We love exploring the UK and have travelled across much of it, enjoying the huge variety of towns, cities, sleepy villages, countryside and beaches. The best bit about travelling the country is that exploring the UK doesn’t have to mean long drives, traffic jams, or the hassle of hiring a car. In fact, some of the country’s most memorable destinations are really easy to reach by train – offering a slower, more scenic, and far more relaxing way to travel (trust me, driving tiny village roads isn’t fun).
From the wild, windswept coastline of Northumberland to the honey-coloured streets of Bath, the ancient woodlands of the New Forest to the storybook charm of Arundel, and the vibrant culture of Liverpool, there’s an incredible variety of places you can visit with nothing more than a train ticket.
This guide brings together some of the best UK trips you can take entirely by train – perfect for weekend escapes, spontaneous day trips, or easy family holidays. Whether you’re travelling solo, planning a romantic getaway, or just looking to explore more sustainably, these destinations prove that you don’t need a car to see the very best of Britain.
13 Best UK Holidays Without a Car for 2026
1. Margate
One of our favourite, easy UK holidays without a car is Margate. We visited last year by train with our kids and had the best four days there, without feeling the need for a car at all. In fact, it was so much easier to travel with our (then) 4-year olds by train rather than endure their moaning in the back of the car for 3-4 hours.
There’s so much to do in Margate with kids including the retro Dreamland, the Shell Grotto, plenty of beaches, a double-decker bus café, and the Turner Contemporary art museum, which also has a kids area. All of these sights are walkable if you stay in the centre of Margate (we rented an amazing Airbnb here). If you’re with smaller kids, I would bring a pram or carrier as although it’s all walkable, small legs might get tired.
How to get to Margate by train
To get to Margate, we caught the train from St Pancras International (Southeastern trains) and it took just 1.5 hours. It was so easy to get there and once there, we then hopped in a taxi to the city centre.
2. York
If you’re looking for an easy UK city break by train then York should be top of your list. In fact, I’d go as far to say that few UK cities reward a train journey quite like the beautiful York. By train, you can arrive straight into the historic heart of the city and the city is compact enough that it’s easy to see most sights by foot. These includes York Minster – one of Europe’s most magnificent Gothic cathedrals, as well as the Shambles – a medieval street where timber buildings lean over a cobbled street.
If you’re visiting the Shambles, you must visit the ridiculously cute York Ghost Merchants, where you can buy customised tiny ghosts to celebrate the most haunted city in the world – York.
We love this city and have visited a number of times now. If you’re looking for a little luxury, we can highly recommend The Grand, York, which is the city’s only 5* hotel. We loved this hotel, which provided a luxury central stay in a Grade II listed former railway headquarters and is just a short walk from the train station.
How to get to York by train
Getting to York from London by train is one of the easiest journeys in the UK.
Most trains depart from London King’s Cross and arrive at York railway station; just on the edge of the historic city centre. Direct trains run frequently, usually two to three per hour and are operated mainly by London North Eastern Railway (LNER) and Grand Central.
The journey typically takes around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 10 minutes, with no need to change trains, making it ideal for a smooth, stress-free trip without an airport queue in sight.
3. Penzance (and around Cornwall)
Reaching Penzance by train is surprisingly straightforward, making it a great option for a car-free coastal escape to Cornwall. Arriving at Penzance station, you’re just a short walk from the seafront, bustling harbour and town centre, so you can settle in and start exploring without needing to navigate rural roads or parking.
Once in Cornwall, getting around without a car is entirely doable – which people often doubt when it comes to holidaying in Cornwall.
Regular buses connect Penzance to nearby highlights like St Ives, famous for its beaches and art scene, and Land’s End for dramatic coastal views. You can also hop on the short but stunning branch line to St Ives, widely considered one of the most beautiful train journeys in the UK. We took our daughter on this trainline from Marazion to St Ives and it was such a highlight of our trip, with the most beautiful views out over golden beaches and turquoise seas.
For closer adventures, you can even walk to the small but perfectly formed Mousehole. This is a 5.5km walk, so very doable, and well worth the steps for the sleepy harbour, crabbing opportunities and delicious ice creams.
How to get to Penzance by train
Direct services run from London (via Great Western Railway), with the journey taking around five to six hours along one of the UK’s most scenic rail routes. Although it is a longer train journey, it is a beautiful one – and far more relaxing than driving.
