As Europe undergoes a heatwave, the UK is a temperate destination with a number of very interesting World Heritage sites for a holiday destination, combining culture and leisure with the comfort and freedom offered by the train service.
An itinerary could include a selection of sites from some of the following, facilitated by short train rides
between the different sites:
• London to Saltaire – 2h46
Leaving London and travelling to West Yorkshire gives the traveller ample opportunity to view cities and countryside in England. On arrival in Saltaire, which is a well-preserved industrial village dating back to the 19th centry, its textile factories, public buildings and worker’s houses is an interesting historial reminder of a paternalistic Victorian society.
• Saltaire to Durham – 1h40
Moving upwards from Yorkshire to Country Durham, home also to the mining industry, Durham Cathedral is a well-known historic site. Built at the end of the 11th and 12th centuries to house the relics of Saint Cuthbert, the cathedral is a hymn to the Benedictine style and is a fine examle of Norman architecture in England. It is a precursor of Gothic architecture. Behind the cathedral is the ancient Norman castle which was used by the princes and bishops of Durham as their residence.
• Durham to Edinburg – 1h51
Scotland’s capital city combines the 15th century with the 18th centry neoclassical architecture, dominated by the beautiful medieval castle. Edinburg’s rich architectural heritage influenced European urban planning to a great extent. As the gateway to the highlands, Edinburg has a plethora of festivals and cultural activities throughout the year.
• Edinburgh to New Lanark – 1h19
The train ride between Edinburg and New Lanark, located a short train ride from Edinburgh goes through some beautiful Scottish countryside and New Lanark is a 19th century village built by the utopic philantropist, Robert Owen is a tribute to his humanitarism. With the arrival of the industrial revolution in the textile industry, Rowert Owen built an industrial community with factories, workers’ housing and public buildings designed to improve and promote spiritual and physical well-being. Robert Owen and New Lanark are linked closely through his ideas on education, reform, working conditions, international co-operation, garderns and he had a profound influence on social developments throughout the 19th century.
• New Lanark to Liverpool – 4h07
Do not be suprised with the melodic changes of accents between Scotland and Liverpool, the traveller is approaching the home town of the Beatles. No less than 6 centres have been recognised by the World Heritage in Liverpool, in the historic part of the city and the port. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Liverpool was one of the great commercial centres in the world. Liverpool played a major role in the development of the British Empire and was a major port with America, for slaves and immigrants. Liverpool pioneered modern port technology, transport systems and port management.
• Liverpool to London – 2h52 On the train journey from Liverpool to London, the keen traveller can choose from a multitude of guides, an equally large number of historical monuments, museums and exhibitions in London city. For the purposes of this article, we’re looking at the Tower of London, a World Heritage site, built on the Thames by William the Conqueror to protect the city from attack. A stroll around this massive white tower, typical Norman architecture will bring the traveller to many other historic symbols of the monarchy.
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