British Rail Tours Know which side to sit
Window seat guide

Which side to sit

The view is almost always better on one side. Here is the side to ask for on 90 journeys, heading out. Open any journey for the full strip map, and flip it if you are coming back.

All Scenic lines Steam Diesel Luxury
  1. Either side

    Another Cockney Comes Home

    Great Yarmouth → London Liverpool Street, returning to Ely

    Breydon Water and the Stour estuary are on the left, but most of the route is flat farmland and forest with little to choose between sides.

    Strip map
  2. Either side

    Atlantic Coast Line

    Par → Newquay

    The line threads the Luxulyan valley and then crosses open clay country and moorland, with views on both sides.

    Strip map
  3. Sit right

    Bentham Line

    Leeds → Lancaster and Morecambe

    Giggleswick Scar and Ingleborough are on the right heading west, and Morecambe Bay is on the right on the run south from Carnforth.

    Strip map
  4. Sit right

    Bittern Line

    Norwich → Sheringham

    After the reversal at Cromer the sea is on the right all the way along the coast to Sheringham.

    Strip map
  5. Either side

    Borders Railway

    Edinburgh Waverley → Tweedbank

    The line criss-crosses the Gala Water, so the river and hills swap sides constantly; Arthur's Seat and the Eildon Hills are on the right.

    Strip map
  6. Either side

    British Pullman: The Golden Age of Travel

    London Victoria → Kent countryside circular

    Battersea Power Station and Rochester Castle are on the right, but the Kent orchards and Downs are seen from both sides.

    Strip map
  7. Either side

    Calder Valley Line

    Leeds → Manchester Victoria

    The river and Rochdale Canal weave either side of the line up the valley; Stoodley Pike is on the left.

    Strip map
  8. Sit left

    Caledonian Sleeper

    London Euston → Fort William, Inverness, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow

    At breakfast Loch Treig, the Monessie Gorge and Ben Nevis are on the left; Loch Lomond, passed early in the morning, is on the right.

    Strip map
  9. Sit left

    Cambrian Coast Line

    Shrewsbury → Pwllheli

    The Dyfi estuary, Cardigan Bay and Criccieth Castle are on the left; switch right at Barmouth Bridge for the Mawddach and Harlech Castle.

    Strip map
  10. Sit right

    Conwy Valley Line

    Llandudno → Blaenau Ffestiniog

    Conwy Castle, the Conwy estuary, Moel Siabod and Dolwyddelan Castle are all on the right heading south.

    Strip map
  11. Sit left

    Cotswold Line

    Oxford → Worcester and Hereford

    Port Meadow, Cornbury Park in the Evenlode valley, Bredon Hill and Worcester Cathedral are on the left heading north-west.

    Strip map
  12. Sit right

    Cumbrian Coast Line

    Carlisle → Barrow-in-Furness

    The Solway Firth, St Bees Head, the beach at Nethertown and the Duddon estuary are on the right; Sellafield, the Lakeland fells and Black Combe are on the left.

    Strip map
  13. Sit left

    Derwent Valley Line

    Derby → Matlock

    The Derwent Valley Line partnership says the river, Cromford Canal and mills are best seen from the left facing forward from Derby.

    Strip map
  14. Either side

    East Anglia to Highclere or Winchester Christmas Market

    Bury St Edmunds → Winchester (or Highclere Castle via Basingstoke)

    The Stour estuary at Manningtree is on the left, but the rest of the run through Essex, Surrey and Hampshire has no single-side highlight.

    Strip map
  15. Sit right

    Edinburgh Christmas Market by Steam

    London King's Cross → Edinburgh

    Durham Cathedral, the Tyne bridges, the Northumberland coast, Holy Island and the Bass Rock are all on the right heading north.

    Strip map
  16. Either side

    Esk Valley Line

    Middlesbrough → Whitby

    Roseberry Topping and Captain Cook's Monument are on the left before Battersby; after the reversal the Esk is crossed many times, so views alternate.

    Strip map
  17. Sit right

    Far North Line

    Inverness → Wick and Thurso

    The Beauly, Cromarty and Dornoch firths, Dunrobin Castle and the Sutherland coast to Helmsdale are all on the right heading north.

    Strip map
  18. Sit right

    Flying Scotsman Main Line Tours

    Derby, Chesterfield, Coleshill Parkway or York → York, Scarborough, Newcastle, Bristol, Minehead or Didcot

    York Minster, Kirkham Priory and the Wolds are on the right; the North York Moors are distant on the left.

