Looking for some simple day trips from Yorkshire’s unofficial Capital? Not a problem. Leeds is in a great location, and it’s served by a lot of different rail lines. So, it couldn’t be easier to leave the car at home and go on an adventure. Here are five easy day trips from Leeds by train.
What sort of day trips from Leeds by train are there?
No matter what you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered. Our day trips from Leeds could take you on a walk down a peaceful canal, on a journey down memory lane or enjoying some great food and drink. Let’s take a look at what we’ve discovered.
Knaresborough
You’ve probably heard of its neighbour, Harrogate, but have you considered day trips from Leeds to Knaresborough? It’s a little more tranquil and peaceful, but you won’t be short of things to see and do.
Why not start with a stroll down to the River Nidd? It’s a great place to admire the railway viaduct that you’ll have just passed over, if you’ve come from Leeds:
You could also pop into Knaresborough Castle & Museum. It’s just a short walk (and a climb) along the river. It’s a Norman Castle, and the climb is worth it for the views down the river valley.
If you head down the river and under the railway viaduct, you’ll find Mother Shipton’s Cave. It’s England’s oldest tourist attraction, and it was the home of Mother Shipton, a Tudor prophetess. Legend has it that she foretold the fates of various rulers both during and after her lifetime. She even predicted the Great Fire of London.
Fancy a trip? Two trains per hour run from Leeds to Knaresborough, and they take roughly 45 minutes to complete the drip. Day Return tickets start at £10.60.
Marsden and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal
It’s time to head right to the edge of West Yorkshire. If you want to embrace the great outdoors, then this is one of the perfect day trips from Leeds for you. Marsden is situated on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. At its summit, this is actually the highest canal in Great Britain:
It’s also the point where both trains (and boats) need to cross the Pennines to reach Manchester. So, you can get up close and personal with the railway, and learn more about the Standedge Tunnels, where the trains rush in and out of, and the boats, hopefully don’t rush in and out of:
If you head in the other direction, it’s a pleasant hour-so-walk back towards Slaithwaite along the canal. Alternatively, you could head inland towards the Butterley Reservoir.
Looking to get exploring? You can reach Marsden in as little as 35 minutes with a change at Huddersfield, once every hour. Day Return fares start at £8.80.
Saltaire
Our next stop is Saltaire. The area was built by Sir Titus Salt in 1851, so that his workers in Salts Mill could live in better conditions than the slums of neighbouring Bradford. The name ‘Saltaire’ is simply his surname, and the name of the passing river – the River Aire!
Nowadays, the main attraction continues to be Salts Mill. In the modern day, it serves as an art gallery and a place to learn about the history of Saltaire and the impact that it had as a prominent textile-making hub. You’ll find a shop selling local goods, too:
If you’re after something a little more tranquil, just pop a little further down the road. You’ll soon find yourself at the Leeds & Liverpool Canal:
From here, it’s possible to walk all the way to Skipton or Leeds. Or, you might just prefer to take in your surroundings and have a walk over towards Robert’s Park…
Is Saltaire worth its salt? You can find out with just a 15-minute train ride from Leeds. A Day Return starts at £6.30.
The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway
How do you like the sound of day trips from Leeds by train…that take you to another train? This one looks just a little bit different, though:
The Keighley & Worth Valley Railwaylinks Keighley, Oakworth, Haworth and Oxenhope with a variety of heritage trains. You could have a steam train, a diesel one (like we did) or a more familiar-looking Pacer train.
Along the way, you can learn about the history of the railway, and get up close and personal with the trains that run along the route. Don’t forget to stop off at Ingrow West to visit the Museum of Rail Travel, or pop into the Exhibition Shed at Oxenhope:
Meanwhile, Oakworth Station is famous for starring in The Railway Children, which was released in 1970. The entire railway is a true time capsule, and operates just as it did back before it closed in 1962. By 1968, an army of volunteers had it operating again! Keep an eye out for Damems Station, too. It’s got the shortest railway platform in the UK:
Trains link Leeds to Keighley at least twice every hour. The journey typically takes 25 minutes, and Day Return fares start at £8.20. You can find out more about the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, including their operating days and times, on their website. You can also reach our next destination by taking the hourly B3bus from the line’s terminus at Oxenhope…
Hebden Bridge
Hebden Bridge has it all. Beautiful scenery, some great places to walk and a plethora of independent shops and cafes to fill your boots in. It was even rated as the Greatest Town in Europe! With friendly touches like this, it’s easy to see why:
If you do choose to have a wander along the canal, much like other places on this list, you can go rather far! This is the Rochdale Canal, after all. You could walk it all the way through the Pennines and into Manchester City Centre, if you were so inclined.
A little closer to Hebden Bridge, you could also go exploring around Hardcastle Crags. It’s around a 35-minute walk from the station to the beginning of the area. It has 15 miles of paths to explore though, so it might take you a little longer than 35 minutes to cover it all!
You can’t have day trips from Leeds without some decent grub and a good drink to wash it down. Hebden Bridge is home to Vocation Brewery, which serves its own craft beer, loaded fries and burgers:
You can take the train from Leeds to Hebden Bridge four times every hour. The trains take 40 to 50 minutes, and a Day Return starts at £8.80.
Is there anything else I should know?
Ready for some more inspiration? We’ve written lots more content all about day trips by train. Whether you’re travelling from Newcastle, London, Edinburgh, Glasgowor around Kent, we’re sure to have something for you. Don’t forget that there are plenty of advantageswhen it comes to leaving the car at home.
