While big cities and buzzy coastal destinations have their place, sometimes it’s nice to explore somewhere a little more under the radar, and Britain has lots of travel treasures to discover. From overlooked cities with a burgeoning cultural scene, vibrant market towns and revitalised seaside resorts, there’s somewhere to satisfy every type of traveller. The best part? You can reach many of these hidden gems easily by rail.

Travelling by train is a convenient, fun and greener way to arrive at your destination. Railcard offers a third off rail travel around Britain. With nine Railcards to choose from, saving customers an average of £172 a year, it pays for itself in no time. Find the one for you at railcard.co.uk. What’s more, Railcard have created a handy online calculator to determine what you could save – simply enter your journey details and the relevant Railcard and it will calculate the discount you can get.

Read on for some fresh travel inspiration and get ready for a season of discovery…

Looe

A working fishing port on Cornwall’s south coast, Looe is one of the most idyllic destinations in the UK and famous for its day-caught fish. If it looks familiar, it might be because it was used as a filming location for BBC drama Beyond Paradise. The scenic Looe Valley train line has been bringing visitors to this part of the world since Victorian times. Formerly two independent towns, East and West Looe, they are now joined across the river by a bridge. East Looe beach is a picture-perfect location where you can enjoy swimming, crabbing along the harbour walls, and explore the uniquely shaped Banjo pier. A boat trip takes you to Looe Island, a wildlife sanctuary where you can see grey seals sunbathing on the rocks. Back on dry land, the town’s narrow winding streets are perfect for a gentle meander.

Nearest station: Looe, about a 10 minute walk to town

Frome

This trendy Somerset town is known for its strong community spirit, award winning markets and independent shops and restaurants – plus stunning surrounding countryside – making it the perfect place for a relaxing weekend. The Cheese and Grain is a cultural hub for the town, attracting both classic bands and buzzy new acts (The Foo Fighters and Paul McCartney have played Glastonbury warm-up gigs here), as well as hosting a weekly flea market. Talking of markets, Frome has plenty, including an award-winning farmer’s market on the second Saturday of each month, and the legendary Frome Independent on the first Sunday of every month, which showcases the best craftspeople, designers, food producers and vintage traders in the South West. Hungry? There’s loads of tempting options, from trendy street food destination The Station, neighbourhood restaurants like Little Walcot and Bistro Lotte and buzzy tapas bar The High Pavement.

Nearest station: Frome, about a 10 minute walk to the town centre

Folkestone

Fast becoming Kent’s buzziest seaside destination, a vibrant Old Town, a great culinary scene and a glorious sandy beach are just a few of the things that make Folkestone great for a weekend break. The Leas, a mile-long stretch of clifftop promenade, is as perfect a place for a stroll now as it was in Victorian times. Meanwhile the town’s harbour arm is enjoying a new lease of life as the place to go for delicious street food, independent galleries and quirky shops. Food-wise, there’s everything from destination restaurant Rocksalt (try and snag a spot on the terrace) to acclaimed seafood stall Chummys. The town has the largest outdoor urban collection of contemporary art in the UK, so look out for pieces like Cornelia Parker’s ‘The Folkestone Mermaid’ on Sunny Sands beach and Anthony Gormley’s eerie statue under the harbour arm. If you’re in town between July and October the streets will come alive with artwork thanks to the triennale festival.

Nearest station: Folkestone Central, about a 10 minute walk to the town centre

Totnes

This vibrant Devon market town is picture-perfect, with a riverside location, colourful houses and a castle looming over the town. The steep climb up to Totnes Castle is worth it for the views of the town below – as well as over the dramatic Dartmoor countryside. The River Dart runs through the town, and is a great spot for kayaking, paddleboarding or just a gentle riverside stroll. Take a 30 minute walk to Dartington Estate, to see its stunning Grade II* listed gardens, deer park and cinema in a 14th century barn. Totnes itself has a thriving arts scene with plenty of small galleries, as well as independent and eco-friendly (Totnes prides itself on being one of Britain’s greenest towns) shops and cafes. And if the train ride down gave you a taste for locomotives, the South Devon Railway offers steam train rides through the gorgeous Devon countryside.

