The beachy English seaside town that is getting a new direct train service from London
The train, operated by Grand Central, will link King's Cross with Seaham, a seaside town known for its rugged, beautiful beaches and maritime history. The town is also home to a whopping 10 chippies, so come hungry.
Beginning from December 2025, this will be Seaham's first ever direct rail connection with the Big Smoke. The Seaham stop will be added to Grand Central's service from King's Cross to Sunderland, which currently goes via Peterborough, York, Thirsk, Northallerton, Eaglescliffe and Hartelpool. The service is one of several new routes recently confirmed on the East Coast Mainline.
Some of the top things to do at the harbour town are seeing its sweeping coastline, which is known to be an ideal spot for sea glass hunting, walking the coast path to Nose's Point, and visiting the East Durham Heritage & Lifeboat Centre, or perhaps the Mole Sanctuary, if that's your thing.
Grahame Morris, the MP for Easington said: 'I'm delighted to share that the Office of Rail and Road has confirmed that Grand Central Trains will begin stopping at Seaham Station from December 2025 to December 2026.
'[There will be] four stopping services per day in each direction.'
He added: 'Although the approval is currently for a one-year period using five-car trains, I'm confident that these services will be well-used by residents across our community.
'This means that our constituency will now have direct rail links to York and London, alongside increased capacity to local destinations such as Sunderland and Hartlepool.'
The Seaham train is one of a few new rail services that will link London with the north and Scotland coming later this year. Read about the new services arriving at Hull, Newcastle and Glasgow here.
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Time Out
21 hours ago
- Time Out
The beachy English seaside town that is getting a new direct train service from London
Soon Londoners will have access to a brand new summer holiday destination, because plans have been revealed for a new train directly linking the capital to a seaside town way up in County Durham. The train, operated by Grand Central, will link King's Cross with Seaham, a seaside town known for its rugged, beautiful beaches and maritime history. The town is also home to a whopping 10 chippies, so come hungry. Beginning from December 2025, this will be Seaham's first ever direct rail connection with the Big Smoke. The Seaham stop will be added to Grand Central's service from King's Cross to Sunderland, which currently goes via Peterborough, York, Thirsk, Northallerton, Eaglescliffe and Hartelpool. The service is one of several new routes recently confirmed on the East Coast Mainline. Some of the top things to do at the harbour town are seeing its sweeping coastline, which is known to be an ideal spot for sea glass hunting, walking the coast path to Nose's Point, and visiting the East Durham Heritage & Lifeboat Centre, or perhaps the Mole Sanctuary, if that's your thing. Grahame Morris, the MP for Easington said: 'I'm delighted to share that the Office of Rail and Road has confirmed that Grand Central Trains will begin stopping at Seaham Station from December 2025 to December 2026. '[There will be] four stopping services per day in each direction.' He added: 'Although the approval is currently for a one-year period using five-car trains, I'm confident that these services will be well-used by residents across our community. 'This means that our constituency will now have direct rail links to York and London, alongside increased capacity to local destinations such as Sunderland and Hartlepool.' The Seaham train is one of a few new rail services that will link London with the north and Scotland coming later this year. Read about the new services arriving at Hull, Newcastle and Glasgow here.