The final thing we’d recommend is using the Railsmartrwebsite to book your next adventure. We’re completely independent, so we’re happy to ‘tell you like it is’ when it comes to rail fares. Not only that, but we’ll show you the slower, cheaper options that some websites won’t.
Don’t forget that we don’t charge any fees, either. That includes if you change your mind and want to travel on a different day. If your ticket is refundable, we’ll refund it fee-free, too!
All information on this page is issued in good faith and was correct at 31/08/2023. All fares quoted for were for ONE adult and were the Off-Peak Day Return fare. Information is subject to change at any time and Railsmartr are not responsible for any loss or disappointment incurred as a result of the information provided.
If you’re taking a long train journey, then you’re bound to feel peckish. Plus, not every station has a plethora of shops to choose from. So, what’s your next option? Well, here are our five best train companies for Standard Class food on the move.
What are the best train companies for Standard Class food and drink?
We’re going to base this on how consistently you can get food and drink, and how convenient it is to order. We know that Transport for Wales have their Premier dining service, and Great Western Railway have their Pullman, but these are on a very limited number of trains. They’re great, but you can’t jump on board and get them every single time! So, who can you rely on?
LNER
It doesn’t get much more convenient than LNER when it comes to Standard Class food. All you need to do is scan the QR codes on the back of every seat:
From there, you can access the Let’s Eat at Your Seatmenu. You can order hot and cold sandwiches, snacks and drinks. If you do fancy a stroll, then you can also visit the café bar on the train. From our experience, this will be available on every train for most of the journey.
Avanti West Coast
Avanti West Coast has a similarly extensive Standard Class food menuto LNER. However, you can’t have it delivered to your seat. Previously, this option was trialled, but it was often not available. You can click and collect instead now, but we don’t know how reliable this is. The good news is that you can just pop to the shop:
This would probably win the award for best buffet on a train, as you can actually see what’s on offer. The only negative is how far down the train you need to trek to reach it. The good news? It’s advertised on all services.
Grand Central
Grand Central will also allow you to choose from their menu, and then click and collect from the buffet. The menu isn’t huge (and you won’t know the sandwich fillings in advance) but you’ll find it on every train. Of course, you can just pop to the buffet as well.
Lumo
The LumoEatsservice is worth mentioning, as it’s a pretty interesting concept. It’s available on every train, but with a few caveats.
Basically, you can pre-order your food from a number of different station outlets, and they’ll bring it to your seat. The price isn’t very different to going to the shop yourself, and it can be a big time saver. The only issue is that you need to be getting on the train in either Edinburgh or London. You’ll need to do it in advance, as well. That said, you can do it up to two hours before you travel.
Once you’re on the train, a trolley will also come through regularly with smaller snacks and drinks.
TransPennine Express
Finally, we have TransPennine Express. They don’t offer food and drink on every train all of the time, but they cover the bulk of the time period that you’d expect to be able to order it.
It’s advertised between 07:00 and 18:30 on weekdays, and 09:00 and 18:30 on weekends. You’ll find it between York/Leeds and Manchester on the Hull, Saltburn and Scarborough services, and Sheffield and Manchester on the Cleethorpes services. It’s available on the entire Newcastle to Edinburgh and Newcastle to Liverpool routes.
On trains between Edinburgh/Glasgow and Manchester Airport, you can get it on the entire route, all day long. As for the menu, it’s pretty much what you’d expect. You can choose from sandwiches, snacks and drinks. Just keep an eye out for the trolley!
Is there anything else I should know?
Feeling peckish? Looking to book a ticket and have a trip with some great Standard Class food? No problem. You can do it all with Railsmartr. We don’t charge any extra fees either, even if you just change your mind about your trip.
All information quoted is correct as of August 2023, is subject to change, and is issued without liability. Railsmartr is not responsible for any disappointment or loss incurred as a result of the information provided.
You can’t beat a good weekend away. It’s a chance to see a city at its most lively, and the perfect opportunity to explore somewhere new. So, why not leave the car at home? Here’s our round-up of some great cities for a weekend away by train.
Where can I go for a weekend away by train?
Looking for a great night out, a chance to sample some local delicacies or to just to see the sights? There’s something for everyone, here. We’ve visited all of these places ourselves, too. Just click the link at the bottom of entry to find out more.
Newcastle
Newcastle might have an atmosphere as a party city, but it’s so much more. By day, you can work your way around its free museums and art galleries, such as the Discovery Museumand the Baltic. Have a stroll around the Quayside and admire the many bridges, too:
Looking for a drink? Newcastle is filled with hip craft beer spots, cute cocktail bars and plenty of classic pubs for a pint. Best of all, Geordies have a reputation for just being pure friendly. Want to see what we got up to? Click here.
York
York is a perfect weekend away by train for history buffs and train geeks alike. You could walk the walls, visit the National Railway Museumand admire the facade of York Minsterwithout spending a penny.
Don’t forget to explore the many independent shops on the Shambles, either:
Or, perhaps you just want to go out of your way to find the brilliantly-named Whip-ma-Whop-ma-Gate. We paid a visit to see the sights, too.
Sheffield
So, what’s going on in the City of Seven Hills? Quite a lot, in fact, and definitely enough for a great weekend away by train! It’s filled with free museums, such as Kelham Island Museumand the Millenium Gallery. You can learn more about the rich history of Sheffield, as well as the people that make it great.
Why not shop till you drop in the Vintage stores of Division Street? Don’t forget the fried chicken at Lucky Fox, either. Or, you could take it easy and have a stroll around the Botanical Gardens:
One of us lived and studied in Sheffield for four years, so we’ve got plenty of tips! Find out more here.
