18/08/2022
Airport chaos driving you mad? Don’t go off the rails – take the scenic route instead and discover nine beautiful rail travel adventures awaiting you instead
By Sophie Ritchie, The Wordrobe.
If you’ve been within even five miles of an airport recently, you’re probably well acquainted with the ongoing travel disruption. Lost luggage, cancelled flights and ruined holidays – airports have become a hub of chaos as of late. However, not all is lost. Take the leisurely route instead and opt for a UK or European destination via the magic of trains instead.
Flight-free travel not only often provides a more efficient and reliable means of transportation, but certain routes also offer a much more scenic, eco-conscious and comfortable alternative. And yes, plenty more leg room too. We take a look at nine rail travel adventures worth booking for an end of summer trip that’ll keep you on the right track.
3. Enjoy an enchanting cultural escape with University Arms in Cambridge One for the literary lovers. If it’s culture you adore, it’s time to trek to landmark hotel, University Arms in Cambridge. Easily accessible via a short 55-minute train journey from London, the property is situated in the historic heart of Cambridge, overlooking Parker’s Piece. Following an extensive two-year £80m transformation, University Arms reopened in 2018 with the literary and academic spirit of Cambridge at its beating heart. The hotel is home to 192 beautiful and ‘playfully’ designed rooms and suites, with impressive period features throughout. Bookworms will delight at the hotel’s spacious suites, all of which are named after famed Cambridge alumni and come with a bespoke library curated by London’s leading bookshop, Heywood Hill. For a moment of calm and reflection, guests can either head to the hotel’s library complete with a wood-burning fire, or to its serene treatment rooms in partnership with one of Britain’s finest wellbeing brands, Aromatherapy Associates. Beyond the hotel, visitors can discover all that the much-loved city has to offer thanks to a wonderful array of complimentary outdoor activities, including private walking tours, cycling adventures, or a special punting experience down the River Cam. A trip to Cambridge would not be complete without stopping by University Arms’ destination dining restaurant, Parker’s Tavern, helmed by local Chef, Tristan Welch. The restaurant is inspired by the communal dining halls synonymous with Cambridge Colleges and is an English tavern serving the finest locally sourced, seasonal food. With something for everyone, cultural city getaways don’t get much better. Getting there: Direct 55-minute train from London Kings Cross to Cambridge How: Rates at University Arms start from £209 per night, B&B; suites start from £419 per night.