previous Book Club featuring Slow Trains to Istanbul, we decided to explore another slow train journey—this time, right here in the UK!
This month, the Silver Travel Book Club invites you to embark on a scenic railway adventure with Slow Trains Around Britain: An Adventure on the British Railway Network by Tom Chesshyre.
Tom takes readers on a leisurely journey along Britain’s lesser-known railway routes, uncovering hidden gems, stunning landscapes, and the charm of slow travel. From the rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales to the rugged coastlines of Cornwall, this book captures the beauty and nostalgia of exploring by rail, proving that the joy of the journey is just as important as the destination.
Fancy a Slower Adventure?
If you love train travel, scenic routes, and discovering the UK at a more relaxed pace, Slow Trains Around Britain is the perfect read.
If this book has inspired you to explore the world by train, take a look at our trusted partner Railbookers for unforgettable rail holidays. You can also call our friendly team of travel advisors on 0800 412 5678 to find out more.
How to win a copy of Into The Ice
What’s your favourite British train journey? Comment below to let us know, and you could win a copy of this inspiring book!
A winner will be chosen at random in early May 2025.
The competition closes on 30 April 2025.
Read more about all our Silver Travel Book Club reads.
57 Responses
Travel around Scotland is the best. Perfect scenery.
I was lucky enough to travel on a steam train every school day and for free! I caught the train from the beautiful Victorian Great Malvern Station to Worcester. Of course the old fashioned trains had compartments and we used to pack in and finish our homework ( or copy each others) . If we were lucky we would be joined by some lads from the Boy’s Grammar School and quite a few romances started on those train journeys!
I am afraid I did not really appreciate how fortunate I was to travel on a steam train every school day for five years.
he Caledonian Sleeper from london to scotland
I’ve only travelled on the Marshlink line once but enjoyed it so much I hope to use it again soon: it runs from Ashford International (not international anymore!) in Kent across Romney Marsh with its many sheep, through Rye and Winchelsea. The line is supported by the Kent Community Rail Partnership. I left the train at Hastings, although there is an extension to Eastbourne (according to the Southeast Communities Rail Partnership website). Sections of the line are still single track and it has never been fully electrified. The line goes through some deep cuttings and tunnels before descending into Hastings where the track becomes the East Coastway line. The journey from Ashford to Hastings took about 50 minutes but next time I’ll probably go all the way to Eastbourne and back – just to enjoy the countryside and coastal views (it features on Scenic Rail Britain website) – and that will take more like 90 minutes each way.
Has to be the St. Ives Bay Line in Cornwall!
The West Highland Line is incredibly scenic
Pembrokeshire there’s some amazing views
Penrith to Carlisle
Glasgow Queen’s Street to Mallaig
My favourite is the The St. Ives Bay Line in Cornwall.
the West Highland Line in Scotland
I love the West Somerset Railway route, but would adore exploring other ones too.
Really pretty trip from Manchester to Chester
The Settle to Carlisle is a favorite along with Goathland to Whitby
Hastings to Brighton along the south coast
London to Woking. A simple trip that takes me home each day.
Fort William to Glasgow
Lowestoft to Norwich through the Norfolk Broads
Heart of Wales line to Shrewsbury from Swansea
Newcastle to Edinburgh especially when close to the coast
Exmouth to Paignton via Exeter
The Settle to Carlisle train trip
The railways in Devon/Cornwall are fantastic for views.
Having travelled/commuted from the Westcountry to Scotland on the sleeper train many times, it would be good to enjoy the scenery on the West Highland line.
Having travelled/commuted from the Westcountry to Scotland on the sleeper train many times it would be good to take time out to enjoy the scenery on the West Highland line.
My favourite British railway journey is on the Churnet Valley Railway in the Staffordshire Moorlands. It is a heritage railway and I have enjoyed journeys on the steam train and the heritage diesel train – it is great going through the beautiful countryside in the Churnet Valley. I enjoyed it even more when we had a cream tea whilst chugging along!!! Definitely recommended and makes for happy memories!
