railway

The highest railway in the UK, which reopened in February this year after a £25million refurbishment, offers visitors stunning views of the surrounding landscape

Samantha Bartlett Assistant Editor, Social News

09:08, 31 Oct 2025Updated 11:03, 31 Oct 2025

There’s nothing quite like gazing at the stunning panorama from a mountain summit, yet not everyone possesses the ability, stamina, time or inclination to climb one. If any of those circumstances describe you, then worry not as a recently launched Scottish mountain railway offers you jaw-dropping highland views, without requiring any mountaineering whatsoever.

Digital content creator Chris Paul Lawlor, who’s renowned for discovering Scotland, posted on his Facebook page to share a brief video all about the Cairngorms Mountain Railway, situated in Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands. His footage began with a first-person perspective clip from the railway, which reopened in February this year following a £25million renovation, to demonstrate to his audience what they would witness if they journeyed on it.

Additional picturesque shots of the magnificent location were then displayed, as overlay text stated: “Did you know that in Scotland there is a railway on a mountain just newly reopened taking you to a restaurant at the top with breathtaking views.”

Besides being Scotland’s sole mountain railway, it’s also the loftiest railway in the UK, ascending to a summit station at 1,097 metres (3,599 ft) above sea level.

In addition to travelling on the railway itself, Chris mentioned you could “make a day of it” by embarking on a trek to the pyramid in the Cairngorms National Park, which lies a 35-minute drive away. Officially known as Prince Albert’s Cairn, this pyramid is a monument erected by Queen Victoria in 1862 on the Balmoral Estate to honour her husband, Prince Albert.

It’s the grandest of 11 Royal cairns in the vicinity, perched atop a hill that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and national park.

To reach the cairn, visitors can embark on a hike through woodland trails, choosing between a shorter, direct walk or a longer circular route that takes in other cairns.

While there’s no fee to visit Prince Albert’s Cairn itself, parking charges apply. Expect to pay around £5 for a car and £10 for a motorhome or van for the day.

The car park is conveniently located near the A93 road at the start of the walk.

The expert also recommended a trip to the Green Loch, famed for its unusually green water. This unique hue is due to a combination of algae in the water and the reflection of the surrounding pine trees.

However, local folklore suggests that fairies washing their clothes in the loch are responsible for its colour.

Chris also suggested a visit to Loch Morlich before heading to the railway. This freshwater loch near Aviemore is renowned for its sandy beaches and awe-inspiring mountain scenery.

It’s a hotspot for watersports enthusiasts, offering activities like kayaking, sailing, and windsurfing, with a dedicated watersports centre on site. Visitors can also explore walking and mountain biking trails in the nearby Glenmore Forest Park.

Chris’s post about the railway and surrounding suggestions, captioned “An autumn day out idea in Scotland,” was a hit with fans, garnering 4,800 likes.

One follower gushed: “Oh my God this makes me want to come back even more. We visited Scotland 11 years ago for our honeymoon. Now my 8-year-old wants to go.”

Another fan lauded the “wonderful scenery”.

A third chimed in: “Glad the railway is open again, it makes the beautiful mountain summit more accessible to all people.”

While a fourth added: “Wow, what a place and view.”

A day pass for the Cairngorms Mountain Railway costs £17.00 for an adult and £9.50 for a junior (aged 6-17) if booked in advance online. On-the-day prices are £19.00 for an adult and £11.50 for a junior. Prices are also available for seniors and students.

