Posts tagged britain
Rails & Tires: A combination trip to rural England
May 15th
An American couple blends train and auto travel for a holiday in rural south-central England
by Laurel Kallenbach
As a North American accustomed to driving on the right-hand side of the road, I break into a cold sweat at the prospect of navigating Britain’s left-sided motorways. The convenient, relaxing solution to my driving anxiety: train travel, which also happens to be more environmentally friendly than auto travel.
On our recent trip to Britain, however, my husband and I wanted to explore some of England’s rural areas, so a rental car was necessary. However, we were able to cut our time on the roads More >
Where to go with the BritRail South West Pass
Mar 1st
A focus on Britain’s Southwest
The BritRail South West Pass is a great way to get around the UK’s southwest region by train. As BritRail is launching its new rail pass, we want to highlight some of the places and activities you will be able to enjoy with this new pass.
A boat trip on River Thames The Thames is England’s longest river. The Thames trail runs through Windsor where you can follow a route that stretches from the town of Henley to Runnymede. The trail passes through Hurley Lock where you can stop and book a night at Olde Bell inn, one of More >
Three reasons to visit: Cardiff
Jan 29th
Cardiff serves as both the capital and the largest city in Wales, placing it at the center of the most important region in the country. The storied Cardiff castle, the eccentric Dr. Who Experience and the Wales Millennium Centre are part of what makes Cardiff such a unique place to visit.
1 - Cardiff Castle: 2000 years of history The medieval architectural style of Cardiff Castle places it among the city’s leading attractions. Guided tours of this 2000 year old landmark are offered year round. Cardiff Castle also hosts a number of great summer events including medieval Jousting, midsummer evenings with Shakespeare and More >
Bath: Enamored of this UNESCO World Heritage City
Jan 4th
By Patti Nickell
It’s comforting to know that there are some places in the world where you can return after a five, ten or even twenty year absence and find that very little has changed. I first visited Bath in my early 20s, a college graduate with a degree in English and visions of Jane Austen dancing in my head (it was only years later that I discovered Jane – who wrote so eloquently of it – didn’t much care for Bath.)
She must be the only one. Three subsequent visits have left me just as enamored of this UNESCO World Heritage More >
The Kyle Line
Nov 22nd
By Candace Leslie
No matter where I plan to go when visiting Scotland, I always hope to spend at least a few days around the Kyle of Localsh. Happily, with the flexibility of a BritRail Pass or a Freedom of Scotland Pass, I can add this magical rail journey to most any itinerary. While there are many ways to reach the Kyle of Lochalsh and its gateway to the Isle of Skye, none can beat the rail journey from Inverness on the Kyle Line. The excursion takes only two-and-a-half hours, but it passes through some of the most spectacular scenery in Great More >
Three reasons to visit: Aberdeen
Sep 28th
A gem in Scotland’s North East
Located on the north-east coast of Scotland, Aberdeen has some of the most magnificent scenery in the country. The third-largest city in Scotland is also nicknamed the Silver City with Golden Sands due to its common use of granite in its architecture and the coastal sand beach between its two rivers, the Dee and the Don.
The Land of Flowers One of the most famous aspects of Aberdeen are its green spaces. Plant lovers will be greeted with floral displays at almost every corner. There are, in fact, no less than 45 parks and gardens including the More >
Save up to 20% off BritRail Passes
Sep 10th
Great value on autumn and winter travel
Now’s the time to appreciate low season travel to Britain, where you can avoid the summer crowds and enjoy great savings! Explore England, Scotland and Wales this November, December, January or February and save up to 20% off BritRail’s most popular passes.
Take the classic BritRail Pass: for just $159 USD get 3 consecutive days of unlimited train travel in standard class. That’s $53 a day to have the freedom to travel on as many trains as you wish to your choice of destinations throughout England, Scotland and Wales. And for those travelers whose focus More >
I’d recommend the BritRail FlexiPass any day of the week.
Aug 15th
By Susan Wood
Gold medals at the Olympic Games aside, Great Britain would win hands down over the United States on rail travel.
In my two weeks of covering England, I only felt like I needed a car one day to get up at 3:15am in Bath to catch the Olympic torch at sunrise at the historic rock formation known as Stonehenge.
Otherwise, I took the convenient BritRail train from London to the Lake District (Windermere station) to Bath and back to London with no problems whatsoever.
Furthermore, the experience was beyond memorable, as I glanced out the window and wondered why the United More >
UK Inspired! Get Free BritRail Upgrade to 1st Class for 2013 Travel
Jul 19th
From July 20th to August 31st, 2012
With Britain in the spotlight this summer, it’s sure to inspire viewers to add this beautiful destination to their 2013 travel plans. And now you get a free upgrade to 1st class for 2013 travel when you buy a 4 or 8 day BritRail Flexi Pass between July 20 and August 31, 2012. This classic BritRail Flexi Pass opens the doors to destinations throughout England, Scotland and Wales with the freedom to hop on and off trains at your leisure. The best part is – these promotional passes allow you to travel anytime in More >
Endlessly and Effortlessly Enjoying Britain by Rail
Mar 15th
By: Ruth J. Katz (Style and Travel Editor / Promenade Magazine / New York City)
Just in time for an upcoming trip to London, BritRail has sent me, in my inbox, a missive touting a promotion on rail travel. How lucky am I? It’s not enough that I adore traveling on comfy and cozy BritRail, but now I can do more of it for less, getting one day’s travel free!
My last ten days of excursions on BritRail included, among other journeys, a lovely, restful sojourn from Manchester to Leeds. Resting my head against the window, with a simmering cuppa’ and biscuits—provided More >