You’ll find plenty of train adventures ideas below, however I’d like to point out that it’s entirely possible to plan your own adventures by train in the UK and beyond. In fact I recommend you do so. This is because local line train fares are more reasonably priced than cross-country ones, and often more fun. So, with an open mind, you can end up in all kinds of interesting places.

Hopefully with a jam sandwich to keep you going.

If you’re wondering where to start, I’ve dedicated a whole page to planning your own train adventure. It includes tips on managing stations, choosing an activity, finding an instructor, reducing train fare costs and going it alone. To make things easier, I’ve even included explanations of a few useful map symbols to help you find exciting places.

And I’ve explained the jam sandwich thing!

New European train routes for 2025

One of the easiest ways to get started with train adventures is to try a station to station walking route. Of course, these can be between any two stations, depending on how far you’d like to walk and which type of route you prefer. To get us all started on car-free adventures, I’ve been walking and writing up my own collection of station to station walks, each one has a link to a route on OS Maps. Feel free to have a go at them yourself and let me know if you enjoy them.

Your first step into train adventure planning might seem daunting. Because of this, I’ve created a list of tried and tested adventures to help you. Each adventure page has station information, a walking route on the OS Maps app, a route description and helpful activity tips. I also tell the story of how my adventure went. Once you’ve chosen one, feel free to enjoy it yourself. And be encouraged that nothing has gone too wrong for me so far.

Although there was that solo wild camping night on Dartmoor without a torch.

And that day I nearly didn’t walk across the Severn Bridge into Wales.

But like I said, most of my adventures have gone really well. As a result, I’ve got plenty more planned so keep an eye out on my social media channels or subscribe to my blog. Feel free to read through the train adventures below and choose to have a go at them or do something similar in your own area (as I’ve said, local train journeys are a lot cheaper than long distance ones).

And do please let me know how you get on. I would love to hear.

Push your confidence boundaries on a camping adventure like no other. Solo wild camping on Dartmoor is a unique experience but so is doing it with a friend. You’ll either never forget it or wish you could. Find a route and the Dartmoor wild camping map here.

Train station: Ivybridge

Walk, swim or ride the train. Whichever you choose, Devon’s coastal Riviera Line won’t disappoint. Where else can you enjoy sea views by train then jump out to take them in the slow way, on foot. Hop on board, this is a ride you won’t forget. Remember to wave at the train!

Train stations: Teignmouth and Dawlish Warren

Above the weir at Totnes the River Dart loses it’s brackish, tidal tang. It’s a committed splash from the pontoon into the water but once you’re in, the gentle glide through the Dartington Estate is surpassed only by the speeded up return back downstream.

Train station: Totnes

Crossing any border is a significant event, especially when it’s the border between Devon and Cornwall. Cross the Tamar Road Bridge by car and you miss the experience completely. Cross Brunel’s Royal Albert Bridge by train and you become part of history. Walk across and you get the opportunity to properly explore.

Train station: Saltash

This one’s more like a holiday than a walk. Two beautiful ferry rides give rest from three unique walks and give you a fantastic opportunity to view the South West Coast Path from a different angle. Travel from Plymouth’s city streets to two of Cornwall’s most secret beaches. And enjoy fresh fish at a Cornish beach pub.

Train station: Plymouth

How do you avoid the summer crowds, traffic queues and parking hassles in Cornwall? Travel by train of course. This Cornish train adventure might not include white sand beaches and sunburn but it does have leafy avenues and cooling river dips. Follow my walking route to find out more.

Train station: Bodmin Parkway

The Wind in the Willows might not have been set on Devon’s River Dart but the Dart is a stunning river to explore by canoe. Feel at one with nature, drift where walkers can’t go, and learn a few skills along the way. What could be better than this canoe tour with Dewerstone Adventures in Totnes?

Train station: Totnes

At the end of its own train line, Falmouth is a Cornwall seaside town with something for everybody. Fancy a coast walk? After a beach day? And delicious seaside food? Well Falmouth has all of that, as well as two train stations and some lovely hotels.

Train station: Falmouth Town

Powderham Castle and grounds are closed in the winter but you can still enjoy a walk across the park on the public footpaths. This is an easy circular walk, mostly on lanes and tracks but with one hill on a narrow path. Views of deer and the Exe Estuary.

Train station: Starcross

This is a lovely family walk from Exmouth train station. It takes you all along the seafront then up onto an easy headland to find the Geoneedle, which marks the start (or end) of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. Watch out for paragliders.

Train station: Exmouth

Hopefully you’ll be as pleased as I was to find this beautiful and musical sculpture on the beach at Par Sands. Cornwall beaches are always special but this one’s made exceptionally so by the Time and Tide Bell, one of thirteen around our coast.

Train station: Par

Travel from city to city the slow way along one of England’s most important trade and social routes. The Worcester and Birmingham Canal is a surprisingly peaceful and fascinating place to be. A place you’ll feel you know well once you’ve walked it’s 30 plus miles.

