Best British heritage railways to mark the 200th anniversary

Jessica Baldwin

September 2025 marks 200 years since the birth of the modern railway, a steam-powered revolution that opened up Britain's most remote destinations, in turn igniting the great British holiday.

Although many of Britain's most scenic routes fell victim to Dr Beeching's cuts in the 1960s, today, thanks to tireless volunteers, beautifully restored steam trains once again glide through some of the country's most arresting landscapes.

Climbing cloud-crowned peaks, descending into flower-filled valleys and tracing our glittering coast, these vintage locomotives, which often pull lavish Pullman carriages, offer a first-class ticket to the past.

Champagne bars and velvet seats aside, these decadent time machines unlock a bevy of scenic spots from far-flung corners of national parks and national landscape hinterlands to off-piste mountain hamlets.

Whether it's the breathtaking scenery, the old-school glamour or the off-grid appeal, we have the perfect heritage railway for you!

Ffestiniog Railway, Snowdonia

The world's oldest surviving narrow-gauge railway has been travelling through Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park for almost two centuries.

Built to carry slate to the coast, today its iconic vintage carriages transport passengers from coastal Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog, a UNESCO-listed quarrying town, once the slate capital of the world.

Hugging the mountainside (and charging straight through it at times), the iconic heritage railway takes in Snowdonia's slate-scarred landscape, serene lakes and tumbling waterfalls, completing a remarkable full spiral along the way.

Booking two on-the-day singles lets you explore 'Stiniog' at leisure; from hitting Snowdonia's Slate Trail to flying down the UK's first four-person zipline.

Left you wanting more? At the park's northern edge, the Snowdon Mountain Railway offers dizzying views as it climbs Wales's highest peaks.

Climate in Betws-y-Coed

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	6	6	8	10	14	16	18	18	15	13	9	7
Hours of sunshine (daily)	1	2	3	5	6	6	5	5	4	3	2	1
Days with some rainfall	21	16	18	15	16	15	14	16	16	19	20	20

The Poppy Line, Norfolk

Celebrating its golden anniversary, Norfolk's beloved Poppy Line has now loyally ferried holidaymakers between the handsome market town of Holt and the Victorian seaside resort of Sheringham for 50 years.

What the route lacks in length (the 5.5-mile trip takes just 25 minutes) it more than makes up for in magnificent views, slicing through thriving heaths towards Weybourne before skirting the Norfolk Coast National Landscape to salt-slapped Sheringham, rich in shells and shantymen.

If it's the scenery which appeals the most, visit in early summer, when the route is engulfed by the area's famous poppies. Or, to enhance your time travel experience, head to Sheringham during its annual 1940s weekend, when classic cars and vintage fashion descend upon the town's bunting-strewn streets.

Climate in Cromer

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	6	6	9	11	15	18	20	20	18	14	10	7
Hours of sunshine (daily)	2	3	4	5	6	7	6	6	5	3	2	2
Days with some rainfall	20	15	17	15	14	13	13	13	13	16	19	19
Sea temperature °C	6	5	6	7	10	13	15	17	16	13	10	8

Dartmouth Steam Railway, Devon

Departing Paignton, with its quintessentially British bucket-and-spade beaches and Victorian pier, the Dartmouth Steam Railway puffs through the English Riviera Global Geopark, all golden sands and jaunty beach huts.

To make the most of the seascapes, book the beautifully restored 1917 Devon Belle Observation Carriage. The train then veers inland, through rolling Devonshire countryside, before hugging the River Dart.

At colourful Kingswear, your ticket includes an optional ferry trip across the river to Dartmouth, the medieval harbour town is littered with galleries, boutiques and excellent seafood restaurants.

Board the UK's last operational coal-fired paddle steamer, the Kingswear Castle, for an hour-long river cruise, taking in Dartmouth Castle and Agatha Christie's beloved Greenway along the way.

Climate in Torquay

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	8	8	10	12	15	18	20	20	18	15	11	9
Hours of sunshine (daily)	2	3	4	6	7	7	7	7	5	3	3	2
Days with some rainfall	19	15	16	14	14	12	11	13	13	16	18	18
Sea temperature °C	10	9	9	9	11	13	16	16	16	15	13	11

The Jacobite, Lochaber

Roaring through 84 miles of prime Scottish Highlands scenery, The Jacobite sets off from Fort William, near Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis.