    Strip map
  19. Sit right

    Forth Bridge Lunchtime Tour

    Edinburgh Waverley → Fife coast circular via the Forth Bridge

    Heading east along the Fife coast the Firth of Forth, Inchcolm and the view back to Edinburgh are on the right; the road bridges are on the left on the Forth Bridge itself.

    Strip map
  20. Sit left

    Furness Line

    Lancaster → Barrow-in-Furness

    Morecambe Bay is on the left at Hest Bank, Grange and Kents Bank; look right from the Kent and Leven viaducts for the Lakeland fells.

    Strip map
  21. Sit right

    Glasgow South Western and Stranraer Line

    Glasgow Central → Stranraer

    The Firth of Clyde, Arran, Ailsa Craig and Loch Ryan are all on the right heading south.

    Strip map
  22. Sit left

    Glasgow–Oban Line

    Glasgow Queen Street → Oban

    Ben Lui, Kilchurn Castle and Loch Awe through the Pass of Brander are on the left after Crianlarich; Loch Lomond, earlier, is on the right.

    Strip map
  23. Sit left

    Heart of Wales Line

    Swansea → Shrewsbury

    The Loughor estuary, the Tywi valley and the Long Mynd are on the left; the viaducts and summit tunnel are crossed rather than seen from one side.

    Strip map
  24. Sit right

    Highland Main Line

    Perth → Inverness

    The Pass of Killiecrankie, Blair Castle, Ruthven Barracks and the Cairngorms are all on the right heading north.

    Strip map
  25. Sit right

    Hope Valley Line

    Sheffield → Manchester Piccadilly

    Stanage Edge, Win Hill, Lose Hill and Kinder Scout are on the right heading west; Mam Tor is on the left.

    Strip map
  26. Sit right

    Kyle of Lochalsh Line

    Inverness → Kyle of Lochalsh

    The Beauly Firth, Loch Garve and the long run beside Loch Carron to Skye are all on the right heading west.

    Strip map
  27. Either side

    Lakes Line

    Oxenholme Lake District → Windermere

    A short run with fells on both sides: the Howgills and Kentmere hills to the right, the central fells ahead and to both sides near Windermere.

    Strip map
  28. Sit right

    London to York Christmas Market

    London King's Cross → York

    Peterborough Cathedral, the Drax skyline and York Minster on arrival are on the right; Alexandra Palace is the main left-side sight.

    Strip map
  29. Sit right

    Looe Valley Line

    Liskeard → Looe

    After the reversal at Coombe the line follows the east side of the East Looe River, so the river and estuary are on the right.

    Strip map
  30. Sit left

    Lune Rivers Trust Steam Special

    Carnforth → York

    Ingleborough and Giggleswick Scar are on the left across Craven; York Minster is on the right at the end.

    Strip map
  31. Sit left

    Marches Line

    Newport → Shrewsbury

    The Blorenge, Sugar Loaf, Black Mountains, Ludlow Castle, Stokesay Castle and the Long Mynd are all on the left heading north.

    Strip map
  32. Either side

    Megawatt Valley Venturer

    Hastings → Nottingham and High Marnham Test Track

    The highlights are structures the train runs through or over, such as the Hastings line tunnels and the Harringworth Viaduct, so either side works.

    Strip map
  33. Sit right

    North Wales Coast Line

    Chester → Holyhead

    The Dee estuary, Flint Castle, the sea at Colwyn Bay and Penmaenmawr, and Puffin Island are on the right heading west.

    Strip map
  34. Either side

    Northern Belle West Highland Lunch

    Edinburgh Park and Glasgow → West Highland Line circular

    Gare Loch and Loch Long are on the left, while Loch Lomond and Ben Lomond are on the right heading north.

    Strip map
  35. Sit left

    Riviera Line and Dawlish Sea Wall

    Exeter St Davids → Paignton

    The Exe estuary, the Dawlish sea wall, the Teign estuary and Tor Bay are all on the left heading south.

    Strip map
  36. Sit right

    Royal Scotsman: The Highlands

    Edinburgh Waverley → Highlands circular via Keith, Kyle of Lochalsh and Boat of Garten

    The Moray, Beauly and Cromarty firths, Loch Carron and the views over to Skye are all on the right heading west.

    Strip map
  37. Either side

    Scarborough Spa Express

    Carnforth or Lancaster → Scarborough via York

    Ingleborough and Giggleswick Scar are on the left through Craven, while York Minster and Kirkham Priory are on the right beyond York.

    Strip map
  38. Sit left

    Settle–Carlisle Line

    Leeds → Carlisle

    Ingleborough, Whernside, the view down Dentdale and Wild Boar Fell are all on the left heading north; the Pennine escarpment is on the right in the Eden Valley.

