Train

BORED of regular hotels? Why not head off on a staycation… to spend the night in a train carriage instead.

Nestled in the West Sussex countryside, you will find a restored vintage train carriage that is stopped in its own ‘station’.

Named the Lowe Comotion, the carriage is in Batchmere, Chichester and sleeps up to four people, with one main bedroom.

Inside, guests will be greeted by vintage decor and quirky train signage that not only makes you feel as if you are stepping onto a long, luxury train journey but also back in time to the golden age of train travel.

There’s a log burner and comfy sofa that transforms into bunk beds as well, to make it truly feel like a first-class experience.

When it comes to having a bite to eat, there is a dining table and chairs by the window, so you can enjoy your food whilst looking out at the view.

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The kitchen has everything you’d need including a kettle, grill, toaster and microwave.

In the middle of the carriage is where you will find the bathroom, complete with a vintage bathtub.

Outside there is a spacious patio with seating too and a barbeque for the summer.

The carriage has to be booked for a minimum stay of two nights and is pet-friendly, so your four-legged friend won’t be left out.

It also includes towels and linen, so you don’t need to worry about bringing your own.

One recent guest said: “A lovely railway carriage with loads of great touches and details.

“Definitely first class. We had a grand time staying here and loved the birdsong as well as the rain on the roof when the weather let us down a bit!

“Woodburner ensured a cosy night was had and would definitely recommend to friends. Lovely private area with space for kids and dog!”

Another guest added: “Wow – what a unique and wonderful place – superbly converted 1870’s railway carriage with so many thoughtful and stylish design details we hardly wanted to go out – but also couldn’t resist the huge private lawn that comes with it – a huge hit with our over excited sheep dog! We were overexcited to sleep in it.

“Never been happier to sit on a train carriage that’s not moving!”

A third guest said: “This place is absolutely stunning! It’s so quirky and one-of-a-kind.

“Our stay here was incredibly peaceful and tranquil, exactly what we needed to unwind and recharge.”

Lowe Comotion costs from £150 per night to stay.

As for the area surrounding the carriage, you can head off on lovely countryside walks or bike rides.

Just nine minutes down the road is West Wittering Beach, which is known for its natural beauty.

The beach has a number of facilities including the Beach Cafe, where you can grab a bite to eat such as a Beach Breakfast with poached eggs, sausage, bacon, mushrooms, tomato, beans, potato rosti and toasted brown bloomer for £11.95.

And the beaches at Selsey, East Wittering, and Bracklesham Bay are all close by as well.

If you want to see some of the local nature, then you can head to RSPB Medmerry.

The reserve boasts 6.25miles of trails and features a lot of birdlife including avocets.

If you’ve got kids, jump in the car for 12 minutes to Selsey, where you will find West Sands Fun Fair.

It costs just £15 for unlimited rides on the attractions, which include Waltzers, Dodgems, pedal boats and toddler’s rides.

For more glamping getaways, here’s the UK’s original glamping destination with al fresco massages and farmhouse style tents.

Plus, the Finnish-like glamping resort in the UK countryside with safari lodges, sauna and outdoor cinemas.

A MAJOR £185 million rail project will see five new train stations open in the UK over the next few weeks.

The works will improve connections across the West Midlands, with some of the services reinstated for the first time in decades.

New stations will open at Willenhall and Darlaston in Walsall next week, on Thursday, March 19.

These sites, which are located on the Black Country line, were last visited by trains in 1965.

And on Tuesday, April 7, stations will open on the Camp Hill Line at Moseley Village, Kings Heath, and Pineapple Road in south Birmingham.

This will mark the first time these services have been in place for the communities since World War II.

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These areas on the Camp Hill Line will see services run between Birmingham city centre and Kings Norton every 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, Willenhall and Darlaston stations will be added to an hourly timetable for the Shrewsbury to Birmingham New Street Station service via Wolverhampton.

West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE) said it was working with partners to secure further regular services to the areas, with the project described as a “rail revolution”.

Each of the five stations features sheltered platforms, accessible lifts, ticket machines and cycle racks, while there are 300 parking spaces available at Darlaston and 33 at Willenhall.

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker described the previous closures of the stations as a “short-sighted mistake”, describing the latest update as “a new lifeline for local people”.

WMRE is spear-heading the scheme alongside the Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), in partnership with Network Rail, West Midlands Railway, Birmingham City Council, Walsall Council, and the Department for Transport.

Works have been partially funded by a £126 million government grant, with a further £30 million obtained for the completion of the Camp Hill line.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “Thanks to government investment, fast and frequent rail services will arrive at new stations across Birmingham and the Black Country next month for the first time in decades, reducing congestion and improving local transport connections.”

TfWM said final authorisation for the openings is expected in the coming days from the Office of Rail and Road.

North Korea and China resumed an international passenger train service linking their capitals Thursday for the first time in six years, with a train spotted crossing the border bridge between the two countries.

A nine-car train traveling from Pyongyang to Beijing was seen by Yonhap News Agency passing over the Amnok River bridge, also known as the Yalu River bridge, connecting North Korea’s Sinuiju and China’s Dandong, at around 4:23 p.m.

Some train cars had closed curtains, while passengers were visible in others.

According to China’s Xinhua News Agency, a five-car passenger train departed from the Chinese border city of Dandong at 10 a.m. and was scheduled to arrive in Pyongyang at 6:07 p.m.

The Dandong-Pyongyang passenger line will operate daily in both directions, Xinhua said, quoting a Chinese official as saying the service will serve as a “dynamic link strengthening the friendship between these two nations.”

Also on Thursday, North Korea and China were set to resume a rail route connecting their capitals, Pyongyang and Beijing.

The resumption marks the first cross-border passenger train service between the two countries since operations were suspended in 2020 following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year, North Korea resumed direct flight and train services between Pyongyang and Moscow, Russia’s capital.

The reopening of the North Korea-China rail services comes as the two countries appear to be aligning more closely as they seek to repair relations frayed by Pyongyang’s military cooperation with Russia, amid speculation that the United States may seek to reengage Pyongyang for talks.

Copyright (c) Yonhap News Agency prohibits its content from being redistributed or reprinted without consent, and forbids the content from being learned and used by artificial intelligence systems.

Train service linking Pyongyang and Beijing will resume this week for the first time since it was suspended six years ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic, sources said Tuesday.

The Beijing-Pyongyang train route will resume operations Thursday, running four times a week, on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, an official at China State Railway Group told Yonhap News Agency.

The train will depart from Beijing at 5:26 p.m. and arrive in Pyongyang at 6 p.m. the following day, stopping once at the Chinese border city of Dandong en route. The last two train cars will be reserved for passengers, according to sources.

The resumption marks the first cross-border train service between the two countries since operations were suspended following the outbreak of the pandemic.

Last year, North Korea resumed direct flight and train services between Pyongyang and Moscow, Russia’s capital.

