Why your next weekend escape in the UK should be by train
In an era where discerning travellers increasingly seek meaningful, restorative experiences, the journey itself has reclaimed its rightful place at the heart of the break.
The traditional weekend getaway – once a whirlwind of ticking off sights – is giving way to a more reflective, rewarding mode of exploration. Few forms of travel embrace this better than the train.
Whether it's the allure of the sea, the pulse of a cultural city or the quiet charm of a heritage town, rail travel offers a uniquely enriching way to experience the UK. It allows you to slow down, appreciate the passing landscape, and arrive relaxed and ready to explore.
It's little surprise that recent data by Mintel (2024) reveals that leisure travel now accounts for 54 per cent of all train journeys in the UK. Free from the stress of traffic or parking, travellers can unwind with a book, a coffee or simply enjoy the view. Train travel really feels like part of the holiday.
Transport for Wales (TfW) makes the choice not only more accessible, but even more affordable – connecting communities and cities across Wales and England, opening up new opportunities to discover the UK's most fascinating corners, effortlessly.
Scenic coastal charm
For those seeking sea air and scenic views, Wales's coastline offers some of the most picturesque spots in the UK – many of which are directly accessible by train.
Take Llandudno - the elegant Victorian resort town nestled between two headlands. With its sweeping promenade, pastel-hued seafront and Wales's longest pier, it evokes a gentler era of travel made complete with a traditional ice cream and panoramic views of the Irish Sea. The train station is just a short stroll from the shore, making arrival as effortless as it is charming.
Further south, Aberystwyth is a haven for lovers of nature and history. Its medieval castle ruins, colourful harbour and cliff railway to Constitution Hill offer a perfect blend of serenity and spectacle. The journey along the Cambrian Coast Line – often hailed as one of Britain's most beautiful railway routes – is a highlight in itself.
Travel from Cardiff to Llandudno with advance train tickets from just £37.20, or head to Aberystwyth from Birmingham starting at £15.80.
City breaks made easy
Not every weekend escape calls for a retreat to the coastal countryside. If your taste leans toward arts, shopping or a vibrant nightlife, Transport for Wales's network offers direct access to some of the UK's most exciting cities without the hassle of congestion charges or city-centre parking.
Cardiff, the Welsh capital, strikes a rare balance: a vibrant modern city with a deeply rooted sense of heritage. From the impressive Cardiff Castle in its centre to Wales Millennium Centre, the contemporary arts hub, the city brims with cultural energy. With the train station right in the heart of the city centre, you can step off the platform and straight into the action.
Also within easy reach are Manchester and Birmingham. Manchester continues to shine as the northern cultural powerhouse, home to world-class museums, a vibrant music scene, and award-winning restaurants. Birmingham impresses with its industrial heritage and modern flair. Designer shopping, Michelin-starred dining, and canal-side cafés all contribute to its growing appeal.
With advance train tickets between Manchester and Cardiff starting at £34.80, your next city break could be closer than you imagined.
Timeless historic escapes
If your ideal weekend includes something a little quieter with cobbled streets and centuries of history, Chester and Shrewsbury should be top of your list.
Chester, famous for its remarkably preserved Roman walls and unique two-tiered medieval Rows, feels like a living museum. A boat ride on the River Dee or a stroll through its compact historic centre is even more enjoyable when you're not worried about parking or navigation.
Shrewsbury, the birthplace of Charles Darwin, also rewards slower travel. Its winding lanes, Tudor façades and leafy riverside walks offer a distinct charm and creates a sense of stepping back in time. Arriving by train adds to the experience, bypassing narrow roads into the town centre.
Advance fares make it even more appealing – with journeys from Manchester to Shrewsbury available from £13.30, and Cardiff to Chester from £29.70.
In a world that's rediscovering the value of slow, meaningful travel, the train is more than just a mode of transport – it's a gateway to discovery.
Beyond the destinations, the journey itself becomes part of the adventure with Transport for Wales. Train travel is not just convenient – it's a more thoughtful, sustainable and enjoyable way to explore the UK that leaves you feeling ready to explore, not recover.