    Strip map
  39. Sit left

    Southend to Chester Christmas Market

    Southend Central → Chester

    The Thames estuary is on the left leaving Southend; beyond that the West Coast Main Line is mostly farmland seen from both sides.

    Strip map
  40. Sit right

    St Ives Bay Line

    St Erth → St Ives

    The Hayle estuary, Godrevy Lighthouse and the beaches of St Ives Bay are all on the right heading to St Ives.

    Strip map
  41. Sit left

    Statesman Christmas Luncheon Circular

    Severn Tunnel Junction → Welsh Marches and Cheshire circular

    The Chirk and Pontcysyllte aqueducts are on the left heading north, and the Severn estuary is on the right only at the start.

    Strip map
  42. Sit left

    Tamar Valley Line

    Plymouth → Gunnislake

    The Tamar estuary is on the left from St Budeaux to Bere Ferrers; the big viaducts are crossed, so they are 'on' the line.

    Strip map
  43. Either side

    Tarka Line

    Exeter St Davids → Barnstaple

    The line crosses the Yeo and the Taw many times, so the river switches sides throughout.

    Strip map
  44. Either side

    The Armistice Steam Express

    London Victoria → Canterbury, returning via Dover and Tonbridge

    The outward run through the Stour valley has scenery on both sides; the Channel and White Cliffs come on the return via Deal and Dover.

    Strip map
  45. Sit left

    The Avocet Achievement

    Crewe, Preston and Carlisle → Glasgow Central

    Morecambe Bay, the Lakeland fells, Blencathra and Tinto are on the left heading north; the Howgill Fells are on the right in the Lune Gorge.

    Strip map
  46. Sit left

    The Bath and Bristol Christmas Express

    East Croydon (10 December) or London Paddington (12 December) → Bath and Bristol

    The Westbury White Horse is on the left heading west; the Kennet valley and Vale of Pewsey are seen from both sides.

    Strip map
  47. Sit left

    The Bournemouth Belle

    London Waterloo → Bournemouth and Swanage

    St Catherine's Hill, Southampton Water and Poole Harbour are all on the left heading west.

    Strip map
  48. Sit right

    The Cathedrals Express to Edinburgh

    Coleshill Parkway, Tamworth, Derby and York → Edinburgh

    Durham Cathedral, the Tyne bridges, the Northumberland coast, Holy Island and the Bass Rock are all on the right heading north.

    Strip map
  49. Sit right

    The Christmas Sussex Belle

    London Victoria → Eastbourne and Hastings, returning via Tunbridge Wells

    East of Keymer Junction the South Downs escarpment, Firle Beacon and the Long Man of Wilmington are on the right; Mount Caburn is on the left.

    Strip map
  50. Either side

    The Christmas White Rose

    London King's Cross (21 November) or Cambridge (19 December) → York

    Alexandra Palace is on the left leaving London and Drax on the right near York; Lincoln Cathedral dominates the skyline from both sides.

    Strip map
  51. Either side

    The Christmas White Rose to York (Vintage Trains)

    Birmingham New Street → York

    The route north of Derby is not published, so no side can be recommended beyond York Minster on the right on arrival.

    Strip map
  52. Sit left

    The Cotswold Christmas Venturer

    London Victoria → Worcester Shrub Hill

    The Uffington White Horse, the Severn Vale and the Malvern Hills are on the left; Bredon Hill is the main right-side sight.

    Strip map
  53. Sit left

    The Cumbrian Coast Express

    Crewe and Manchester area → Cumbrian Coast (Barrow, Millom, Whitehaven)

    Morecambe Bay, the Duddon estuary and the Irish Sea are on the left all the way round the coast; the fells are on the right.

    Strip map
  54. Sit left

    The Cumbrian Mountain Express

    London Euston → Carlisle via Shap, returning via the Settle to Carlisle line

    Morecambe Bay, the Lakeland fells and Blencathra are on the left heading north; the Howgill Fells in the Lune Gorge are on the right.

    Strip map
  55. Sit left

    The Dalesman

    York or Chester → Carlisle

    Heading north the left gives Ingleborough, Whernside, Dentdale and Wild Boar Fell; the right has Pen-y-ghent and the best view of Ribblehead Viaduct curving ahead.

    Strip map
  56. Sit left

    The Edinburgh Christmas Hive

    Manchester Victoria → Edinburgh

    The Lakeland fells and Blencathra are on the left heading north; the Howgill Fells in the Lune Gorge and Edinburgh Castle at the end are on the right.