The Chinese official said the upcoming Beijing-Pyongyang train will primarily serve diplomats and those on official business trips, while plans to accommodate general passengers will be considered if empty seats are available.

China’s foreign ministry said maintaining a regular passenger train service between China and North Korea takes on “significance” in facilitating exchanges of personnel between the two nations.

“China supports creating more convenient conditions for both sides’ exchanges of personnel by strengthening communication between relevant authorities of the two nations,” Guo Jiakun, spokesperson at the ministry, told a press briefing.

The move comes as North Korea and China appears to be seeking to promote cooperation amid the fluid international situation, highlighted by U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and the subsequent intensifying conflict in the Middle East.

North Korea also seems to be trying to expand cooperation with China as speculation arises that U.S. President Donald Trump may seek to resume diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on the occasion of his planned trip to Beijing on March 31-April 2.

North Korea’s ties with China, the North’s traditional ally and economic benefactor, became cool amid Pyongyang’s deepening military cooperation with Russia on the occasion of Moscow’s war with Ukraine.

Kim held summit talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in September last year on the occasion of a Chinese military parade and discussed ways to improve bilateral ties.

But relations between Pyongyang and Beijing do not appear to be restored in a full-fledged manner with no signs of high-level exchanges of personnel spotted.

“The government is closely monitoring the development of Korean Peninsula affairs, including North-China relations,” an official at South Korea’s foreign ministry said.

Copyright (c) Yonhap News Agency prohibits its content from being redistributed or reprinted without consent, and forbids the content from being learned and used by artificial intelligence systems.

Fête de la musique, France

Paris has some great festivals, such as Cercle (22-24 May), with dance music stars against the backdrop of planes and rockets in an outdoor aerospace museum, but the most accessible and democratic is Fête de la musique, which began in Paris in 1982 but is now popular across the country. It is a loose event encompassing dozens of free, semi-impromptu outdoor performances all over each host city, including plenty in Lille, which is even cheaper and quicker to get to than Paris on the Eurostar from London.

While the UK may cock its ear occasionally to English-singing bands like Phoenix and the “French touch” scene that birthed Daft Punk, Justice and more, Fête de la musique is a chance to immerse yourself in the music that rarely crosses the Channel, from spirited chanson to Francophone hip-hop and the breakneck carnival styles of shatta or bouyon, where MCs rattle through commands on tracks of more than 160 beats per minute.

Eurostar goes to Paris 12 times a day from London, and to Lille six times (eight at weekends).
21 June, free, fetedelamusique.culture.gouv.fr

Roadburn, Tilburg

If you don’t mind changing trains after arriving in Amsterdam or Rotterdam on the Eurostar, there are several Dutch festivals to choose from. Le Guess Who? in Utrecht (5-8 November) is celebrating its 20th year this year, and hands over some of the curation to a series of invariably excellent left-field musical guests: the likes of Animal Collective, Lonnie Holley, Mabe Fratti and Stereolab have held the reins in recent years. Rewire in The Hague (9-12 April) is even more out-there, calling on a global array of dynamic artists, from the most pristine ambient to the most audiologist-troubling extreme noise.

But the most prestigious is Roadburn, hosted in the little visited (by Brits, anyway) university town of Tilburg, which is also accessible via a change in Brussels. It has ringfenced its own black, slippery zone of adventurous heavy music, encompassing alt-metal, noise, desert rock, drone and the fringes of punk, hip-hop and electronics. Bands often play albums in full – or two albums, in the case of Japanese legends Boris this year – and thanks to a relative dearth of hotels and B&Bs in Tilburg, many festivalgoers stay on a municipal campsite complete with its own noisy (but not sleep-disturbing) live sets.
16-19 April, €284 (£247); two-day and day tickets also available, roadburn.com

The Black Lights, Blackpool

With rail-friendly Glastonbury taking a fallow year this year, June has a festival hole that needs filling – so the timing is perfect for the arrival of the most promising new British festival in years, the Black Lights. Conceived by the White Hotel, a Salford venue that has become a cornerstone of northern underground culture, it will be hosted across multiple venues – including the beach, hosting “a modern-day War of the Roses in brass”, as brass bands from Lancashire and Yorkshire perform together.

The rest of the music programme draws from the fraying edges of rave culture, ambient, rap and dream-pop, with artists including the Caretaker – whose ultra-poignant compositions have made him an unlikely hero to gen Z on TikTok – as well as industrial-trance producer Evian Christ, lo-fi singer-songwriter Joanne Robertson, and film composer and alt-pop icon Mica Levi playing with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.

Blackpool’s location, halfway up the British Isles and close to dozens of large conurbations across north-west England, makes it quick and accessible via train to millions, including direct routes from London, and only one change involved from Glasgow, Newcastle, Sheffield or Bristol.
26-28 June, £150, theblacklights.uk

Westival, Pembrokeshire

European Sleeper is a Dutch-Belgian train operator that runs night train services across Europe, currently connecting major cities such as Berlin, Prague and Amsterdam

Tickets for a new night train that’ll connect major European cities are about to go on sale.

European Sleeper is a Dutch-Belgian train operator that runs night train services across Europe, currently connecting major cities such as Berlin, Prague and Amsterdam. It is poised to launch its third route, a 17-and-a-half-hour journey from Belgian capital Brussels to Italy’s fashion hub Milan.

At first, the night train to Milan will depart from Belgium. However, an extra leg will later be added to and from the Netherlands from 2027. Once fully operational, the train will stop in Cologne in Germany, Zurich in Switzerland and Como in Italy.

It was announced late last week that the train will no longer launch in June as planned. The service will now take to the rails on 9 September. European Sleeper has said track works in Germany during summer 2026 and the certification process for Switzerland – which is a new country for its network – had caused the delay.

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The European Sleeper is scheduled to depart from Brussels on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings, arriving in Zürich and Milan the following morning.

The return service from Milan will operate on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday nights. In Switzerland, the train will run via Zürich and the Gotthard Pass for the time being. That means it will not be going via the Simplon Pass, as previously planned. This has proved unfeasible due to track works scheduled through 2027.

“Luckily, the revised route via the Gotthard Pass also brings new opportunities,” a statement from the company read. “A stop in Göschenen provides convenient access to nearby ski resorts, while Lugano and Como offer easy connections to the well-known lakes and surrounding mountain landscapes.”

Tickets for the new route go on sale on 17 March 2026, with budget, classic, comfort standard and comfort plus available. Seats in budget start from €29.99 (£25) per person one way.

A couchette bed in a classic compartment is available from €49.99 (£43) including ticket, reservation, luggage and bed linen. Those who fancy splashing out a little more can choose comfort standard from €99.99 (£85) or comfort plus from €129.99 (£111) which includes breakfast.

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“Although the first departure comes a few months later than originally planned, the new connection marks an important milestone,” the company said in a press release.

European Sleeper already operates a service between Brussels and Prague, and a new connection between Paris and Berlin is launching later this month. Right now, prices begin from €69.99 (£60) for a one-way ticket in a shared compartment.