Glasgow
There’s something in Glasgow for everyone. Fancy admiring a wall covered in cars? You can do that at the Riverside Museum, for free:
Peckish? Don’t pass on the fluffy soufflé pancakes at KoKo House. Find out more about what we saw and did here.
Liverpool
Liverpool is a perfect weekend away by train for music-lovers. It’s the home of so many class acts, after all. You can learn more about them in the Museum of Liverpool. No prizes for guessing which is the most famous act:
As well as soaking up some art in Tate Liverpool, you could pop out of the city and enjoy a bracing coastal walk in New Brighton or West Kirby.
Of course, you could spend an entire weekend trying to spot all of the Superlambananas. Take a look at what we chose to do…
Is there anything else I should know?
Feeling inspired? Looking to book a ticket and have a weekend away by train? No problem. You can do it all with Railsmartr. We don’t charge any extra fees either, even if you just change your mind about your trip.
Whenever you take the train, you might hear announcements about making sure that your train ticket is valid. Cue some fretting and double-checking what your ticket says. So, what do you need to look for? Here’s our guide to checking if you’re good to go before you jump on board.
How do I know if my train ticket is valid?
Usually, it’s easy! You might have a ticket for a specific train, or you might have an Anytimeticket. However, if you’re stuck in disruption, or travelling with an Off-Peak ticket, it might not be so clear. Here are our top tips for travelling with ease.
Advance tickets
Your Advancetrain ticket is valid only on the date and service shown on it. If you jump on a different train without permission, then your ticket is as good as not having one at all!
All of this important information will be shown on the ticket itself. They’ll be shown as ‘Mandatory Reservations‘. Here’s an example:
Certain types of paper ticket will have the ticket and the reservation on separate coupons. You’ll need both the ticket and the reservation in order to travel, if you have an Advance ticket.
Getting across London
If you’re making a journey that involves going across London, then only certain types of ticket are valid. For example, the London Underground does not accept eTickets. Your ticket will need to be a paper one that you can insert into the gate. As well as this, it’ll need to have a Maltese Cross symbol. Here’s an example:
Off-Peak train timesare a bit of a minefield. So, how do you know if your ticket is valid? Well, every ticket has a unique restriction code. This code will tell you when you can use your ticket. On an eTicket, you’ll find it near the bottom:
You can find this out by visiting nre.co.uk/(your restriction code). For example, nre.co.uk/1l takes you to the dedicated page for restriction code 1L.
Here at Railsmartr, we’ll show you the cheapest ticket that is valid on the train you choose. So, you’ll not need to worry about this!
Day Returns versus plain ‘Returns’
Day Returns are pretty self-explanatory. But how do you know if your Off-Peak Return train ticket is valid, or an Anytime Return? It’s pretty simple:
The outward part of an Off-Peak Return is valid until 04:30 the next morning. The return part is valid for a month
The outward part of an Anytime Return is valid for five days. The return part is valid for a month.
When you’re using the return part of these tickets, you don’t need to do the entire journey at once. You can break it as many times as you like, for as long as the ticket is valid. If a staff member marks a date on the ticket, that doesn’t change this fact!
Day Returns are valid until 04:30 the next morning. If you’re travelling in the early hours (eg. at 1am), then a ticket from the previous day is still valid.
When things go wrong
If things go wrong, it can be tricky to know whether or not your train ticket is valid. But, here are some simple pointers:
If you have an Advance ticket, and your train is cancelled, you can use the train before or after, so long as it’s operated by the same company
Missed a connection? You can use the next train operated by the same company at no extra cost
Using multiple tickets, such as a different ticket for each train? If you miss a connection, you don’t need to buy a new ticket. You’re protected in the same way as if you had one ticket. Just make sure you leave enough time to change trains.
Do you have an Off-Peak, Super Off-Peak or Anytime ticket? There’s no need to rebook. Just jump on the next train. If your ticket is only for a specific company, you’ll still need to obey that restriction.
If there’s major disruption, then other companies should accept your ticket. Other train companies cannot strand you if there aren’t any more services operated by the company on your ticket. You can find out more in our guide to disruption.
Is there anything else I should know?
Looking to book some train tickets now? No problem. You can do it all with Railsmartr. We don’t charge any extra fees either, even if you just change your mind about your trip.
All information is issued without liability and was correct at 29 August 2023. Railsmartr is not responsible for any losses or inconvenience incurred as a result of the information provided.
The railway is pretty London-centric. The fastest trains usually go there, so the fastest journeys will involve going across it. For some people, that’s their worst nightmare. Which station do you need? How do you use the Underground? Is your ticket valid? Don’t panic. Here are our top five tips for crossing London by train.
What do I need to know about crossing London by train?
London is a huge city and it’s got a plethora of different railway stations. A number of different Underground lines link all of the stations together, and a couple of railway lines actually cross London, so you don’t need to change. We have a couple of tips that you’ll find handy when it comes to crossing London by train.
Have the right ticket
If you’re crossing London by train, and you have one ticket for your entire trip, then it’ll need to be a paper ticket in order for you to use the London Underground. It’ll also need to have a Maltese Cross symbol. Here’s an example:
If your ticket says ‘London Terminals‘, then it isn’t valid to cross London by train. You can find out more about what ‘London Terminals’ are, here.
No ticket? No need to queue
If you don’t have a ticket for the London Underground, then don’t queue up for one! All you need to do is tap any contactless bank card or device on the ticket gate, then tap out again when you leave. It’s much cheaper than queueing up for a paper ticket.