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\",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"Besides being Scotland's sole mountain railway, it's also the loftiest railway in the UK, ascending to a summit station at 1,097 metres (3,599 ft) above sea level.\"]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"In addition to travelling on the railway itself, Chris mentioned you could \\\"make a day of it\\\" by embarking on a trek to the pyramid in the Cairngorms National Park, which lies a 35-minute drive away. Officially known as Prince Albert's Cairn, this pyramid is a monument erected by Queen Victoria in 1862 on the Balmoral Estate to honour her husband, Prince Albert.\"]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"BoxStyles_box-container__Qk3WH BoxStyles_commercial__Wo6Z4 undefined\",\"data-testid\":\"commercial-4\",\"data-position\":5,\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L76\",null,{\"location\":\"article-body\",\"position\":4,\"hide\":false,\"features\":\"$205\"}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"BoxStyles_box-container__Qk3WH BoxStyles_non-commercial__aiWwo undefined\",\"data-testid\":\"non-commercial-1\",\"data-position\":6,\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L276\",null,{\"boxType\":\"non-commercial\",\"size\":\"skinny\",\"position\":6,\"contentUnitIndex\":15,\"commercialCount\":5,\"nonCommercialCount\":1,\"recommendedCount\":2,\"injectedCount\":5,\"location\":\"article-body\",\"settings\":{\"viewports\":{\"small\":{\"width\":\"100%\",\"height\":\"240px\"},\"medium\":{\"width\":\"100%\",\"height\":\"240px\"},\"large\":{\"width\":\"100%\",\"height\":\"240px\"}}},\"testId\":\"non-commercial-1\",\"commercialInjectedCount\":9,\"contentUnitCount\":22,\"newsletterData\":\"$undefined\",\"config\":\"$205\",\"articleSettings\":\"$277\"}]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"It's the grandest of 11 Royal cairns in the vicinity, perched atop a hill that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and national park.\"]}],[\"$\",\"$L96\",null,{\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L283\",null,{\"embedType\":\"facebook_post\",\"dataTestId\":\"htmlembed\",\"html\":\"\u003cdiv id=\\\"fb-root\\\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\\n\u003cscript async defer crossorigin=\\\"anonymous\\\" src=\\\"https://connect.facebook.net/en_GB/sdk.js#xfbml=1\u0026version=v24.0\u0026appId=APP_ID\\\"\u003e\u003c/script\u003e\\n\\n\u003cdiv class=\\\"fb-post\\\" data-href=\\\"https://www.facebook.com/reel/1958503138329379\\\" data-width=\\\"500\\\" data-show-text=\\\"true\\\"\u003e\u003cblockquote cite=\\\"https://www.facebook.com/reel/1958503138329379/\\\" class=\\\"fb-xfbml-parse-ignore\\\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn autumn day out idea in Scotland\u003c/p\u003ePosted by \u003ca href=\\\"https://www.facebook.com/people/Chris-Paul-Lawlor/100081124262387/\\\"\u003eChris Paul Lawlor\u003c/a\u003e on\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\\\"https://www.facebook.com/reel/1958503138329379/\\\"\u003eThursday 16 October 2025\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\",\"rightHandRailEnabled\":true,\"publication\":\"mirror\",\"dataTmDataTrack\":\"content-unit\",\"dataTmdatatrackType\":\"facebook_post\"}]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"To reach the cairn, \",[\"$\",\"a\",null,{\"className\":\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\",\"role\":\"$undefined\",\"href\":\"https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/travel-tips\",\"target\":\"_self\",\"aria-label\":\"\",\"title\":\"$undefined\",\"data-link-tracking\":\"$undefined\",\"data-tmdatatrack-name\":\"$undefined\",\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"$undefined\",\"data-tmdatatrack-articleid\":\"$undefined\",\"data-tmdatatrack-location\":\"$undefined\",\"data-tmdatatrack-source\":\"$undefined\",\"rel\":\"$undefined\",\"tabIndex\":0,\"children\":[\"visitors\"]}],\" can embark on a hike through woodland trails, choosing between a shorter, direct walk or a longer circular route that takes in other cairns.\"]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"BoxStyles_box-container__Qk3WH BoxStyles_commercial__Wo6Z4 undefined\",\"data-testid\":\"commercial-5\",\"data-position\":7,\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L76\",null,{\"location\":\"article-body\",\"position\":5,\"hide\":false,\"features\":\"$205\"}]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"While there's no fee to visit Prince Albert's Cairn itself, parking charges apply. Expect to pay around £5 for a car and £10 for a motorhome or van for the day.\"]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"The car park is conveniently located near the A93 road at the start of the walk.\"]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"The expert also recommended a trip to the Green Loch, famed for its unusually green water. This unique hue is due to a combination of algae in the water and the reflection of the surrounding pine trees.