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It’s hard to find a good deal in London. Often you just have to accept that a beer you can’t pronounce costs $11, and it’s best to explore on your own rather than hopping aboard a tour.
That said, the rest of Britain doesn’t have the tourist prices, with the exception of some other bucket list destinations, like The Cotswolds for example.
When it comes to exploring Britain, we all know that Americans can’t handle renting a car and driving on the wrong side of the road.
Let me repeat – the wrong side. Do you understand that, British?
That’s where trains take your adventure to the next level if you decide that London doesn’t define Britain as a one-trick pony.
One of Britain’s most exciting new train journeys launches this spring, with so many destinations to stop on the entire route that you may never reach the end!
Why travel publications are off track
Full disclosure: most travel publications report this route as London to Scotland, which it is.
However, we believe that they have largely been eliminated.
Okay, that’s enough train puns…
But actually, the terminus isn’t as exciting as one of the stops largely seen as a pass-through snoozer.
And that would be so Carlislean almost unheard of city bursting with history and timeless charm, especially the numerous dazzling castles dotted across Cumbria.
For reference, this is the full route with 12 stops:
- London Euston
- Milton Keynes
- Nuneaton
- Crewe
- Preston
- Carlisle
- Lockerbie
- Mother’s Day
- Whifflet
- Groenfaulds
- Larbert
- Stirling
Stirling is not the star
Is Scotland as magical as it is claimed to be? Absolute.
Even though little-known Stirling is beautiful, it’s not like you’ll get a passport stamp for driving the entire journey.
Stirling is another city known for its glorious castles and picture-perfect Old Town, but it seems other publications aren’t doing their due diligence, assuming the most exciting part of this new route is the final stop.
But just like the old Hostess commercials, sometimes you have to ask, “Where’s the cream filling?”.
The answer: Carlisle.
We’re not here to tell you that you would be disappointed if you visited Stirling; we’re here to tell you that we think you’d be disappointed if you didn’t explore Carlisle, and here’s why:
- Carlisle is approximately 4 hours away, compared to approximately 6 hours to Stirling
- Feels untouched from a tourist perspective
- A springboard to the UNESCO-listed Hadrian’s Wall and Lake District National Park
- It is not a one-off city with so much charm
- Carlisle is layered in history versus a one-stop Old Town
Why Carlisle is one of the most underrated holiday destinations in Britain
Chances are that before this article, a trip to Carlisle would never have crossed your mind.
Let’s change that…
This gem has over 2,000 years of fascinating history, including Roman roots and ancient monuments such as those mentioned above Hadrian’s wall, extends for 70 miles through northern England.
What may seem like a quiet city at first glance is a place where you wish walls could talk.
Carlisle is located far from the urban sprawl of London and is easy to walk due to its compact cityscape – so much so that many guidebooks recommend it car-free routes.
But what Carlisle is best known for is that it is stunning, and rightly so Carlisle Castleand be separate Carlisle Citadel.
These are both very easy to reach if you make your base in the city and explore the sights.
In total there are 9 notable castles worth visiting in the region:
- Carlisle Castle
- Carlisle Citadel
- Rose castle
- Scaleby Castle
- Bewcastle Castle
- Edmond Castle
- Toppin Castle
- Corby Castle
- Thistlewood Tower
Better yet, if you want to experience Britain on a budget, Carlisle is the way to go.
Last year Carlisle was named the The cheapest city in Britain to live inwhere many costs also translate to tourists, such as cheap pints, transport and hotels, such as Crown & Miter Hotel, offering double-digit rates throughout the spring.
Lumo introduces rates of $35
Lumo is an all-electric, low-cost rail operator based in Newcastle. They live up to their reputation by starting this route that will be launched soon May 17, 2026.
Our sources say: “One-way prices start from £25.90 between Carlisle and London, while additional routes include £29.90 between London and Stirling, £23.90 from London to Preston and just £14.90 for the Preston to Stirling leg.”.
Don’t worry: we’ve converted the numbers into dollars for you.
- London to Carlisle: Fares start at around $34.39 one-way.
- London to Stirling: Fares start at around $39.70 one way.
- London to Preston: Fares start at around $31.73 one-way.
- Preston to Stirling: Fares start at around $19.78 one way.
