Iconic landmarks like Big Ben and Buckingham Palace spring to mind when you picture the United Kingdom. But there’s so much more to Great Britain beyond London.
Hop on a train from the UK’s capital and just a few hours later you could be hiking through the Scottish Highlands, marvelling at Manchester United’s soccer stadium, or visiting The Beatles’ former haunts in Liverpool.
With a Eurail Pass, exploring the UK by train is a whole lot easier. There’s no need to buy separate train tickets. Just book a Eurail Global Pass through Trainline and you can explore all of Great Britain plus 32 other Eurail countries.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Max Dannenbaum. Image Location: Oxford, England
Does Eurail Pass work in the UK?
Yes! But first a reminder: Great Britain is made up of three countries – England, Scotland, and Wales. The United Kingdom is a sovereign country that includes these three countries of Great Britain plus Northern Ireland. While there isn’t a dedicated Eurail Pass for the UK (or Great Britain), a Eurail Global Pass works in all four countries of the United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Another refresher: the Republic of Ireland is not part of the UK or Great Britain; it’s a member of the European Union and is one of the 33 countries you can visit with a Global Pass (or a separate Eurail One Country Pass for Ireland).
So, where should you go? We’ve got a perfectly planned itinerary for you, taking in the best highlights of the UK.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Tibor Bognar. Image Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Best travel itinerary around the UK with a Eurail Pass
London → Edinburgh → Inverness → Glasgow → Fort William → Liverpool → Manchester → Birmingham → Cotswolds → Bristol → Oxford → London
London to Edinburgh: from one capital to another
Start in London, the UK’s capital city. Board a train at King’s Cross station (Harry Potter fans, look out for Platform 9 ¾) to Edinburgh, the Scottish capital. Split your time between Edinburgh’s Old Town, home to the centuries-old castle, and the New Town with its high-end restaurants and boutique shops.
Edinburgh to Inverness: discovering the north
Venture further north on a scenic train journey to Inverness, the gateway to the Highlands. The 23-mile-long Loch Ness sits just south of the city center; see if you can spy the mythical monster that lives beneath the surface. History buffs (and Outlander fans) should pay a visit to Culloden Moor where the infamous 17th-century battle took place between the British and the Jacobites.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Emad Aljumah. Image Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Inverness to Glasgow: a taste of Scotland
Unlike historic Edinburgh, Glasgow has a much younger vibe. Vintage shops, craft breweries, and pot plant-filled brunch spots are abundant here, especially in the West End. Catch a gig at the legendary Barrowland Ballroom if you can. This legendary music venue has seen the likes of David Bowie, U2, and The Foo Fighters entertain the crowds here.
Glasgow to Fort William: exploring the west coast
From Glasgow, follow Scotland’s west coast up to Fort William, a center of outdoor adventure. Winter brings snow to the Nevis Range Mountain Resort, primed for skiing and snowboarding, while summer is popular with mountain bikers, eager to thunder down the World Cup-level trails. Alternatively, lace up your hiking boots and tackle Ben Nevis, the UK’s tallest mountain.
Image Credit: Getty Images, P A Thompson. Image Location: Liverpool, England
Fort William to Liverpool: from the country to the city
It’s time to leave Scotland and journey south to Liverpool. Music lies at the core of this coastal city. The Beatles famously met in Liverpool; visit The Beatles Story Museum, the largest exhibition dedicated to the band. Follow it up with a trip up the Radio City Tower for unbeatable views across the River Mersey and beyond.
Liverpool to Manchester: for music, history, and sports
Young and dynamic, Manchester has long attracted music fans to its vinyl shops and club scene. But it also has a rich history. Book lovers should pop into Chetham's Library, the oldest public library in the world. Plus, soccer fans can’t leave without touring Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Joe Daniel Price. Image Location: Birmingham, England
Manchester to Birmingham: for urban adventures
Once an industrial powerhouse, Birmingham is now a buzzing epicenter of live music, shopping, museums, and some seriously good restaurants. The Jewelry Quarter is primed for mooching around craft shops, art galleries, and, of course, jewelers. Alternatively, follow your nose to Cadbury World, the UK’s answer to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory.
Birmingham to the Cotswolds: experience quintessential England
Escape the city for a night in the chocolate-box-pretty Cotswolds, characterized by its honey-colored cottages, undulating hills, and centuries-old churches. Head to foodie haven Kingham with its two highly regarded pubs, The Kingham Plough and The Wild Rabbit. Plus, a food festival, the Big Feastival, takes place here every August on Blur bassist Alex James’ farm. For more details, see our insider’s guide to the Cotswolds.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Rich Jones Photography. Image Location: Bristol, England
Cotswolds to Bristol: for arty types
Leave behind the emerald-green pastures of the Cotswolds for Bristol, known for its vibrant arts scene. Banksy, the anonymous graffiti artist, originally hails from this West Country city. See his most famous works on a guided street art tour before venturing to Clifton Village with its iconic suspension bridge and pastel-colored independent shops.
Bristol to Oxford: a historian’s dream
Next up is Oxford, known as the city of dreaming spires, home to one of the world’s most prestigious universities. Marvel at the Egyptian mummies inside the Ashmolean Museum before perusing the stalls at Oxford’s Covered Market. Everything from artisanal cheese and craft beer to jewelry and flowers is sold here.
Oxford to London: world-class sightseeing
Finally, take the train back to London, where this journey began. If you’ve got time, walk along the River Thames to spot the capital’s landmark sights, from Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament to the London Eye. Start at Westminster tube station and follow the Queen’s Walk to the Millennium Bridge, stopping at Beany Green for a coffee.
Need more Eurail info? Check out our comprehensive guide to all things Eurail.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Gary Yeowell. Image Location: Hertfordshire, England