4. New Forest (in the summer)
Next up on my list for the best UK holidays without a car is the New Forest. Although, I must state this is only if you’re planning on visiting during the summer months when the New Forest Bus Tour is running, over the months of July – September. This is an open top bus that connects the New Forest for tourists, therefore making it much easier to get around without a car.
We love the New Forest and have visited several time with and without our children. It’s a place ideal for adults looking for a quiet romantic break, as well as families looking for child-friendly activities and cosy, relaxed pubs. For those looking for a romantic weekend break, head to The Pig at the New Forest for lazy hours reading a book by the fire.
For those with little ones, there’s so much to see and do, including pony riding, a trip to Paultons Park and crabbing at the harbour of Lymington.
How to get to the New Forest by train
Getting to the New Forest by train is simple and makes for an easy, car-free countryside escape.
The most common route is from London, with direct trains departing from London Waterloo and operated by South Western Railway. Journey times range from around 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on your destination within the forest. Key stations to aim for include Brockenhurst (a great central base and where we’d recommend you base yourselves), Lymington for coastal access, and Ashurst New Forest for quieter woodland entry points.
5. Isle of Wight
Following on from the New Forest, the Isle of Wight is a great place to travel to in the UK without a car. From Lymington (closest to the New Forest) the ferry takes you to Yarmouth, the Isle of Wight’s most beautiful town. This is a lovely place to base yourself for a couple of nights, with a cobbled high street bursting with quaint coffee shops, cosy pubs, and a beautiful 17th century church.
Getting around the Isle of Wight without car is also super easy, with the Southern Vectis, double decker bus looping around the island all day, everyday.
How to get to the Isle of Wight from the New Forest
From Brockenhurst station, you can get a train to Lymington Pier and walk straight onto the Lymington to Yarmouth Ferry. The ferry ride is just 40 minutes, which is so convenient, dropping you at the pretty town of Yarmouth. This is the perfect little additional adventure if you’re staying in the New Forest and want to add on a few additional days.
6. Lake District (Ullswater)
The Lake District is one of my favourite destinations in the UK, and thankfully, is really accessible by train. One of our favourite places to stay around the Lake District is Another Place Ullswater, which is a short taxi ride from Penrith North Lakes station. As well as being the most beautiful hotel to explore – complete with dreamy spa – there’s plenty of things you can do on-foot around the area, including hikes and wild lake swimming. This is a dreamy break for just two or even a family, as the hotel is very family-friendly.
How to get to the Lake District by train
One of the easiest ways to get to the North Lakes is to catch the direct train from London to Penrith North Lakes Station. This runs on the main West Coast Line and takes 3- 3.5 hours from London on the Avanti West Coast service.
Penrith is also really easy to get to by train from Manchester or Glasgow.
7. Northumberland
Next up on my list of the best UK holidays without a car is the windswept, cosy escape of Northumberland.
Although Northumberland might be nestled up in the north-eastern corner of the UK, getting there without a car is still achievable. In fact, driving to Northumberland from the South of England is a slog (believe me, I’ve done it), and so actually opting for public transport is much less stressful.
If you base yourself in a well-connected town like Alnwick, Berwick-upon-Tweed or near Alnmouth railway station, you’ll find it relatively easy to get around using trains, buses and the occasional taxi.
These areas give you access to highlights like castles, coastal walks and charming market towns without needing to drive. We loved Alnwick, which is such a cosy town (with a beautiful book store), the famous Alnwick castle (where Harry Potter was filmed) and lots of cute independent shops and cafes. Admittedly, getting to more remote areas, such as the Northumberland National Park, is harder but car rental is always an option once there.
How to get to Northumberland by train
Getting to Northumberland by train is straightforward, with a few well-connected stations along the East Coast Main Line. You can travel directly from London in around 3–4 hours with LNER, arriving at stations such as Alnmouth railway station, Morpeth railway station or Berwick-upon-Tweed railway station.
These stations provide easy access to both the coast and inland areas, making train travel a convenient and scenic way to reach Northumberland for a short break.
8. Norwich
I think Norwich often passes under the radar as an option for a UK city break but it’s a really great city and one that’s very easy to get to by train. I visited by train a few years ago and had a wonderful few days exploring the city.