\"]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"BoxStyles_box-container__Qk3WH BoxStyles_commercial__Wo6Z4 undefined\",\"data-testid\":\"commercial-6\",\"data-position\":8,\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L76\",null,{\"location\":\"article-body\",\"position\":6,\"hide\":false,\"features\":\"$205\"}]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"However, local folklore suggests that fairies washing their clothes in the loch are responsible for its colour.\"]}],[\"$\",\"$L96\",null,{\"children\":[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"data-testid\":\"image-group\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L1e9\",null,{\"dataTestId\":\"imageembed-36139074\",\"dataTmDataTrack\":\"content-unit\",\"dataTmdatatrackType\":\"image\",\"dataTmDataTrackArticleId\":\"36139074\",\"data\":{\"aspect\":2,\"crop\":\"default\",\"captionTitle\":\"Those visiting the railway are also encouraged to check out Loch Morlich which is nearby\",\"captionCredit\":\"Getty Images/imageBROKER RF\",\"alt\":\"Overview of Loch Morlich, Glenmore Forest Park, Cairngorms National Park, Highlands, Scotland, Great\",\"lazyLoading\":true,\"sizes\":\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\",\"srcSet\":\"https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/article36139074.ece/ALTERNATES/s458b/0_Overview-of-Loch-Morlich-Glenmore-Forest-Park-Cairngorms-National-Park-Highlands-Scotland-Great.jpg 458w, https://www.occasionaldigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Highest-railway-in-the-UK-gives-you-stunning-mountain-views.jp.webp 615w, https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/article36139074.ece/ALTERNATES/s1200e/0_Overview-of-Loch-Morlich-Glenmore-Forest-Park-Cairngorms-National-Park-Highlands-Scotland-Great.jpg 1200w\",\"src\":\"https://www.occasionaldigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Highest-railway-in-the-UK-gives-you-stunning-mountain-views.jp.webp\",\"publication\":\"$26f\",\"loading\":\"lazy\",\"fetchpriority\":\"low\",\"isPoster\":false,\"imageViewerCount\":3,\"sectionColorsEnabled\":false,\"imageViewerEnabled\":true},\"imageId\":\"36139074\",\"imageViewerCount\":3,\"imageViewerEnabled\":true,\"isPoster\":false}]}]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"Chris also suggested a visit to Loch Morlich before heading to the railway. This freshwater loch near Aviemore is renowned for its sandy beaches and awe-inspiring mountain scenery.\"]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"BoxStyles_box-container__Qk3WH BoxStyles_commercial__Wo6Z4 undefined\",\"data-testid\":\"commercial-7\",\"data-position\":9,\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L76\",null,{\"location\":\"article-body\",\"position\":7,\"hide\":false,\"features\":\"$205\"}]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"It's a hotspot for watersports enthusiasts, offering activities like kayaking, sailing, and windsurfing, with a dedicated watersports centre on site. Visitors can also explore walking and mountain biking trails in the nearby Glenmore Forest Park.\"]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"Chris's post about the railway and surrounding suggestions, captioned \\\"An autumn day out idea in Scotland,\\\" was a hit with fans, garnering 4,800 likes.\"]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"One follower gushed: \\\"Oh my God this makes me want to come back even more. We visited Scotland 11 years ago for our honeymoon. Now my 8-year-old wants to go.\\\"\"]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"BoxStyles_box-container__Qk3WH BoxStyles_commercial__Wo6Z4 undefined\",\"data-testid\":\"commercial-8\",\"data-position\":10,\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L76\",null,{\"location\":\"article-body\",\"position\":8,\"hide\":false,\"features\":\"$205\"}]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"Another fan lauded the \\\"wonderful scenery\\\".\"]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"A third chimed in: \\\"Glad the railway is open again, it makes the beautiful mountain summit more accessible to all people.\\\"\"]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"While a fourth added: \\\"Wow, what a place and view.\\\"\"]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"BoxStyles_box-container__Qk3WH BoxStyles_commercial__Wo6Z4 undefined\",\"data-testid\":\"commercial-9\",\"data-position\":11,\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L76\",null,{\"location\":\"article-body\",\"position\":1000,\"hide\":false,\"features\":\"$205\"}]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \",\"data-testid\":null,\"data-tmdatatrack\":\"content-unit\",\"data-tmdatatrack-type\":\"paragraph\",\"children\":[\"A day pass for the Cairngorms Mountain Railway costs £17.00 for an adult and £9.50 for a junior (aged 6-17) if booked in advance online. 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The Conwy Valley Line weaves through the dramatic valleys of Blaenau Ffestiniog, skirts a wildlife-abundant estuary and traces the rolling hillsides and striking rock faces of this breathtaking corner of North West Wales