Nox, a Berlin-based startup, has said it will offer an affordable alternative to short-haul flights, from 2027, with single rooms starting from €79 (£67).

A NEW sleeper train will soon connect four European cities.

European Sleeper is launching a train route between Brussels in Belgium and Milan in Italy.

The train will stop at Brussels in Belgium; Cologne in Germany; Zurich in Switzerland and Milan in Italy.

Onboard, the train will feature budget seats and sleeper options. 

Travellers will be able to reserve a seat or bed in a shared cabin.

The most affordable option will be seats, of which there are six per cabin.

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There will also be the option for Comfort Standard and Comfort Plus sleepers which will have fewer beds per cabin as well as more bedding and in the most luxurious category, amenities such as welcome drinks and a breakfast service.

In Comfort cabins, there can be up to five people with the carriage featuring seats during the day and beds at night.

There will also be a table available during the day.

These cabins tend to be mixed gender, but there are women-only cabins available to book.

Each passenger will get a blanket, a sheet and a pillow and the bathrooms can be found in the corridor.

Bottled water can also be found in each cabin, but breakfast has to be added to your booking for an additional fee.

In comparison, a Comfort Standard cabin has three beds, each with a duvet.

There is also a small window table and a big fold up table.

And finally, in Comfort Plus cabins passengers will find a maximum of three beds and seats in addition.

Towels, toiletries, breakfast, mineral water and a welcome drink are all included as well.

A small lounge is also planned for the train, where passengers will be able to buy snacks and drinks.

The train will feature plug sockets and basic Wi-Fi as well.

However, the anticipated launch date of the train has been pushed back from June 18 to September 9, with tickets available to book from March 17.

The train will operate from Brussels on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays and from Milan on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

From Brussels, the train will leave at 5:56pm each time, stopping in Cologne at 10:07pm, Zurich the following day at 6:42am and finally arriving in Milan at 11:30am.

From Milan, the train will leave at 5:30pm each time, stopping in Zurich at 10:35pm, Cologne the following day at 7:59am and finally Brussels at 11:10am.

Other stops on the route include Liège in Belgium; Aachen in Germany; Arth-Goldau, Göschenen, Bellinzona, Lugano and Chiasso in Switzerland and Lake Como in Italy.

Tickets for a shared classic compartment start from €49.99 (£43.31) one-way.

Alternatively, you can book a private space from €179.99 (£155.96) either in a classic compartment for up to five people or a comfort compartment for up to three people.

European Sleeper is also launching a route between Paris and Berlin on March 26, with a stop in Hamburg being added to the route from July 13.

In other train news, a major rule change to train tickets is dropping in just weeks – and could see you denied a refund.

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PLANS to build a new railway station and more than 1,000 homes on the site of an apocalyptic bunker have been unveiled.

The proposals include building a range of affordable housing, shops, a secondary school, health centre and train station on the site of a former RAF base.

Part of a large housing development at Alconbury Weald in  Huntingdonshire, the new community will sit on top of a sprawling nuclear bunker, built in 1988.

RAF Alconbury was an active airbase from 1938 up to 1995, surviving attacks from Luftwaffe during World War Two.

The construction of the bunker began in the 1980s with the site “designed to withstand a direct nuclear attack”.

Sitting on a bed of gravel, the bunker is made of steel and reinforced concrete – costing £50 million to construct.

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One purpose of the site was to secretly analyse data collected by spy planes during the Cold War.

Blast-proof guillotine doors divide a number of corridors inside, and further underground is a power plant and communications hub with an entire wall filled with buttons and dials.

Already 6,000 new build homes now surround the former military base and bunker after a major development which saw the first residents set up home in 2020.

The developer, Urban&Civic, now plan to expand the Cambridgeshire by building more houses and new railway station, which has been backed by Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Mike Jenner, Development Manager from Urban&Civic, said: “Phase 4 has an important role to play in the delivery of Alconbury Weald, connecting green spaces and key infrastructure.

“The design of Phase 4 ensures walking, cycling and public transport links connect to the wider site seamlessly, and supports the aspirations of our local transport partners to progress a rail station, which will benefit many.”

In homage to the area’s history dedicated green space has been named Runway Park, which the proposed plans include adding “pockets of play space near a water body” to.

AMERICA’S first bullet train which will slash travel time between Los Angeles and San Francisco has been revealed.

The highly anticipated rail project will make the trip just two hours and 40 minutes – compared to nearly six hours by car.

Once completed, the bullet train scheme will provide speedy trips between the Bay Area and the Los Angeles region.

It will also connect the communities in between — Gilroy, Merced, Fresno, Bakersfield, Palmdale, and others — to the state’s largest job centers and innovation hub, said the California High Speed Rail Authority on February 28.

Many have been awaiting the project to be completed, as the past decade of construction has been focused on an initial segment in Central Valley.

There are five planned stations in the Central Valley: Bakersfield, Fresno, Merced, Madera and Kings/Tulare.

Newly-released renderings show the stations will feature plenty of modern twists, with spacious canopies and open concourses.

The stations’ architectural designs are set to incorporate natural materials like stone and wood.

If plans go according to schedule, the area could open as soon as 2032.

The Central Valley’s initial operating segment is expected to transition from civil construction to laying out tracks and installing systems later this year.

But there has yet to be a confirmed project opened date for the route between San Francisco and Los Angeles due to delays in planning and funding.

The overall projected cost for Phase 1 delivery, between San Francisco and Los Angeles/Anaheim, dropped by $1.7 billion.

The High-Speed Rail Authority has just released its Draft 2026 Business Plan for public review and comment.

“The authority has entered a new era of construction: laying track across the Central Valley and electrifying the corridor,” the plan said.

“With the southern railhead in Kern County ready ahead of schedule, deliveries of steel, concrete ties, and ballast material can begin, and work can commence.

“The authority has set construction milestones for the 119-mile Central Valley segment and developed a procurement schedule to keep the project on pace for completion of the Merced – Bakersfield early operating segment in 2032.”

The project has created thousands of jobs, with rail bosses partnering with California colleges and universities to build a skilled local workforce, it added.

President Donald Trump has previously slammed the project as a “train to nowhere.”

“The Railroad we were promised still does not exist, and never will,” Trump warned on Truth Social last July.

“This project was Severely Overpriced, Overregulated, and NEVER DELIVERED.”

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom wants lawmakers to reauthorize the state’s cap-and-trade program through 2045.

He also wants to ensure that high-speed rail receives $1 billion a year from it.

Last December, California dropped a lawsuit officials filed against the Trump administration over the federal government’s withdrawing of $4 billion for the project.

The U.S. Transportation Department slashed funds for the bullet train.

Gov. Newsom slammed the federal government’s decision as “a political stunt to punish California.”

Seven extra groups now qualify for a Disabled Person’s Railcard including blue badge holders

More people will now qualify for reduced-price rail journeys across the UK. Seven additional categories are now eligible for a Disabled Person’s Railcard after the scheme was broadened on March 1.