Nearest station: Totnes, about a 10 minute walk to the town centre

Bradford

Bradford is the 2025 City of Culture, meaning there’s lots of exciting things happening this year, including the reopening of the National Science and Media Museum, with its multiple exhibition spaces and cinema screens. Loading Bay is a pop-up arts venue in a disused storage depot that will host music, comedy, art exhibitions and immersive theatre shows throughout 2025. And in July a brand new shopping and cultural destination, Darley Street Market, opened in the city.

Bradford is also a great base to explore some of West Yorkshire’s other highlights, including Victorian model village (and UNESCO World Heritage site) Saltaire, which is less than 15 minutes away by train. Salts Mill, the huge textile factory around which the village was designed, is now a fantastic complex of galleries, shops and restaurants – and home to a large collection of David Hockey’s work. Meanwhile at Keighley, a 20 minute journey from Bradford, you can catch a performance of The Railway Children (15 July – 7 Sept) on the same tracks where the classic film was shot.

Nearest Station: Bradford Forster Square or Bradford Interchange, in the city centre

Aberystwyth

If not under the radar then certainly underrated, this charming Welsh seaside town has loads to offer visitors, blending natural beauty with a rich history and a vibrant creative energy. Surrounded by the stunning Cambrian mountain range, the town has not one but two glorious beaches, linked by a mile-long promenade. At the northern end of this you’ll find the famous cliff top railway, which takes you up to a summit with spectacular views of Cardigan Bay. Perched on a hill in an impressive building, The National Library of Wales also has great vistas – and exhibitions dedicated to Welsh history and literature. Aberystwyth Arts Centre is the largest of its kind in Wales, presenting a programme of music, visual art, dance, film and more. Aber – as locals call it – also has a burgeoning food scene, with highlights including Arabic Flavour, whose menu is inspired by Lebanon and Greece cuisine, and popular tapas and wine bar Ultracomida.

Nearest station: Aberystwyth, about a five minute walk to the town centre

Coventry

This underrated city is undergoing something of a cultural renaissance. In 2021 it was the City of Culture and there’s plenty of that to soak up. The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum has displays dedicated to visual arts, archaeology, social history and natural history – and a dinosaur in residence, Dippy, on loan from The Natural History Museum. Coventry Music Museum celebrates the city’s musical heritage, including the legendary 2-Tone scene, while Coventry Transport Museum (get 2FOR1 entry with National Rail Days Out Guide) has the largest publicly owned collection of British vehicles in the world. Meanwhile, the former industrial space FarGo village is a must-visit hub of indie shops, restaurants, street food and cultural events. Finally, no visit is complete without seeing Coventry Cathedral. The original medieval building was largely destroyed in 1940 by The Blitz, and its preserved ruins now sit alongside the new cathedral – a marvel of contemporary architecture designed by Basil Spence and opened in 1962. The modern building has a stunning 26-metre high stained glass window made up of 198 glass panels — no wonder it was once voted the nation’s favourite 20th century building.

Nearest station: Coventry, about a 10 minute walk to the city centre

Lincoln

Home to cobbled streets, an impressive cathedral and a beautiful castle, Lincoln combines a rich history with a vibrant cultural scene and stunning surrounding scenery, all in a compact and easy-to-navigate city. The nearly 1,000 year old Lincoln Cathedral was once the tallest building in the world, and while it might no longer hold that accolade it’s still an awe inspiring work of architecture. From there it’s only a short walk to the castle, built by William The Conqueror, which holds one of only four remaining copies of the Magna Carta. Steep Hill is, as the name suggests, a famous street with a sharp incline – but its array of shops and cafes make it worth the effort. It’s also where you’ll find beloved pie shop Hobbsons, where the only issue is deciding which flavour to pick. If you need to walk off your lunch, Lincoln Arboretum, nestled in the heart of the city, is a delightful place for a stroll.