Metro
2 days ago
- Metro
We swerved a beach honeymoon for a European city break
As one of the oldest cities in Western Europe, Lisbon's rich history reveals itself at every turn, from ancient ruins to tiled facades and near-vertical cobblestone streets. It might sound like a strange choice, but this love letter to the past felt like the perfect setting for our honeymoon. Some newlyweds may long for two weeks of undisturbed bliss on a sunlounger, only lifting a finger to order another cocktail. And as parents of a toddler, we probably could have benefited from the pause. But in this rare moment of solo time, we were also keen to savour sips of delicious wine, tuck into plentiful plates of local cuisine and immerse ourselves in the architectural beauty of somewhere new. Lisbon ticked those boxes and then some. Our first request was a taste of the sea, and with its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon is a treasure trove of delicious dishes. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Our taxi driver urged us to head straight to Cervejaria Ramiro, a family-run institution that has been feeding locals and visitors alike for almost 70 years. It serves things fresh. Live crabs and lobsters crawling in tanks mere feet from your head, type of fresh. The Portuguese wine goes down well, while the huge scarlet prawns (a waiter's recommendation) were quickly polished off. The buttery lobster rolls felt like true indulgence. If you're facing a long wait for a table, there's even a beer vending machine to quench your thirst. As Londoners, we love discovering a city on foot, and Lisbon rewards with every step. Like Rome, legend has it that the city was built on seven hills. If the steep climbs prove too much (and they are steep), you can take a more leisurely route on the iconic yellow trams, which wind through the cobbled streets and are easy to hop on and off. The Metro system is simple to use, budget-friendly and air-conditioned, a true joy on sticky summer days. For the best vantage point, try one of Lisbon's many rooftop bars. We stopped by the Hotel Mundial for a pre-dinner cocktail and panoramic views. By day, you're treated to sights of the terracotta rooftops and sorbet-toned buildings, and by night, the streets become awash with twinkly lights and monuments illuminated with golden hues. Our first hotel was the Martinhal Lisbon Oriente, a five-star residence featuring a range of studios and apartments. Designed to accommodate a diverse mix of guests, it offers business centres for professionals, alongside childcare services and entertainment for families. Just a short walk from Oriente station, it's a little out of the main thrust of Lisbon, but the waterfront neighbourhood is fast becoming popular with young working professionals. Unlike the historic centre, Oriente is sleek and modern; it has the Vasco da Gama Shopping Centre, as well as waterfront restaurants and bars. For families, it has the Oceanário de Lisboa, which is regarded as one of the best aquariums in the world. Like many cities, Lisbon's main square can feel like a tourist trap of overpriced eateries that don't truly showcase its rich culinary heritage. That being said, Praça do Comércio, or Commerce Square, is worth a visit for its stunning riverside perch and historical significance as the gateway to the city after the 1755 earthquake. But in Lisbon, the real magic lies in discovering the hidden gems off the beaten path. One of our favourite lunch spots was Taberna do Bairro Alto in the Misericórdia neighbourhood. A non-negotiable recommendation from our hotel's concierge, it appears understated from the outside, with just a few chairs scattered around a simple arched doorway, set against soft yellow walls. This cosy spot is beloved by locals, with delicious dishes at great prices. We devoured a generous platter of cured meats, cheeses, and olives, perfectly paired with a pitcher of crisp white sangria. We couldn't visit Lisbon without a stop at the famous TimeOut market. This vibrant food hall, set within the historic Mercado da Ribeira, is home to more than 40 restaurants and bars. Grilled sardines are a Lisbon classic, so we tried a playful twist, opting for sardine sushi paired with a chilled glass of crisp Portuguese white wine. One of the standout meals of our honeymoon was dinner at the Convent Square Lisbon, Vignette Collection. If you want a true taste of the city's history, this iconic eatery, set within a 13th-century convent, has it woven into the walls. The showstopping interiors only come second to the delectable choice of dishes and drinks. Celebrating the spirit of the convent's old apothecary, the cocktail menu serves up inventive drinks inspired by ancient elixirs once crafted by monks to revive weary travellers. The showstopper plate has to be the Duck Arroz de Pato, a Portuguese rice that offers a smoky bite full of flavour. For an authentic taste of Lisbon in a breathtaking setting, this is the place to be. Our second hotel was the iconic Four Seasons. This five-star hotel blends Portuguese heritage with Art Deco style, and the service is outstanding. If you're keen to get a workout in, there's a gym on the top floor, as well as a 400-metre rooftop running track, so you can feel the burn with unbeatable views. The hotel houses restaurant CURA, run by Michelin-distinguished chef Rodolfo Lavrador. Each dish is thoughtfully crafted, with every ingredient carefully chosen for its quality and flavour. In any discussion of Lisbon, it would be remiss not to mention pastel de natas, the Portuguese custard