London to Edinburgh. Such a beautiful trip further north.
I would love to do The Orient Express and the train that goes from Paignton to Kingsmead. Never been on anything than domestic trains.
Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth
York to Edinburgh
North Yorkshire Moors Railway. A fantastic journey that is always enjoyable at any time of the year, traveling through wonderful landscapes and arriving at the coast with views of the see.
Glasgow to Mallaig in Scotland is breathtaking!
My favourite British train journeys is the West Highland Line in Scotland. Running from Glasgow to Mallaig, it takes you through breathtaking scenery—rugged mountains, shimmering lochs, and the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct (made famous by the Harry Potter films). It’s wild, remote, and utterly magical.
My favourite is the Riviera Line journeys through seaside beauty spots like Dawlish and Teignmouth, and onwards to the glorious English Riviera.
Exeter to Paignton
wickham market to Ipswich
Nuneaton to Coventry to get to work a lot less hassle than driving and get a beer on way home
London to Edinburgh
My favourite journey is on The Heart of Wales line which goes from Swansea to Shrewsbury. Mountains and valleys. lovely scenery and fascinating old towns along the way. Plenty of castles and best of all a long-distance footpath which follows the H of W most of the way so one can jump on and jump off as and when.
Some years ago I travelled on the British Pullman from Victoria prior to joining up with the Orient Express – wonderful.
North Wales Coast
Swanage to Corfe Castle in Dorset takes some beating on the heritage trains.
Watercress line in Hampshire.
Settle to Carlisle line – though I haven’t done the Cumbrian Coast line yet and that may replace it!
It’s got to be the coast lines of Cornwall it’s such beauty
The Poppy Line aka The North Norfolk Railway, with the tiny Wells & Walsingham coming a close second.
The Romney Hythe and Dymchurch line
Saving a line that nearly closed – went on the last train from Crediton to Barnstaple and then it was thankfully saved.
Exeter to Newton Abbot – a wonderful coastal railway journey! Gloriously and frighteningly close to the sea.
Ffestiniog Railways and all the trwain rides I have done as a child in Wales- and then repeated with my son when he was little have to be my favourites
For me it was the iconic Glenfinnan viaduct trip! What a view.
Severn Valley Railways offers a wonderful journey by steam. Unfortunately, severe storm damage has cut the route in half but hopefully the damage will be fixed soon.
The Blaenau Ffestiniog because it has a wonderful fusion of natural beauty and industrial history which is truly unique.
The Caledonian overnight sleeper-train is wonderful, so atmospheric, not just for anyone going ‘home’ to the Highlands.
Some years ago I was fortunate to go from London to Bath on the British Pullman. What a treat that was. So many fond memories of that day and is by far my favourite train journey.
My favourite rail journey is the Esk Valley Railway, operated by Northern Rail, which takes you from the heart of Middlesbrough to Whitby, in 90 minutes. The route is only 30 miles, but there are 17 stations as you pass through the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. At Battersby, the driver swaps ends, as the train does a switchback. Names like Kildale, Commondale and Castleton Moor provide an insight into the type of scenery to expect as you follow the course of the River Esk, whilst at Grosmont you might catch a glimpse of the more touristy steam train.
There are so many to choose from, its difficult to know where to begin…, Do I go for somewhere in Scotland – the Far North Line for example which tends to get forgotten compared with the line to Kyle or the West Highland Line. Then of course there is the iconic Leeds, Settle and Carlisle Line – Michael Portillo was Minister of State at the Department of Transport and has often said that saving the Settle-Carlisle line was the best thing he ever achieved in government…..
Alternatively there are the heritage steam railways -North York Moors must rank high on the list or the narrow gauge Ffestiniog Railway… or finally thge tiny railway close to where I live -0 Crowle Peatland Railway which is preserving one of the long lost industrial railways that carried peat from the Isle of Axholme and part of our forgetten heritage…