Great Value Train Travel
Researchers polled modern Brits to discover the less well known “trending” destinations away from the tourist hot spots, with 94% of young Brits insisting that some of the best attractions in the UK are off the beaten track.
In fact, more than three quarters (86%) insist that most of Britain’s traditional tourist attractions and beaches are overrated.
In fact, two thirds (61%) of under 30s say they are in the know when it comes to the best ‘hidden gems’ in the UK, even though a third (35%) prefer to keep them to themselves rather than let others in on the secret.
And researchers from Hull Trains & Lumo found that among the top new attractions that young Brits are finding is TikTok sensation, the Natural History Museum in Tring, Hertfordshire (36%) which is an eccentric treasure trove of Victorian taxidermy and country-house charm.
The Glasgow Necropolis (34%) referred to as the “City of the Dead” and made up of gothic monuments and unbeatable skyline views also made the list as did, The Forbidden Corner (28%), a bizarre maze of tunnels, trick doors and strange sculptures in Yorkshire.
The Second World War’s code breaking nerve centre, Bletchley Park (26%) also makes the list, along with The Deep (25%) the award-winning aquarium in Hull which aims to inspire the next generation of marine lovers.
And instead of joining the queues at London’s Tate gallery, 17% of those polled said they’d rather visit Glasgow’s cultural crown jewel Kelvingrove.
And according to the data 16% have visited the Welsh village of Portmeirion which has been boosted by the rediscovery of 60s surreal TV show The Prisoner.
So perhaps, it’s no surprise that a WHOPPING 98% of under 30s think that people should investigate more of our islands.
"This fascinating research shows how much there is to see in Britain that we might take for granted," says Richard Salkeld, Head of Communications and Partnerships at Lumo and Hull Trains
“Gen Z are changing the way Britain explores itself and rail is central to this change. The research shows there is a new appetite for curiosity, for discovering places like Glasgow and Hull that are rich in culture but often overlooked. As Lumo services extend to Glasgow from later this month and Hull Trains connecting London with Hull and East Yorkshire, we’re proud to be on trend helping a new generation reach the UK’s most intriguing locations in a way that’s sustainable, affordable, stress-free and very social.”
VisitBritain CEO Patricia Yates added: “We want visitors to explore more of Britain, and this research shows the huge appetite to discover the wonderful attractions and experiences on offer. Travelling by rail opens up iconic locations as well as less explored destinations in between, with some stunning scenery along the way. The ease and convenience of rail travel to access our outstanding attractions and local businesses, in a relaxing and environmentally friendly way, also broadens travel itineraries, encouraging visitors to travel further and stay longer.”
Across the UK eight in ten (80%) admit they are stuck in a “cultural rut”’, always visiting the same places, restaurants and even attractions, so much so that 53% say they haven’t gotten the most out of the area they live in.
In fact, 87% of Brits go a step further and say that they haven’t gotten the most out of the UK as a whole, while 25%, don’t really know where to go and 21% don’t like going out of their comfort zone.
And when we do go somewhere new, 79% tend to end up at the tried and tested tourist traps like Buckingham Palace and Big Ben.
More than half (53%) even admit that they are more likely to see famous foreign landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, than landmarks in this country.
It’s no wonder that 93% of the nation wish that they could spend more time exploring the UK.
Brits are prepared to travel an average of 240 miles to visit an attraction they want to see, with three quarters (76%) agreeing that taking the train is the best way to get around the country.
Being able to sit back and enjoy the ride (70%), being able to look out the window and see the countryside (60%), quicker than driving (51%), being able to eat and drink on the way (41%) and being able to travel together (39%) are considered the best things about train travel.
BRITAIN’S TRENDY TOURIST HOT SPOTS
1. Natural History Museum, Tring (36%) A delightfully eccentric treasure trove where Victorian taxidermy meets country-house charm. Quirky, curious, and utterly fascinating.
2. Glasgow Necropolis (34%) A brooding Victorian “City of the Dead” perched above Glasgow, think gothic grandeur, dramatic monuments and unbeatable skyline views.
3. The Forbidden Corner, Yorkshire (28%) A bizarre maze of tunnels, trick doors and strange sculptures. Part playground, part fever-dream and unforgettable fun for all ages.
4. Bletchley Park (26%) The once-top-secret wartime HQ where brilliant codebreakers cracked the Enigma. History, intrigue and heroism all in one atmospheric estate.
5. The Deep (25%) An award-winning aquarium in Hull with a mission to inspire the next generation of marine lovers.
6. Chapel Down, Kent (18%) England’s premier vineyard estate offering crisp sparkling wines, lush grounds and a taste of countryside glamour.
