They say “hell is other people” – a claim I came to question shortly after a solo six-hour drive from London to Manchester (traffic) with only a carsick four-year-old, broken aircon and a one-year-old who kept trying to throw her shoe out of the window for company. That day, I resolved to travel by train whenever we could.
Now, as a family of five, it’s been a revelation to discover that with a bit of prep and planning, it’s completely possible to have a genuinely nice time while travelling en famille – no sick bowl necessary. Here’s how to do it …
Think ahead
Although you don’t have airline baggage restrictions to contend with, train travel is best done light – you want to be able to manoeuvre what you’ve got quickly and easily. You might have to change trains, and stops can be brief, so pack smart, in as few bags as possible.
Book seats in advance, and always go for a table – being able to spread out makes all the difference when you’re negotiating snacks, colouring books, screens etc. If you’re travelling long distance and you’re keen to secure seats near the toilets or in the quiet carriage (perhaps yours is that sleepy baby we’ve all heard so much about), then Google carriage seating plans for your train provider.
The beaches of north Norfolk, such as Wells-next-the-Sea, are a baby-friendly destination
Babies
How
Trains are ideal for babies; the forward motion can be a great soother and you may find yours has the nap of their life, allowing you to stare luxuriously into the middle distance for a couple of hours.
Travel blogger Maria Belfort has travelled extensively with her family by train, and she suggests getting to the station early so you can do a final nappy change before you’re stuck with the less spacious onboard facilities. She also recommends a big feed once you’ve taken your seats, to encourage sleep, and two easily accessible outfit changes for when the inevitable happens.
Crawling babies will be a challenge, but dig deep and walk those carriages.
Where
We’ve had repeat visits to north Norfolk with small babies, and would thoroughly recommend the mix of big skies, pine forests and golden sands.
Save
Norwich to Cromer costs £12.00 for two adults with a Two Together Railcard (save £6.20 on equivalent Standard Off-Peak Day returns). Kids under five travel free*
Head for the Lake District with toddlers
Toddlers
How
Toddlers and trains may sound like an unappealing combination, but the two actually go together really well. Little ones can wriggle and pace as much as they like without annoying their fellow passengers, and there’s plenty to absorb and take in.
On a recent train journey from Leeds to Glasgow, public health worker Sally Hall kept her two children – Nara, four, and Max, two – entertained with a “surprise bag” she’d prepared in advance. It was stuffed with little items, such as wooden toys from home, boxes of raisins, and party-bag makeweights she’d saved up. “Every 20 minutes, Nara and Max were allowed to close their eyes and dip into it. It worked really well,” says Hall. “I’d taken iPads as backup, but we didn’t need them.”
Travel over lunchtime if you can, and make a big fuss of your “train picnic”. Choose non-messy dried fruits and finger foods that will keep them grazing, and you may even kill a whole hour.
Where
The Lake District is a great choice for toddlers, and with a station in Windermere, you can stay right in the heart of Cumbria’s stunning scenery and enjoy a boat ride across the water to Haverthwaite steam train. At the World of Beatrix Potter, kids will love sneaking into Mr McGregor’s garden – be sure not to skip the cafe and its legendary cream tea with Peter Rabbit.
Save
Manchester Piccadilly to Windermere for two adults costs £33.30 with a Two Together Railcard (save £17.10 on equivalent Standard Off-Peak returns). Kids under five travel free*
Agatha Christie’s holiday home, Greenway, is a short boat trip down the River Dart from Totnes
Young kids
How
Mum-of-two Daisy Upton shares play ideas for kids on Instagram (@fiveminutemum). She tells me that for small passengers, mini tubs of Play-Doh and one or two cutters can be a great time filler, and less messy than you’d imagine. Her other go-to is a basic pack of cards, for clock patience, suit sorting and snap.
“Take paper and crayons, and save those triangular ones you often get free in lunchboxes because they won’t roll off the table,” says Upton. She suggests covering their eyes with a scarf and drawing funny faces too, but don’t forget the classics: hangman, tally charts of what you can spot through the window, portrait competitions, noughts and crosses etc.
If those fail, Dobble, and travel versions of Guess Who and Connect Four have saved my sanity many times.
Where
Bohemian Totnes in south Devon is a great choice if you’re looking for somewhere beautiful to stimulate small minds. Travel blogger Claire Hall recommends a visit to Totnes Rare Breeds Farm, a boat ride down the River Dart to Agatha Christie’s holiday home, Greenway, and a visit to the China Blue ceramic studio, just a short walk from Totnes station.
Save
Bristol Parkway to Totnes costs £68.70 for two adults and two kids with a Family & Friends Railcard (save £52.50 on equivalent Standard Off-Peak Return tickets)*
The coast has plenty for tweenagers
Tweenagers
How
Life definitely gets easier when kids hit eight or nine. For a start, they can read, so pack books, quizzes, crosswords etc. Consequences – where you each write an opening line to a story then pass it on for each subsequent line – can be a funny diversion, while seasoned train traveller Karin Pascoe suggests giving tweens a stopwatch and letting them amuse themselves. “My twins Livia and Rocco love it,” she says. “It’s amazing what they can find to time – staring competitions, how long it takes to say all the months of the year, how long they can hold their breath for …”
Where
The north Kent coast is perfect for exploring by train; the frequent coastal route stops at great seaside spots such as Whitstable, Herne Bay, Broadstairs and Margate. Tweens will love the rides at Dreamland, the restored theme park that overlooks Margate’s golden sands, and don’t miss the roller disco and Tail Spin Diner, a cool stop for burgers and shakes.
Save
London Victoria to Margate costs £42.90 for two adults and two kids with a Family & Friends Railcard (save £32.70 on equivalent on Standard Super Off-Peak Return tickets)*
Keep teens occupied with an audiobook or podcast
Teenagers
How
Nothing beats a great audio book accompanied by stunning scenery, so encourage your teens to download something from Audible, or their favourite podcast. In our satnav-reliant times, it can be fun to bring a map of the area you’re passing through – get them to plot the route and figure out local landmarks.
Think of your train ride as an opportunity to chat and reconnect – when else do you find yourself opposite your teenager for a lengthy period of time, with no bedroom for them to escape to?
Where
Colourful, stone-walled Tenby on the Pembrokeshire coast is a classic seaside spot that couldn’t be more picturesque. It’s small enough to let teens roam free and there’s plenty to explore along the magnificent Pembrokeshire coastline.
Save
Swansea to Tenby costs £29.60 for two adults and two kids with a Family & Friends Railcard (save £22.60 on equivalent Standard Anytime Day Return tickets)*
To find out more about getting a third off your train travel with a Railcard, visit railcard.co.uk
*Prices for return travel on 31 August, as checked on 22 July.