Nearest station: Lincoln Central, about a 15 minute walk to the Cathedral

Stirling

Often overlooked in favour of its better-known Scottish cousins, there are plenty of things to see and do in this historic city. Stirling Castle (get 25% off entry with National Rail Days Out Guide), the childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots, is one of the most historically important in Scotland, while Bannockburn (get 2FOR1 entry with National Rail), two miles south of the city, is the site of one of the country’s most famous battles, won by Robert The Bruce. Then there’s the Wallace Monument, which towers over the city, commemorating the life of local hero William Wallace. It’s a short bus ride or hour’s walk from the station, plus a 246-step winding staircase to reach the top – but the views are well worth the effort. The Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Gallery has a large collection of rare and interesting artifacts – including the world’s oldest football (made from a pig’s bladder). In Stirling’s cobbled Old Town you’ll find plenty of cosy pubs, cool cafes and quirky shops to explore, and for a family-friendly attraction, Blair Drummond Safari Park is a half hour bus ride from the city centre.

Nearest station: Stirling, in the city centre

Ludlow

Nestled in the scenic Shropshire Hills is this beautiful market town known for its history, food scene, and stunning landscapes. Boasting fascinating medieval architecture, vibrant markets, and surrounding forests, Ludlow offers the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. Ludlow Castle, which dates back to the 11th century, is one of the best examples of medieval ruins in England and has incredible vistas over the Shropshire countryside. You can also enjoy fine views from the tower of Saint Laurence’s Church, once you’ve climbed the 201 steps to the top. To get away from the crowds, a four-mile circular walk will take you to peaceful Mortimer Forest and back. Meanwhile Ludlow itself is full of antique, interior, craft and gift shops, as well as delis, cafes and artisan food shops. The town square hosts a market four days a week, with a farmer’s market on the second and fourth Thursday of each month. The famous Ludlow Farmshop, two miles outside the centre, is a haven for foodies, with a kitchen restaurant, pub and distillery also on site.

Nearest station: Ludlow, about a five minute walk to the town centre

Enjoy great value British adventures by train

From stunning nature and the great outdoors, to culture, cuisine and incredible scenery, there’s no doubt Britain has it all in spades, and these unmissable adventures are just a simple, enjoyable train ride away. So there’s never been a better time to start planning some Great British getaways, from day trips to weekends away or a longer staycation.

With Railcard, whether you’re travelling solo or with a friend, on a couples weekend or off on holiday with the family, you can save on all sorts of train journeys around Great Britain. Railcard helps you save a third off rail travel and for just £35 for the year, it pays for itself in no time. With nine different Railcards available, find the one for you at railcard.co.uk. What’s more, you can enjoy 2FOR1 and other offers with National Rail’s Days Out Guide when you travel by train. So make this your year to get out, experience and explore everything on your doorstep and enjoy truly great value getaways.

Yosemite National Park is gorgeous. That was my first impression when I watched the pilot of Untamed, the Netflix drama that follows a ranger investigating a murder inside one of the most iconic parks in the country. A lot of viewers—and National Park experts— expressed frustration with the show, mostly because the producers got a lot of the details wrong, from the human history of the park to the depiction of search and rescue procedures. Oh, and the fact that the majority of the show wasn’t even filmed inside Yosemite is a major point of contention. Most of the show was filmed in British Columbia, Canada, and according to Netflix, stand-ins included Mount Seymour and Callaghan Valley in Whistler. But the opening scenes of the first episode prominently features Yosemite Valley with a couple of dramatic bird’s eye view angles of the park’s granite that are absolutely mesmerizing.

I saw the opening sequence and I didn’t care what the rest of the show was about. I just wanted to see more of that landscape. John DeGrazio, founder of YExplore, a guide service in Yosemite National Park that specializes in photography hikes, understands the allure of that landscape.

“I was drawn in by the Valley during my first visit in 2003, so much so that my wife and I decided to move here without knowing a soul,” DeGrazio says. “I had visited a lot of other national parks, but Yosemite has this intrinsic magic to it. John Muir nailed it when he said the Valley was unparalleled.”