This railcard grants the holder and an accompanying adult a one-third discount on most train tickets throughout England, Scotland and Wales. It presently costs £20 for one year or £54 for three. Until this month, the Disabled Person’s Railcard had exclusively been available to those claiming particular benefits or living with certain medical conditions. From March 1, it continues to be available to those individuals, but the criteria has been widened.

It now encompasses a wider spectrum of visible and non-visible disabilities. Individuals who now qualify include those who:

• Have a blue badge
• Have a disabled person’s bus pass (England, Scotland and Wales)
• Have a disabled person’s Freedom Pass (London only)
• Can’t drive on medical grounds
• Receive Armed Forces Compensation Scheme benefits
• Receive Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit for 20 per cent degree of disablement or higher
• Are without speech

Other people who still qualify

The existing qualifying criteria for a Disabled Person’s Railcard remains valid, which means you can hold a railcard if you:

• Receive Personal Independence Payments or Adult Disability Payment
• Receive Disability Living Allowance or Child Disability Payment at either the higher or lower rate for the mobility component, or the higher or middle rate for the care component
• Have a visual impairment
• Are registered as deaf or use a hearing aid
• Have epilepsy and receive drug treatment for it
• Receive Attendance Allowance, Severe Disablement Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment
• Receive war pensioner’s mobility supplement
• Receive war or service disablement pension for 80 per cent or more disability
• Buy or lease a vehicle through the Motability scheme

From September 2026 it is intended that the scheme will broaden further allowing even more people to apply for a card. On the Disabled Persons Railcard website, it states: “Phase 2, launching in September 2026, will further extend eligibility to disabilities and conditions that require professional health evidence and more detailed assessment, including some long-term or degenerative medical conditions, and neurodiversity where it has a substantial impact on a person’s ability to travel by train.

“More detailed evidentiary requirements will be made available for this phase closer to implementation in September 2026.”

It is worth noting that if you already hold one of these railcards, the changes won’t affect you. The website states: “These upcoming changes to the eligibility criteria won’t affect your current Railcard or your eligibility. You can continue using your Railcard as usual without any disruption.”

How to apply

You can submit an application online here. You can select a digital card accessible via your mobile, which becomes available within five working days.

Alternatively, you can choose a physical card, which may take up to 15 days to reach you by post. The application process should require no longer than 10 minutes to finish.

Before starting, you must ensure you have the following prepared:

• A valid debit or credit card
• Documentary evidence of the Railcard holder’s disability that can be scanned and uploaded as a file
• A passport-style photograph (it can even be captured with your phone)

You cannot submit an application in person at a railway station but you can apply by post. To do this, you can download a Disabled Persons Railcard application form online or obtain an application form from any staffed station ticket office.

You will then need to fill in and return this application, together with the required evidence of disability and payment to:

National Railcards

PO box 8626

SWADLINCOTE

DE11 1JA

A complete list of what is recognised as documentary evidence of the disability can be located online here.

MAJOR changes to train ticket rules will be rolled out next month in a bid to stop fare dodgers.

The new conditions for refunding tickets will come into effect on April 1.

From April, passengers will be unable to get a refund on Off-Peak and Anytime train tickets after 11:59pm the day before travel.

This means travellers who change their plans last minute will not be able to get their money back.

Rail bosses said that the new rule was to clamp down on fraud that has cost the network around £40million a year.

They said fare dodgers had been claiming refunds on tickets that were not scanned through barriers, even if they made the journey.

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The current rules allow ticket holders to get refunds of up to 28 days after the day of travel, if the ticket has not been used.

But this leaves many travellers who might have to cancel their train journey a day before, due to illnesses or cancelled events, with no opportunity of a refund.

Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, said: “Deliberate fare dodging has no place on our railways.

“It drains much-needed revenue and undercuts the trust of passengers who play by the rules.

“Changing refund rules will help stamp out fraud, keeping money in the railway – which will ensure we can deliver an improved railway with passengers at its heart.”

FANCY a pint? This new heritage pub is set to become a popular spot for a post or pre-train journey tipple.

The boozer has just opened as part of an enormous multi-million pound refurb at Carlisle Station.

Called The Scott & Brassey, the new pub officially opened on 25 February inside Carlisle Station at Platform 4.

It was formerly used as a First Class waiting room and at one stage even welcomed Queen Victoria.

The Grade-II listed space has been used as various different outlets over the years and was a cafe for decades – but has just opened as a pretty pub operated by Lancaster Brewery.

It has undergone a £400,000 renovation delivered by Network Rail, backed by Avanti West Coast and the Railway Heritage Trust.

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Its name ‘The Scott & Brassey’ comes from novelist Sir Walter Scott and Victorian railway pioneer Thomas Brassey.

Inside, the pub has period features like a large fireplace, and vaulted beam ceilings.

The walls are a mix of deep blue and bright yellow, in the corner are cosy booths with low lampshades.

Upstairs on the mezzanine level is additional seating at smaller tables.

The bar area is sleek and modern with a wooden top and dark grey tiled front along with lots of greenery on shelves and of course, drinks offerings.

It will have seven cask ales on hand pull, five from Lancaster Brewery and two from local cask brewers, and one cask cider – there will also be eight keg lines.

The pub said it aims to spotlight ‘regional and national producers with one of the largest selections in Cumbria‘.

On Facebook reviews, one visitor to the new pub wrote: “Had a great afternoon with my mum and sister today! lovely staff and a fabulous asset to Carlisle.”

Another said: “What a fab job you’ve done. Stunning renovation and fantastic atmosphere.”

The pub is open every day from 11am until 10pm Sunday-Thursday and 11pm Friday-Saturday.

It’s dog-friendly too.

The new pub is inside Carlisle Station which is around 179 years old, and is in the middle of a huge overhaul.

Carlisle Station cost just £53,000 to build at the time, which in today’s money is around £4.6million.

It now welcomes around two million passengers a year with trains to London and Manchester as well as Edinburgh, Liverpool and Newcastle.

Cumberland Council previously announced it would be spending £28million on redesigning Carlisle Station.

The new designs include the creation of a new forecourt entrance to the north of the station.

The north side will have improved links to the city centre, and parking outside the already standing Griffin pub.

It will also see a new piazza space, called George Square created to the south of the station.

This will mean improved access for passengers, and secure cycle parking, as well as plenty of green spaces.

The work is set to be fully complete in early 2027.

For more on train station’s, this is one of the UK’s busiest that’s set to undergo a huge transformation.

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EY up . . .  Heathcliff is not the only mysterious, brooding beast in Yorkshire.

The scenery provides just as much drama as the Wuthering Heights character.

With the recent film adaptation of Emily Bronte’s novel — starring ­Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi — the Yorkshire Dales is once again teeming with yearning Cathys and brooding young Heathcliffs.

And there I was too, like a budget Cathy, if she wore Gore-Tex and hiking boots rather than a generous bustle.

