Which side to sit
The view is almost always better on one side. Here is the side to ask for on 9 journeys, heading out. Open any journey for the full strip map, and flip it if you are coming back.
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Either sideStrip map
Another Cockney Comes Home
Great Yarmouth → London Liverpool Street, returning to ElyBreydon 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.
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Either sideStrip map
Megawatt Valley Venturer
Hastings → Nottingham and High Marnham Test TrackThe highlights are structures the train runs through or over, such as the Hastings line tunnels and the Harringworth Viaduct, so either side works.
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Sit leftStrip map
The Avocet Achievement
Crewe, Preston and Carlisle → Glasgow CentralMorecambe Bay, the Lakeland fells, Blencathra and Tinto are on the left heading north; the Howgill Fells are on the right in the Lune Gorge.
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Either sideStrip map
The Electric Boogaloo
Crewe → Essex and West Anglia circularA 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.
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Sit leftStrip map
The Journey Shrinker
London Paddington → Swansea via Bristol Temple MeadsWindsor Castle, the Uffington White Horse, Port Talbot and Swansea Bay are all on the left heading west.
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Sit leftStrip map
The Muncaster Express
Manchester, Preston or Carlisle → RavenglassThe sands of Morecambe Bay, the Duddon estuary and the Irish Sea are all on the left heading round to Ravenglass.
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Either sideStrip map
The Rio Revival
London St Pancras → Manchester PiccadillyThe 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.
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Either sideStrip map
The Snow Flake
Finsbury Park → Barrow HillA rare-track tour whose interest is in the lines covered rather than one side's scenery.
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Either sideStrip map
The Southern Seaside Sparrow
Ely → Bognor RegisAn enthusiast tour over rare track; the Mole valley and Arun valley scenery at the southern end is seen from both sides.
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.