Spectacular Journeys

Become a time traveller on this scenic day trip. Starting from the beautiful Poole Harbour a boat trip provides an unrivalled view of the dramatic geology of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. Landing in Swanage you enter a resort that retains its Victorian charm and switch to the transport of that era aboard the Swanage Railway. The steam journey transports you back 1,000 years  as you arrive in the pretty village of Corfe, dominated by its famous castle before returning by train/ boat or bus. 

Whether it's dodging crashing waves or watching the sun rise over the sea, the train journey from Exeter to Newton Abbott is one of the most spectacular in the country. The line is one of engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel's finest. Clinging to the coastline you travel atop the seawall, plunging in and out of tunnels with each exit providing a fresh breathtaking view.

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Imagine going to sleep in the city and waking to discover you're looking out over the clear blue sea. This is no dream, it's the experience of those canny travellers who exchange congestion for cotton sheets and travel on the Night Riviera sleeper that runs from London Paddington to Cornwall 6 nights a week. Head to the bar for a nightcap or watch TV in your own cabin before dreaming of your holiday to come.

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Top deck becomes the observation platform for some of England's finest coastal scenery on the Jurassic Coast of Devon and Dorset. For just £6 you can enjoy unlimited travel and unrivalled views atop the ‘Jurassic Bus'. Don't miss the Bridport and Weymouth stretch which runs high along the cliff top, looking down onto the 18 mile Chesil Beach as it leads towards the Isle of Portland.

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What better way to view some of the country's most iconic coastline than from a canoe? Safely guided you will take in the beautiful Lulworth Cove before the unforgettable experience of paddling right through Durdle Door. Paddle power provides a unique perspective and the perfect pace for this adventure.  

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Artists have long been lured to St Ives by the vivid colours of sea and sky and what better way to approach this pretty fishing port than on one of the country's finest branch lines. Within minutes of leaving the mainline junction of St Erth you'll be skirting golden sands, curling round bays and hugging cliffs as you look over the turquoise sea before pulling in alongside the palm-lined sands of Porthminster Beach.

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To fully appreciate Brunel's achievement in spanning the Avon Gorge with the world famous Clifton suspension bridge, you need to look up rather than down. The special trips through the Avon Gorge run by a variety of boat operators will provide the perfect vantage point for marvelling at both this feat of engineering and the rich wildlife attracted by the Gorge's unique environment.

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The Kennet & Avon Canal will provide all that you could wish for from a waterway journey - a gentle meander through beautiful countryside and pretty villages. However, at Caen Hill, near Devizes, canal boats defy gravity and take to hill climbing in one of the country's most spectacular stretches of waterway thanks to 29 locks in just 2 miles. 

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Any one of the three parts of this special excursion would provide an adventure in itself but together they offer a unique travel experience. Travel back in time aboard the observation carriage of Paignton to Kingswear steam railway. Discover historic Dartmouth before cruising up the River Dart and taking in the market town of Totnes and the final leg - an open top bus through Devon's rolling hills back to your start, one of the Sunday Times "UK Best Days Out".

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Follow one of the oldest stretches of railway line from countryside to coast on this popular traffic-free trail. The easy 18 mile route from the foothills of Bodmin Moor follows a woodland valley down to the beautiful Camel Estuary and reward of foodie heaven in Padstow - you've earned it after all!

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You'll have the freedom of the river with the Fal Estuary Oyster Card. This new card, modelled on its London equivalent, gives you unlimited opportunities to make use of the network of ferry services that criss-cross this beautiful estuary. And with it also covering local train and bus services, and even tourist attractions, you'll have the ultimate passport to relaxation. 

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If variety is the spice of life, this journey is for you. Cycling along the new purpose built trail that follows each side of the estuary you'll be moving at the perfect pace to take in the sweeping river views. Passenger ferries get you on the water at either end of your loop, while a canalside pub provides the perfect halfway spot for a bite to eat.

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Electric vehicles may be seen as the future but they were once an important part of the past as you'll discover at the Seaton Tramway. No less than 14 trams - from single decker saloons to open top double deckers - operate along the 3 mile narrow gauge track that runs from the coastal town of Seaton alongside the wetland wonderland of the Axe estuary before reaching the pretty village of Colyton.

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The tidal causeway linking the Devon coast with the tiny Burgh Island can easily catch out the casual visitor. But fear not, a unique vehicle will ensure you are not stranded. The unique Sea Tractor is an amphibious ‘bus-on-stilts' that will carry you safely above the waves until you reach dry land.

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Exploring the beauty of Poole Harbour by boat not only gives you the opportunity to share the view enjoyed by the millionaires of Sandbanks but to travel to Brownsea Island - famous for its role in the origins of the Scout Movement. Now cared for by the National Trust you'll wander through woodlands and heath keeping your eyes peeled for the rare red squirrels and sika deer.

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Taking off from a Cornish cliff you'll fly past the spectacular Longships Lighthouse before getting a bird's eye view of the Isles of Scilly archipelago with its golden bays and turquoise seas. In just 15 minutes you'll be experiencing one of the world's most unique landings as you touch down on the island of St Mary's.

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Named by Radio Times readers as "Britain's tenth greatest natural wonder", Lundy Island is located where the Bristol Channel merges into the Atlantic. On the two hour voyage aboard MS Oldenburg you'll be passing through Britain's first Marine Conservation Zone which is further enhancing Lundy's reputation as a wildlife paradise. Binoculars are a must for spotting the seals, dolphins and birdlife.

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If you've ever crossed the Severn Bridge and wondered about the mysterious rocky islands perched in the middle of the Bristol Channel then why not find out for yourself. Boat trips operate from Weston-super-Mare between April and October across of the most tidal locations in the world. On the island you'll enjoy unique views, spot rare plants and wildlife and visit a special exhibition telling the story of the island.

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