Largely shot on location in the Yorkshire Dales National Park — amid the landcapes of Swaledale and Arkengarthdale valleys and the peaceful village of Low Row — the movie shines a well-deserved spotlight on this glorious corner of England.

With its scarred limestone hills, scattered with rocks, and rolling green pastures, criss-crossed with drystone walls and peppered with honeyed-stone villages, this region is the picture of a period drama.

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While the rain barely lets up in the movie, Yorkshire welcomes me with beautiful blue skies, sunshine and even a light dusting of snow on the hills.

I’m almost disappointed.

I’ve brought along my own Heathcliff, my partner Toby, and my dog, Miss Babs, who loves a good romp across the moors.

We’re staying in Settle, a cute little market town in the heart of Bronte Country near the southern entrance of the National Park.

After the long journey, we hunker down with the first of many pints of local Thwaites ale in The Golden Lion – a coaching inn in the centre of town and our base for the weekend.

Rooms are cosy and comfy with a modern country feel.

Settle is a popular base for walkers.

Nearby is Ribblesdale, probably the best known walking area in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, not least for those conquering the Yorkshire Three Peaks — Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent.

As keen but fair-weather walkers, we opt for an easy route along the River Ribble, which still offers some spectacular views across the Dales.

Unlike in the 18th century, there’s no need to ride a bumpy old stagecoach around these parts.

Settle is the starting point of England’s most scenic railway journey.

Celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, the Settle–Carlisle Railway soars over viaducts and through heather-filled moorlands.

There are numerous stops on the 72-mile route, including the magnificent Ribblehead Viaduct, which has 24 arches.

It’s a bargain at £4.60 for a single journey.

We stayed on until Dent, the highest railway station in England, and walked part of the Dales Way, which runs from Ilkley to Lake Windermere, stopping for a pint (OK, three) at the Sportsman Inn before wobbling back for the train.

Back at the The Golden Lion, it’s time for dinner.

Choices include fat steaks (from £18.50), beer-battered fish and chips (£18.50) and Settle pudding, a traditional suet pudding oozing with steak and ale, which Toby gazes at with the lustful look of Heathcliff.

On Sunday morning, the weather turns moody.

After a hearty Yorkshire breakfast, we drive five miles to Malham, a fine village with several easy-to-access walks.

We take a muddy trudge up to Malham Cove – a natural limestone amphitheatre – and then to Gordale Scar, a towering limestone gorge with a gushing waterfall, which featured in Netflix drama, The Witcher.

Dark, damp and deliciously Gothic, it’s a fitting end to our Wuthering Heights weekend.

IT is ten past midnight as I watch a rocket blasting off and lighting up the sky for miles as it begins its mind-boggling journey to space. 

For residents in Florida it is just another day, and many only find the rumble of the sonic boom a minor inconvenience. 

But for Brits like me, even watching it from afar is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

Florida is the centre of the world when it comes to space travel. In April, the Artemis II Space Launch System rocket will aim to send astronauts to the moon for the first time since 1972. Right now, it is sat at the famous Launch Complex 39B. 

And nowhere can you delve deeper into the history of space travel than at the neighbouring Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. 

A 45-minute drive from Orlando, the centre opened in 1967 and has expanded so much that I couldn’t fit everything into my two-day visit. 

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But top of my list was the Spaceport KSC attraction, where you head to a futuristic boarding gate and go on one of four motion theatre rides, taking you on a virtual journey to Mars, Saturn and Jupiter. 

It’s a perfect example of what the Kennedy Space Center does well — combining a thirst for knowledge with the demand from thrillseekers. 

There’s a virtual reality game called Hyperdeck and the Atlantis Shuttle Launch Experience, where you feel what a space launch is like.

The complex is a visual spectacle from the beginning, with the Rocket Garden, featuring towering spacecraft of the past, a must-do. 

I joined one of the regular 15-minute tours, and my guide Richard gave an overview of the space race with the Soviet Union and the significance of each of the rockets. 

From there, there are exhibits on everything you could want to know about Nasa, SpaceX, Blue Origin and what’s next. 

The Heroes & Legends building tells the story of Nasa’s early programmes and the astronauts who paved the way, while Race To The Moon explores everything that led to the 1969 Apollo 11 space landing — and features one of the 111-metre Saturn V rockets, which was used for missions to the lunar surface. 

That building is accessed via the bus tour of the area, included in the ticket price, where you can pass the monumental VAB building, where rockets are still built to this day.  

It was where the Apollo 11 rocket was built and features the largest doors in the world. It is so vast, you could fit the Empire State Building in it three and a half times. 

Back on the main lot, one of the most interesting exhibits is Nasa Now + Next. 

It’s one of the newest attractions and gives information about what is next in our exploration of the solar system — and the very real likelihood of mainstream space tourism.  

You’ll also have the chance to hear directly from those who have made it into space. Bill McArthur, an astronaut who went on three space shuttle missions, did a live Q&A during my visit. 

For me, it was well worth the additional $50 price tag, which came with refreshments and a signed photo. 

We talked to him about everything from how you go to the toilet in zero gravity — the logistics are fairly complex — to how he thinks we will be sending people up in rockets for years to come. 

There’s so much to see and do, with live science shows, two different IMAX shows and an Astronaut Training Experience.

And for the youngsters, there is Planet Play — a three-storey interactive soft play centre, where parents can relax at the bar while the kids let off some steam.  

The space centre has an app to plan your day, with an event calendar and show notifications as well as alerts about forthcoming launches, so it’s well worth downloading. 

 It is located on Merritt Island, a wildlife refuge area of 140,000 acres, which is popular with raccoons, bobcats, tortoises and yes, alligators, which I saw plenty of on the short drive from my hotel. 

The Courtyard by Marriott Titusville has spacious rooms and views over the Indian River, as well as a pool, gym and plenty of space goodies to keep the theme going. 

You can rent telescopes and binoculars and each room features solar system projectors to bring the night’s sky inside. 

But the real star is the Space Bar, complete with space-themed cocktails. It is the perfect location to watch launches from. 

As well as being about as close as you can get to the action, the hotel live-streams the launches so you can hear exactly what is going on at the launch pad in the lead-up. 

That’s an out-of-this-world experience I won’t forget. 

The world’s longest passenger train was over a mile long and passed through a stunning mountain range.

The record for the world’s longest passenger train was broken in 2022, when it reached over a mile in length and was made up of 100 carriages. The train made its way through the stunning Alps, which span countries such as Italy, Austria, Germany, France, and Switzerland. The Rhaetian Railway in Switzerland made history with its 1.2-mile-long train.

It headed on the Albula-Bernina route from Preda to Bergün. The train passed through the UNESCO World Heritage site and took over an hour.

The route passes through 22 tunnels, some of which spiral through the mountains, and 48 bridges, including the curved Landwasser Viaduct. Spectators lined the valley to watch the super-long train pass by.

CEO of Rhaetian Railway, Dr Renato Fasciati, said people from across the world flocked to watch the train. The 100-carriage train helped mark the 175th birthday of Swiss Railways.

