One of Europe’s most scenic railway routes exists here in the UK, and it crosses a spectacular 20 viaducts on its journey through the countryside.
Marvel at Britain’s untouched countryside with this epic train journey that’s been branded one of the ‘most scenic’ in Europe. Featuring a whopping 20 viaducts, 14 tunnels, and a breathtaking vista that comes out rain or shine – the Settle to Carlisle Railway attracts visitors from around the globe, and it’s easy to see why.
The 73-mile journey takes around one hour and 40 minutes to complete and starts off in the vibrant market town of Settle in the Yorkshire Dales. You’ll quickly melt into vast greenery and start to spot the Yorkshire Three Peaks which avid hikers take on all three in one day. First there’s Pen-y-ghent, standing 694m tall, then Ingleborough (723m) and Whernside (736m).
But the Ribblehead Viaduct, also referred to as the Batty Moss Viaduct, is by far the most impressive part of the journey. A stunning piece of Victorian engineering, this Grade 2 listed building boasts 24 massive stone arches 104 feet (32 metres) above the moor.
Construction of the now iconic landmark (which you can get a better view if you get off the train and explore around) reportedly caused such a loss of life the railway actually paid for an ‘expansion of the local graveyard’. Many people mistake Ribblehead Viaduct as the one featured in the Harry Potter films, but this is actually Glenfinnan Viaduct up in Scotland.
Other sights to keep your eyes peeled for include an adorable statue of a dog on the southbound platform at Garsdale station. Ruswarp the Border Collie was owned by Graham Nuttall who co-founded Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line – a campaign to stop the line from being closed. Sadly, the pair went walking in the hills back on 20 January 1990 and failed to return.
According to reports, Graham’s body was found on 7 April, and Ruswarp has stayed by his side for 11 weeks. He lived long enough to be at his owner’s funeral and has since been immortalised in the area they both loved to explore.
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Sitting by and watching the Yorkshire Dales’ beauty (and abundance of sheep) is pleasant enough, but if you’re up for a real trip you can get off at any of the chocolate box railway stations and explore the nearby attractions. Skipton Castle and Malham Cove are worth a visit, along with Bolton Abbey and Wensleydale Creamery.
“Proudly part of the British rail network and served by regular mainline trains, the railway enjoys a double life as a frequent host of steam specials and, even rarer, steam-hauled mainline services,” travel experts over at Lonely Planet said. “Whether you have the whiff of steam in your nostrils or the hard-working growl of diesel-hauled regular trains in your ears, the views from the carriages are pretty much unmatched on the English railway network.”
The train, which originally starts in Leeds, operates multiple times a day, including on Sundays. If you book in advance, you can grab single adult fares for as little as £15. To book steam excursions, click here.
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