Which side to sit
The view is almost always better on one side. Here is the side to ask for on 11 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
British Pullman: The Golden Age of Travel
London Victoria → Kent countryside circularBattersea Power Station and Rochester Castle are on the right, but the Kent orchards and Downs are seen from both sides.
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Either sideStrip map
Northern Belle West Highland Lunch
Edinburgh Park and Glasgow → West Highland Line circularGare Loch and Loch Long are on the left, while Loch Lomond and Ben Lomond are on the right heading north.
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Sit rightStrip map
Royal Scotsman: The Highlands
Edinburgh Waverley → Highlands circular via Keith, Kyle of Lochalsh and Boat of GartenThe Moray, Beauly and Cromarty firths, Loch Carron and the views over to Skye are all on the right heading west.
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Sit leftStrip map
Statesman Christmas Luncheon Circular
Severn Tunnel Junction → Welsh Marches and Cheshire circularThe Chirk and Pontcysyllte aqueducts are on the left heading north, and the Severn estuary is on the right only at the start.
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Sit leftStrip map
The Edinburgh Christmas Pullman
Watford Junction, Cardiff, Bedford or Potters Bar (by date) → EdinburghMorecambe Bay, the Lakeland fells and Blencathra are on the left heading north; the Pentlands and Edinburgh Castle are on the right at the end.
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Sit leftStrip map
The Edinburgh Christmas Statesman
Tamworth, Stoke-on-Trent, Manchester and Preston → EdinburghMorecambe Bay, the Lakeland fells and Blencathra are on the left heading north; the Pentlands and Edinburgh Castle are on the right at the end.
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Sit rightStrip map
The Lord of the Isles Pullman
Watford Junction, Milton Keynes and the West Midlands → Inverness and Kyle of LochalshThe Beauly and Cromarty firths, Loch Carron and the views over to Skye are on the right heading west to Kyle.
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Sit leftStrip map
The Settle & Carlisle Circular
Various regional stations → Carlisle via the Settle to Carlisle lineHeading north the left gives Ingleborough, Whernside, Dentdale and Wild Boar Fell; the right has Pen-y-ghent, the Ribblehead curve and Cross Fell.
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Sit leftStrip map
The Settle to Carlisle and Tyne Valley Pullman
St Albans City → Carlisle, via the Settle to Carlisle line and returning via the Tyne ValleyHeading north the left gives Ingleborough, Whernside and Dentdale; the right has Pen-y-ghent and the best view of Ribblehead Viaduct curving ahead.
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Sit leftStrip map
The Torbay Riviera Pullman
Hull, Doncaster and Derby → Torquay and PaigntonThe Humber, the Exe estuary, the Dawlish sea wall and Tor Bay are all on the left.
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Sit leftStrip map
The West Highland Pullman
Leicester and the East Midlands → Fort William and MallaigLoch 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.
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.