16:03, 29 Oct 2025Updated 16:04, 29 Oct 2025

One of Britain’s most picturesque railway routes has welcomed passengers back after reopening to the public.

The Conwy Valley Line weaves through the dramatic valleys of Blaenau Ffestiniog, skirts a wildlife-abundant estuary and traces the rolling hillsides and striking rock faces of this breathtaking corner of North West Wales.

Despite covering just 26 miles between Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog, the journey takes over an hour. This is mainly because of the line’s winding and steep character, which snakes through the spectacular mountains and wild beauty of Snowdonia National Park.

Whilst the route primarily serves local residents and daily commuters, it has become a magnet for railway enthusiasts. One visitor praised on Tripadvisor: “The line from Blaenau Ffestiniog up to Llandudno is incredibly scenic, and if you’re looking for a rail journey in Snowdonia this is right up there with the heritage narrow gauge lines.”

READ MORE: Last flight cancelled to Scotland’s most remote airport leaving hidden gem town strandedREAD MORE: Last flight cancelled to UK’s most remote airport leaving hidden gem town stranded

During a debate about Britain’s most beautiful railway routes, one rail enthusiast commented: “How has nobody mentioned the Conwy Valley? It’s utterly spectacular and crams more into an hour than the ECML does into four. One of the nicest little tours you can do in the UK is a loop of Chester-Llandudno Jn-Blaenau-Porthmadog-Machynlleth-Shrewsbury-Chester, though you’ll probably need to use a bus rather than the FfR for the middle bit at present.”, reports the Express.

The railway line welcomed passengers back on Monday, 27 October, after a month of round-the-clock engineering work by Network Rail, forming part of a £1.4 million investment to strengthen the railway against severe weather conditions.

Throughout the past four weeks, engineering crews have been operating across the picturesque valley – felling dangerous trees and clearing 600,000m2 of overgrown vegetation spanning 54 miles of railway track. The extensive clearance work aims to stop fallen trees from obstructing the line when storms strike in future.

An innovative, cutting-edge approach to tackling the traditional issue of leaves on the line is also being tested.

Network Rail has introduced a pioneering rail treatment to the Conwy Valley line for the first time in Wales. A specialist road-to-rail vehicle has been applying a gel formula to the tracks.

The treatment dissolves leaf debris and remains active for up to seven days before being reactivated by rainfall.

“The Conwy Valley line is one of the most picturesque in Wales, but also one of the most weather-exposed. In the past decade, storms have forced the line to close for more than 500 days – disrupting passengers and the transportation of freight goods,” Network Rail wrote in a statement.

Beyond its scenic beauty, the line offers numerous attractions at various stations along the route. Visitors can:

• Experience life as a Welsh slate miner at Llechwedd, where you can join a deep mine tour, go off-road in a quarry explorer, or have a go at slate splitting. From the mine, you can take a ride on Europe’s steepest cable railway as you’re brought back to the surface.
• Learn about local life at Llandudno Museum and Gallery, which is located in the heart of this seaside town. It is a great place to uncover the fascinating stories of local people and how the area has developed over hundreds of years.
• Discover hidden gems as you explore the Conwy Valley line on foot with Ramblers and Transport for Wales. Travel by train and explore on foot with a series of exciting walking routes with Go Jauntly and Transport for Wales.
• Request a stop at Roman Bridge. The station is an ideal starting point for walkers and cyclists looking to explore the area’s breathtaking scenery. Take in the views of the secluded cwm of Blaenau Dolwyddelan before walking to Dolwyddelan Castle, the 12th-century stronghold of Prince Llywelyn the Great.
• Stop off at Deganwy. The town overlooks Snowdonia, the Conwy Estuary, Puffin Island, and Anglesey. Just behind the town is the site of Castell Deganwy, once the seat of King Maelgwn Gwynedd. This much-visited attraction (rebuilt by Henry III in 1245) dates back to the 6th century and plays an important role in the history of Wales.
• Frolic in the spray of a waterfall. The Conwy Falls are located near Vetws-y-Coed and cascade down a gorge in the Fairuy Glen area.

