Culture Capitals: The best British cities to reach by rail for an enriching day out
With a Railcard (there are nine to choose from including the Two Together and Family & Friends Railcard) users can save up to a third off most rail travel around Britain, it pays for itself in no time. With such great discounts as well as great offers like 2FOR1 and a third off selected attractions when you travel by train with National Rail's Days Out Guide – you can squeeze in even more enjoyment for less this summer. Find the one that's right for you at railcard.co.uk. What's more, Railcard have created a handy online calculator to determine what you could save – simply enter your journey details and the relevant Railcard and it will calculate the discount you can get.
Read on for our guide to Britain's best culture spots…
Newcastle
There's something for every type of culture vulture in Newcastle. If it's impressive architecture that floats your boat, then head to Grainger Town, an area where 40 per cent of the buildings are listed as being of historical or architectural importance. The Lit & Phil is a beautiful independent library set in a Grade II* listed building right near the train station. Historic spaces have also been transformed into exciting new cultural spaces – including the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, in a converted flour mill, and The Biscuit Factory, the UK's largest independent contemporary art, craft and design gallery, in the vibrant Ouseburn quarter. Overlooking the River Tyne you'll find Newcastle's answer to the Sydney Opera House, the Glasshouse International Centre for Music, a spectacular building that showcases music of all genres.
Nearest station: Newcastle, in the city centre.
Oxford
Known as the city of dreaming spires, Oxford is famous for its university – the oldest in the English speaking world. There are historic buildings at every turn, including the Radcliffe Camera, an iconic circular building that forms part of the Bodleian Library (book a guided tour of the library if you want to see inside). The Ashmolean is Britain's oldest public museum, dedicated to art and archeology. As well as housing thousands of ancient artefacts, it hosts exhibitions – this summer there's a show dedicated to Oxford band Radiohead's artwork. There are other world class museums, including the university-linked Pitt Rivers and the Museum of Natural History. Oxford has also been the inspiration for countless cultural figures, including J.R.R Tolkien, Lewis Carroll and C.S Lewis and you can visit the sites that inspired them on a literary tour of the city (and get 20 per cent off with National Rail Days Out Guide). If you're a Harry Potter fan you'll want to visit Christ Church College, which stood in as Hogwarts in the films.
Nearest station: Oxford, about a 10 minute walk into the city centre.
Manchester
Manchester is known for its musical heritage, with Oasis, The Smiths, Joy Division and The Stone Roses – to name just a few – all hailing from the city. Fans can choose from numerous tours dedicated to taking in venues and landmarks associated with these local heroes. Manchester is also home to dozens of museums and art galleries, including the People's History Museum (dedicated to the history of democracy, equality and social justice) the Imperial War Museum North, The Lowry (seven minutes away by train in Salford) and enormous contemporary arts centre HOME. A short stroll from Manchester Piccadilly station is the Northern Quarter, a vibrant district where you'll find legendary indie emporium Afflecks and Manchester Craft & Design Centre, showcasing local designers and makers. Head just east of the Northern Quarter and you'll reach Ancoats, a former industrial area that's now one of the city's most buzzing districts, with great independent restaurants, cafes and shops to explore.
Nearest station: Manchester Piccadilly in the city centre.
Bath
From the iconic Royal Crescent and Pulteney Bridge to the Roman Baths and the Abbey, Bath is packed with iconic architecture – and the only city in Britain named a UNESCO world heritage site. If you're a Jane Austen fan it's a great time to visit as this year marks 250 years since her birth – visit the Jane Austen Centre to discover how the city shaped her life and work (or attend their Jane Austen festival from 12-21 September) or go on an Austen-themed walking trail. Until 2 November there's also an exhibition dedicated to the author at No.1 Royal Crescent (a filming location for Bridgerton), a restored townhouse and museum where you can experience life in Georgian times. Another famous writer with connections to Bath is Mary Shelley, who wrote her gothic masterpiece in the city – you can learn more at Mary Shelley's House of Frankenstein (enjoy 2FOR1 entry with National Rail Days Out Guide). Elsewhere, the Holborne Museum and the Victoria Gallery are musts for art lovers, and the Grade II listed Theatre Royal is a beautiful place to catch a play.
Nearest station: Bath Spa in the city centre.