A typical single fare to get across London is £2.70. You can check how much you’ll be charged with the TfL Single Fare Finder.
Pick the right tube station
There are a couple of stations where it’s worth checking which Underground station is the best for you. This is usually the case where multiple Underground stations serve the same ‘mainline’ station, or there isn’t a dedicated one. Here are the main examples:
The main Underground station at Paddington for King’s Cross and Euston is next to the high-numbered platforms. If you’ve come off a train, it’s probably faster to use the footbridge (at the far end) rather than the main footbridge
Travelling from Euston to Paddington or Liverpool Street? The direct trains leave from Euston Square. Leave the station and turn right down Euston Road. It’s just a few minutes away
Fenchurch Street doesn’t have a dedicated tube station. The nearest ones are Aldgate or Tower Hill
Arriving at Marylebone, and looking to travel to King’s Cross, Euston or Liverpool Street? It’s faster to walk to Baker Street first.
Avoid the tube
Looking to avoid the tube? Crossing London by train can be even simpler if you just stick to the train for the entire trip. The Elizabeth Lineis London’s newest addition, and it connects Paddington and Liverpool Street, amongst other places. Meanwhile, Thameslink connects the Home Counties together. If you’re travelling from St Pancras to London Bridge, for example, you might find it easier to use Thameslink.
Alternatively, why not walk? King’s Cross and Euston are just a 10-minute walk apart. Meanwhile, it’s a 20-minute walk along the Thames between Waterloo and Blackfriars.
Avoid Central London
It’s sometimes possible to avoid crossing London by train entirely. We’d recommend taking a look at the different London Overgroundroutes if you’d like to do this.
The Watford Junction to Clapham Junction route, operated by Southern, is also a useful train to catch. It allows you to connect between the North of England and the South Coast without the need to go through Central London. This is also a great way to get to Gatwick Airport
Is there anything else I should know?
Looking for more information about London? Take a look at our page about travelling around London. You’ll find everything you need to know, including how to navigate the brand-new Elizabeth Line, and your best options for reaching London airports, including Heathrow. We’ll even tell you which London stationto use!
Ready to take a trip? You can book it all with Railsmartr. We don’t charge any refund or change fees, either. After all, why should you pay more if you’re changed your mind?
All information on this page was correct at 29 August 2023 and is issued without liability. Railsmartr are not responsible for any loss or inconvenience incurred as a result of the information provided.
Many of us want to stay connected while we’re on the move. So, it’s always good to know whether you’ll be able to charge up on the train. Don’t worry though, as we’ve put together this quick guide to power sockets on trains, so you’ll know whether or not you need to pack a power bank on your next trip.
Are there power sockets on trains?
In most cases these days, yes! Most trains have power sockets available for you to use. They might have a three-pin socket, a USB slot or both. They’ll either be on the wall, under the seat in front of you or under your own seat. If you’re sat at the table, they might be under the table itself or fixed to the table.
If a socket is attached to the wall, then you can only access it if you have a window seat.
Where will I find power sockets on trains?
Here’s our quick summary of each company and whether you can expect to find a power socket on trains that they operate. It isn’t always as straightforward as ‘yes’ or ‘no’, but most companies have a pretty consistent approach.
Company
Three-pin socket?
USB port?
Where?
Avanti West Coast
Yes1
Yes1
On seat in front/on table/ wall
c2c
No
No
N/A
Chiltern Railways
Longer-distance services only2
No
Wall/on table
CrossCountry
On ‘Voyager’ trains only3
No
Wall
East Midlands Railway
InterCity services only
Some ‘Regional’ services
Wall
Elizabeth Line
No
No
N/A
Gatwick Express
Yes
No
Wall
Grand Central
Yes
No
Wall
Great Northern
Yes
No
Wall/under seat
Great Western Railway
Yes
Most trains
Wall/under seat
Greater Anglia
Yes
Yes
Under seat
Heathrow Express
Yes
Yes
Wall
Hull Trains
Yes
Yes
Under seat
LNER
Yes
First Class only
Under seat (Azuma)/wall (Electric Train)
London Overground
No
Some trains
Between carriages/behind drivers cab
Lumo
Yes
Yes
Under seat in front
Merseyrail
Yes4
Yes4
Under seat
Northern
Some trains5
Almost all trains5
Under seat/wall
ScotRail
Yes
Some trains
Under seat/wall/on table
Southeastern
Most trains6
Some trains6
Under seat/wall
Southern
Most trains6
Most trains6
Wall
South Western Railway
All except ‘suburban’ services near London
Some trains
Wall
Thameslink
First Class only
No
Under seat
TransPennine Express
Yes
Yes
Under seat/wall
Transport for Wales
Yes
Yes
Under seat/wall
West Midlands Trains
Yes7
Yes7
Under seat/wall
Is there anything else I should know?
We’ve written some footnotes below where the situation isn’t quite so straightforward! Otherwise, you’re all set.
Looking to book some train tickets now? No problem. You can do it all with Railsmartr. We don’t charge any extra fees either, even if you just change your mind about your trip.
Footnotes
1 – Avanti West Coast are currently refurbishing their ‘Pendolino’ trains. On unrefurbished trains, you’ll only find sockets at tables in Standard Class.
2 – All London-Birmingham services and some London-Oxford services.
3 – Voyager trains run between Scotland/Newcastle and the South West, and Manchester and the South Coast.
4 – Merseyrail are currently replacing their fleet. Older trains do not have power sockets.
5 – Northern has a very diverse fleet of trains. Almost all trains will have either a USB socket or three-pin socket. A small number don’t have either.