Dr Fasciati said: “This world record attempt is a wonderful reason and a wonderful instrument for us to show the world this beautiful railway.”

During the pandemic, the company reportedly lost around 30% of its revenue. The world record attempt was done to raise awareness of the stunning train route.

The train was made up of 25 Capricorn railcars, 100 carriages, 3,000 tonnes of steel and technology. It was controlled by seven train drivers and 21 technicians across the mountain range.

Explaining how the 100-carriage train worked, Rhaetian Railway said: “The 25 trains all had to accelerate or decelerate at the same time, although only four trains each could be controlled from the same driver’s cab.

“An electric circuit ensured that all trains braked at the same time if the trains needed to slow down suddenly.

“Due to the heavy weight of the train (2,850 t without passengers), very high forces were exerted on the infrastructure and the carriages.

“A separate intercom system on the train, trained train drivers and clear instructions ensured the desired result. In addition, special software was loaded for the record-breaking train and the mechanical braking power was reduced.”

The train journey saw the railway set a Guinness World Record for the longest narrow-gauge passenger train.

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TWO major UK train stations are shutting down for 22 days over the summer.

Southern Eastern Railway will carry out engineering works which will affect journey time for 10,000 commuters.

From Sunday 26 July to Sunday 16 August, Charing Cross and Waterloo East stations will be closed for essential track and bridge repairs.

Officials say the closures are part of a £20 million overhaul that’ll see nearly 1,800 metres of old, worn-out track ripped up and replaced between Waterloo East and Charing Cross.

Customers have been advised that their journeys might be different and take longer.

Routes to London will remain open but will instead be diverted to other stations.

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Southeastern services into Charing Cross will be redirected to Victoria, Cannon Street and Blackfriars stations.

Some trains will be terminating at London Bridge while tickets will be accepted on alternative rail routes, London Underground and buses.

The ageing track, which was last replaced more than 35 years ago, has caused repeated faults on the approaches to Charing Cross.

This has led to hundreds of hours of delays, leaving frustrated commuters stuck on platforms or stranded on packed trains.

As well as ripping up and replacing worn-out track, engineers will tackle drainage upgrades at Waterloo East and carry out vital structural repairs to Hungerford Bridge.

The three-week closure is expected to prevent future shutdowns during bank holidays and weekends and will deliver more reliable service.

Scott Brightwell, Director of Operations and Safety, South Eastern Railway, said: “We know closing Charing Cross and Waterloo East for 22 days is a significant change and we’re sorry for the disruption it will cause.

“This is not a decision we’ve taken lightly. We’ve looked long and hard at every possible option and although none of them are without impact, a single summer closure is the least disruptive and most efficient way to carry out this vital work.”

This breathtaking train journey is right beside the sea, where you can see black swans, quaint villages, and even see waves crashing into the tracks.

It is often said that the journey matters just as much as the destination – and across the UK, certain train routes are so stunning they become an attraction in themselves. The Riviera Line is a railway route in Devon, England, renowned for its spectacular scenery, as it is one of the few railways in Britain that runs directly alongside the sea.

This train journey covers 28 miles from Exeter city centre to the town of Paignton, taking approximately 50 to 60 minutes. It is one of the most affordable ways to soak up the most picturesque landscapes of the English Riviera, where waves are known to crash across the train tracks.

A single ticket costs around £8 for an adult, with most websites pricing them at £8.40, and returns available at £10.70.

It has also been recognised as one of the “most scenic train journeys” in Britain by National Geographic, which highlights that it showcases “the best views the English Riviera has to offer.”

They said: “South Devon’s Riviera Line connects Exeter with Paignton, threading its way past towering cliffs, numerous estuaries (look out for egrets, one of the UK’s rarest birds), quaint market towns and Powderham Castle, with its deer-filled grounds.”

What can you see on the Riviera Line?

Once you depart Exeter, the train hugs the Exe Estuary, a vast expanse of water where the River Exe meets the English Channel, reports the Express.

Passengers are treated to breathtaking views of the shimmering sea, whilst numerous boats can be spotted making their way along the riverbanks. Have your camera at the ready the moment you arrive at Starcross, a tranquil rural village, as you’ll encounter the renowned sea wall at Dawlish.

Waves frequently crash spectacularly straight over the railway line, creating a stunning sight, and you’ll also witness the iconic sandstone cliffs, celebrated for their vivid rusty red hue.

Dawlish is equally famous for its black swans, though the region serves as a sanctuary for distinctive birdlife as you can regularly observe egrets, herons and waders along the coastline.

The train also passes through Teignmouth, a seaside resort recognised for its vibrant houses and enormous Victorian pier extending into the sea.

You’ll then sweep past the English countryside, where you’ll observe abundant green woodland, agricultural land, tiny hamlets, and you’ll also catch sight of the Dartmoor hills on the horizon

.

As you near Paignton, you’ll begin to notice palm trees as the locale is renowned for having gentler weather than the rest of Britain and enjoys summers warm enough for tropical vegetation.

Be sure to sit on the right-hand side of the train at Exeter for the finest views, and you’ll be able to savour the best of Britain’s coastal landscape without requiring a car or ferry.

AUDLEY End is home to family-favourite miniature railway that has been running for 60 years.

It’s now announced a new electric steam locomotive – which is the first-of-its kind in the country.

The team behind Audley End Enchanted Railway in Essex has announced that a “brand-new fully electric steam-outline locomotive” will be joining its fleet.

The electric steam locomotive will be the first-of-its-kind in the UK and visitors can hop onboard from March 17, 2026.

The new train, nicknamed part of the “Steamless Revolution” will combine timeless railway romance with cutting-edge green technology.

The miniature train will be fully electric, but designed to look and sound like a traditional scale steam engine.

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Other locomotives at Audley End include Electra which was introduced on the 60-year anniversary.

Henrietta Jane is its long-standing diesel train and Robin, which is a diesel engine.

The attraction that has been open for more than six decades takes visitors along a mile and a half journey through Fulfen Forest on the Audley End estate.

Visitors can head along to Woodland Adventure Days from March 17, when the miniature railway reopens for the season, until October 4, 2026.

Families can hop onboard the train, but also explore themed play areas, hunt for hidden forest treasures, go on a fairy or elf walk, and join in eco-crafts.

Adults can take a pit-stop at the Woodland Café for a hot drink, and pick up a bite to eat there too.

The menu changes seasonally but visitors can pick up sandwiches, jacket potatoes, pizza, pies, salads and ice cream which can be enjoyed at one of the picnic tables on the grounds.

Throughout the year are seasonal events like Mother’s Day Weekend, Easter Special, and the Summer Festival with live music and dancing.

Later in the year is the Halloween Spooky Special and Christmas events.

Prices vary from free to £20.50 depending on dates, times and events.

Audley End itself is a 17th-century Jacobean country mansion in Saffron Walden, managed by English Heritage

It’s managed by English Heritage and visitors can go back in time to see how a great house worked in the past.