tarts with a tantalising caramelised topping. They can be found on every corner, but we have to give a special shout-out to the Manteigaria bakery in Baixa, and Castro in the Bairro Alto district. It may feel like good food and wine were the main mission of our honeymoon, and to be fair, it's not far from the truth. But we did explore for reasons besides a culinary quest. If you love vinyl records, Louie Louie in downtown Lisbon has a great range, as does nearby Tubitek. For vintage lovers, head to the Baixa district. Flamingo Vintage Kilo lets you buy items per weight and has an amazing selection of sparkly and leather jackets, while A Outra Face Da Lua is a little pricier, but well worth the rummage. More Trending In three days, it felt like we only scratched the surface of Lisbon. In truth, it feels like you would need months to explore its full beauty. We didn't even get the chance to explore the magical palaces of Sintra or watch the sunset by the Belém Tower. Still, we left with amazing memories, full stomachs and a strong desire to return as soon as possible. Day one Pick up an early morning coffee at Albi Browse the books at the historic Livraria Betrand Go record shopping at Louie Louie Have a seafood lunch at Cevejaria Ramiro Relax with cocktails at the rooftop bar in Hotel Mundial Stop for dinner at the Convent Square Lisbon, Vignette Collection Day two Catch the Tram 28 through Alfama, Graca and Baixa Take in the stunning views in Alfama before brunch in Augusto Lisboa Head back into the city centre and visit one of Lisbon's famous squares A cosy dinner at Taberna do Bairro Alto in the Misericórdia neighbourhood Day three Enjoy a pastel de nata at Castro in Bairro Alto Stroll to Time Out Market for a vast array of lunch options Pick up a souvenir at the official Benfica store in Rossio End your stay with a stunning meal at Cura MORE: I've been to 175 countries – but I always go back to these underrated gems MORE: An Irishwoman's guide to Ireland's best beaches — no matter the weather MORE: I stumbled across the best bar ever in Europe's newly-crowned 'safest city'
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Picturesque seaside town boasting 10 fish and chip shops will have direct train to London
Trains from London are planned to stop in this beautiful seaside town in the north of England, marking the destination's first and only direct rail connection to the capital Plans are progressing to establish a new direct rail link from London to the stunning Durham coastline in northern England. Starting December 2025, trains will begin calling at the town of Seaham in County Durham, renowned for its striking cliffs, sandy beaches, and fascinating maritime heritage. Visitors should arrive with an appetite too, as the town boasts no fewer than 10 fish and chip shops, according to Google Maps. The railway service will be operated by the Open Access operator Grand Central, supported by transport firm Arriva. Operators such as Grand Central remain outside the Labour government's nationalisation proposals, utilising their own finances, reports the Express. It comes after images show the cheapest seaside spot in England is full of abandoned £40k homes 'nobody wants'. READ MORE: New train stations will allow tourists to explore popular UK holiday destination Grahame Morris, the MP for Easington said: "I'm delighted to share that the Office of Rail and Road has confirmed that Grand Central Trains will begin stopping at Seaham Station from December 2025 to December 2026. [There will be] four stopping services per day in each direction." Home to roughly 21,500 inhabitants, Seaham is a bustling harbour town along the Durham Coast, boasting award-winning hotels, an extensive array of cafés and breathtaking clifftop vistas. Seaham Beach features a combination of rocky and sandy shoreline, extending roughly one mile along the town's coast, from the harbour wall to the northern edge of the settlement. Seaham is famous for vibrant sea glass - manmade glass that was previously discarded at sea before being tumbled and shaped by the water over several years and eventually washing ashore. A visitor said on Tripadvisor this past April: "Lovely beach with beautiful coloured pebbles and sea glass. There are car parks along the seafront - only cost £3 for the whole day. Town is within walkable distance and has a number of good fish and chips shop. Bell's fish restaurant has plenty of seating inside when the weather's cold. There's also a market. Great for a relaxing day out." The news emerges as UK rail regulators approved extended track access rights for Grand Central's current operations through to 2038. The trains will be manufactured at Hitachi's Newton Aycliffe plant, the company's British manufacturing hub. Arriva officially submitted an application to the UK Office of Rail and Road, the appropriate authority, to broaden its Grand Central operations into Lincolnshire from 2026. The operator is also pursuing approval for plans involving two additional daily return journeys between Bradford and London, plus an early morning and late evening return from York to London, along with connections to Seaham, which would mark the town's first and only direct link to London. Morris added: "Although the approval is currently for a one-year period using 5-car trains, I'm confident that these services will be well-used by residents across our community. "This means that our constituency will now have direct rail links to York and London, alongside increased capacity to local destinations such as Sunderland and Hartlepool."