7. The Lost Gardens of Heligan (18%) Cornwall’s botanical comeback story: abandoned estates reborn into a jungle-like paradise of lush ferns, giant sculptures and hidden nooks.
8. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow (17%) A grand red-sandstone marvel packed with everything from Salvador Dalí to stuffed elephants. Glasgow’s cultural crown jewel.
9. Portmeirion, Wales (16%) A surreal splash of Riviera glamour in North Wales. Pastel-coloured houses, lush gardens and charmingly eccentric holiday vibes.
10. The Dark Hedges (16%) A haunting tunnel of twisted beech trees that looks straight out of a fantasy film and famously was.
11. Kinloch Castle, Isle of Rum (15%) A fading Highland fairytale, this pink sandstone palace rises dramatically from wild, empty landscapes. Romantic, remote and slightly eerie.
12. Buddhapadipa Temple, Wimbledon (15%) A serene slice of Thailand tucked into leafy London. Ornate carvings, peaceful gardens and gentle, meditative calm.
13. St Fagans National Museum of History (14%) Wales’ past brought vividly to life across acres of historic buildings from cosy cottages to working farms. Time travel you can walk through.
14. Tongue Pot, Lake District (14%) A wild swimming haven where emerald pools and rocky waterfalls create nature’s perfect spa.
15. Buttermere Infinity Pool, Lake District (13%) A hidden hillside pool with views so vast you’ll think you’re floating above the fells. Instagram gold.
16. Ramsgate Tunnels, Ramsgate (13%) A hidden wartime underworld stretching for miles beneath the seaside town. Tales of shelter, survival and seaside secrets.
17. Gaping Gill Cave, North Yorkshire (12%) A colossal cavern where a waterfall thunders 100 metres into the darkness. Britain’s most dramatic underground spectacle.
18. Minack Theatre (11%) A cliffside amphitheatre carved by hand, with Atlantic waves as its backdrop. Theatre with one of the world’s most jaw-dropping views.
19. Dolgoch Falls, Wales (11%) A chain of tumbling waterfalls hidden in mossy green woodland. Peaceful, magical, and wonderfully photogenic.
20. Kinder Downfall Waterfall, Peak District (11%) A dramatic cascade that, on windy days, blows upwards. One of Britain’s rare natural spectacles.
In fact, more than three quarters (86%) insist that most of Britain’s traditional tourist attractions and beaches are overrated.
In fact, two thirds (61%) of under 30s say they are in the know when it comes to the best ‘hidden gems’ in the UK, even though a third (35%) prefer to keep them to themselves rather than let others in on the secret.
And researchers from Hull Trains & Lumo found that among the top new attractions that young Brits are finding is TikTok sensation, the Natural History Museum in Tring, Hertfordshire (36%) which is an eccentric treasure trove of Victorian taxidermy and country-house charm.
The Glasgow Necropolis (34%) referred to as the “City of the Dead” and made up of gothic monuments and unbeatable skyline views also made the list as did, The Forbidden Corner (28%), a bizarre maze of tunnels, trick doors and strange sculptures in Yorkshire.
The Second World War’s code breaking nerve centre, Bletchley Park (26%) also makes the list, along with The Deep (25%) the award-winning aquarium in Hull which aims to inspire the next generation of marine lovers.
And instead of joining the queues at London’s Tate gallery, 17% of those polled said they’d rather visit Glasgow’s cultural crown jewel Kelvingrove.
And according to the data 16% have visited the Welsh village of Portmeirion which has been boosted by the rediscovery of 60s surreal TV show The Prisoner.
So perhaps, it’s no surprise that a WHOPPING 98% of under 30s think that people should investigate more of our islands.
"This fascinating research shows how much there is to see in Britain that we might take for granted," says Richard Salkeld, Head of Communications and Partnerships at Lumo and Hull Trains
“Gen Z are changing the way Britain explores itself and rail is central to this change. The research shows there is a new appetite for curiosity, for discovering places like Glasgow and Hull that are rich in culture but often overlooked. As Lumo services extend to Glasgow from later this month and Hull Trains connecting London with Hull and East Yorkshire, we’re proud to be on trend helping a new generation reach the UK’s most intriguing locations in a way that’s sustainable, affordable, stress-free and very social.”
