Nice Stations to Visit

[ChrisTheRef]

Hi.

I'm not interested in watching or spotting trains, and I'm not interested in architecture. I'd love to go on a day trip to somewhere with stunning scenery, or a decent attraction within walking distance.

Examples are Oxenholme Lake District or Cuddington.

I think the more remote the better

I can travel for free on the Virgin Trains network, so I'd like to utilise this, travelling as far as possible for as little as possible.

Much appreciated

 

[142094]

One thing I've always wanted to do since passing in on an ALR a few years ago is walk from Corrour to Ft. William, perhaps camping overnight on the way. Brilliant scenery, and probably much better if you spend a day or two walking through it.

 

[the sniper]

I'd love to go on a day trip to somewhere with stunning scenery, or a decent attraction within walking distance.

I think the more remote the better

As 142094 says,Corrour station fits the bill. I hope to spend a day up there sometime.

 

[yorksrob]

Can I suggest Rye. A beautiful well designed small Victorian station with a beautiful medieval town right next door.

Sadly you can't get to it on a thumper any more though.

 

[rail-britain]

Seeing that you want to use your free Virgin Trains allowance, assuming you are starting at Liverpool

Liverpool - Crewe - Carlisle (VT) or Liverpool - Wigan (Northern), Wigan - Carlisle (VT)
Carlisle - Bardon Mill
Bardon Mill - Haltwhistle
Haltwhistle - Carlisle
Carlisle - Crewe - Liverpool (VT) or Carlisle - Wigan (VT), Wigan - Liverpool (Northern)

That would give you about 4 hours at Bardon Mill, equally you could walk from Haydon Bridge to Haltwhistle (9 miles)

 

[DaveNewcastle]

One thing I've always wanted to do since passing in on an ALR a few years ago is walk from Corrour to Ft. William, perhaps camping overnight on the way. Brilliant scenery, and probably much better if you spend a day or two walking through it.

I have to agree with this opinion of the scenery (I don't think its a minority opinion either - I saw postcards of some of the views there yesterday on displays in Inverness!). It really is a classic, as is Corrour to Glencoe.
But if that walk sounds too arduous, there's a much shorter and well trod walk from Corrour to Rannoch.
Best thing about it? The scenery? The wild deer? The ever changing light? The astonishing ability of the peat to resist decomposition? The possibility of seeing a train? The lack of roads or commerce?
Nah . . . the best thing is that its downhill all the way!

 

[Bevan Price]

A few possibilities - none directly on Virgin lines, but fares from nearest WCML station should not be excessive:-

Windermere - about 1 mile walk to the lake.
Settle & Carlisle line - e,g. Ribblehead, Garsdale
Cumbrian coast line - many of the stations between Barrow & Whitehaven (except Sellafield - not very scenic with BNFL factory adjacent. Ravenglass OK, plus scenic ride on Ravenglass & Eskdale narrow guage line if you want.

Bevan

 

[RPM]

One of the North Wales coast stations perhaps? Or Bettws y Coed - change at Llandudno Junction.
Alternatively you could carry on to the end of the branch and have a trip on the Ffestiniog Railway for some cracking scenery.

 

[jopsuk]

On a fairly cheap "beyond Virgin" trip, Stirling? Lovely station, and a nice town to visit.

 

[Greenback]

A bit furthe ron from Stirling is Pitlochry, a place that has always looked lovely to me when I've passed through it. One day I will definitely get off there!

 

[Kernowfem]

If its stunning scenery you want then Edale station is perfect. However if you want scenery AND shops/cafes etc then Hope station would be better....Plus only a short walk takes you into the popular tourist village of Castleton. (although the Hope line isnt served by Virgin i dont think) either way, certainly worth a visit

 

[Lampshade]

^^^You could add Bamford to that as well, not too far from Ladybower.

 

[Kernowfem]

^^^You could add Bamford to that as well, not too far from Ladybower.

Absolutely! twenty minute walk takes you right to Lady bower, with the cracking Yorkshire Bridge Pub that does great food and drink

 

[trickyvegas]

I do quite a bit of this sort of stuff, using the railways.

Hebden Bridge is a great starting point, you can walk straight up Hebden Water to Hardcastle Crags ona nice circular walk or press on to Haworth if you fancy a long stretch. The Leeds-Liverpool canal offers some great opportunities, the best stretch in my opinion lies between Colne & Skipton. The other one I would recommend is going over the top edge of Stanedge from Marsden station and finish up a with a few pints in the excellent Railway pub outside Greenfield station.

 

[142094]

Going the opposite way from Marsden, have a meal and a few in the Riverhead Brewery Tap and walk to Slaithwaite, or Huddersfield if you fancy, along the canal. Might be better to do it in the opposite direction, finishing up with a few pints after the walk. I did the former, having a full stomach is not good for walking!