6 – Southern and Southeastern are currently refurbishing their trains and adding sockets.‘Javelin’ trains will soon be fitted with USB-Cports.
7 – All services except the ‘CrossCity’ line, and other trains that have a 3+2 seating layout.
All information is issued without liability and was correct at August 2023. Railsmartr are not responsible for any loss of inconvenience incurred as a result of the information provided.
Looking to make some memories in Kent? Look no further. Here’s our quick round-up of five fun day trips in Kent that you can do by train. Whether you’re looking for beaches or former battlegrounds, we’ve got you covered.
What sort of day trips in Kent can I do?
Here are our five picks for day trips in Kent by train. No matter what you’re after from a day trip, there’s something for everyone. Just make sure to dress appropriately, as the British weather always likes to throw in a surprise.
Rochester
Let’s begin in Rochester, which sits on the banks of the River Medway. How about paying a visit to Rochester Castle? It endured siege after siege in times gone by. These days, it enjoys a somewhat quieter life:
You could also take a look at the beautiful Restoration House. Did you know that it played the role of ‘Sattis House’ in Dickens’ Great Expectations?
Canterbury
Day trips in Kent don’t get any better than Canterbury. It’s steeped in history, for one. Why not pay a visit to the iconic Canterbury Cathedralor climb up Westgate Towers?
Looking for something a little more peaceful? You could enjoy a picnic in Westgate Gardensor take a punt down the Great Stour.
Dover
Dover isn’t just all about escaping to the continent? You could do as we did, and climb up to the edge of Western Heights. From these old fortifications, you can see the entire town:
You’re also able to see Dover Castle. Of course, we can’t forget the White Cliffs, either. They’re walking distance from the town itself.
Whitstable
Whitstable has a great stretch of beach. It’s also home to an RNLI Lifeboat Station. So, when you pay a visit, you can learn more about the sea and its tides, and how they affect the town.
It’s also home to the Harbour Market. On a Thursday to Monday, you can come here and fill your boots with all sorts of artisan arts, crafts and other homemade goods.
Margate
This is one of the best day trips in Kent if you fancy a visit to the beach. After all, it doesn’t get much better than the golden sands of Margate:
How about some more classic seaside experiences? You can’t have Margate without Dreamland, either. It’s basically your classic seaside theme park with plenty of rides (including rollercoasters) on offer. It’s free to get in, and you pay per ride.
Is there anything else I should know?
Looking to know more about day trips in Kent? You can find out more on our dedicated pagewhere we’ll tell you more about how to get to your favourite destination with ease.
Ready for some more inspiration? We’ve written lots more content all about day trips by train. Whether you’re travelling from Newcastle, Leeds, London, Edinburgh or Glasgow, we’re sure to have something for you. Don’t forget that there are plenty of advantageswhen it comes to leaving the car at home.
Looking to book some train tickets? No problem. You can do it all with Railsmartr. We don’t charge any extra fees either, even if you just change your mind about your trip.
We all love a bargain. That’s why we’ve been out this Summer sampling some beer at railway stations up and down the country (it’s a hard life, we know). But, this was all for a good reason. We wanted to find out about the best value beers. So, after we created our map, what did we learn? Well, here’s the top five cheapest station pints that we found (other than Spoons).
What are the cheapest station pints?
So, we’ve got one rule for this list, which is that we’re excluding Spoons. Otherwise, they’d practically run away with it. Everyone knows that they’re cheap, and they know what they’re going to get. Their Aberystwyth pub (Yr Hen Orsaf) actually has the cheapest station pint in the country, at an astounding £1.71.
Instead though, we’d like to give some shout outs to independents and small chains that serve rail travellers and locals alike, and serve them some great-value beer while they’re at it. We should add that these prices were correct as of June 2023, so they might have changed a little since.
5 – Urmston
We’re kicking off the list with Urmston (The Steamhouse). When we got in touch with them, they told us that their cheapest station pints were £3.75. This is a cask ale that rotates every month!
4 – Knaresborough
Next up, you can pay a visit to the Track and Sleeperand get yourself a pint for just £3.70. This changes pretty regularly, as we’ve visitedtwice, and it was different on both occasions.
It’ll be one of their very own Gorilla Brewery pints, though. Trust us when we say that they’re all worth a try.
3 – Huddersfield
At the Head of Steam in Huddersfield, you can enjoy a pint of Buckeye Pale Ale for £3.60. Everything rotates pretty regularly, so the cheapest station pints here will change often!
Luckily, they’ve popped a menuwith prices on their site, so you can stay up to date before you visit.
2 – Doncaster and Hartlepool
We have a joint entry for the second-top position when it comes to the cheapest station pints. You can choose between The Draughtsman(Doncaster) and The Rat Race(Hartlepool). We visited the latter, with its rather eclectic choice of decor:
At both of these pubs, the beer changes very regularly. So we’d recommend popping into both and finding out the latest offer for yourself.
1 – Codsall
Finally, a pint of Holdens at the station pub in Codsallwill cost you just £3.30. So, this is the cheapest station pint that you’ll find somewhere that isn’t Spoons!
Is there anything else I should know?
So, have we quenched your thirst, or left you looking for more? You can find our full map of station pubs here. Looking for more about pubs? You can take a look at our favourite pubs in the North East or Yorkshire and the East Midlands. We’ve also taken a trip to find some of the best beer in East London.
Looking to book some train tickets to sample the cheapest station pints? No problem. You can do it all with Railsmartr. We don’t charge any extra fees either, even if you just change your mind about your trip.