    Strip map
  57. Sit right

    The Edinburgh Christmas Market (Railway Touring Company)

    York → Edinburgh

    Durham Cathedral and the Tyne bridges are on the right heading north, and Hadrian's Wall country is on the right heading west up the Tyne Valley.

    Strip map
  58. Sit left

    The Edinburgh Christmas Pullman

    Watford Junction, Cardiff, Bedford or Potters Bar (by date) → Edinburgh

    Morecambe Bay, the Lakeland fells and Blencathra are on the left heading north; the Pentlands and Edinburgh Castle are on the right at the end.

    Strip map
  59. Sit left

    The Edinburgh Christmas Statesman

    Tamworth, Stoke-on-Trent, Manchester and Preston → Edinburgh

    Morecambe Bay, the Lakeland fells and Blencathra are on the left heading north; the Pentlands and Edinburgh Castle are on the right at the end.

    Strip map
  60. Either side

    The Electric Boogaloo

    Crewe → Essex and West Anglia circular

    A rare-track enthusiast tour; the Thames estuary near Leigh is on the right heading east, but most of the route has no single-side highlight.

    Strip map
  61. Either side

    The Esk Valley

    Carnforth → Whitby

    Ingleborough is on the left early on and Whitby Abbey on the right at the end; the Esk Valley itself winds so views alternate sides.

    Strip map
  62. Sit left

    The Fellsman

    Crewe and Lancashire → Carlisle via the Settle to Carlisle line

    North of Hellifield the left gives Whernside, Dentdale and Wild Boar Fell; Pen-y-ghent and the Ribblehead curve are on the right.

    Strip map
  63. Either side

    The Great Britain XVIII

    London Paddington → London Euston via Penzance, Chester, Carlisle, Fort William, Aberdeen and Newcastle

    Gare Loch, Loch Long, Loch Treig and Ben Nevis are on the left, while Loch Lomond, Ben Lomond and Beinn Dorain are on the right.

    Strip map
  64. Sit left

    The Great Northern

    Birmingham New Street → Carlisle and Darlington via the Settle to Carlisle and Tyne Valley lines

    Northbound over the Settle to Carlisle the left has Whernside and Dentdale, and heading south from Newcastle the Tyne bridges and Durham Cathedral are also on the left.

    Strip map
  65. Sit left

    The Jacobite

    Fort William → Mallaig

    Loch Eil, the classic curve of the Glenfinnan Viaduct over Loch Shiel, the Small Isles and the Morar sands are all on the left heading to Mallaig.

    Strip map
  66. Sit left

    The Journey Shrinker

    London Paddington → Swansea via Bristol Temple Meads

    Windsor Castle, the Uffington White Horse, Port Talbot and Swansea Bay are all on the left heading west.

    Strip map
  67. Sit right

    The Lord of the Isles Pullman

    Watford Junction, Milton Keynes and the West Midlands → Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh

    The Beauly and Cromarty firths, Loch Carron and the views over to Skye are on the right heading west to Kyle.

    Strip map
  68. Sit left

    The Mayflower

    Birmingham Snow Hill → Plymouth

    The Exe estuary, the Dawlish sea wall and the Teign estuary are all on the left heading west from Exeter.

    Strip map
  69. Sit left

    The Muncaster Express

    Manchester, Preston or Carlisle → Ravenglass

    The sands of Morecambe Bay, the Duddon estuary and the Irish Sea are all on the left heading round to Ravenglass.

    Strip map
  70. Sit left

    The Pendle Dalesman

    Lancaster and East Lancashire → Carlisle

    Pendle Hill is on the right in the Ribble Valley, but north of Settle the left has Whernside, Dentdale and Wild Boar Fell.

    Strip map
  71. Either side

    The Rio Revival

    London St Pancras → Manchester Piccadilly

    The operator does not publish the route between Chesterfield and Stockport, so apart from the crooked spire on the left there is no clear best side.

    Strip map
  72. Sit left

    The Royal Duchy

    Bristol Temple Meads → Plymouth and Par

    The Exe estuary, the Dawlish sea wall and the Teign estuary are on the left heading west; the Tamar road bridge is on the right at Saltash.

    Strip map
  73. Sit left

    The Royal Windsor Steam Express

    London Waterloo or Victoria → Windsor & Eton Riverside

    Windsor Castle and Home Park appear on the left as the train crosses the Thames and runs into Windsor & Eton Riverside.

    Strip map
  74. Sit left

    The Settle & Carlisle Circular

    Various regional stations → Carlisle via the Settle to Carlisle line

    Heading north the left gives Ingleborough, Whernside, Dentdale and Wild Boar Fell; the right has Pen-y-ghent, the Ribblehead curve and Cross Fell.