In the 1830s nursery, kids can try on costumes and play with replica toys.

Upstairs in the Coal Gallery, see how servants kept the house stocked with coal and hot water.

The Service Wing offers a unique insight into life ‘below stairs’ during the 1880s.

Audley End is on the outskirts of Saffron Walden, which in 2025 was declared the UK’s ‘best place to live’.

The Times has declared Saffron Walden as their winner based on schools, transport, broadband speed, mobile signal to culture, green spaces and high street health.

It’s even been dubbed a Cotswolds-alternative with a pretty high street and historic market square.

Saffron Walden dates back to the 1130s and while it is 15 miles from the nearest city of Cambridge, it still has plenty to offer.

In the town centre is a market that has been running since 1141 and is still going strong today.

One Sun Writer spent a night on the Audley End grounds…

Senior Consumer Reporter, Adele Cooke, headed to Audley End for a stay in the Victorian Gardener’s House…

“Before I boarded the train for my weekend break, Essex conjured up images of Gemma Collins rather than a refined getaway.

“So it was a pleasant surprise to arrive at our cottage set in the splendour of Audley End House and Gardens, just outside Saffron Walden.

“If you are looking for a place to get away from it all, it’s perfect. Arriving after dark, we explored the handsome red brick property – formerly the Victorian Gardener’s House – and it seemed to be gloriously isolated.

“So, flinging open the curtains the next morning, I was slightly surprised to see an elderly couple taking a stroll outside the window.

“Turns out the cottage is not just on the estate – but in the middle of it.

“While Audley End House is a splendid Jacobean mansion, cared for by English Heritage, a £1.25million refurbishment has transformed the former Gardener’s House.

“If you have kids, you can watch them enjoy the adventure playground through the window.

“Refreshed after a night’s sleep, we explored the estate. The 17th-century manor has been visited by everyone from Elizabeth I to screen royalty Olivia Colman, who filmed scenes from the Netflix hit The Crown at the house.”

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One train journey takes a staggering 167 hours to complete, with the railway spanning eight time zones to make it the longest in the world

The longest direct train journey in the world stretches a staggering 5,771 miles and takes almost a week to complete. Passengers on board the train undertake a mammoth journey through eight time zones.

The Trans-Siberian Railroad claims the title of the longest single rail system in the world. It connects east and west Russia, running from Moscow to Vladivostok.

To travel the length of the railway, it takes approximately 167 hours and requires no passenger changes. Heading east from Moscow, the train crosses the country to the Pacific Ocean.

There are even non-stop train options, so all passengers remain on board throughout the seven days. If you prefer to get off and explore the local surroundings, passengers can opt for the stopping service.

However, this takes between 14 and 20 days to complete. The Trans-Siberian railway runs through cities such as Moscow, Yaroslavl, Chelyabinsk, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude, Chita, Khabarovsk, and Vladivostok.

There’s also the Trans-Manchurian line, which runs through northern China to Beijing, and the Trans-Mongolian, which heads to Beijing but passes through Ulan Bator.

A famous train on the Trans-Siberian railway is Rossiya (the Russia), which has second-class sleepers, third-class open-plan sleeper bunks, and a restaurant car.

Passengers can pay for four tickets to ensure sole occupancy of a four-berth compartment, even if they’re the only ones travelling. The bunks convert to seats during the day, with toilets and washrooms at the ends of the corridors.

Many tourists who travelled the route chose not to start or end their journey in Russia. Tourists once began in London and made their way to Moscow before boarding the Trans-Siberian Railroad.

Once in Vladivostok, tourists could then head to Korea, Japan, or China without taking a plane. National Geographic also ran tours along the route, offering tourists the chance to travel on “one of the world’s most legendary railways.”

They described the journey: “Set out on an epic train journey across one-third of the world, travelling from Vladivostok, Russia to the heart of Moscow along the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway.

“From the Mongolian steppe to Lake Baikal’s remote shores to the snow-capped Ural Mountains, trace the history of tsars, exiles, and Mongols in the comfort of our luxury train, the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express. Encounter remote cultures and the unique architecture of Siberia’s wooden cottages and Moscow’s onion domes.”

Tours like these have been halted, yet the train is reportedly still being used by Russians. The UK Government warn against all travel to Russia.

Official advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office says: “FCDO advises against all travel to Russia due to the risks and threats from its continuing invasion of Ukraine, including security incidents, such as drone attacks, and Russian air defence activity, lack of flights to return to the UK and limited ability for the UK government to provide support.”

Epic train journey starts in London then passes through Paris, leading travellers to a beach in Spain with golden sand and a lively atmosphere

A stunning nine-hour rail journey that begins with the Eurostar in London and concludes on a breathtaking beach in Spain is sure to leave you mesmerised. The thrilling train adventure sets off from St Pancras station in London, whisking you away to the picturesque La Zurriola beach, nestled in the city of San Sebastián (Donostia) in Spain.

This charming beach is famed for its idyllic surroundings, golden shores, and superb surfing conditions, making it a favourite spot for both locals and holidaymakers. To reach this scenic beach in San Sebastián from London by rail, you’ll need to first board the Eurostar train from London St Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord.

This leg of the journey takes roughly two hours and 15 minutes. From Paris, passengers can then jump onto a TGV train bound for Hendaye, which will take around five to six hours, reports the Express.

Upon reaching San Sebastián’s train station, you can opt for a bus or taxi ride to La Zurriola beach.

The beach is situated in the Gros district, which is within strolling distance from the train station, but it might be more practical to take a brief bus or taxi trip, particularly if you’re laden with luggage.

One visitor reviewed the seaside location on TripAdvisor, writing: “Visiting San Sebastián was truly unforgettable, especially with the breath-taking view of the Atlantic Ocean.

“The coastline is stunning, just a short walk from downtown, where you can surf, swim, or simply relax and soak in the soothing sounds of waves crashing on the shore.”

The beach boasts a vibrant ambience with a bustling promenade peppered with bars, eateries, and shops, creating a lively hub of activity.

The official tourism website for the region, San Sebastián Turismoa, described the area on their website: “The promenade running round the beach from Sagüés to the Kursaal ‘cubes’ continues on its way round Monte Urgull and along the Paseo Nuevo to end at the Peine del Viento sculpture on the Concha Bay.

“This spectacular city walk covers around six kilometres and offers spectacular sea views and delightful resting spots along the way.

“From the Zurriola, you can also make your way up to Monte Ulía, a green area only a moment’s walk from the city centre. A former look-out point for whales, Monte Ulía is the city’s best hillwalking option and follows part of the coastal route on the Way of Saint James.”

La Zurriola is renowned for being a top-notch surfing location in Europe. The beach regularly experiences powerful swells from the Bay of Biscay, drawing in surfers ranging from novices to seasoned pros.

Surf schools and hire shops are on hand to accommodate visitors keen to ride the waves or pick up the sport.

