Rail good times ahead on ‘day and staycation’ trips

Families seeking inspiration for memorymaking trips have a choice of better value journeys to more destinations this summer.

As many travel-hungry Brits plan day trips or holidays in the UK, the launch of fixed price family return tickets for up to two adults and four children, is one way London North Eastern Railway is responding to the growing demand for staycations.

Research shows 71 per cent of people are now willing to consider going further afield for a day trip than previously while many aim to holiday in the UK.

LNER Family Tickets are available for a number of destinations, providing savings of 48 per cent of the equivalent Standard Advance tickets without a Railcard across the route.

Special LNER Experience Events will explore hidden gems along the East Coast route.

The first such event was this month with LNER Lincoln Experience. Journeys between London King’s

Cross and Lincoln, in either direction, cost £79.

To make the experience truly memorable for families, LNER added special touches. The exclusive LNER Lincoln Experience day trip, in partnership with Visit Lincoln, is leading the way.

The unforgettable experience started as customers boarded 08.06 LNER Azuma service from London King’s Cross to Lincoln with Lincolnshire-themed goodie bags and guides showcasing the city, famed for its castle and cathedral.

Culinary treats were from some of the area’s producers while an LNER Hero Chef created Lincolnshire themed delights to be served during the journey.

The train called via Peterborough, Grantham and Newark North Gate at 09.30.

Families were greeted by the team from Visit Lincoln, who helped them make the most of their day, including taking in the first day of the famous Imp Trail for 2021.

LNER managing director David Horne said: “Our new money-saving family tickets and experience events are the latest initiative we’ve created to encourage more people to return to rail and explore fantastic destinations with fast journey times, free Wi-Fi and beautiful views.

“Lincoln has so much to offer – it’s a real hidden gem for a day trip.”

No family trip to Lincoln is complete without a visit to the castle. Dating back to 1068, Lincoln Castle offers an interactive discovery of British history over the past millennia.

Explore the castle walls as well as Georgian and Victorian prison.

The grounds are free to enter with family tickets to see Medieval Wall Walk, Victorian Prison and Magna Carta, priced £37.

Also launching on July 3 is the brand-new Lincoln Imp Trail.

A series of 30 mischievous imp sculptures will be displayed at key sites, giving visitors an interactive selfguided way to experience Lincoln, whose emblem is an imp.

Legend has it young imps were once let loose on the city’s cathedral, causing havoc, when an angel stepped in and turned the imps to stone.

Artists, both professional and amateur, have designed each sculpture, highlighting Lincoln’s rich culture, art scene and heritage.

Visitors can end the day with dinner in The Cornhill Quarter, the Grade II listed building combining the rich history of the city with contemporary bars, shops and restaurants.

Lincoln Experience tickets are available at https:// www.lner.co.uk/our-destinations/trains-tolincoln/ site, where customers can select their own direct return journeys the same day.