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A TINY station in Northumberland that was closed from the 1960s until last year, has been crowned ‘Britain’s most life-changing station.’

It beat 330 stations across the country for the award – known as ‘The World Cup Of Train Stations,’ and the town itself also has a rich celebrity past from sportsmen to actors.

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‘The World Cup Of Stations’ was launched in honour of 200 years of railways in Britain, to bring attention to the stories behind the stations and how much they’ve changed and brought communities together.

Ashington train station, up the road from Newcastle upon Tyne, opened in December last year as part of the restoration of the Northumberland Line.

It was shut due to Beeching cuts to the railway in the 1960s which resulted in the closure of thousands of stations, but Ashington has made a mighty comeback.

Ashington competed against 330 nominations, which were whittled down to 20 by a judging panel.

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It stood against the likes of Liverpool Lime Street, London Paddington, London Waterloo, Vauxhall and York.

In just over five days, over 24,000 people voted, with Ashington being one of the country’s newest stations in the shortlist.

Trains started running between Newcastle and Ashington in December last year, and it’s not even finished yet as additional stations along the line are set to open next year.

Jacqueline Starr, Rail Delivery Group chief executive officer said: “As we celebrate 200 years of rail history, Ashington shows how investing in stations can transform lives linking people to opportunity, pride, and possibility.”

The Northumberland Line was one of many to be axed as part of the Beeching cuts to the railway in the 1960s but was brought back as part of a £298.5 million redevelopment project.

Ashington sits 15 miles north of Newcastle, close to the coast and was once centre of the coal mining industry.

It was the birthplace of some of Britain’s biggest sporting stars like Bobby and Jack Charlton, who were both part of the England national team that won the 1966 World Cup against West Germany.

Jackie Milburn, also born in Ashington and went on to be one of the most legendary players for Newcastle United.

Cricketing brothers Steve and Ben Harmison were born there, and after retiring from cricket, Steve managed his hometown football club in Ashington.

The TV and actor and popstar Robson Green hails from the town too – going on star in top shows like Casualty, Soldier Soldier and more recently, Grantchester.

The top things to do in Ashington on Tripadvisor include exploring the Woodhorn Museum which is based on the town’s mining history.

Inside is memorabilia, gallery exhibitions and trinkets from the days it operated as a mining hub.

It’s known for having lots of woodland and green spaces too which you can see by visiting the Queen Elizabeth II Country Park, or taking a walk around the Wansbeck Riverside Park.

On Tuesdays, Ashington holds a market where sellers sell all sorts from food to clothing and gifts.

The town is very close to Newcastle, which is a 30 minute drive away, or along the Northumberland Line, a 48 minute train journey.

It’s not all towns and cities, Ashington is minutes from the coastline with some of the nearest beaches in neighbouring Newbiggin-by-the-Sea.

The small seaside town has a north, south and east beach where you’ll spot a fleet of traditional fishing boats – but the coastline is a great spot for paddling in the summer and rock pooling.

Newbiggin is also known to be one of Britain’s most budget-friendly seaside resort.

At the seaside town, you can get a bargain ice cream at Caffe Bertorelli and cheap pints at The Coble pub.

Ashington is near Cresswell Beach too, a sandy spot known for being dog-friendly and a starting point for the Northumberland Coastal Path.

Another great beach is Druridge Bay which has rugged coastline, a seven-mile beach, sand dunes and is popular for activities like birdwatching and horse riding.

These beaches might be about to get even more popular as this year, Northumberland beaches became one of the world’s trending destinations.

The northern county of Northumberland has been getting lots of attention over the summer, with plenty of pretty beaches that are usually less busy than those in the south.

Airbnb said: “Northumberland is drawing more summer visitors, with searches up over 50 per cent this summer, thanks to its pristine North Atlantic beaches.”

These include Embleton Bay, Low Newton-by-the-Sea and the seaside town of Bamburgh.

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The first ever Greggs pub has opened in Newcastle – just 30 minutes from Ashington…

Writer Jenna Stevens headed up to Newcastle for the opening of the UK’s first Greggs pub…

When I heard that Greggs were opening a pub, my first thought was “a Greggs sausage roll and a pint in one place? Sign me up!”

