Onboard the UK’s sleeper train that travels to some of the country’s best beach spots
CORNWALL is one of the UK’s best-loved holiday destinations, but its location at the tip of the south west sometimes puts people off.
For most holidaymakers, getting to the county requires a lengthy car journey, or even a domestic flight.
However, there is another method that transports people there over night, getting them to its warm weather and sandy beaches, with minimal effort.
Six days a week, a sleeper train with private cabins takes passengers direct from London Paddington to Cornwall.
The service is operated by Great Western Railway (GWR) and is known as the Night Riviera service.
En route, the train calls in at Plymouth, Lostwithiel Truro, St Erth and finally at Penzance, among several other stops.
It’s among the country’s favourite train journeys and is the most efficient way to make the journey from London across ground.
It also opens the rest of Europe up to people from Devon and Cornwall, according to Train expert the Man in Seat 61.
On his blog, he said: “This excellent sleeper train is a travelling hotel, with private single or twin sleeper compartments and lounge car.
“It’s the most time-effective way from London to Cornwall, making short breaks possible without a 6-hour drive or a domestic flight.
“If you live in Devon or Cornwall, it makes trips to central London or even Paris easy.”
The trains were also refurbished back in 2018, making it an even more luxurious way to travel.
Despite that, prices are still fairly affordable, according to the Trainline.
They say that prices range from £25.50 to £135 depending on your accommodation preferences, journey and when you book.
Guests can book a seat on board the train, or for extra comfort, a private cabin.
All cabin guests have access to both lounges and showers at Paddington, Penzance, and Truro.
Sun Travel's favourite train journeys in the world
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Davos to Geneva, Switzerland
“After a ski holiday in Davos, I took the scenic train back to Geneva Airport. The snow-covered mountains and tiny alpine villages that we passed were so beautiful that it felt like a moving picture was playing beyond the glass.” – Caroline McGuire
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“Nothing quite beats the Shinkansen bullet train, one of the fastest in the world. It hardly feels like you’re whizzing along at speed until you look outside and see the trees a green blur. Make sure to book seat D or E too – as you’ll have the best view of Mount Fuji along the way.” Kara Godfrey
London to Paris by Eurostar
“Those who have never travelled on the Eurostar may wonder what’s so special about a seemingly ordinary train that takes you across the channel. You won’t have to waste a moment and can tick off all the top attractions from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées which are both less than five kilometres from the Gare du Nord.” – Sophie Swietochowski
Glasgow to Fort William by Scotrail
“From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey from Glasgow to Fort William gazing out the window. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond.” – Hope Brotherton
Beijing to Ulaanbatar
“The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city’s high-rises give way to crumbling ancient villages and eventually the vast vacant plains of Mongolia, via the Gobi desert. The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of the desert is among the best I’ve witnessed anywhere.” – Ryan Gray
They’re also given a complimentary light breakfast on board, served in the cabin.
Seats meanwhile, offer a cheaper, no-frills experience in an “airline- style seat“.
The on-board lounge has a bar stocked with “well-known alcoholic drinks, tea, coffee, soft drinks, bar snacks and light bites”.
Room service can also be ordered, adding to the hotel experience and adding an extra element to a trip to some of the UK’s most impressive natural scenery.
Holiday deals in Penzance
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- Airbnbs in Penzance from £18 per night
- Holiday Parks near Penzance from £49 for four nights
- Trains from London to Penzance from £55 return
- Travelodges near Penzance from £65 per room
It’s easy to see why the clear blue seas and soft white sands at the beaches make the towns of Cornwall some of the county’s most popular holiday hotspots.
The beaches at St Erth are very popular, while other places like Kynance Cove, Perranporth Beach and Porthcurno are just a handful of some of the many places holidaymakers love to visit.
The route from Paddington to Penzance takes just over eight hours to complete in total and runs every day, apart from Saturday.
Meanwhile, the most beautiful train journey in Europe is in the UK.
And this UK train route also has some amazing views.