Beyond Yosemite Valley, Landscapes That Deserve the Spotlight

It’s dramatic landscapes make a intriguing setting for  TV show, even a melodrama that gets a lot of the details wrong. But here’s the thing about Yosemite National Park: the landscape is just as stunning when you leave the Valley.

“The Valley is only percent of the park,” DeGrazio says. “Start walking away from the crowds and not only will you find solitude, you’ll find more granite domes and meadows and lakes…the diversity of landscape inside the park gives you a variety of scenes with a lot of awe factor. Anywhere you turn, you can find a sense of magic.”

Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls … you could spend a lifetime staring at these landmarks from the Valley floor, but you’d miss out on some of the most amazing views in the park. Here are seven of the most photogenic scenes, from the edge of Yosemite Valley to the park’s less-crowded backcountry that deserve the spotlight, too.

Cathedral Lakes 

There are more than 3,200 natural lakes inside Yosemite National Park, but a solid argument could be made that Cathedral Lakes, a watery duo in the High Sierra near Toulomne Meadows, are the fairest of the bunch. The 10,916-foot tall Cathedral Peak rises directly from the edge of Upper Cathedral Lake, while Lower Cathedral has broad expanses of sloping granite dropping down to its shore. Lower Cathedral also offers an expansive view of the Sierra High Country, including Tenaya Lake, from its shore.

How to Get There
Reaching the Cathedral Lakes requires a nine-mile hike out and back on a piece of the John Muir Trail from the Cathedral Lakes Trailhead, in the Tuolumne Meadows area. It’s a popular trailhead, but the crowds will be nothing like what you experience inside the Valley. The hike itself would be a worthy adventure even if it didn’t end at a couple of gorgeous lakes, as it passes through meadows and requires the occasional creek crossing. A half-mile spur trail leads to Lower Cathedral, which is the more popular destination, but I say visit both.

North Dome 

North Dome itself is an impressive piece of granite, rising to 7,546 feet along the northern rim of Yosemite Valley, but you want to summit this mountain because of its view of a more famous piece of granite, Half Dome, which is directly across the Valley floor. Some have made the argument that the view of Half Dome from North Dome is the best in the park. Maybe. You’ll also get to see El Capitan and Clouds Rest from this perch, not to mention a huge chunk of the Valley itself. This is a great alternative to hiking Half Dome or Clouds Rest.

How to Get There
The easiest way to reach North Dome is a nine-mile hike out and back from Tioga Pass from the Porcupine Creek Trailhead. You’ll bounce from forest to meadow until reaching the base of North Dome, then it’s a ramble along rounded granite to the summit. You’ll start seeing Half Dome as soon as you hit the granite, but keep going to the sloping edge for the best view. You’ll also have the option to take a 0.3-mile side hike to Indian Rock, Yosemite’s only natural arch.

Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias 

Giant sequoias are the largest known trees in the world, with canopies that can stretch 300 feet towards the sky and trunks that can be 30 feet around. These are the massive redwoods that can be found on the slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and Yosemite National Park has three giant sequoia groves. The Merced Grove is the smallest of the lot, with about 20 behemoth trees. But its trees are just as big, if not bigger, than the other two groves and it’s the least crowded of the three forests, which means the photo you take of your hiking partner hugging a tree will be unique. The redwoods are scattered throughout a small area of forest, but there’s a cluster of five of them flanking the trail that makes for an awesome photo.

How to Get There
Hike the three-mile hike out and back on an old road bed from the Merced Grove Trailhead off of Big Oak Flat Road. It’s an easy hike during the warm months, or a challenging snowshoe or cross country ski during the winter. You’ll pass an old ranger cabin, which used to be the superintendent’s vacation cabin, along the way.

Sentinel Dome 

You like mountains with 360-degree views? Sentinel Dome might have the best 360 view in the entire park, with something dramatic in almost every direction you look. Stand on top of Sentinel and you’ll see Yosemite Falls and El Capitan to the north, Nevada Falls and Half Dome to the east, and the Merced Canyon to the west. The view of Yosemite Falls is particularly good. That 2,425-foot waterfall has sections that are obscured from most vantage points, but you can see almost the entire ribbon of water from Sentinel.