Chichester
Head to this West Sussex town to see one of this year's hottest art openings. The Goodwood Art Foundation is a new destination for contemporary art set in 70 acres of beautiful natural landscape, launching with a must-see exhibition by British artist Rachel Whiteread. The site is five miles outside of Chichester, but the gallery runs free shuttle buses to and from the train station. Chichester itself is home to the excellent Pallant House Gallery, which features a world class collection of British art. Until November you can also catch a major exhibition about artistic friendships, featuring works by artists including Lucian Freud, David Hockney, Lee Miller, Eric Ravilious and Paula Rego. At the Novium Museum you can learn about Chichester's Roman heritage, including seeing the remains of the city's public bath house, preserved underground. Be sure to visit the city's cathedral, which dates back almost 1000 years, and allow time for a mooch around the centre, where you'll find a host of independent galleries, artists studios and boutique shops to explore.
Nearest station: Chichester, about a 10 minute walk from the centre
Norwich
The perfect mix of old and new, Norwich is a town bursting with creativity and cultural attractions among cobbled streets and historic buildings. As well as having two stunning cathedrals and a castle, there's the world-class Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, where you can see works by Picasso, Degas, Henry Moore and Francis Bacon, housed in a building designed by Sir Norman Foster to create an 'intimate' atmosphere for people to experience art. Other unique cultural attractions include The South Asia Collection, a museum dedicated to the arts, crafts, and cultures of South Asia that's housed in an old Victoria ice-rink, and Strangers' Hall, a magnificently preserved Tudor merchant's house. Norwich also has four independent theatres, and is England's first UNESCO City of Literature. A new immersive literary trail, Wandering Words – featuring specially commissioned poems from seven writers – celebrates the city's literary connections.
Nearest station: Norwich, about a 15 minute walk to the city centre
Dundee
Dundee can claim something no other city can – it is Britain's only UNESCO City of Design, an accolade that honours its rich heritage (did you know that aspirin, The Beano and Dandy comics, marmalade and the video game Grand Theft Auto were all invented in the city?) as well as its thriving contemporary scene. The V&A Dundee – which sits on the waterfront and is as impressive from the outside as it is inside – is dedicated to design, and helped cement the city's reputation as a cultural hotspot. Elsewhere, the Verdant Works museum (housed in an old mill) tells the story of Dundee's industrial history. While the McManus Art Gallery & Museum is set in a magnificent Victorian gothic building. In the cultural quarter you'll find Dundee Contemporary Arts and the award-winning Dundee Science Centre, as well an array of cafes and restaurants. Be sure to look out for art in the wild, too — there are hundreds of pieces of public art dotted around the city.
Nearest station: Dundee in the city centre
London
Britain's capital is overflowing with world-class museums and art galleries but east London is the place to head to if you want to experience the city's most exciting new cultural destination. New opening V&A East Storehouse at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford spans four levels and is bigger than 30 basketball courts. The 'working museum' houses 250,000 treasures from the V&A's vast collection and is designed to give visitors a glimpse of the behind-the-scenes workings of a museum. What's particularly unique is the 'order an object' service, where you can book a slot to see an item of your choice from the archive. The museum forms part of the new East Bank cultural quarter, which also includes new dance venue Sadler's Wells East. If you're hungry for more great culture in east London, highlights include The Whitechapel Gallery, Museum of the Home – which explores how we've lived throughout the centuries – and the Nunnery Gallery, which occupies the ground floor of a former 19th century convent.
Nearest station: Hackney Wick, about a 10 minute walk
Swansea
Wales' second city is its most culturally vibrant, blending fascinating history with an exciting contemporary arts scene. Famously the birthplace of poet Dylan Thomas, his legacy still looms large in the city. You can visit the room he was born in at 5 Cwmdonkin Drive, while The Dylan Thomas Centre, in the maritime quarter, tells the story of his life, work and legacy. From there, it's easy to reach a host of other attractions, including the Swansea Museum (the oldest in Wales), the National Waterfront Museum, which tells the story of Wales' industrial history and The Glynn Vivian Art Gallery. The city is also home to cutting edge galleries like the artist-led community Elysium and Galerie Simpson. A two-decade spanning 'Art Across The City' project has led to dozens of public artworks and murals dotted around in Swansea, so keep your eyes peeled while walking around. And for a theatre experience with a difference, try to catch a show at the Volcano Theatre, where inventive and boundary-pushing plays are performed in a disused supermarket.