Train stations: Birmingham New Street and Worcester Shrub Hill

If you’ve ever considered undertaking the Camino de Santiago, you’ll be interested in this UK pilgrimage. And if it’s raining outside, you’ll also be interested in the unique night sanctuary accommodation available. This adventure offers travellers a whole new way to relate to our countryside.

Train station: Hereford

Bivvying on a beach is different to backpack camping in the hills because it’s almost impossible to get permission to do it. Which is probably why I felt so nervous and awake for most of the night. Will I do it again? With so many deserted beaches near UK train stations, it would be rude not to.

Train station: Secret Seaside Beach

Bath has so much to offer visitors, especially Bridgerton fans, but few venture beyond the well-known buildings and sights. The Bath Skyline walk is a great way to discover the surrounding countryside, whilst enjoying amazing views over this unique city.

Train station: Bath Spa

Not only is Dent England’s highest mainline train station, it’s also on the stunning Settle-Carlisle line. This lonely station is a long walk from its village. But walking isn’t compulsory. The station buildings are now cosy holiday accommodation.

Train stations: Ribblehead and Dent

Walks don’t come much flatter than this exploration of the lighthouses and navigation markers at Burnham-on-Sea. Highbridge & Burnham station doesn’t look too promising but start exploring and you’ll discover some fascinating watery history. All for free.

Train station: Highbridge & Burnham

Any tourist town is more relaxing visited by train than by car, and Windsor is no exception. With plenty of walking as well as tourist activities, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Stroll the Thames Path, take a boat tour, explore Windsor Castle. The choice is yours but you’ll need more than one day!

Train station: Windsor and Eton Central

I wonder if the workers who built the Ribblehead Viaduct suspected how iconic their creation would become. Ribblehead is a busy place once more but now with walkers and cyclists enjoying the scenery both natural and manmade.

Train station: Ribblehead

No trip to Portsmouth could be complete without a boat ride so for this adventure by train I added the Gosport Ferry, which lands very conveniently next to the pier that houses Portsmouth Harbour Station. So much history. Great for kids.

Train station: Portsmouth Harbour

We packed a lot into this train (and bus) adventure. From the UK’s shortest train line, to homes carved out of sandstone, to a pretty canal walk. Kinver really does have a lot to offer and even more if you can face the walk up to Kinver Edge.

Train station: Stourbridge Town

With mountain views ahead, and sea views behind, you won’t know where to look on this stunning walk. The Mawddach Trail from Barmouth to Dolgellau will take you right next to the track over the famous Barmouth Bridge on foot. Then onward beyond your expectations.

Train station: Barmouth

The River Severn is our longest river. The Source of the Severn trail in Hafren Forest will take you through beautiful woodland, alongside tumbling waterfalls and past intriguing peat hags. The start is at a remote location but it is possible (with local help) to do this walking route by train.

Train station: Caersws

I made my first trip on the West Highland Way in December. I wanted desperately to stop at Corrour Station but winter daylight and timetables were against me. There was also the snow. In the end this trip turned out to be my best train adventure to date. Did I get off the train? Click through to find out!

Train station: Mallaig

If you’re reading this you love to explore. You enjoy the challenge of getting from A to B but want to make sure your travel habits support rather than damage the places you visit. And the planet.

Like me, you’ve probably discovered that sustainable travel isn’t simple.

It’s multi-faceted. Which makes it tricky to decide which approaches to go for or what we need to change. Here are four elements that can support a sustainable travel habit.

1. Contributing to local communities.
2. Offering respect and support to local projects.
3. Choosing activities that do less harm to the environment.
4. Selecting travel methods that minimise carbon emissions.

Ten of the best walks in Devon

If I wanted to select the most sustainable transport mode, I’d have to go for barefoot naked walking. No carbon emissions, no product wear and tear, just light footprints through the sand.

I might get to the sand because I live in Devon but I doubt I’d get much further.

I love walking, and I love my local area but local exploration doesn’t always satisfy my yearning to adventure further afield. I’m not adverse to the occasional plane flight or trip in my camper van. But I do want to investigate alternatives. Climate change does matter to me.

Which is why I started to adventure by train.

If sustainability doesn’t turn you on, I’m happy to tell you that climate change isn’t the only reason to experience your adventures by train.

Here are ten more really good ones.

Car-free advantages

• Traffic queues are no fun, even when compared to busy trains
• You don’t have to pay to park your bottom at a train station

Personal advantages

• Train adventures can really exercise your planning skills
• Sitting on a train is far more relaxing than driving a car
• From a train you get to gaze where other eyes don’t roam
• Walking to and from train stations can keep you fit
• Train trips give nervous or non-drivers opportunities to explore

Trip planning advantages

• If a train is cancelled, you’ll probably be sent a bus
• Adventuring by train can improve your map reading skills
• Talking to strangers on trains can reveal all kinds of useful travel tips

If like me you’re fed up with overcrowded roads, parking hassle and knowing that your travel is harming the planet, why not have a go at adventuring by train. I’m going to keep adding to the list so keep an eye on this page. And please let me know on social media how you get on.

Who knows where the great adventure train might take us all next.