With TfW advance tickets, planning your next escape is simple and cost-effective. Whether you're heading to the coast, city or somewhere in between, save on your journey when you book up to 12 weeks in advance.
Book with Transport for Wales at tfw.wales/advance
Prices valid until March 2026, subject to availability. T&Cs apply.
This content is provided by an advertiser, and while every care is taken in ensuring the content complies with the Advertising Standards Authority and the UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing (CAP Code), Telegraph Media Group assumes no responsibility in the effect rising therefrom, and readers are advised to seek professional advice before acting on any information. The Daily Telegraph/TMG does not accept any liability for views expressed, pictures used or claims made by advertisers.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Nothing will ruin my camping trip… I hate couples having noisy sex & get revenge in a sly way, my grandkids cringe
GOING on holiday with grandparents is a treat many children look forward to, knowing they'll be spoiled rotten with ice creams and round-the-clock attention. But Emma Parsons-Reid isn't your typical sweet granny. 5 5 5 'The children always say going camping with me is a rite of passage,' says 58-year-old Emma, from Cardiff. ''If you survive this, you'll survive anything,' is how they look at it.' Emma has exacting standards and has told off fellow campers for having sex within earshot of her grandkids. She even sees red if people hang their knickers outside to dry. 'I'm a nightmare nan 24/7 and that isn't going to change just because we are on holiday,' she warns. 'I don't like people draping underwear outside their tent or caravan. It's awful, so uncouth. 'Pack enough pants for your trip and wash them when you get home – or go to a launderette. 'You don't need pairs of pants hanging in a line like a ship's sail. No one needs to see that. It ruins the holiday photographs.' Camping has soared in popularity in recent years, with the UK camping market now worth £2.83 billion, up from £2.2 billion in 2019. A whopping 42.2 per cent of Brits go camping at least once a year according to the latest statistics. But for camping fan Emma, standards are slipping – and nothing is guaranteed to rile her more than the sound of couples getting frisky under the stars. 'People get randy when they go camping,' she says. 'I'm not sure if it's the hot nights or the light evenings – coupled with a few drinks – but I get annoyed if I hear them. 'The girls aren't silly. They know what it sounds like and it's mortifying. I get especially annoyed if the noise is keeping me awake at 2am and they're still going at it.' The next morning, Emma says she takes great pleasure in waking up couples she's heard bonking within earshot of her granddaughters – Elise, 17, Isabella, 15, Scarlett, 13, Lucy, 10, and Ivy, eight – during the night. 'Bang and clatter' 'On my way to the shower block, I'll bang and clatter and make lots of noise so they don't get a lie in. 'On one occasion, when the girls were small, I made them sing a few rounds of Row, Row, Row Your Boat really loudly, just to put a couple off.' It's usually only her two youngest grandchildren that holiday with her now. 'The older ones don't come any more and I think that's a huge relief for them,' says retired civil servant Emma, who favours Welsh coastal resorts like Porthcawl. 'When they talk about camping with 'Nooney', which is what they all call me, it is like they are telling a survivor's story. 5 'The two youngest get very embarrassed. You see their faces drop when I march off to tell someone off, or start complaining about the state of the site to the manager.' Emma reads fellow campers the riot act if they make noise after 10pm – and hates fire pits and barbecues. 'I don't care if they get annoyed. Looking after the grandchildren can be tiring and I just need a good night's sleep,' Emma, who holidays with her grandchildren and husband Kev 64, a retired engineer, to give her own daughter Hannah, 35, a break, says. 'And there is nothing worse than sitting downwind from someone's barbecue smoke. I don't want to get a whiff of other people's smelly sausages.' Emma packs M&S food for her family, often enjoying French sticks, ham and salad. 'Why can't we go back to how it was in the 1970s, when everyone was polite and followed some camping etiquette?' says Emma, who refuses to spoil the children with ice creams or seaside souvenirs. 'They love going into the shops, but they're full of plastic tat and I won't allow it in my tent. 'Awful' 'If they want to buy something and I think it's decent enough, I'll allow it, but I'll make them do some chores first – maybe the washing up. I'm very tight and I work to a budget. 