We wanted to uncover the types of attractions that us Brits prefer to explore, and so we polled 1,000 people and discovered that we really are a nation of nature lovers! Almost half of UK adults (48%) told us that their favourite places to explore were in the great outdoors, and the most chosen days out included many of the country’s free attractions (such as beaches, woodland and national parks) – and we can see why!
We also learnt that castles and historical sites (38%), nature and wildlife attractions such as zoos and aquariums (35%) and free to visit museums, art galleries and similar indoor experiences (31%), were also all firm favourites. Discover some of the most popular cities and top attractions in the UK below for inspiration:
Some of the best cities to visit in the UK
- London
- Edinburgh
- York
- Manchester
- Newcastle
- Sunderland
- Liverpool
- Glasgow
Top attractions in the UK
- The British Museum
- The Tower of London
- The London Eye
- Natural History Museum
- Edinburgh Castle
- Alton Towers
- The Roman Baths
- Chester Zoo
- Thorpe Park
- York Castle Museum
Top family attractions in the UK
- Legoland
- Shrek's Adventure London
- Warner Bros Studio Harry Potter Tour
- Yorkshire Wildlife Park
- Madame Tussauds (London & Blackpool)
- Sea Life Centre (London, Manchester, Blackpool, Birmingham, Brighton)
- Cadbury World
So much to do, so much to see
Whether you’re a shopaholic or you’re a history buff, a film fanatic or a great outdoors adventurer, (or like some of us, you just like a nice cup of tea and a slice of cake), we want to showcase some of the wonderful days out by rail that you can have when travelling with us.
As well as polling some of the Grand Central team, we carefully examined TripAdvisor ratings for each destination, pulling together a list of each of the attractions located within a 20-minute walk of the stations we stop at, categorising each of them into:
- Shopping
- Histroy and Culture
- Film Fans
- Nature Lovers
- Coffe & Tea
To do so, we’ve created a series of handy guides which outline some of the main attractions, places of interest, and lovely things to do that are within just 20 minutes’ walk of some of our key stops.
The locations we’ve explored include fun days out Halifax, Bradford, Sunderland, York, Doncaster, and London, all of which have plenty to keep you busy should you choose to visit! Whether you’re travelling solo, with a friend, a group, or even with children, we hope you’ll see there is something to suit everyone.
Finally, we ranked each attraction by distance, walking time, and number of ‘excellent’ ratings based on their TripAdvisor reviews. Our top tips and handy downloadable guides can be found by visiting:
- Days out by Rail in Sunderland
- Days out by Rail in Bradford
- Days out by Rail in York
- Days out by Rail in Halifax
- Days out by Rail in Doncaster
- Days out by Rail in London
Days out by train
Now you know all the top cities to visit and popular attractions throughout the UK, and you’re feeling inspired, all that’s left to do is pick a location for your upcoming day out and let our Grand Central trains get you there! Use our Journey Planner to plan your route and book your tickets, and use our station finder to find information on the train station you’re planning to travel to.
You can also book tickets through our Grand Central Rail app (available on both the App Store and Google Play).
Before you board your Grand Central train
What type of train tickets do you offer?
At Grand Central, we offer a range of different ticket types to suit a variety of needs:
Anytime tickets - Ideal for complete flexibility, perfect for spontaneous last-minute planners, still offering the peace of mind that your ticket is booked, but not being tied to a specific train time
Advance tickets - These are the best value tickets, often available to purchase up to six months before travel, the ideal option if you like to plan ahead
Off-peak tickets - Save money on your fare with these great value tickets; you just need to be able to travel outside of the busiest times of the day
Another way to secure good-value tickets for your upcoming day out is to invest in a Railcard. If you travel by train regularly, it’s well worth the investment, as you can save up to ⅓ off your tickets. Check if you’re eligible and grab yours today!
How do I add a train Railcard discount?
Once you’ve chosen your journey and departure time, you'll find an option below to add a Railcard. Simply select the ‘+’ button and scroll through the list until you find your Railcard option and add it to your journey to enjoy a cheaper fare!
What services are available on Grand Central trains?
We have an array of onboard services on our Grand Central trains to ensure your journey is as smooth and relaxing as possible. This includes:
The option to choose First Class Travel and enjoy even more legroom and wide reclining seats
Our wide selection of food and drinks to enjoy on your journey
Onboard storage for your luggage and even your bike
Passenger Assistance for those who need an extra hand on their journey
You can also enjoy at-seat ordering and paying from every seat with Journey Central.
Are there any facilities for people travelling with children?
A lot of the attractions we've mentioned are ideal for family days out, so we know a lot of people will be travelling with children. Discover the helpful facilities avaialble to you below:
Free tickets for children under 5
Space available to store prams, buggies and push chairs
Baby changing facilities and accessible toilets