Beyond the Landmarks: Trainline Celebrates English Tourism Week
To mark English Tourism Week (13–22 March), Trainline is spotlighting historic and
culturally rich destinations across England including, Penrith in the Eden Valley,
Windsor, York, Brighton, and Birmingham.
Each destination is easily accessible by train, giving travellers the freedom to
explore while supporting local tourism this spring.
Trainline’s Recommended English Tourism Week Destinations
Eden Valley
The historic market town of Penrith sits at the heart of the Eden Valley and offers a lively snapshot of local life. To mark English Tourism Week, visitors can explore the town during Penrith Farmers’ Market on 17 March, where colourful stalls in Market Square showcase local produce, seasonal food and handmade crafts from Cumbrian producers. The town is also a starting point for Ramblers Wellbeing Walks, including a group walk on 20 March, offering a relaxed way to explore the surrounding countryside.
Getting there: Penrith station is around a 6-minute walk from Market Square in the town centre. From here, visitors can easily reach the farmers’ market and nearby walking routes that explore the landscapes of the Eden Valley.
Windsor
Home to one of the world's oldest and largest inhabited castles, Windsor blends royal history with riverside charm. There are a whole host of attractions that make great day trip ideas for the week's celebrations, such as enjoying a river cruise. Alongside popular traditions like the Changing the Guard, visitors next week may also have the chance to see an additional ceremonial display known as The Captain's Inspection at Windsor Castle. Normally carried out away from public view, this historic military tradition is being trialed, offering visitors a rare glimpse into a formal inspection that has been part of royal and military life for centuries.
Getting there: Windsor & Eton Central and Windsor & Eton Riverside stations both sit within a short walk of Windsor Castle and the town centre.
York
With the towering Gothic York Minster, winding medieval streets and famous city walls, York is one of England's most atmospheric historic cities. Visitors can wander through the narrow lanes of The Shambles, explore independent shops and cafes, or take in views across the city from its ancient walls. During the month that English Tourism Week takes place, York is also hosting its Literature Festival, which brings a programme of author talks, readings and cultural events to venues across the historic city.
Getting there: York station is around a 10-minute walk from the historic city centre.
Brighton Toy and Model Museum
Tucked beneath the Victorian railway arches of Brighton station, the Brighton Toy and Model Museum celebrates the history of English toys, design and engineering. Founded in 1991, the independent museum houses more than ten thousand toys and models across four thousand square feet of exhibition space, including extensive displays of classic model railways, vintage vehicles and historic toy collections. English Tourism Week offers visitors the perfect excuse to step into the imaginative world of the golden age of English toymaking, with highlights including exceptional collections of Corgi Toys and Hornby Trains, including Hornby Dublo, widely considered among the most comprehensive permanent public displays of these iconic English brands anywhere in the world.
Getting there: Brighton station sits directly above the museum, making it one of the easiest attractions in the city to reach by rail. From the station ticket barriers, it's around a 1–2 minute walk to the museum entrance on Trafalgar Street beneath the railway arches.
Birmingham Back to Backs
Hidden behind an unassuming courtyard in the city centre, the Birmingham Back to Backs museum perfectly captures the spirit of English Tourism Week's theme, 'Local Stories, National Growth'. These carefully restored 19th-century houses offer a glimpse into the lives of the city's working communities over the last 200 years. As the last surviving examples of the once common 'Back to Back' homes that shaped Birmingham during the Industrial Revolution, they tell the story of everyday families whose work helped power a period which transformed England. You can step inside the tiny rooms on a guided tour, discovering the lives of those who lived and worked there, from metal workers to tailors.
Getting there: Birmingham New Street station is around a 5-10 minute walk from the Back to Backs in the city centre.
Top Tips for Saving on Train Travel with Trainline
Let SplitSave find cheaper combinations
Buying separate tickets for different parts of the same journey can sometimes be cheaper than one through fare. SplitSave, a feature built into the Trainline app, automatically checks this for you. You stay on the same train, but the app finds better value ticket combinations where they exist.
Consider getting a Railcard before you travel!
A Family & Friends Railcard gives 1/3 off adult fares and 60% off kids' tickets – really handy for sightseeing days out! Travelling as a pair? Try the Two Together Railcard, as the savings really do add up!
Consider GroupSave if you're travelling with friends!
GroupSave offers up to 1/3 off train fares for groups of 3–9 people travelling together on Off-Peak services – perfect for day trips, sightseeing, or exploring the UK as a group. Just make sure everyone travels on the same train and the discount will be applied automatically when booking!