But what I wasn’t expecting to find at The Golden Flake Tavern was a traditional, homely pub with an impressive menu that could take on the best of boozers.

The room was decked out with local art, a jukebox, board games and cosy booths. From branded Golden Flake coasters and napkins, to a framed painting of Geordie legends Ant and Dec.

Newcastle is the birthplace of Greggs, so it’s only fitting that the pub has opened in its city centre.

The Golden Flake Tavern’s menu is loaded with Greggs’ best-loved bakes, reimagined as pub dishes.

I opted for the Greggs pub staple: the Sausage Roll and Mash and was wowed by the dish’s posh presentation. The sausage roll had been sliced in half and carefully propped up against the mash like a Michelin star meal.

I tried the Gosforth 1939 Stottie Lager (£6.50) – a beer named with Greggs’ history in mind – and all cocktails are priced at £11.50.

The Golden Flake Tavern is open daily from 11am – 7pm at Fenwick Newcastle. And you need to visit soon as the pub is open to visitors until February 2026.

These were the 20 train stations that made the shortlist for the ‘The World Cup Of Train Stations’…

• Abergynolwyn
• Ashington
• Bristol Temple Meads
• Cambridge
• Chesterfield
• Exeter St David’s
• Liverpool Lime Street
• London Marylebone
• London Paddington
• London Waterloo
• Merthyr Tydfil
• Preston
• Ramsgate
• Ribblehead
• Shirley
• Skegness
• Swanage
• Tilbury Town
• Vauxhall
• York

Read more on the English port town that stars in Hollywood’s top films – from Indiana Jones to Batman and Paddington Bear – with a train station also making the shortlist.

Plus, these two huge cities north of London have been tipped for direct trains to Europe.

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ITALY has been battered by brutal floods after a wave of torrential rainfall swamped vast parts of the north.

Streets and railways erupted into rivers, trapping people in cars and houses, and hundreds of school children had to be rescued from flood waters.

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North-western Italy swallowed the worst of the weather, with orange alerts issued for parts of Lombardy and Liguria on Sunday, but the capital Milan has also suffered with severe rainfall on Monday night.

In Meda, Lombardy, cars were picked up by the surging water and taken away down the streets.

One clip shows the powerful river depositing a car on top of another – while a railway track can be seen full to the brim with gushing brown water.

The Seveso river which runs through Milan burst its banks and completely submerged several neighbourhoods, and the Lambro is also threatening to overflow in the city.

Specialised flood vehicles had to rescue around 300 children stranded in schools in the Niguarda district of Milan.

In Cabiate, Como province, fire crews plucked residents from swamped neighbourhoods by winching them up to helicopters after the Tarò River overflowed.

They also combed the streets checking submerged vehicles for anyone trapped inside.

Landslides and flooding have brought chaos to the Bormida Valley in Lugaria, and most of the region’s schools have been forced to shut.

Water spurted up through manhole covers along the busy Via Vittorini road – where flood defences have been erected to protect homes.

Milan’s Palace of Justice has been forced to shut down after water pooled inside and the power had to be turned off.

Child dead after horror floods hit Spain holiday hotspot sparking travel chaos with flights cancelled & more rain coming

Milan’s Civil Protection Councilor, Marco Granelli, urged all residents to exercise “maximum caution”.

More than 70 emergency calls have been put into the fire service amid the watery mayhem.

The flooding was caused by heavy storms which swept across the north of the country.

A German tourist is currently reported to be missing in Piedmont after flash flooding, with a search operation underway.

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Officials said more than 650 emergency interventions were carried out across Lombardy, with over 200 firefighters mobilized.

A mother and her 10-month-old baby were rescued from the roof of their car in Monza and Brianza province after being trapped by floodwaters.

In Florence, a pine tree collapsed onto a parked van, though no injuries were reported.

Weather forecasters said unstable conditions would continue in the coming days, with thunderstorms forecast for central and northern Italy and temperatures expected to fall.

Heavy rainfall could also extend to southern regions over the weekend.

Italy‘s flood trouble follows similar scenes in Spain.

One child died as torrential floods continue to wreak havoc across a Spanish holiday hotspot.

