Brilliant buildings you can visit by train
To celebrate this year’s Community Rail Week, our friends from Good Journey are back to share even more great ideas for car-free travel and this time we’re looking at brilliant buildings you can visit by train.
From ancient churches and craggy castles to historic homes and industrial bygones, the UK has many brilliant buildings you can visit by train and bus. Discover some gems chosen by Good Journey, who champion car-free travel.
By Good Journey
Rosslyn Chapel, Midlothian
This chapel, just south of Edinburgh, was made famous by the author Dan Brown in his best-selling novel The Da Vinci Code. He described it as “the most mysterious and magical chapel on Earth.” Nearly every stone surface on both the inside and outside of the building has been carefully carved with figures or patterns.
Getting to Rosslyn Chapel: Take the train to Eskbank station, then hop on a bus or get a taxi. See full travel directions and plan your journey to Rosslyn Chapel.
Sizergh, Lake District
Sizergh is a Medieval manor house within a 1,600-acre estate. It’s famous for a rare and beautiful example of Elizabethan craftsmanship, known as the Inlaid Chamber. This wood panelling features intricate patterns and carvings that have been admired for hundreds of years. Visitors who arrive by bus are rewarded with a free hot drink.
Getting to Sizergh: Take the train to Kendal, where there are regular bus services to Sizergh. Plan your journey to Sizergh.
Ford Green Hall, Stoke-On-Trent
Ford Green Hall is an impressive timber-framed farm house built over 400 years ago in 1624. The award-winning museum gives you a sense of what life was like for the dairy farmer and his family who lived here in the 17th century.
Getting to Ford Green Hall: Take the train to Stoke-On-Trent, then hop on a bus to the museum. Plan your journey to Ford Green Hall.
Lindisfarne Castle, Northumberland
Lindisfarne Castle is described by the National Trust as ‘a castle (that’s not a castle) on an island (that’s not an island)’. This picture-perfect building was converted by famed architect Sir Edwin Lutyens into a holiday home for Edward Hudson, the founder of Country Life magazine.
Getting to Lindisfarne Castle: You can only reach the island at low-tide, so it’s a real adventure to visit Lindisfarne Castle car-free. Happily, it’s just 35 minutes by bus from Berwick-upon-Tweed station. Check Good Journey’s recommended route to Lindisfarne Castle.
Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool
Liverpool’s Royal Albert Dock is the largest collection of Grade I listed buildings in the country. When it opened in 1846, its hydraulic cranes and fireproof warehouses were revolutionary. Now it’s a bustling hub of eateries, shops, activities and museums.
Getting to Royal Albert Dock: Take the Merseyrail Line from Liverpool Lime Street Lower Level to James Street Station, which is a five-minute walk from the dock. Plan your journey to Royal Albert Dock.
Crossness pumping station, London
Crossness pumping station is known as ‘the cathedral on the marshes’. This sewage works was the first of its kind in the world. Designed by Sir Joseph Bazalgette, it helped eradicate cholera in London. Today you can marvel at the brightly painted banisters, gleaming brass, colourful columns and decorative screens on guided tours and at special events.
Getting to Crossness pumping station: The closest railway station is Abbey Wood, where you can be collected by a vintage shuttle bus on event days. See the full directions and plan your journey to Crossness pumping station.
A House For Essex, Essex
Artist Sir Grayson Perry wanted to build a chapel for his home county of Essex, and this building is the result. The house is both an exhibition space and a piece of art itself. It’s let as holiday accommodation for up to four guests.
Getting to A House For Essex: The house is ideal as a car-free holiday home because it’s just a two-minute walk from Wrabness station, with connections to Harwich, Colchester and London. Plan your journey to A House For Essex.
78 Derngate, Northampton
In 1916, Northampton model engineer W.J. Bassett-Lowke wanted to give his terraced home a radical makeover. He commissioned Charles Rennie Mackintosh to remodel number 78 Derngate, and the results are striking.
Getting to 78 Derngate: It’s a 20-minute walk from Northampton train station to the house. Plan your journey to 78 Derngate.
Lacock, Wiltshire
Lacock, now a country house, has been a nunnery and a Tudor family home. With its medieval rooms and cloister court, you might recognise it from the Harry Potter films and Downton Abbey. You can enjoy a free hot drink there with a valid train or bus ticket.
Getting to Lacock: Take the train to Chippenham or Melksham, then catch a bus to Lacock. Plan your journey to Lacock.
Cardiff Castle, Cardiff
Cardiff Castle was built on the site of a first century Roman fort. Outside you can see the original Roman walls, and inside you can marvel at the lavish Castle Apartments. These were created for Victorian aristocrat the 3rd Marquess of Bute, who was then one of the world’s richest men.
Getting to Cardiff Castle: The castle is 10 minutes’ stroll away from Cardiff Central Station. Look out for signs in the city centre. Plan your journey to Cardiff Castle.
The Minack theatre, Cornwall
The Minack Theatre is an open-air amphitheatre. Built into a cliffside, it’s perched high above the sea near Land’s End. It was built mainly by hand by founder Rowena Cade and a team of helpers. You can visit for a tour of the site or to watch a performance.
Getting to The Minack Theatre: Take the train to Penzance then jump on the scenic Land’s End Coaster service. The bus stops in Porthcurno, a ten-minute walk from the theatre. Plan your journey to The Minack Theatre.
About Good Journey
Good Journey champions car-free leisure travel. We believe everyone should have access to culture, leisure and nature, without needing a car. We want every visitor attraction in the UK to welcome people by train, bus, bike and foot. We feature nearly 500 attractions you can visit car-free and enjoy up to 50% off entry. Discover more places to enjoy tea and cakes car free with Good Journey.
