In a move to get Brits back on track, Scenic Rail Britain has this week launched a national awareness campaign to promote the delights and benefits of ‘Days Out by Rail’. The eight-week Days Out By Rail initiative is the first in a series of campaigns encouraging people to opt for train travel, where possible.
The campaign aims to:
- Highlight the benefits of travelling by train as a sustainable, inclusive, enjoyable way to travel, taking you through stunning landscapes and into the heart of communities, without adding to traffic and pollution;
- Give people the confidence to travel by train and providing information about routes, itineraries, ticketing and attractions so people can opt for train travel and make onward connections using buses and walking and cycling routes;
- Provide inspiration for planning days out or longer trips by rail, with a focus on showcasing lesser-known railway lines, discovering hidden gems and providing advice on the best time to visit.
Click here to view ‘Scenic Rail Adventures. Explore By Train’
Providing inspiration and information, ScenicRailBritain.com is the go-to reference and planning tool to discover more about scenic rail journeys in England, Scotland and Wales. Day-trippers and holidaymakers can plan trips to explore Britain’s hidden gems across coastal, country and city destinations. As one of the greenest ways to travel – especially combined with walking, cycling and buses – avoiding traffic jams, parking and pollution, taking the train enables travellers to explore lesser-known spots as part of a day out, short break or staycation.
Most of the lines featured in the campaign are supported by community rail partnerships and station groups working at grassroots level to engage local communities and promote rail as a key part of sustainable, healthy travel. Community Rail Network, the non-profit organisation that operates Scenic Rail Britain, supports, connects and champions those working and volunteering in community rail across Britain.
Chris Tarrant, adventurer, veteran broadcaster and presenter of Channel 5’s Extreme Railway Journeys has applauded the Scenic Rail Britain campaign. From the rail travel aficionado’s admission of never having been a trainspotter, it is the chance to visit new places that excite him most about rail travel. His love of traveling by train on home soil began when he swapped extreme railways in far off lands to discover more of Britain by rail in 2017.
Tarrant said, “This campaign will hopefully encourage people to take the train more this summer. What’s not to like about sitting back and watching the scenery roll by. Britain has some of the most stunning scenery in the world and a rail journey is part of the adventure.”
Jools Townsend, chief executive of Community Rail Network, said, “Many people don’t realise the scope for seeing Britain’s stunning landscapes, pretty villages and historic sites by rail – and making use of our wonderful, often little-known, community rail lines and stations is a great way to do this.
“We’re excited to launch our Days Out By Rail campaign with help from community rail partnerships and station volunteers across the country. This campaign is all about drawing on the local knowledge and insights from the community rail movement, and sharing that with families, day-trippers and holidaymakers. We hope to inspire more people to explore our beautiful countryside and fascinating heritage through green and scenic journeys by rail, avoiding the stress and pollution of driving and parking.”
Bradt Travel Guides are also supporting the campaign with a Guidebook Giveaway. Winners can choose between the latest edition of Britain from the Rails or Scotland from the Rails. Authored by Benedict Le Vey, they are the perfect travel companion for window gazer’s and packed with information for those who love train travel. In addition, an annual Railcard will allow one lucky winner to 12-months of reduced fares to enjoy even more days out by rail.
Cover image: Days out for grown-ups, credit Anthony Ward