How to Get There
It’s a 2.2-mile out and back hike on the Sentinel Dome Trail, off of Glacier Point Road. You’re not going to have the view to yourself, but it’s nice to share pretty things. You can tack on an extra couple of miles and create a five-mile loop that takes in Taft Point for another great view of El Capitan. If you can time your hike for sunset, and bring a headlamp for the hike back to your car, you won’t be sorry.

Gaylor Lakes 

Remember when I said Cathedral Lakes were arguably the prettiest of Yosemite’s ponds? Gaylor Lakes are the other side of that argument. There are five different lakes inside this high elevation valley, all of which are surrounded by some combination of lush meadows, tan boulders, and granite ridges. So take your pick of photo opportunities here. Middle Gaylor Lake is flanked by sloping granite on one side and lush meadow on the other. Small, gray boulders dot the grassland and taller mountains, including Cathedral Peak, rise on the horizon. It’s a stunner. But you’ll also get to see Upper Granite Lake, which is nestled in the bottom of a dramatic bowl, and Lower Granite Lake, a narrow affair offering views of distant peaks.

How to Get There
It’s a three-mile round trip on the Gaylor Lakes Trail off of Tioga Road. It’s relatively easy going two-mile out and back with all kinds of eye candy along the way. Loop trails encircle both Middle and Upper Gaylor Lakes and people have been known to hike off-trail throughout this pristine basin, so give yourself time to explore.

Lembert Dome

Tired of looking at Half Dome and El Cap? No, but there are other views, like from the top of Lembert Dome, a 9,449-foot tall hunk of granite that overlooks Tuolomne Meadows and its surrounding peaks. From the top of Lembert, you get a bird’s eye view of the massive meadow below. You’ll see smaller domes popping out of the forest, and the Tuolomne River carving a sinuous route through the grass. The horizon is dominated by peaks, like Cathedral and Mount Dana. But you could argue that the view from the meadow looking towards Lembert Dome is equally impressive, as the distinctive granite dome rises dramatically from the dark green forest.

How to Get There
Start from the Lembert Dome Trailhead on the edge of Tuolomne Meadows off of Tioga Road. It’s a straightforward hike through the forest at first, then you hit the exposed rock of Lembert and it’s a choose your own adventure to the top. You can also create a five-mile lollipop loop that summits the dome and wraps around Dog Lake, a small pond surrounded by forest.

Chilnualna Falls

Much like Yosemite Falls, Chilnualna Falls is a beast with so many different tiers, it can’t be seen from a single perspective. Unlike Yosemite Falls, you won’t stand in line for a great photo, as its remote location and tough hike keep the crowds at bay. Chilnualna is a collection of five different cascades that drop a total of 700 feet through a granite gorge. The tallest tier is over 300 feet, but it’s the 50-foot Lower Chilnualna Falls that’s arguably the most dramatic and offers the best photo, as it’s flanked by granite walls dropping into a pretty pool at the bottom. There are plenty of chances to get up close and personal to this falls. You can even scramble up to the next tier to find another drop and pool. Peak runoff in early summer is when it’s most dramatic, but it’s beautiful year round.

How to Get There
Start at the Chilnualna Falls Trailhead off of Chilnualna Falls Road in southern Yosemite. It’s a tough hike that begins along the creek, but quickly starts climbing through the forest via a series of switchbacks. The climbing doesn’t really stop until you reach the falls. All in, you’ll climb 2,500 feet during this 8.5-mile roundtrip hike that doesn’t get a lot of attention, so you won’t need to fight crowds to get your shot.

Watch Our Tips for Visiting Crowded (and Underfunded) National Parks This Summer

Graham Averill is Outside magazine’s national parks columnist. One of his most memorable backpacking trips was inside Yosemite National Park. He recently wrote about the perfect summer road trip through West Virginia.