Horror weather sparked travel chaos with flights cancelled and trains abandoned due to fallen trees on the tracks – as officials warn of more rain to come.

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This scenic railway journey through the Cambrian Mountains has been named in the top ten percent of attractions worldwide in the 2025 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards

A breathtaking railway journey in Wales has been hailed as one of the world’s top tourist attractions. The Vale of Rheidol Railway in Ceredigion has earned global acclaim, landing a spot in the top ten percent of attractions worldwide in the 2025 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards, which are entirely based on visitor reviews and ratings over a 12-month period.

The scenic trip begins at Aberystwyth and takes passengers deep into the heart of the Cambrian Mountains, ending at the iconic Devil’s Bridge. This Welsh gem is actually three bridges built atop each other, towering over the Mynach and Rheidol streams.

The railway itself boasts a rich history, having been in operation for over 120 years since its opening in 1902. Initially built to serve local communities and transport goods like lead and timber, it now enjoys a reputation as one of the most picturesque railway journeys for all ages, reports Wales Online. Meanwhile, a warning has been issued to Brit tourists planning all-inclusive holidays to Spain.

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The line spans a modest 12 miles and it takes about an hour to reach Devil’s Bridge. Once there, you can enjoy a snack or a hearty meal and a pint at the Hafod Hotel, which offers stunning views of the valley below from its seating area.

Visitors can then embark on two different walks: a brief stroll beneath the bridges offering the chance to witness the cascading water up close, and a lengthier, more challenging trek deep into the Rheidol gorge where spectacular views of the 300ft Mynach waterfalls await.

The Travellers’ Choice Awards rely on authentic feedback, with only a limited number of attractions earning this prestigious recognition annually. “Being recognised by the people who travel with us is what means the most,” said Llyr ap Iolo, general manager of the Vale of Rheidol Railway.

“Whether it’s their first visit or their fiftieth, we aim to make the experience special every time. This award reflects the hard work and passion of our staff and volunteers, and we are proud to share it with them.”

The Vale of Rheidol Railway boasts an exceptionally impressive TripAdvisor rating of 4.6 out of five stars, based on nearly 1,400 reviews. One traveller declared he was “absolutely amazed at how good it is”, whilst another described it as a “lovely experience with incredible views”.

A recent visitor penned: “Absolutely wonderful experience on this railway. We paid a little extra to travel first class and it was well worth it. Travelling in a 1920s cabin was so nostalgic and humbling. The station was immaculate in every way. Even the WCs were immensely clean. The pride the staff took in every aspect of the train itself was clear to see – even the chimney on the engine was gleaming.”

Another visitor gushed: “A brilliant afternoon spent on this quaint steam train. From start to finish, spectacular views. Devil’ls Bridge was excellent along with the Devil’s Punch bowl. The museum entry which comes with the train tickets was very good. A must do activity if you’re in Aberystwyth.”

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Despite once being a thriving network link, this tiny railway station has almost been completely abandoned – except for the two trains that stop here once a week, both heading in the same direction

A tiny railway station that ‘refuses to die’ has been around for 160 years – but is hardly used at all.

Situated near Gloucestershire, on the South Wales mainline between Cardiff and Bristol, lies the forgotten station of Pilning. With no staff and just one platform, the hub has become ‘criminally neglected’ and ‘rendered virtually unusable’ due to years of poor maintenance and lack of investment.

It hasn’t been completely abandoned, and remains on official rail maps, but has become ghostly vacant. In fact, only two trains now actually stop at the station per week, both heading in the same direction – making it one of the country’s least-used railway stations.

READ MORE: New 20k-mile train to link 100 EU cities with £67 tickets – but there’s a catch

The station did see a boom in passenger numbers during the pandemic – which climbed to 710 in 2019-2020. However, the year after this number fell down to 210, the worst record since 2015/2016.

But back in its heyday, Pilning station was thriving, boasting its own stationmaster, fourteen signalmen, six signalmen/porters, six porters, two ‘lad’ porters and a tunnel inspector. It was commonly used by Brits as a means of getting to the Severn Tunnel Junction, providing an alternative to the Aust Ferry or a long detour through Gloucester.

However, when the Severn Road Bridge opened in 1966, the station’s popularity plummeted. By 1990, its service had been slashed to just one train each way daily, during daylight hours. In 2006, this was reduced to just one train each per week, on a Saturday.

