30 Days Out, 30 Train Adventures: A Car-Free Family Summer of Exploring the UK
Many family days out are planned with car travel in mind but you donβt need a car to create amazing memories. Travelling by train can turn the journey itself into part of the adventure. No traffic, no parking worries and the excitement of watching the world go by.
Why These 30 Places?
When putting this list together, I wanted to include destinations that offer something for everyone. Whether you're travelling with toddlers, teenagers or simply looking for a great day out, these places are packed with family-friendly attractions, beautiful outdoor spaces and plenty to explore.
I've chosen a mix of bustling cities, traditional seaside towns, historic market towns and stunning countryside locations from across England, Scotland and Wales. Many are home to museums, castles, parks, beaches, zoos, science centres and other attractions that are all within easy reach of the railway station, making them ideal for car-free adventures.
From the bright lights of London and Edinburgh to the beaches of St Ives and Whitby, the beauty of the Lake District and the charm of the Cotswolds, every destination offers something unique. Whether you want history, wildlife, hands-on museums, outdoor adventures or classic British seaside fun, there's a train adventure here to inspire your next family day out.
From museums and castles to beaches, parks and family attractions, here are the 30 brilliant UK adventures you can enjoy by train:
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1. London - the capital city of England, located in the south-east of the country.
Nearest train station:
London King's Cross Station
Euston Road, London N1C 4AL
Things to do:
β’ Natural History Museum
β’ Science Museum
β’ Hyde Park and Serpentine pedalos (seasonal)
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2. York - a historic city in North Yorkshire, North East England.
Nearest train station:
York Railway Station
Station Road, York YO24 1AB
Things to do:
β’ National Railway Museum
β’ JORVIK Viking Centre
β’ Clifford's Tower
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3. Edinburgh - the capital city of Scotland, on the country's east coast - included as it's one of the UK's most popular train destinations for a car-free adventure although not part of England.
Nearest train station:
Edinburgh Waverley Station
Princes Street, Edinburgh EH1 1BB
Things to do:
β’ Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
β’ Edinburgh Zoo
β’ Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
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4. Manchester - a major city in North West England.
Nearest train station:
Manchester Piccadilly Station
London Road, Manchester M60 7RA
Things to do:
β’ Science and Industry Museum
β’ National Football Museum
β’ Heaton Park
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5. Bristol - a vibrant city in South West England.
Nearest train station:
Bristol Temple Meads Station
Temple Gate, Bristol BS1 6QF
Things to do:
β’ SS Great Britain
β’ Bristol Aquarium
β’ We The Curious
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6. Leeds - a large city in West Yorkshire, Yorkshire and the Humber.
Nearest train station:
Leeds Railway Station
New Station Street, Leeds LS1 4DY
Things to do:
β’ Royal Armouries Museum
β’ Leeds City Museum
β’ Roundhay Park
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7. Newcastle - Newcastle upon Tyne, a city in North East England.
Nearest train station:
Newcastle Central Station
Neville Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5DL
Things to do:
β’ Discovery Museum
β’ Great North Museum: Hancock
β’ Tynemouth Longsands Beach
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8. Birmingham - England's second-largest city, in the West Midlands.
Nearest train station:
Birmingham New Street Station
Station Street, Birmingham B2 4QA
Things to do:
β’ National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham
β’ Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum
β’ Cannon Hill Park
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9. Cardiff - the capital city of Wales, on the south coast.
Nearest train station:
Cardiff Central Station
Central Square, Cardiff CF10 1EP
Things to do:
β’ Techniquest
β’ Cardiff Castle
β’ Cardiff Bay Barrage Playground
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10. Nottingham - a city in Nottinghamshire, East Midlands England.
Nearest train station:
Nottingham Station
Carrington Street, Nottingham NG2 3AQ
Things to do:
β’ City of Caves
β’ Nottingham Castle
β’ Wollaton Hall and Deer Park
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11. Brighton - a popular seaside city in East Sussex, South East England.
Nearest train station:
Brighton Railway Station
Queens Road, Brighton BN1 3XP
Things to do:
β’ Brighton Palace Pier
β’ SEA LIFE Brighton
β’ Upside Down House
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12. Whitby - a seaside town on the North Yorkshire coast.
Nearest train station:
Whitby Station
Langborne Road, Whitby YO21 1YN
Things to do:
β’ Whitby Abbey
β’ Whitby Museum
β’ Beach and traditional seaside attractions
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13. Penzance - the most south-westerly major town in Cornwall, South West England.
Nearest train station:
Penzance Station
Alverton Street, Penzance TR18 2LJ
Things to do:
β’ Jubilee Pool
β’ Morrab Gardens
β’ St Michael's Mount (nearby)
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14. Windermere - a town in the Lake District National Park, Cumbria, North West England.