'And they eat enough rubbish without me buying them ice creams every day. We might have one meal out, but I'll cook the rest of the time.' On one occasion, Emma suffered a slipped disc and carried a pink lilo with her everywhere, so she could lie down – much to the embarrassment of the grandkids. 'The pain was awful,' she recalls. 'We'd only just arrived and I didn't want to cut the holiday short, so I carried this everywhere we went so I could lie down on it. I couldn't sit down, I had to lie down – even in restaurants and at the arcades. 'Everyone looked at me like I was insane and the kids were embarrassed. 'On one occasion, they made some friends who were asking them why their nan was always lying down on the lilo. They hated having to explain it every time.' Who the kids play with is another bone of contention whenever they're away. 'I don't let them play with just anybody,' Emma says. 'If they meet someone, I'll go round to check out the family's tent and make sure they are appropriate. 'If they are in a caravan or a campervan I'm usually OK with that, but I will have to walk past to assess the family. If they are drinking a lot, or if there are cans lying around or knickers hanging out, I'll pull the grandchildren away. You can't be too careful. 'I certainly wouldn't want them playing with rough kids, or rude children that answer back.' In fact, if Emma's granddaughters fail to find suitable playmates, Emma thinks nothing of recruiting some herself. 'I prefer to choose their friends for them,' she says. "You'll often see me approaching more palatable kids if I see a nice family. 'I'll ask them their names and say they can play with my grandchildren if they like.' Emma often calls out slovenly campers and the state of site facilities. 'If I think someone is being too messy or leaving a lot of litter, I complain,' says Emma. 'I'm always on the phone to the owner. 'The shower blocks are often disgusting, so that is a common complaint. People often leave a mess all around the basin, but the worst is when they forget their pants and leave them hanging over a rail. Disgusting. That would definitely have me marching down to the site office. 'And I can't stand men that go to the showers with their guts falling over the top of their towels, letting it all hang out. ''Morning love,' they go, but I blank them if they are disgusting.' Despite her never-ending complaining, Emma says she and the granddaughters cherish their shared camping trips. 'The kids have the best memories of those times,' she says. "We are planning to go back to Fontygary in the Vale of Glamorgan for three nights in August." 'It's always the nightmares they remember. They'll say: 'Do you remember when Nooney did this or that?' and then fall apart laughing. 'They'll remember me telling someone off for having sex, or when the dog had diarrhoea in the campervan. 'We once parked under an acorn tree and all night the acorns dropped onto the roof keeping us all awake. 'I have complained a lot, but we've had some fun times. The kids ridicule me, but it makes me smile as I know they won't forget me when I'm dead and buried.' 5
Telegraph
5 hours ago
- Telegraph
Why your next weekend escape in the UK should be by train
In an era where discerning travellers increasingly seek meaningful, restorative experiences, the journey itself has reclaimed its rightful place at the heart of the break. The traditional weekend getaway – once a whirlwind of ticking off sights – is giving way to a more reflective, rewarding mode of exploration. Few forms of travel embrace this better than the train. Whether it's the allure of the sea, the pulse of a cultural city or the quiet charm of a heritage town, rail travel offers a uniquely enriching way to experience the UK. It allows you to slow down, appreciate the passing landscape, and arrive relaxed and ready to explore. It's little surprise that recent data by Mintel (2024) reveals that leisure travel now accounts for 54 per cent of all train journeys in the UK. Free from the stress of traffic or parking, travellers can unwind with a book, a coffee or simply enjoy the view. Train travel really feels like part of the holiday. Transport for Wales (TfW) makes the choice not only more accessible, but even more affordable – connecting communities and cities across Wales and England, opening up new opportunities to discover the UK's most fascinating corners, effortlessly. Scenic coastal charm For those seeking sea air and scenic views, Wales's coastline offers some of the most picturesque spots in the UK – many of which are directly accessible by train. Take Llandudno - the elegant Victorian resort town nestled between two headlands. With its sweeping promenade, pastel-hued seafront and Wales's longest pier, it evokes a gentler era of travel made complete with a traditional ice cream and panoramic views of the Irish Sea. The