“In 2016, a real body blow – our footbridge was demolished and not replaced, leaving us with just two trains a week in one direction and none at all in the other,” Pilning Station Group, which is campaigning for the station to be brought back to life, said. “Was that the final kiss of death? No way – since then, the station’s official usage figures have shot up by a staggering 900 per cent, and our campaign for a better service and a reinstated footbridge has been steadily gathering support and momentum.”

Campaigners argue even ‘minor improvements’ to the station could make it more attractive to potential users, such as a later Saturday afternoon train that would allow passengers more time in Bristol. “A Saturday lunchtime train would enable visitors and rail enthusiasts to visit Pilning for a drink and a pub lunch at the nearby Plough Inn and catch the later train back,” they said.

“An early-morning Monday-Friday train to Bristol would give people a fast route to work or college, as an alternative to the slow and circuitous Severn Beach branch which is very crowded in the mornings. Restoration of platform lighting (removed about 30 years ago as it was allegedly life-expired) would enable trains to call again after dark.”

The eerie station has recently gone viral on social media, where it has been branded the ‘loneliest station’ in the UK. “I live next to this station,” one TikToker said. “The locals have been campaigning for years to have it reopened as we have next to no public transport links.”

Many Brits said they were interested about the forgotten hub, with one user stating: “I’m curious to visit it now.” Another agreed, commenting: “I would still go there,” while a third added: “Sounds like it needs a garden village built there as it has transport links.”

Do you have a story to share? Email us at [email protected] for a chance to be featured.

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Suspended in the air, dangling up to 29ft in certain parts of the journey, this upside down railway truly is an incredible feat of engineering – and has been running for more than a century

This spectacular upside-down railway may look like a fairground ride – but has actually been transporting commuters and tourists for more than 100 years.

Suspended in the air, dangling up to 29ft above the ground at certain parts of the journey, the Wuppertal Schwebebahn is an incredible feat of engineering. Construction of the upside-down railway began in the summer of 1898 and the first test drive took place in the winter, but it wasn’t until 1901 that a section of the track was opened to the public.

Classed as the world’s oldest suspended railway, this enchanting train, located in the hip town of Wuppertal in Germany, cost a whopping 16 million German marks, which would have converted to around £7.79 million. Factoring in inflation, this would have cost a staggering £82.5 million today.

READ MORE: New 425-mile UK train line with 11 stops to launch branded ‘Eurostar of Scotland’

“My fascination with the Schwebebahn lies in the way it was constructed over 100 years ago,” Cologne-based architect Christian Busch told CNN Travel back in 2022. “To realise such a project without computer-aided systems would be unthinkable today. A ride in the Schwebebahn allows the passenger an extraordinary insight into the life of the local residents and really looks like a fairground attraction from days gone by.”

Over the past century, the railway has undergone several major refurbs – with sleek new carriages replacing the original ones. However, you can still privately hire the first 1901 carriage, named Kaiserwagan after Kaiser Wilhelm II took a test ride on it.

In 1950, the Schwebebahn transported Tuffi the circus elephant above the ground. However, the racket from fellow passengers and journalists was too much for the animal, who ended up trampling a row of seats before jumping through a window into the river below.

Luckily, Tuffi wasn’t badly injured by the incident – and now the train is reserved exclusively for humans. A small statue of the elephant was however constructed on the river where Tuffi landed, which has become a popular tourist sight for holidaymakers.

Now, the Wuppertal Schwebebahn (which is technically classed as a suspension monorail) consists of 20 stops and attracts more than 80,000 people every day. “It is therefore an everyday means of transport for the inhabitants of the city, but also a popular tourist attraction,” the train’s official website states.

“Many sights can easily be reached on foot from the 20 suspension railway stations. Since August 1, 2019, only the new ‘Generation 15’ railcars have been in service.”

Guided by huge iron arches, the railway track whizzes over cars, shops, and pedestrians, before offering stunning aerial views of the serpentine river. 24-hour tickets cost €8.80 per person, or €4.40 for any additional passengers. Children under six go free, while elephants are asked to find alternative methods of transport.

Do you have a story to share? Email us at [email protected] for a chance to be featured.

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