5 BEAUTIFUL COASTAL RAIL ROUTES

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1 London Paddington to Penzance (GWR). Taking five and a half hours, this epic mainline journey through Somerset and Devon to Cornwall has been enjoyed by travellers for nearly 150 years. Make sure to keep awake for the stretch between Starcross and Teignmouth overlooking the Exe Estuary in Devon, and Par and St Austell in Cornwall.

2 St Erth to St Ives (GWR). The 12-minute ride on this Cornish branch line journeying across stunning Carbis Bay is a favourite with coast readers, according to our Instagram feed.

3 Newton Abbot to Paignton (GWR and CrossCountry). The old branch line opened up Torquay and Paignton to Victorian visitors. Thankfully, it escaped the 1960s cull and still offers a 16-minute window on the dreamy Devon coast.

4 Llanelli to Carmarthen (GWR and Transport for Wales). Rest your eyes on big, beautiful Carmarthen Bay on this half-hour trip from Llanelli on the Loughor Estuary, via Ferryside, then up the River Towy to Carmarthen.

5 Newcastle-upon-Tyne to Berwick-upon-Tweed (LNER). See the Northumbrian coast to your right as East Coast mainline trains to Edinburgh sweep past the glorious vast beaches and fishing villages of this unspoilt county.