    Strip map
  75. Sit left

    The Settle to Carlisle and Tyne Valley Pullman

    St Albans City → Carlisle, via the Settle to Carlisle line and returning via the Tyne Valley

    Heading north the left gives Ingleborough, Whernside and Dentdale; the right has Pen-y-ghent and the best view of Ribblehead Viaduct curving ahead.

    Strip map
  76. Either side

    The Shakespeare Express

    Birmingham, Derby or Worcester → Stratford-upon-Avon

    The route is gentle Warwickshire countryside with no single-side highlight, so either side works.

    Strip map
  77. Either side

    The Sherborne Christmas Carol

    London Victoria → Sherborne and Yeovil Junction

    The chalk downs of Salisbury Plain and the Nadder valley are seen from both sides, with no single-side highlight.

    Strip map
  78. Either side

    The Snow Flake

    Finsbury Park → Barrow Hill

    A rare-track tour whose interest is in the lines covered rather than one side's scenery.

    Strip map
  79. Either side

    The Southern Seaside Sparrow

    Ely → Bognor Regis

    An enthusiast tour over rare track; the Mole valley and Arun valley scenery at the southern end is seen from both sides.

    Strip map
  80. Sit left

    The Sunset Steam Express

    London Victoria or Waterloo → Surrey Hills circular

    Heading east along the foot of the North Downs, St Martha's Hill, Box Hill and Reigate Hill are all on the left.

    Strip map
  81. Sit left

    The Torbay Riviera Pullman

    Hull, Doncaster and Derby → Torquay and Paignton

    The Humber, the Exe estuary, the Dawlish sea wall and Tor Bay are all on the left.

    Strip map
  82. Sit right

    The Welsh Marches Express

    Chesterfield, Derby and Stoke-on-Trent → Cardiff via Shrewsbury and Hereford

    Heading south the Long Mynd, the Sugar Loaf and the Blorenge are on the right; Caer Caradoc and the Skirrid are on the left.

    Strip map
  83. Sit left

    The West Highland Pullman

    Leicester and the East Midlands → Fort William and Mallaig

    Loch Eil, the classic curve of the Glenfinnan Viaduct over Loch Shiel, the Small Isles and the Morar sands are all on the left heading to Mallaig.

    Strip map
  84. Either side

    The White Cliffs Christmas Lunch

    London Victoria → Kent circular via Canterbury and Dover

    Steam Dreams does not publish which way the train runs along the Kent coast, so the White Cliffs could be on either side; ask when you book.

    Strip map
  85. Either side

    The Worcester Christmas Fayre Express

    Liverpool Lime Street → Worcester

    An unusual route over freight lines through the West Midlands, with no single-side scenic highlight.

    Strip map
  86. Sit left

    The Worcester Pullman

    London Victoria → Worcester via the Golden Valley, returning via the Cotswold line

    The Uffington White Horse, the Severn Vale and the Malvern Hills are on the left; Bredon Hill is the main right-side sight.

    Strip map
  87. Sit right

    The York Yuletide Express

    London Victoria → York

    Drax and York Minster on the final approach are on the right; the crooked spire at Chesterfield is on the left.

    Strip map
  88. Sit right

    Tyne Valley Line

    Newcastle → Carlisle

    The line keeps to the south bank of the Tyne as far as Hexham, so the river is on the right; Hadrian's Wall country is also to the right.

    Strip map
  89. Sit left

    West Highland Line

    Glasgow Queen Street → Mallaig

    Gare Loch, Loch Long, Loch Treig, Ben Nevis and the Glenfinnan Monument are all on the left; Loch Lomond is the big exception, on the right.

    Strip map
  90. Either side

    Wherry Lines

    Norwich → Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft

    Open Broads marshland lies on both sides; the River Yare is on the right as far as Reedham.

    Strip map

Frequently asked questions

Which side should I sit on the Settle–Carlisle line?

Heading north from Leeds to Carlisle, the left side gets the best of Ribblehead, Dent and the Mallerstang valley. Southbound, sit on the right.

How do you work out the best side?

We list the notable sights on every journey in order, note which window each is seen from facing the direction of travel, and weigh up the big views. Where the view is shared, we say either side.

What if I am travelling the other way?

Swap sides. On every strip map there is a button that reverses the journey and flips each sight to the other window.

Can I choose my seat on a charter train?

Most charter operators allocate seats but will note a preference if you ask when booking. On ordinary scenic line services, unreserved seats are first come, first served.