Nearest station: Swansea, about a 20 minute walk to maritime quarter
Leeds
As well as being the only city outside of London to have both a resident opera and ballet company, Leeds has an impressive collection of museums, including those dedicated to the city's industrial heritage (Leeds Industrial Museum), arms and armour (Royal Armouries Museum) and the history of healthcare (Thackray Museum of Medicine). For art lovers, Leeds Art Gallery has the most significant collection of twentieth century art outside of London, while the Henry Moore Institute showcases sculpture from around the world. Hop on a train to Wakefield (just a 13 min journey) and you can visit the award winning Hepworth Gallery. If you've got a little more time, Yorkshire Sculpture Park is a short taxi or bus ride from Wakefield Westgate station. Set in 500 acres of stunning countryside, it features works by Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, Ai Weiwei and more.
Nearest station: Leeds, in the city centre
Enjoy great value British adventures by train
From stunning nature and the great outdoors, to culture, cuisine and incredible scenery, there's no doubt Britain has it all in spades, and these unmissable adventures are just a simple, enjoyable train ride away. So there's never been a better time to start planning some Great British getaways, from day trips to weekends away or a longer staycation.
With Railcard, whether you're travelling solo or with a friend, on a couples weekend or off on holiday with the family, you can save on all sorts of train journeys around Great Britain. Railcard helps you save a third off rail travel and for just £35 for the year, it pays for itself in no time. With 9 different Railcards available, find the one for you at railcard.co.uk. What's more, you can enjoy 2FOR1 and other offers with National Rail's Days Out Guide when you travel by train. So make this your year to get out, experience and explore everything on your doorstep and enjoy truly great value getaways.
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The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
We live in UK's most photographed street – tourists make our lives hell… they wander into homes like it's Disneyland
LOCALS living in Britain's most photographed street say they are now completely overrun with tourists who make their lives hell. Residents around Arlington Row in the Cotswold village of Bibury claim visitors trample on their gardens and peer through the windows and even walk into their homes as they take continuous selfies. 17 17 17 Some also claim the oblivious pic hunters have also knocked down walls in their cars, blocked their driveways and several of the endless stream of coaches even run people over. The village itself - once described by William Morris as "the most beautiful" in England - has reportedly seen an influx in interest due to online recommendations. Bibury previously hit the news in 2017 after social media users complained their photos of Arlington Row where photobombed by an "ugly little yellow car". It was subsequently vandalised, with repairs costing elderly owner Peter Maddox around £6,000. However, he had a defiant attitude and refused to move his bright-coloured car from outside his cottage, leading to a large fleet of yellow cars descending on the village in support. Opinions divided Mark Honeyball, 54, chairman of Bibury Parking Working Group, said the main problems in the village are coaches and the 'volume' of tourists. He said: 'We've gone from 10 to 90 coaches a day. We have seen a quadrupling of tourists coming into the village. 'The coaches are causing damage to the village, they are knocking over walls. "They are knocking over National Trust property, pavements and we have had to pay for enforcement in the village to stop them parking in the wrong places. 'We have had several incidents of bus drivers hitting people - they are just a nightmare and we are currently trying to ban them. 'Car tourists have increased as well and we don't have anywhere for them to park.' Bibury Working Parking Group is made up of Gloucestershire County Council, Cotswold District Council, the police and Bibury Parish Council, which recently made some recommendations to restrict access for coaches. As a result, Gloucestershire County Council Highways would be changing the layout of parking bays to stop coaches waiting on the B4425 next to the Swan Bridge in the centre of the village. Mr Honeyball added that he wants 'responsible tourism in lower volumes'. He said: 'The only people who want tourists here are the businesses. Everybody else is fed up with it. 'Tourists see themselves as number one and don't respect the village even to the extent where I have had people parking on my driveaway before. 'We have had people walking into the house here and asking if this is the hotel. 'First couple of times it was amusing, after that you can get quite angry and short fused even when people start parking outside here.' 17 17 17 Resident Jennifer Bowman, 50, works in gaming and said she 'loves tourists' but there is a 'lack of infrastructure' that needs solving. She said: 'Many of the people who are coming here are tourists and they don't know UK driving laws and regulations and you don't see any signs that clearly say 'no parking' - it is simply marking on the roads. 