Beyond surfing, La Zurriola offers the chance to partake in other water sports such as bodyboarding and paddleboarding. The beach also occasionally plays host to beach volleyball tournaments and other leisure activities.

The most affordable ticket from St Pancras for 29 April currently stands at roughly £67 on Trainline.

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The train rocks you to sleep and wakes you somewhere spectacular

Just one sleeper train ride away from a major English city is spectacular views, deserted beaches and waterfalls. Features Writer Kirsty Bosley branded it “one of the most magical days of her entire life”.

Just the previous evening, she had been stuck in gridlock at Birmingham’s Five Ways island, stressed and anxious about missing the Caledonian Sleeper – the train that lulls you to sleep in the midland city and rouses you in the Scottish Highlands.

She secured a ticket to whisk her from Brum to Inverness, awakening in Scotland following a 10-hour journey on the overnight service and granting roughly 12 hours there before her pre-booked return departure.

The purpose was straightforward: To see whether the Caledonian Sleeper merits booking, given it’s only recently begun collecting passengers in Birmingham. Kirsty gives her honest opinion on her trip…

Therefore, I was determined to cram in absolutely everything possible during those 12 hours – family-friendly attractions, trails for hikers, intimate experiences for lovers and tranquil spots for contemplation in the wilderness, much like the moment I was savouring on Dores Beach, reports Birmingham Live.

Furthermore, I aimed to accomplish everything whilst spending minimal money, surviving on Tunnocks Teacakes and Irn Bru alongside small portable snacks we grabbed en route. The day’s largest expense turned out to be the most worthwhile: a pre-paid £42 hire car from Enterprise.

After a brisk 15-minute stroll from the train station, we picked it up and embarked on our ambitious mission to navigate the entirety of Loch Ness (roughly 70 miles) in a single day.

Fuelled by a mere £15, we accomplished our goal, embarking on a clockwise journey that began with tears of joy as the loch unveiled itself, perfectly timed to Taylor Swift’s bridge from Cruel Summer blaring from the speakers.

We pulled over, rolled down the windows and danced roadside under the rising sun, brimming with anticipation for the perfect day ahead.

A masterclass in Loch Ness

Following our jubilant pit stop, our first destination was the Loch Ness Clansman Hotel to see the plaque commemorating Ozzy Osbourne’s nocturnal escapades in the loch, where he searched for Nessie alongside his son Jack.

Driving felt less like a chore and more like a pleasure with the constant backdrop of the Highlands. In Drumnadrochit, at the hotel where the monster tales originated, we made our second largest purchase of the day: £15 entry to The Loch Ness Centre, narrated in its entirety by David Tennant.

As we moved from room to room, we delved into the origins of the rumours, the ensuing frenzy, the history and geography of the land, and the Scottish myths and legends that lent an air of reality to the tale.

We also discovered the fascinating science behind why it’s impossible to definitively prove there isn’t a monster lurking in a body of water so extraordinarily deep that all the freshwater from every lake, reservoir and river in England and Wales combined couldn’t fill it.

Following that revelation, I found myself scrutinising the water far more intently, half-convinced there was a genuine possibility she might poke her enormous neck above the surface to greet us passing Brummies.

The sheer sense of wonder sparked by the centre’s masterclass justified the entrance fee entirely, as every subsequent free activity we undertook was now enhanced by our newfound knowledge.

We reached Urquhart Castle in remarkably quick time – a military ruin positioned directly on the water’s edge.

Walk-up admission costs £16 and whilst I was certain it would be spectacular to explore, we decided to save it for another visit now we were absolutely convinced we’d be returning. Boat excursions can transport you there, so that was immediately added to my ‘to-do’ list.

Enchanted woodlands and breathtaking vistas

We pressed on along the waterside A82 towards Invermoriston, the sort of place that appears lifted straight from an adventure film.

The Old Bridge spanning the thundering falls of the River Moriston, as it crashes dramatically towards Loch Ness, resembles something from a fairy tale. Despite being situated on the renowned Great Glen Way trail, it all felt like a mystical secret because remarkably few other visitors were present.

We parked up (parking is free, but donations are appreciated, as with many public toilets along the route) and embarked on a stroll into the woodland, pausing at the historic Summer House Victorian folly to soak in the surroundings, much like folks did years ago as salmon battled their way upstream.

Meandering through spongy clusters of radiant white reindeer lichen, pausing to observe the rapids and keeping an eye out for squirrels, I felt a sense of tranquillity wash over me. It’s a must-visit spot for any traveller – I wish every Brummie could experience it.

By the time we reached the South Shore, it was 2pm, and we’d managed to cover half the loch’s circumference in just four hours.

A brief pause for photos and laughter ensued before we rounded the southernmost point and were greeted by a view so breathtaking from the Suidhe Viewpoint that we had to pull over.

Another family of tourists arrived, and although we exchanged few words, our shared silence spoke volumes about the unforgettable, life-affirming moment we were experiencing. We swapped cameras to help each other capture proof of our presence in this extraordinary place. The wild beauty of our surroundings was almost overwhelming as we continued our journey.

Wildlife and waterfalls

We encountered a majestic stag who turned to regard our car. It felt like we’d stepped into an illustration on the front of a tin of special shortbread biscuits. Overhead, giant birds, possibly including a golden eagle, soared majestically.

Our next stop was the Falls of Foyers, a spectacular 140ft waterfall nestled within a forest inhabited by elusive red squirrels. Tunnocks Teacakes and Irn Bru proved insufficient fuel for the challenging descent down steep steps, but thankfully the Waterfall Cafe offered sausage rolls and other snacks to revive us.

With daylight fading, we passed by Boleskine House (the former residence of Aleister Crowley and Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page), which was shut, though we went anyway simply to say we’d been, before heading off to find a man we’d discovered at The Loch Ness Centre.

Dusk – One final adventure

Steve Feltham is a renowned ‘Nessie Hunter’ who abandoned his family business, relationship and home to move from Dorset. Since 1991, he’s lived on the loch’s shores and has devoted himself to spotting ‘the monster’ ever since.

Yet his tale is really about leaving behind what doesn’t fulfil you and pursuing the life you desire. I desperately wanted to meet him before nightfall.

We reached his modest dwelling as the sky began transforming colours above Dores Beach. He wasn’t there, but after the dog-walkers departed, I chose to wait a whilst longer in case he returned.

The pebbled shoreline is magnificent, the surroundings breathtaking. I pondered whether Steve might welcome a new neighbour, though I knew Birmingham beckoned so I could pen this account.

Both Steve and Nessie remained beyond our grasp, only one possessing confirmed existence but both surrounded by legends I yearned to explore further. Returning to relinquish the rental car and hop back on what I’ll forever dub the ‘Loch Ness Express’, we bid farewell to it all, but only physically.

I was convinced that my spirit remained in Invermoriston, still on the hunt for red squirrels. I plan to retrieve her on the next available journey aboard the Caledonian Sleeper. This time around, I’ll be sure to pack sandwiches.