Scenic Railways in Southern England

The Heart of Wessex Line

Practicalities:  This railway starts in Bristol and makes its way down to Weymouth on the south coast.  Bristol is served by regular Virgin Cross Country and First Great Western Intercity services.  A day ranger ticket is available giving unlimited travel on the day of use and costs £14.  There are 8 services in each direction Monday - Saturday and 3 on Sundays.  Tickets can be purchased at any staffed station or on the train where a ticket office isn't available.  The journey length is 2 hours 16 minutes for the entire length of the route.  Find out more and download a route guide from: -  www.heartofwessex.org.uk

The route starts in Bristol and makes its way through the Avon Valley.  You can stop off at Avoncliff for walks along the Kennet and Avon Canal.  The train also makes its way through the city of Bath.  From here the route becomes more rural as small villages almost untouched by time are found.  Bradford on Avon is an ancient mill town with a Saxon church and medieval tithe barn. 

From here the line turns south and makes its way through deep valleys and the Wiltshire plains.  You can view the famous Westbury White Horse from the train.  This is a giant white horse formed from white chalk on the hillside.  You can also view the Cider orchards of Somerset. 

Bruton, Yetminster and Maiden Newton are all wonderful villages that can be stopped off at along the way.  The journey ends by passing through the South Dorset Downs before entering the seaside resort of Weymouth. 

 

The Cotswold Line

Practicalities:  This journey can be started from Oxford or Hereford.  There are frequent services from London with First Great Western Link and also from elsewhere with Virgin Crosscountry.  The journey is 86 miles long with 17 station stops.  There are 14 - 15 trains in each direction every day. 

From Hereford the train journeys east to Worchester.  This is a pleasant town and home to the famous porcelain works.  There are several interesting villages along the length of the line but the opportunity also exists to travel further and find other Cotswolds villages.  From Moreton in Marsh, there are bus links to Broadway, Chipping Campten, Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water.  From Kingham buses go to Chipping Norton.  Villages around Charlbury have good rail bus connections. 

 

The Bittern Line

Practicalities:  Ideally suited for travel from London, the railway starts at Norwich.  There are frequent electric Intercity services from London with the train operator 'One'.  A Bittern Rover ticket is available priced at £5 for a day's unlimited travel.  It can be purchased at Norwich or on board trains.  As well as being valid on the railway, this ticket can also be used on the conecting CoastHopper bus service from Sheringham to Hunstanton.  Discounts are obtainable at many local attractions displaying the Bittern Line logo.  Find out more about this railway, including walks from stations at: - www.bitternline.com

This railway starts at Norwich and travels north to the seaside towns of Cromer and Sheringham.  Along the way the Norfolk Broads and wonderful coastline scenery are discovered.  The area between the lines two end towns (Cromer and Sheringham) has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 

Approximately half way along the line is the market town of North Walsham, which retains the charm of a traditional English market town. 

The resort of Cromer is famous for its beaches and pier.  It also has a medieval church that visitors can take some time to see.  The end of the line at Sheringham need not be the end of the journey.  Coastal buses link up further areas north of the journeys end.  Alternatively the private steam North Norfolk Railway operates from a station across the road from the terminus of this line.  Both the steam railway and coastal bus service are accessible with inclusive tickets. 

 

The Wherry Lines

Practicalities:  Easy access from London is provided by Intercity rail services by 'One' trains to Norwich.  All day rover tickets can be purchased at Norwich or onboard trains.  These cost £5 for adults, £4 for senior citizens and £3 for children.  A family rover ticket costs £10. 

These lines are named after the Wherry sailing boats that once plied the broads.  The railway takes passengers from Norwich to Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.  Journeys take visitors through the unique broads landscape and along the River Yare.  For those unfamiliar with the Norfolk Broads, this is a landscape quite unlike any other.  The expanse of wetlands are one of the UK's most saught after holiday areas. 

Along the way there are numerous villages to stop and visit.  You can find out more about days out and places to visit on these routes at: www.wherrylines