All prices quoted were correct as of June 2023, and are subject to change. Railsmartr is not responsible for any disappointment or loss incurred as a result of the information provided.
I grew up in Newcastle, and then I missed it so much I moved back after four years or so of being away! It’s a fantastic city with so much to offer, and even more just a short trip away by train. In fact, the entire North East is packed with things to do. We’re going to take a look at some of them today. Here’s my selection of 10 best day trips from Newcastle by train.
What sort of day trips from Newcastle can I do?
Newcastle is in a great spot. You’ve got the coast nearby, the rolling hills of Northumberland, and a fair-size train station with routes criss-crossing the region. Whether you’re after a walk along the beach, a hike in the hills, or getting up-close and personal with the trains of yesteryear, there’s something for everyone.
As a child, we were a pretty active family. Sundays always meant going out and exploring somewhere new (or old), even if the weather was, well, British. I’ve been a rail geek since I was little, too, so there was always an excuse to jump on the train.
I’m going to take you from north to south, so these day trips from Newcastle are in no particular order of preference!
1. Berwick-upon-Tweed
We’re starting right up near the Scottish border. In fact, it’s just under three miles from the station before you end up in a different country. It’s been part of Scotland, too. The town has actually switched hands many times in history. It’s been the site of wars, battles and bloodshed, though it’s been a part of England since 1482.
When you take the train, you’ll find yourself getting quite the introduction to the town. The railway line hugs the coast, before sweeping to the left and taking you over the Royal Border Bridge, which carries the line over the River Tweed:
It’s around here that you’ll also find the remains of Berwick Castle. Back in the 13th Century, this castle was at the forefront of defending Berwick from outside intruders. Parts of the walls still survive as well, though funnily enough it was the advent of the railway that saw much of the building demolished.
The Town Walls and Ramparts also form part of the defensive structure of Berwick, and it’s possible to walk a complete circuit of the town on them. Rather than trying to defend the town these days though, you might prefer to just take in the views:
Finally, you can’t beat a good beach, and Berwick has plenty of coastline to let off some steam. You could take the dog for a walk, get your steps in or simply lie down and listen to the waves.
Getting There
There are frequent train services to Berwick-upon-Tweed. Typically, you’ll find two trains per hour (one LNERand one CrossCountry), with extra ones at some hours of the day. It’ll take you between 45 and 50 minutes to reach the town from Newcastle.
All of the attractions are within walking distance, and when I visited, I walked to all of the places above at a relaxed pace in around two hours.
2. Alnmouth (and Alnwick!)
The nearest station to these places is called Alnmouth for Alnwick, so it made sense that I took a trip to both of them. One is a sleepy seaside village, and the other is a bustling market town. So, what do they have to offer on day trips from Newcastle?
Alnmouth
It’s about a 20-minute walk from the station to Alnmouth, so that’s where we’ll begin. My only memory of this quaint little village is driving in when I was little, usually when it was pouring with rain. We’d park up, realise this was a terrible idea, and try to find somewhere a little more sheltered. In fact, until last week, I’d never seen this place in the sunshine! So, why is it one of the best day trips from Newcastle? Put simply, this beach:
When I popped down on a mid-week morning, it was sheer bliss. You just had a couple of dog-walkers, and some holidaying families moseying around the village, which is full of independent cafes and shops.
It’s possible to walk all the way around the bay and up towards Seaton Point and the village of Boulmer, or you can follow the path of the estuary and the start of the River Aln. I ended up picking the latter, as I needed to head back towards the station:
For bonus points, you can try and spot the train in the background. I passed a few dog-walkers on the way along the river, before heading up the hill into the village of Lesbury, where the station is located.
Alnwick
If you go to Alnmouth to get away from it all, then Alnwick is where it’s all happening. People have been making day trips from Newcastle to Alnwick for years, and I’ve been coming here since I was a toddler.
But why? First of all, it’s home to Alnwick Castle. This is the second-largest inhabited castle in the UK. Its popularity increased massively when it started appearing on the big (and small) screen, too. The castle has featured in Harry Potter, Downton Abbey and even the Transformers Movie.
Just next door, you’ll find the Alnwick Garden. It’s been welcoming visitors since 2001, and I can remember coming here just after it opened, and many times since! When I was around eight, we had an annual pass, so many day trips from Newcastle on a weekend involved a trip to the Alnwick Garden. So, what’s on offer here? Well, the first thing you notice is the impressive Grand Cascade:
We can’t forget the Poison Garden, either. I can remember coming here when it opened and essentially getting a personal tour. These days it’s a little more popular, and I had to wait half an hour to get in! As the name suggests, it’s full of plants that could kill you. Don’t worry though, there’s a guide on hand.
Did you know that Alnwick is home to Barter Books? It’s one of the largest second-hand bookshops in Europe:
Does the poster look familiar? They uncovered the original one back in 2000. Fast forward a decade, and it was suddenly impossible to use Facebook or Twitter without scrolling past ‘Keep Calm and Drink Tea/Wine/Whisky’ memes. Well, the renaissance of ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ was spurred by this discovery at Barter Books.
Getting There
There is at least one train per hour from Newcastle to Alnmouth, operated by LNER. Additional trains are also operated by CrossCountryand TransPennine Express. It’ll typically take half an hour on the train, followed by a 20-minute walk to the village of Alnmouth.
Looking to get to Alnwick? The X20bus runs every hour, and leaves from nearby. Just leave the station, cross over and turn left down the hill towards the village for around two minutes. On an evening and Sunday, the X18goes this way instead. The bus journey should take no more than 20 minutes.