train station is just a short stroll from the shore, making arrival as effortless as it is charming. Further south, Aberystwyth is a haven for lovers of nature and history. Its medieval castle ruins, colourful harbour and cliff railway to Constitution Hill offer a perfect blend of serenity and spectacle. The journey along the Cambrian Coast Line – often hailed as one of Britain's most beautiful railway routes – is a highlight in itself. Travel from Cardiff to Llandudno with advance train tickets from just £37.20, or head to Aberystwyth from Birmingham starting at £15.80. City breaks made easy Not every weekend escape calls for a retreat to the coastal countryside. If your taste leans toward arts, shopping or a vibrant nightlife, Transport for Wales's network offers direct access to some of the UK's most exciting cities without the hassle of congestion charges or city-centre parking. Cardiff, the Welsh capital, strikes a rare balance: a vibrant modern city with a deeply rooted sense of heritage. From the impressive Cardiff Castle in its centre to Wales Millennium Centre, the contemporary arts hub, the city brims with cultural energy. With the train station right in the heart of the city centre, you can step off the platform and straight into the action. Also within easy reach are Manchester and Birmingham. Manchester continues to shine as the northern cultural powerhouse, home to world-class museums, a vibrant music scene, and award-winning restaurants. Birmingham impresses with its industrial heritage and modern flair. Designer shopping, Michelin-starred dining, and canal-side cafés all contribute to its growing appeal. With advance train tickets between Manchester and Cardiff starting at £34.80, your next city break could be closer than you imagined. Timeless historic escapes If your ideal weekend includes something a little quieter with cobbled streets and centuries of history, Chester and Shrewsbury should be top of your list. Chester, famous for its remarkably preserved Roman walls and unique two-tiered medieval Rows, feels like a living museum. A boat ride on the River Dee or a stroll through its compact historic centre is even more enjoyable when you're not worried about parking or navigation. Shrewsbury, the birthplace of Charles Darwin, also rewards slower travel. Its winding lanes, Tudor façades and leafy riverside walks offer a distinct charm and creates a sense of stepping back in time. Arriving by train adds to the experience, bypassing narrow roads into the town centre. Advance fares make it even more appealing – with journeys from Manchester to Shrewsbury available from £13.30, and Cardiff to Chester from £29.70. In a world that's rediscovering the value of slow, meaningful travel, the train is more than just a mode of transport – it's a gateway to discovery. Beyond the destinations, the journey itself becomes part of the adventure with Transport for Wales. Train travel is not just convenient – it's a more thoughtful, sustainable and enjoyable way to explore the UK that leaves you feeling ready to explore, not recover. With TfW advance tickets, planning your next escape is simple and cost-effective. Whether you're heading to the coast, city or somewhere in between, save on your journey when you book up to 12 weeks in advance. Book with Transport for Wales at Prices valid until March 2026, subject to availability. T&Cs apply. This content is provided by an advertiser, and while every care is taken in ensuring the content complies with the Advertising Standards Authority and the UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing (CAP Code), Telegraph Media Group assumes no responsibility in the effect rising therefrom, and readers are advised to seek professional advice before acting on any information. The Daily Telegraph/TMG does not accept any liability for views expressed, pictures used or claims made by advertisers.
BBC News
5 hours ago
- BBC News
Sinkhole emerges on Hythe Bypass after water main burst
A main commuter route has been closed after a sinkhole appeared in the County Council said a burst water main caused the sinkhole on the A326 Hythe Bypass at Applemore Hill on Tuesday road has been closed in both directions between Dibden roundabout and Szier Way roundabout. Southern Water said the repair work was likely to continue until Friday. Eighteen properties have lost their water supply as a result and they are being provided with bottled road connects towns and villages along the Waterside with routes into and out of of Hampshire County Council, Nick Adams-King, said: "Clearly this will cause significant disruption around Hythe and Dibden, please allow extra time for your journey as a result."A 4.5-mile (7km) diversion route is in place, via Main Road, Southampton Road and Beaulieu Road. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