From strolling through the cobbled lanes of the Norwich Lanes, brimming with independent shops, vintage finds and cosy cafés to exploring Norwich Cathedral and the fascinating Norwich Castle, there’s plenty to see and do for a weekend trip.
How to get to Norwich by train
It’s really easy to travel to Norwich by train from London, with a regular direct service running from London Liverpool Street Station, operated by Greater Anglia and taking just 1 hour and 50 minutes. The train takes you directly into the heart of the city – a 10-15 minute walk to the major sights and city centre.
9. Arundel
If you’re looking for a fairy tale like break in the UK that doesn’t require a car, head to dreamy Arundel.
Nestled in the South Downs, Arundel has brilliant train links, with direct trains to Arundel in just 90 minutes from London. We’ve visited Arundel a couple of times now and love how walkable it is, with plenty to see and do. A visit to Arundel Castle is a must, as well as slow, lazy riverside walks after brunch in one of the many independent cafes.
It’s great for kids and adults – and also has a lot of beautiful cottage rentals in the area.
How to get to Arundel by train
You can get a direct train to Arundel in just 90 minutes from London Victoria, operated by Southern Railway. From the station, it’s then just a 10-15 minute walk into the town centre.
10. Liverpool
Next on my list of the best UK holidays without a car is Liverpool.
One of our favourite cities in the UK is Liverpool and, fortunately, it’s super easy to get to by train. It’s a city absolutely packed with things to do; from the well known sights such The Beatles Story Museum and Albert Docks to newer experiences such as the brilliant Wyld Sauna. It also has a great nightlife, excellent restaurants and shopping, making it an all-round brilliant option for a UK holiday without a car.
How to get to Liverpool by train
Travelling to Liverpool by train from large parts of the UK is very straightforward. From London, direct services run from London Euston through Avanti West Coast and takes just over 2 hours, stopping at Liverpool Lime Street. Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham also run regular, direct trains – my one tip, however, is to book ahead of time as longer train journeys are eye-wateringly expensive in the UK.
11. Edinburgh
Edinburgh is one of the best destinations in the UK for a car-free holiday. Direct trains from London arrive right in the centre of the city, meaning you can start exploring Edinburgh the minute you step off the train.
The city’s main sights, such as the beautiful Edinburgh Castle and Arthur’s Seat (pack hiking shoes!) are are within easy walking distance and the bus and tram system makes exploring a little further just as easy. I adore Edinburgh and have never visited with a car, finding it a fascinating city that can be enjoyed by foot.
How to get to Edinburgh by train
Traveling to Edinburgh by train is one of the most convenient and scenic ways to reach Scotland’s capital, with a wide range of train providers operating routes from across the UK. Major companies such as LNER, Avanti West Coast, and CrossCountry offer frequent long-distance services connecting cities like London, Birmingham, and Manchester. Regional services are also available through TransPennine Express and ScotRail, making it easy to travel from northern England or within Scotland itself.
Most trains arrive at Edinburgh Waverley, a centrally located station within walking distance of the city’s main attractions, so you can step off the train and start exploring right away. The perfect addition to the best UK holidays without a car list.
12. Whitstable
Next on my list for the best UK holidays without a car is the lovely, little Whitstable. This seaside town is a really easy choice for a car-free UK break. You can reach Whitstable by direct train from London St Pancras or Victoria, taking just 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Whitstable itself is super compact and offers colourful beach huts, a bustling harbour, so many amazing independent shops (visit the Pearl shop!), galleries and delicious seafood restaurants.
How to get to Whitstable by train
As mentioned above, Whitstable is really easy to get to by train from London, on the Southeastern line. From the station, it’s just a 10-15 minute walk – downhill, thankfully – into the town centre and seafront.
13. Bath
Bath is one of my most favourite cities in the UK and firmly on my list of the best UK holidays without a car. I’ve visited a number of times by train from London and always found it incredibly easy and compact to navigate by foot.
Of course, you have to visit the world-famous Roman Baths, as well as a visit to its rooftop spa for a relaxing afternoon. It also offers so many great independent eateries and shops, and is a foodie and shopaholics dream.
How to get to Bath by train
You can get a direct train from Paddington with Great Western Railway to Bath, with the journey taking just 1 hour 20 minutes to Bath Spa station, which is right in the city centre. You can also travel to Bath from other major UK cities, such as Bristol (this journey only takes 15 minutes!).
Pin for later: 15 Best UK Holidays Without a Car for 2026