Direct buses also run from Alnwick to Newcastle down the A1 Motorway, so you might find it easiest to make a triangular journey by train up to Alnmouth, then a bus to Alnwick and back to Newcastle if you want to visit both destinations.
3. Morpeth
Heading down the coast a little (and popping inland), we make it to Morpeth. This is one of the simplest day trips from Newcastle by train, as the trains will all get you here in less than 20 minutes. It’s the main town in the county of Northumberland, and I’ve been coming here since I was little.
Why? It’s an easy place to come to for a relaxing stroll. Plus, while just about everywhere has a park, there’s something quite special about Carlisle Park:
It’s immaculate! There’s plenty to do as well, especially for the kids. You can even take a rowing boat for a spin down the river.
At the edge of Carlisle Park, keep an eye out for the Floral Clock. It’s not just a beautiful floral display, either. It’s an actual working clock which has been telling locals the time since 1972:
Finally, if you take a stroll along the river, don’t forget about the Stepping Stones. Hopping across the river on these little rocks is one of my first memories of Morpeth.
How about something completely different? I was surprised to discover that the town is home to the Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum. It’s on the top floor of the Tourist Information Centre, and takes you on a journey through the history of different kinds of Bagpipe. This includes the (more famous) Scottish Bagpipe, and the lesser-known (and gentler-sounding) Northumbrian Pipe. It’s a quirky little place that you can pop into for half an hour or so to learn something new:
Getting There
Northernoperates an hourly train service from Newcastle. Throughout the day, a more limited number of long-distance trains also stop. It’s a 10-minute walk from the station to the main attractions.
4. Corbridge
We’re now into Hadrian’s Wall Country. You’ll find relics in Corbridge that date back to the Roman-era, so it’s a perfect place for History buffs looking for day trips from Newcastle. To start with, you could take a 10-minute walk down the river to the Roman Bridge:
It was built to carry Dere Street, which was the Roman road from York to Scotland. To give you an idea of just how old this bridge is, it’s been out of use since around AD670!
Hungry for more history? Corbridge Roman Townisn’t far from the village centre. This was once the most northerly town in the entire Roman Empire, and it gives a fascinating insight into the life of a soldier around Hadrian’s Wall.
Back in the pandemic, I spent a lot of time out walking, and this is one of the places that I came to. You can actually keep walking all the way along the river and head towards Hexham, which is what I did. It’s one of the Tyne Train Trails which links up stations along the Newcastle to Carlisle line. Just make sure that you bring the right footwear, as I have many memories of having to dodge giant puddles and squeeze through a few overgrown tracks.
Getting There
Northernruns an hourly train direct from Newcastle to Corbridge. It’ll take you around 40 minutes to make the trip. From the station, it’s a 10-minute walk to the river and village centre.
5. Hexham
Just one stop up the line from Corbridge, you’ll find Hexham. Where do you begin here? Well, the Abbeyis a great start. It was founded in AD674, and the existing building was completed in 1250:
Make sure that you don’t end up causing any mischief, though. You could end up in the Old Gaol, which is one of the oldest purpose-built jails in the country:
It’s been around since roughly 1332, but these days it’s just a museum, so there’s no danger of accidentally being locked up!
Hexham is also the gateway to Hadrian’s Wall. If you’re looking to dive further into the Roman history of the region, then you can jump on bus AD122from outside of the station. It’ll take you to the likes of Housesteadsand VindolandaRoman forts.
Getting There
Hexham is one of the simplest day trips from Newcastle, thanks to the frequent train service. On a Monday to Saturday, up to three trains per hour run to Hexham, operated by Northern. The fastest trains take around 30 minutes.
6. Seaham and the Durham Coast
Looking to embrace the great outdoors? Take a trip down to Seaham for one of the most bracing day trips from Newcastle. Up until recently, I’d only seen the Durham Coast from a train window, but decided to leave the rails behind and take a stroll down to see what was on offer.
Seaham is the starting point of the 11-mile Durham Coastal Footpath, which will take you down to the outskirts of Hartlepool. So, it’s a great place to come if you want to blow the cobwebs away with some refreshing North Sea air.
I chose to stay closer to the town itself, which is no bad thing. You have Seaham Beach, Seaham Hall Beach and the Glass Beach, all linked by a promenade:
You could have a look at the Lighthouse or visit the Heritage & Lifeboat Centre, too. Either way, I was impressed. It’s a bit weather-dependent, but you shouldn’t overlook Seaham for day trips from Newcastle.
Getting There
Northernoperates an hourly train from Newcastle, which takes roughly 30 minutes to reach Seaham. The 60bus also runs to/from Sunderland, where there are more frequent Metro connections to Newcastle. It’s a 10-15 minute walk to the seafront from the station.
7. Hartlepool
Hartlepool is full of naval and maritime history. So, if you want to take a step back in time to Georgian England, then this is a day trip from Newcastle for you.
The main place that you’ll want to come to is the National Museum of the Royal Navy. You can get aboard HMS Trinkolee, which is the oldest floating British warship. It’s not just the ships though, as the museum has recreated the entire 18th-Century seaport experience.
It’s next door to the Museum of Hartlepool. This museum is completely free, and it takes a look at the history of the town and its Maritime heritage.
Don’t forget to take a look out the back too, where you’ll find PS Wingfield Castle:
Getting There
Northernoperates an hourly train service from Newcastle, which takes around 45 minutes. Grand Centralalso connects Hartlepool to Sunderland, where you can change for Metro services to Newcastle. The Museum of the Royal Navy and Museum of Hartlepool are a 15-minute walk from the station.