'The biggest frustration as a resident is that there are not enough recycling bins, trash bins and parking and there seems to be a lack of urgency to solve it even though tourism continues to increase.' Jennifer's partner John Diamond, 49, who works in tech, said they have had tourists peeking through their windows as their house is right onto the footpath. But he said they shut the blinds and carry on with the rest of their day - adding that they have got used to it. He said: 'You can't go and move to the prettiest village in the UK and not expect tourists - we knew what we were getting into when we got this house. Perhaps we didn't expect people to stop and peering quite as long as they do. He added: 'I don't think they [tourists] should be pushed away because we came here as tourists like pretty much everybody who lives here apart from a few who are generational residents. 'There is not much parking - we don't have a parking space with our house so we have to park on the street where a tourist would. 'In the summer we have had cars parking on these double yellow lines. You can't step out of your house without stepping onto a car.' Local Ella Illes, 22, said that sometimes tourists think Bibury is a "Disneyland" or a 'museum town'. 17 17 She added: 'Some people embrace them because it brings in a lot of revenue to the village because we don't have many shops around here but sometimes tourists can be quite invasive and intrusive on local properties. 'I had one instance of a family walking through my backdoor during breakfast time so sometimes they think that Bibury is a Disney land and a museum town. 'They treat it with respect but sometimes they don't and they will wander into houses and throw rubbish on your floor and throw it in your garden. 'Some locals like the tourists but not the amount we get about up to 10 thousand a day sometimes and they come from all corners of the globe.' Lady Anne Evans, in her 50s, who has lived in the village for 25 years, runs a a café, shop and tearoom called Eleven. She said Bibury is an 'international' heritage site adding that the 'key' is to manage the needs of residents and tourists. Mrs Evans explained that parking in the village has been a problem since she moved in but has increasingly got worse. 'The villagers don't own the village but it is important that we continue our lives unhindered everyday but equally so people are very welcomed here,' she said. 'It is a privilege to be able to be the curators and guardians of such an incredibly important location. 'It is important that residents can continue their everyday lives unhindered and businesses continue and then the visitors who come are accommodated - but they need to have parking. 17 17 17 'This has been going on for 25 years but has got increasingly worse and I think that's because of social media.' 'You are not going to be able to stop people so you have got to accommodate them.' Lorraine Spackman, 53, who works at the local shop Eleven said she absolutely loves tourists. She said: 'We totally embrace them. 'With parking there is a system in place when it comes to coaches where they drop people off for an hour to visit the village. 'Arlington Row is such a beautiful iconic spot so it's always going to bring lots of tourists.' Lorraine remembers Mr Maddox's yellow car. The word "move" was scratched into the bonnet of the Vauxhall Corsa, which was parked outside his cottage in Arlington Row. 'He used to park at the top of Arlington and then everybody turned up with a yellow car just to make a point and show support,' said Lorraine. Locals said that Mr Maddox, now 90, still lives on the famous street but is currently in poor health and that the yellow car has since been sold. 17 17 17 Jason Collard, 38, a builder in Bibury, said his grandparents used to live in one of the cottages on the iconic Arlington Row. He said: 'I suppose if you lived here and you put up with it every day it would make it a bit annoying. 'When you ask them to stay off the grass and you need to put signs on your grass saying 'stay out of the grass' makes it a bit annoying. 'But this is part of history and people come from America, Japan, China to see this. 'It's got its good days and bad days. When it's busy it gets really busy. 'Most tourists just take pictures really.' The landscape and the history attracted influencer Giulia Cotigliana who came across Bibury on Pinterest, Google and Instagram. Giulia Cotigliana, 34 said she didn't find Bibury busy but added that arriving earlier is the trick to avoid large groups of tourists. The influencer from Italy said to feel like she was in a movie while visiting the village. One local said: ' We are packing up to go on holiday and escape the tourists.' 17 17
The Sun
14 hours ago
- The Sun
Garden designer reveals £2.75 Tesco trick to turn plain gardens into lush rainforest paradise
DID you know there are rainforests in Britain? Nope - me neither. But you may well have visited one without realising if you've holidayed in Cornwall, Wales or along the Atlantic Coastline. 3 3 Especially if you remember walking through green woodland packed with ferns, moss and lichen - with a really memorable earthy, damp scent. They once covered more than 20 per cent of the UK - but history devoured them - and now there's less than one per cent. So the Wildlife Trust, sponsored by Aviva, has just launched an epic 100-year restoration project to bring them back. The temperate rainforest restoration programme will restore approximately 1,755 hectares of temperate rainforest across the British Isles. Some of the new sites created through this programme include Bowden Pillars in Devon, Bryn Ifan in North Wales, Creg y Cowin and Glion Darragh on the Isle of Man, Trellwyn Fach in Pembrokeshire, and – most recently - Skiddaw in Cumbria. Garden Designer Zoe Claymore, won a silver gilt medal at RHS Chelsea for her British Rainforest Garden. She told me: 'I didn't know it at the time - but I played in a British rainforest as a child. The end of my grandparents garden in Devon went into Lidford Gorge which is one of the last existing rainforests. 