The record-breaking sights keep coming; from the nation's deepest freshwater loch (Loch Morar) and its shortest river (River Morar) to Europe's deepest seawater loch (Loch Nevis).

But for Potterheads, the climax of a ride on the 'Hogwarts Express' is the iconic 21-arched Glenfinnan Viaduct, which features in the blockbuster. When time allows, the train lingers on the 100-foot-high bridge, leaving passengers time to soak in the jaw-dropping view.

Give the guard a nod and you can hop off at Britain's most westerly mainland station, Arisaig, the in-the-know request stop boasts white sands and jewel-hued shallows which look more Caribbean than Highland.

On a clear day you can spot the islands of Rum, Eigg, Muck, Canna and Skye.

Climate in Fort William

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	4	5	6	10	13	15	16	16	14	11	7	5
Hours of sunshine (daily)	1	2	3	4	5	5	4	4	3	2	1	1
Days with some rainfall	24	18	22	18	19	19	20	20	23	24	23	24

Tanfield Railway, County Durham

Often-overlooked County Durham boasts thunderous waterfalls, ancient castles and a dramatic heritage coast, and in one of its prettiest valleys, the world's oldest railway still chugs along.

Currently celebrating its 300th birthday, Tanfield Railway began as a horse-drawn wagonway carrying coal to the Tyne. Today, splendid heritage steam engines and restored Victorian carriages follow the Causey Valley route.

The line is ripe with the potential for steam-scented adventures; hop off at Causey Station for epic views from the world's oldest surviving single-arch railway bridge or disembark at Marley Hill to tour the world's oldest working engine shed.

Continue your time-travel experience in nearby Beamish (Art Fund's 2025 Museum of the Year); the open-air living museum lets you roam between eras aboard vintage trams and retro buses.

Climate in Newcastle

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	6	6	8	10	14	17	19	18	16	13	9	7
Hours of sunshine (daily)	2	2	3	4	6	6	5	5	4	3	2	2
Days with some rainfall	18	15	17	15	15	14	13	15	14	16	18	17
Sea temperature °C	7	6	6	7	9	11	14	14	13	11	10	8

Bluebell Railway, Sussex

Downton Abbey fans may feel a sense of déjà vu aboard this whimsically named heritage line through Sussex's leafy High Weald National Landscape.

The world's first preserved standard-gauge steam railway runs the 11-mile route between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead, calling at impeccably restored stations including Horsted Keynes, famed as Downton Abbey Station in the iconic period drama.

In spring, the route is carpeted with the bluebells that inspired its name. Highlights include the record-breaking Sharpthorne Tunnel and the Grade II listed Imberhorne Viaduct.

Marking a special occasion? Step aboard the Railway Directors' Saloon, a grand teak-panelled carriage from 1897, available for private hire.

Climate in Hayward's Heath

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	7	7	9	12	16	19	21	21	18	15	10	8
Hours of sunshine (daily)	2	3	4	5	7	7	7	7	5	4	2	2
Days with some rainfall	17	13	15	13	13	11	10	11	12	14	15	16

North Yorkshire Moors Railway, North Yorkshire

Heather-dappled moorlands, ancient forests, and dramatic seascapes make the North York Moors National Park a magnet for hikers. Board its preserved railway and see it all in under two hours; travel in the Pullman Dining Carriage and sip champagne along the way.

Revived by volunteers, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway is Britain's busiest heritage line. Starting in Pickering, home to a 13th-century castle, it calls at remote period stations, including Goathland (Hogsmeade in the Harry Potter films).

Not a fan of glumbumbles or goblin jellies? Continue to Grosmont to tour the famous engine sheds. From here, you can continue through the Esk Valley to the bustling historic harbour town of Whitby.

Climate in Pickering

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C	6	6	8	11	14	18	19	19	17	13	8	6
Hours of sunshine (daily)	2	2	3	5	6	6	5	5	4	3	2	1
Days with some rainfall	18	14	16	14	14	13	13	14	14	16	18	18

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Jessica Baldwin

Posted in: Europe Excursions UK

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