Nearest train station:
Windermere Station
Station Precinct, Windermere LA23 1AH
Things to do:
β’ Lake Windermere cruise
β’ The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction
β’ Orrest Head walk
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15. Blackpool - a famous seaside resort on the Lancashire coast, North West England.
Nearest train station:
Blackpool North Station
Talbot Road, Blackpool FY1 2AB
Things to do:
β’ Blackpool Pleasure Beach
β’ Blackpool Tower Eye
β’ Sandcastle Waterpark
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16. Hastings - a historic seaside town in East Sussex, South East England.
Nearest train station:
Hastings Station
Station Approach, Hastings TN34 1BA
Things to do:
β’ Hastings East Hill Cliff Railway
β’ Smugglers Adventure
β’ Hastings Castle
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17. Littlehampton - a seaside town in West Sussex, on England's south coast.
Nearest train station:
Littlehampton Station
Terminus Road, Littlehampton BN17 5BS
Things to do:
β’ Harbour Park
β’ West Beach
β’ Littlehampton Harbour
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18. Aberdeen - a city on Scotland's north-east coast.
Nearest train station:
Aberdeen Station
Guild Street, Aberdeen AB11 6LX
Things to do:
β’ Duthie Park and Winter Gardens
β’ Aberdeen Maritime Museum
β’ Footdee (Fittie)
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19. Harrogate - a spa town in North Yorkshire, England.
Nearest train station:
Harrogate Station
Station Parade, Harrogate HG1 1TE
Things to do:
β’ Valley Gardens
β’ Mercer Art Gallery
β’ Harrogate Turkish Baths
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20. Moreton-in-Marsh - a market town in the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, South West England.
Nearest train station:
Moreton-in-Marsh Station
Station Road, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 0AA
Things to do:
β’ Explore the town
β’ Batsford Arboretum
β’ Cotswold Falconry Centre
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21. Cambridge - a historic university city in Cambridgeshire, East of England.
Nearest train station:
Cambridge Station
Station Road, Cambridge CB1 2JW
Things to do:
β’ Punting on the River Cam
β’ Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences
β’ Cambridge University Botanic Garden
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22. Chester - a historic city in Cheshire, North West England.
Nearest train station:
Chester Station
City Road, Chester CH1 3NS
Things to do:
β’ Chester Zoo
β’ Chester Roman Walls
β’ Blue Planet Aquarium (nearby)
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23. Bath - a UNESCO World Heritage city in Somerset, South West England.
Nearest train station:
Bath Spa Station
Dorchester Street, Bath BA1 1SU
Things to do:
β’ Roman Baths
β’ Bath City Farm
β’ Royal Victoria Park Playground
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24. Liverpool - a waterfront city in Merseyside, North West England.
Nearest train station:
Liverpool Lime Street Station
Lime Street, Liverpool L1 1JD
Things to do:
β’ Mersey Ferry
β’ World Museum
β’ Maritime Museum
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25. Glasgow - Scotland's largest city, on the River Clyde.
Nearest train station:
Glasgow Central Station
Gordon Street, Glasgow G1 3SL
Things to do:
β’ Glasgow Science Centre
β’ Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
β’ Riverside Museum
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26. Portsmouth - a historic naval city on the south coast of Hampshire, England.
Nearest train station:
Portsmouth & Southsea Station
Commercial Road, Portsmouth PO1 1EQ
Things to do:
β’ Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
β’ Spinnaker Tower
β’ Blue Reef Aquarium
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27. Inverness - the capital of the Scottish Highlands - although it is not in England, Inverness is a fantastic UK train adventure destination, offering a chance to experience dramatic scenery, Highland culture and outdoor adventures without needing a car
Nearest train station:
Inverness Station
Academy Street, Inverness IV1 1LE
Things to do:
β’ Loch Ness boat trips
β’ Ness Islands walk
β’ Inverness Botanic Gardens
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28. St Ives - a picturesque seaside town in Cornwall, South West England.
Nearest train station:
St Ives Station
The Terrace, St Ives TR26 2BP
Things to do:
β’ Porthmeor Beach
β’ Tate St Ives
β’ Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden
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29. Sheffield - a city in South Yorkshire, Yorkshire and the Humber.
Nearest train station:
Sheffield Station
Sheaf Street, Sheffield S1 2BP
Things to do:
β’ National Videogame Museum
β’ Winter Garden
β’ Sheffield Botanical Gardens
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30. Stratford-upon-Avon - a historic market town in Warwickshire, West Midlands England, famous as the birthplace of William Shakespeare.
Nearest train station:
Stratford-upon-Avon Station
Station Road, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6PL
Things to do:
β’ Stratford Butterfly Farm
β’ Bancroft Gardens and river boat trips
β’ Shakespeare's Schoolroom and Museum
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A summer of adventures doesn't need a car - sometimes the best memories begin when you step onto the train. Feel free to add your experiences and recommendations βΊοΈ
