There's a popular saying when travelling: it's not about the destination, it's about the journey.
And that's especially true when it comes to train travel. Arguably the most romantic way to get to A to B, taking the train gives you time to relax back into a comfortable seat and watch the scenery pass or lose yourself in a book.
At least that seems to be the case if you're travelling for leisure rather than on your daily commute! In the North East, we're blessed with some stunning train journeys, with heritage railways weaving through the hills of County Durham and the North Pennines AONB.
Read more: Five of the best scenic train rides to take in the beauty of North East England
Even commuter services can take your breath away, with the Tyne Valley Line meandering along the banks of the famous river from Newcastle Central Station to Carlisle. However, it's one of the region's best-known journeys that's been named as one of the UK's best.
The East Coast Mainline connects London to Edinburgh, and the final stretch from Newcastle to the Scottish capital has been picked out by Condé Nast Traveller as one of the UK's most scenic routes. It was mentioned alongside iconic and famous trains and railway lines such as the Caledonian Sleeper, a night service from London to Fort William; Glasgow to Mallaig which takes riders over the Glenfinnan Viaduct made famous by Harry Potter; and the Settle to Carlisle route which travels across the Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines.
What do you think is the best rail journey in the UK? Let us know in the comments below!
Writer Monisha Rajesh, who has penned three books about trains: Around the World in 80 Trains, Around India in 80 Trains, and Epic Train Journeys wrote: "Don’t be fooled into thinking that a high-speed train between two major cities can’t offer a gorgeous view or two. This route follows England’s north-east coastline into southern Scotland, weaving passengers in and out of the patchworked countryside and misty-blue ocean scenes.
"Although the first few minutes of the ride include the classic sight of low-hanging wires and warehouses, the train soon shakes off the grime and guts of the city and blares its horn alongside meadows of sheep and picket-fenced farms. Given the journey's speed, flashes of canary-yellow rapeseed fields, the shiny black hides of Aberdeen Angus cows and villages vanish as fast as they rise, so sit on the right and face backwards to draw out the views.
"As you snake through forest and thunder over bridges, you’ll know when the sea is close as the horizon begins to haze and the edge drops away, revealing a blaze of North Sea blue."
It's hard to disagree with Rajesh, while I might also add in that highlights of the journey along the Northumberland Coast include catching a glimpse of the coastal village of Alnmouth, recently named as one of the most beautiful villages in the UK and Ireland by the same publication. Picking out the silhouette of the imposing castles of Bamburgh and Holy Island, and crossing the Royal Border Bridge at Berwick are also highlights, while the journey along the cliffs north of the Scottish Border is simply breath-taking.
The article also highlighted using the recently launched Lumo service, which stops in Newcastle and Morpeth on its way between London and Edinburgh, as an affordable and carbon-efficient alternative to the established companies operating on the line. Fixed fares between Newcastle and Edinburgh start at £9.90 one-way when booked 12 weeks in advance.
To read the full list of the best train journeys in the UK on Condé Nast Traveller, click here.
