Travelling around the UK gives visitors (and locals) a chance to see some sites of incredible natural beauty and impeccably preserved history and cultures they may not have any real experience with. Thanks to the variety of landscapes and the melting pot of cultures across Great Britain, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the UK is like nowhere else on earth. Not only is it a fantastic place to visit, but you can also experience some of the most interesting, unique and, in some cases, antique or ancient methods of travel. We will explore some of the most interesting and enjoyable ways of travelling around the UK and some of the loveliest destinations you can see when you use them.
Fly on a Private Plane
For many people, flying on a private plane is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It's the cream of the crop as far as luxury travel goes, and it turns a flight that could just be an act of getting from one place to the next into a “hotel with wings” type experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life. A private jet experience is a super first-class one, with the most comfortable seating you could ever imagine from which you can gaze out over the stunning UK landscapes slipping away beneath you.
Private aircraft can take off from any airport in the UK and get you closer to more remote destinations thanks to the smaller-than-average size (depending on your jet) of the passenger plane. You could explore a bustling city like London and disembark at Heathrow Airport, or land on one of the Hebrides Islands and get a taste of remote Scottish living!
Take a Waterway Cruise
For many UK residents, living close to or even on the water of the gorgeous canals that run through many areas was so enticing that they moved onto beautifully decorated houseboats.
Suppose you like exploring the canals and waterways, but only briefly. In that case, taking a canal cruise is an excellent way to see some of the UK’s most beautiful small towns without having to pack up and move hotels whenever you want to check out a new destination. Riverboats are always painted in a rainbow of lovely colours, and the interiors, especially those available for rent, are plush and comfortable. Imagine this: you’re gliding over glinting, deep green or blue water under ancient stone bridges. The verges on either side of you are bright green in the spring air, and trees sway in the breeze. Around each corner is a new experience and another town or city to explore. Doesn't it sound idyllic?
Some of the most awe-inspiring waterway trips and destinations you can cruise to in the UK are:
Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal (56 kilometres, six locks, and two tunnels): This is an incredible trip for nature lovers. It takes you through a dark sky reserve and includes terrific swimming spots.
Thames Ring (395 kilometres, 176 locks and two tunnels, anti-clockwise): Here, you’ll get a taste of the city and the country. It's an unbeatable long holiday journey if you have the time — picturesque in the extreme.
Spirit of Scotland: A manned barge cruiser with room for as many as eight guests. The six crew will guide the boat on a scenic tour of the Caledonian Canal and provide you with premier lodgings and meals as you enjoy the best of what Scotland has to offer.
Take a Steam Train Trip
Train Travel was once the pinnacle of luxury travel across most of the world. While a few passenger steam trains still exist, their numbers have dwindled into almost complete insignificance compared to other passenger trains. That said, nothing in the world compares to boarding a steam train bound over hill and dale and on to your terminal destination.
The steam trains that run today aren't for a quick journey to the next town but for an experience that takes passengers back to the golden age of travel with all of its opulence, glamour and incredible comfort and service. There’s no better way to see the countryside than from the window of your compartment or maybe even the dining car as you sip a strong cup of tea and nibble through little sandwiches to the rhythm of the wheels over the tracks.
The most wonderful steam train trips in the UK today are:
Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee Carriage with Afternoon Tea for Two: It's tough to know if the interior of the opulently designed train or the pastoral scenes outside the window are more beautiful! The carriage has been expertly restored, and the tea service is impeccable.
Experience the miniature steam trains of Wales with the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways: Although the trains aren't suitable for overnight experiences, they can take you on beautiful journeys to various stunning Welsh locations and cultural events.
3-Day Isle of Skye and Jacobite Steam Train Tour from Inverness: Explore the exquisite Scottish highlands in style on this three-day trip from Loch Ness to Eilean Donan Castle, the Isle of Skye, and the Culloden Battlefield.
Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway Experience with Full English Breakfast for Two: A full English with unlimited tea and coffee? Sign me up! Enjoy this hearty meal as you chug through the stunning Yorkshire Dales. It's a short trip but gives passengers the complete steam-train experience.
An Unforgettable Experience
Travelling across the UK by air, rail, or water can be as enjoyable or as speedy and efficient as you want it to be. These unusual ways of travelling can enrich your life in ways you never imagined, so take a little extra time and immerse yourself in the enjoyment of unique travel.
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