VisitBritain CEO Patricia Yates added: “We want visitors to explore more of Britain, and this research shows the huge appetite to discover the wonderful attractions and experiences on offer. Travelling by rail opens up iconic locations as well as less explored destinations in between, with some stunning scenery along the way. The ease and convenience of rail travel to access our outstanding attractions and local businesses, in a relaxing and environmentally friendly way, also broadens travel itineraries, encouraging visitors to travel further and stay longer.”
Across the UK eight in ten (80%) admit they are stuck in a “cultural rut”’, always visiting the same places, restaurants and even attractions, so much so that 53% say they haven’t gotten the most out of the area they live in.
In fact, 87% of Brits go a step further and say that they haven’t gotten the most out of the UK as a whole, while 25%, don’t really know where to go and 21% don’t like going out of their comfort zone.
And when we do go somewhere new, 79% tend to end up at the tried and tested tourist traps like Buckingham Palace and Big Ben.
More than half (53%) even admit that they are more likely to see famous foreign landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, than landmarks in this country.
It’s no wonder that 93% of the nation wish that they could spend more time exploring the UK.
Brits are prepared to travel an average of 240 miles to visit an attraction they want to see, with three quarters (76%) agreeing that taking the train is the best way to get around the country.
Being able to sit back and enjoy the ride (70%), being able to look out the window and see the countryside (60%), quicker than driving (51%), being able to eat and drink on the way (41%) and being able to travel together (39%) are considered the best things about train travel.
BRITAIN’S TRENDY TOURIST HOT SPOTS
1. Natural History Museum, Tring (36%) A delightfully eccentric treasure trove where Victorian taxidermy meets country-house charm. Quirky, curious, and utterly fascinating.
2. Glasgow Necropolis (34%) A brooding Victorian “City of the Dead” perched above Glasgow, think gothic grandeur, dramatic monuments and unbeatable skyline views.
3. The Forbidden Corner, Yorkshire (28%) A bizarre maze of tunnels, trick doors and strange sculptures. Part playground, part fever-dream and unforgettable fun for all ages.
4. Bletchley Park (26%) The once-top-secret wartime HQ where brilliant codebreakers cracked the Enigma. History, intrigue and heroism all in one atmospheric estate.
5. The Deep (25%) An award-winning aquarium in Hull with a mission to inspire the next generation of marine lovers.
6. Chapel Down, Kent (18%) England’s premier vineyard estate offering crisp sparkling wines, lush grounds and a taste of countryside glamour.
7. The Lost Gardens of Heligan (18%) Cornwall’s botanical comeback story: abandoned estates reborn into a jungle-like paradise of lush ferns, giant sculptures and hidden nooks.
8. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow (17%) A grand red-sandstone marvel packed with everything from Salvador Dalí to stuffed elephants. Glasgow’s cultural crown jewel.
9. Portmeirion, Wales (16%) A surreal splash of Riviera glamour in North Wales. Pastel-coloured houses, lush gardens and charmingly eccentric holiday vibes.
10. The Dark Hedges (16%) A haunting tunnel of twisted beech trees that looks straight out of a fantasy film and famously was.
11. Kinloch Castle, Isle of Rum (15%) A fading Highland fairytale, this pink sandstone palace rises dramatically from wild, empty landscapes. Romantic, remote and slightly eerie.
12. Buddhapadipa Temple, Wimbledon (15%) A serene slice of Thailand tucked into leafy London. Ornate carvings, peaceful gardens and gentle, meditative calm.
13. St Fagans National Museum of History (14%) Wales’ past brought vividly to life across acres of historic buildings from cosy cottages to working farms. Time travel you can walk through.
14. Tongue Pot, Lake District (14%) A wild swimming haven where emerald pools and rocky waterfalls create nature’s perfect spa.
15. Buttermere Infinity Pool, Lake District (13%) A hidden hillside pool with views so vast you’ll think you’re floating above the fells. Instagram gold.
16. Ramsgate Tunnels, Ramsgate (13%) A hidden wartime underworld stretching for miles beneath the seaside town. Tales of shelter, survival and seaside secrets.
17. Gaping Gill Cave, North Yorkshire (12%) A colossal cavern where a waterfall thunders 100 metres into the darkness. Britain’s most dramatic underground spectacle.
18. Minack Theatre (11%) A cliffside amphitheatre carved by hand, with Atlantic waves as its backdrop. Theatre with one of the world’s most jaw-dropping views.
19. Dolgoch Falls, Wales (11%) A chain of tumbling waterfalls hidden in mossy green woodland. Peaceful, magical, and wonderfully photogenic.
20. Kinder Downfall Waterfall, Peak District (11%) A dramatic cascade that, on windy days, blows upwards. One of Britain’s rare natural spectacles.