'In the UK they're found in the Goldilocks zone - not too hot, not too cold - and by rivers, gullies and gorges, because you also need the moisture from the river creating that ecosystem.' But there are ways of recreating one in your own garden, she said. 'Even if you don't live in an area suited to creating a rainforest there's other plants that will create the same vibes. 'Create shade with Hazels - they're a great small tree which gives a real native-feel and perfect for small gardens. Or include hollies, birch or willows. 'Create a water feature - from a little stream with a few rocks or simply as an old-school rock water bowl - to create that sense of humidity. "But even if you just did a pond in a pot surrounded by some fun little logs, that will create habitat, that will bring wildlife, and it will create that kind of feeling of rainforest-y wetness." It's easy to make a home made pond - using old washing up bowls. Tesco's are currently selling one for just £2.75. First choose a spot that's sunny but not in direct sunlight all day - otherwise the water will evaporate. Then all you have to do is put some logs around it, and a few stones, so wildlife can climb in and out easily - almost like a ramp. Ideally fill it with rain water rather than tap. And then put in about three water plants - like mini water lillies or water forget-me-not and sit back waiting for the wildlife. Zoe added: 'Then use British classic woodland plants and really focus on ferns - the unsung beautiful heroes of shade gardening - as well as bluebells, foxgloves, primulars, ivy, bananas and - if you've got a wet area - moss - which is the jewel in the crown - so your garden will be green all year round." For a 'how to' guide adapted to all UK gardens - as well as a rainforest-inspired pot combination - head to - and a share of the proceeds will go the Wildlife Trust. Also in Veronica's Column this week... Gardening tips, news, plant of the week and a competition to win a garden border worth £195 PLANT OF THE WEEK! Dierama Wind Nymph Pink - pictured above - clump forming perennial with slender arching stems with soft pink blooms and evergreen foliage. Bees love it. Plant in direct sunlight, likes well drained soil but might need protection in Winter. NEWS! A dad's 60-year-old lawnmower has taken its place in gardening history as the UK's oldest Flymo - after he read a plea in Sun Gardening. Pete Goddard's monumental mower was inducted into the British Lawnmower Museum in Southport, Merseyside, last week after Flymo sent out a request for old mowers. The rare blue Flymo was unveiled last month - taking its place in the museum alongside King Charles, Brian May, and Nicholas Parsons' former mowers. It came after a nationwide search for the UK's oldest Flymo to celebrate 60 years since the iconic hover mower was invented. The 79-year-old retired Highway Maintenance Operative's Flymo was originally bought in the 1960s by his father-in-law and lovingly maintained across three generations - and still works today. NEWS! Great Comp Gardens will show off some salvias not released to the general public before - at it's annual Summer Show next weekend. The seven acre garden in Platt, near Sevenoaks will be at it's best - with the hot and cool border in bloom, salvias bringing swathes of colour to the perennial borders and the Italian Garden in full flower in time for their annual two-day flagship event. The weekend event features a group of talented artists, craftspeople, award-winning nurseries and garden ornamental suppliers plus live jazz bands on the lawn. Curator William Dyson says: 'We can't wait to share the garden with our Summer Show visitors - it looks particularly splendid in August with the salvias in full flow. 'We've also introduced lots of new and interesting plants to the garden this year including a collection of new world salvias that we've inherited from Lindsay Pink (a collector in Portsmouth) that people won't have seen before. "We urge people to come along and see our revamped planting schemes which help to showcase new salvias that we have been keeping under wraps until now. There are salvias that I've only seen once before and can't wait to show people. We are mixing in drifts of South American annuals like Cosmos for interest and colour and Tagetes erecta (Mexican marigolds) plus lots of varieties of dahlias." For more info visit WIN! Garden on a Roll - which provide ready-made garden border paper templates, and the plants to put them in - are offering three £195 borders at 3m x 60cm of any style - including the 'Wildlife border' for bees and butterflies. To enter visit or write to Garden on a Roll competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Include your name, age, email or phone. UK residents 18+ only. Entries close 11.59pm. August 16, 2025. T&Cs apply JOB OF THE WEEK! Stake your dahlias, trim your lavenders, take fuchsia cuttings, prune climbing and rambling roses, add tomato food to corn and peppers. For more gardening content follow me @biros_and_bloom
Reuters
20 hours ago
- Reuters
Story on UK travel advice to Pakistan withdrawn
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