8. Shildon (for the Locomotion – National Railway Museum)
I’ll confess that Shildon itself isn’t much of a tourist destination, but it is a place where everybody’s doing a brand new dance now, as they’re visiting the Locomotion. Think of it as the younger brother of the main National Railway Museumin York! It was opened in 2004, and I remember my parents bringing me here not long after that. This is one of the day trips from Newcastle that rail geeks, history buffs and anyone with a passing interest in trains will love.
After all, the museum is in a part of the world which pretty much birthed the modern railway as we know it. It’s near the site of Timothy Hackworth’s Soho Works, which built and maintained locomotives and wagons for the Stockton and Darlington Railway. This was the world’s first public railway, and it was opened in 1825.
Shildon Station is pretty much on the site of the museum, which is an open-air museum around 1km in length. When I visited most recently though, most of the activities were going on in and around the Main Hall:
I must admit that it is a strange feeling seeing that a train you’ve rode behind (43102, on the right) is now in a museum! Locomotion is home to dozens of different exhibitions, which cover the days of the early railways right up to the modern day. If you commuted by train in the north up until around 2019 though, you might not be too happy to see the infamous Pacer train:
The best part? It’s completely free to visit. So, you can pop in and out as you please. The only thing that’s paid-for is the train rides through the museum site.
Getting There
Frequent trains link Newcastle to Darlington, where you can change for an hourly Northerntrain to Shildon. It’s possible to reach the Locomotion in roughly an hour and the station is on the Museum site.
9. Saltburn
Back when I was seven or eight, I became a regular visitor to Saltburn. My Dad used to take me out on a Saturday morning while he worked as a delivery driver. He covered just about everywhere in the area (Middlesbrough down to Staithes, on the edge of North Yorkshire), plus the then-booming ‘Corus’ Steel Plant in Redcar. Saltburn was a regular stop for us.
Why is this one of the great day trips from Newcastle? It’s a charming little town full of independent shops and cafes, and that’s before we get onto the beautiful beach:
Whether you want to soak up some sun (on a rare hot day in this part of the world) or just take a walk, you’re sure to love Saltburn Beach. It’s home to a 208-metre-long pier (with all of the classic amusements you’d expect), colourful beach huts and the quirky Cliff Lift.
You can actually walk all the way down the beach to Redcar. It’s about four miles, and you can pick up the train in Redcar as well, rather than needing to walk all the way back.
Like I said, the town itself is full of great places to grab a bite to eat and drink. When I visited, I popped into The Sitting Roomfor a cuppa. It’s a quirky little café (and bar) with lovely staff, and it’s situated in the old railway station building:
A final bit of trivia from Saltburn is the existence of Saltburn Bank. As this piece is about day trips from Newcastle by train, you’ll not have to worry about negotiating it, but this zig-zagging piece of road is rather infamous for being difficult to drive around. You might have seen it in this clipfrom the snowy winter of 2010!
Getting There
Three trains per hour run from Saltburn. Two Northerntrains go to Middlesbrough and Darlington every hour, where you can change for regular services to Newcastle. An additional TransPennine Expresstrain also goes to Middlesbrough every hour, where you can change for trains to Newcastle via Hartlepool.
It’s around a 10-minute walk from the station to the seafront.
10. Whitby
Whitby is probably one of the most famous places on this list. After all, anyone who’s read Bram Stoker’s Dracula knows about the existence of this quaint seaside town. It’s a firm favourite with North East folk (and all folk!) so I have memories of many happy day trips from Newcastle to Whitby.
The station is right next to the harbour, where you can take a boat trip or climb aboard the BarkEndeavour and learn about Captain Cook and his sea-faring voyages:
On this visit, I opted to take a walk down Sandgate, before braving the 199 Steps up to Whitby Abbey and the Church of St Mary:
Don’t forget to take a stroll down Whitby Beach, either. It’s a beautiful stretch of coastline, though I rocked up during high tide, so there isn’t much beach visible!
Now, Whitby is of course famous for Fish and Chips. There’s much debate about which is best, and I wouldn’t want to say that one is the best. Whenever I’ve visited though, I’ve always opted for Magpie. Just don’t be surprised if you need to queue for a wee while!
Getting There
Northern operates five trains per day in and out of Whitby. Two each way are direct to/from Newcastle, while you’ll need to change at Middlesbrough on the other journeys. The fastest train takes around three hours to complete the journey along the scenic Esk Valley and Durham Coast lines.
Is there anything else I should know?
I hope that you’ve found some inspiration for your day trips from Newcastle by train! This part of the country is full of things to see and do. Fancy a bite to eat or a pint? Take a look at our guides to Station Pubsand Eateriesin the area.
Ready for some more inspiration? We’ve written lots more content all about day trips by train. Whether you’re travelling from Leeds, London, Edinburgh, Glasgowor around Kent, we’re sure to have something for you. Don’t forget that there are plenty of advantageswhen it comes to leaving the car at home.
The final thing I’d recommend is using the Railsmartrwebsite to book your next adventure. We’re completely independent, so we’re happy to ‘tell you like it is’ when it comes to rail fares. Not only that, but we’ll show you the slower, cheaper options that some websites won’t.
Don’t forget that we don’t charge any fees, either. That includes if you change your mind and want to travel on a different day. If your ticket is refundable, we’ll refund it fee-free, too!
All information on this page is issued in good faith and was correct at 14/08/2023. It’subject to change at any time and Railsmartr are not responsible for any loss or disappointment incurred as a result of the information provided.
