Travel & Tourism

Train tickets slashed by up to 50% in huge Rail Sale across the UK

Finally, an affordable train!

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 14th January 2025

A huge rail sale has gone live with thousands of train journeys around the UK slashed in price by up to 50%.

Almost all UK train operators are taking part in the sale, which falls around the 200th anniversary of UK Rail.

There are more discounted tickets available than ever before, from short jaunts to neighbouring cities like Leeds and Sheffield to further-flung trips like Edinburgh and London.

It’s hoped that this huge rail sale will encourage more people to travel by train, and comes as the Government continues its overhaul of the railways.

Millions of train tickets are available at half the price, between 14 January and 20 January.

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The sale applies to select advance and off-peak fares on travel between 17 January and 31 March 2025.

These offers won’t last long, and only apply to a limited number of tickets, so you’ll want to move fast to snap up a bargain.

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It’s reported that last year’s rail sale saved passengers £5.8 million in total.

Secretary of State, Heidi Alexander, said: “I’m launching the biggest ever rail sale so more passengers can get big discounts on train tickets to visit destinations across the country.

“Whether you’re planning a getaway or wanting to visit friends or family, this sale offers huge reductions on all sorts of journeys.

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Train tickets slashed by up to 50% in huge Rail Sale across the UK. Credit: Unsplash, Fraser Cottrell
Train tickets slashed by up to 50% in huge Rail Sale across the UK. Credit: Unsplash, Fraser Cottrell

“Make the most of this sale, get your tickets while you can!”

The 2025 rail sale comes on the 200th anniversary of the first steam-powered passenger train with celebrations expected throughout the year as part of Railway 200.

Jacqueline Starr, Chief Executive of Rail Delivery Group, said: “This year, as we celebrate 200 years of railways in the UK, we’re reminded that rail travel is about much more than simply getting from A to B – it’s about bringing people, communities and opportunities together.

“Over 2 centuries, rail has become a vital part of the UK, shaping the economy and lives of millions.

“The year’s rail sale will offer over 2 million discounted advance fares starting on 14 January 2025, which is a great way to save on your travel and celebrate 200 years of railway connections.”

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Next step – making that train between Manchester and London a bit more affordable every day of the year…

Book your rail sale train tickets HERE.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Travel & Tourism

Peak District beauty spot Mam Tor gridlocked at dawn as people flock to viral sunrise spot

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Crowds at the top of Mam Tor in the Peak District at sunrise. Credit: TikTok, mum.life.travels

One of the Peak District’s most iconic beauty spots has been overrun with visitors over the weekend, despite snowy and icy conditions. 

Mam Tor was surrounded by gridlock on Sunday morning, with videos also showing visitors sliding back down the hill on their bums, unable to walk down the icy terrain. 

Scenes at the summit show crowds of people jostling to soak in the views surrounded by snow. 

In recent weeks the already-popular destination has gotten even more busy, going viral on social media for its sunrises.

It’s seen people rising before dawn to hike the short distance to the Mam Tor summit, where you can see the sun rise over the beautiful Peak District.

Hundreds of people flocked to watch the sunrise despite the Mam Tor car park being closed because of ‘a lot of snow and ice on the ground’. 

It led to lengthy queues of traffic, with one person saying ‘cars were just sat not moving for at least 30 minutes’. 

Crowds at the top of Mam Tor in the Peak District at sunrise. Credit: TikTok, mum.life.travels
Crowds at the top of Mam Tor in the Peak District for sunrise
Crowds at the top of Mam Tor in the Peak District at sunrise. Credit: TikTok, mum.life.travels
Traffic around Mam Tor
Credit: TikTok, mum.life.travels

In the video shared of the traffic, they wrote: “If you can find the time and energy, it’s honestly worth the extra effort to park up at one of the surrounding village car parks and hike over. The views on the way over are unreal and very quiet. I’d expect some of those people missed most of the sunrise.”

Peak Travel Watch also shared photos of the gridlock near Mam Tor, writing: “The top of Winnats pass to Mam Tor car park is single file due to parked cars. 

“The person parked on the Blue John cavern corner was my favourite, absolutely ridiculous and so dangerous.”

@mum.life.travels

Turns out everyone really does go for a hike on a sunday 😆 #iykyk #sunday #peakdistrict #fail #mamtor #sunrise #reels

♬ original sound – william springfield

The Hope Valley Police Safer Neighbourhood Team attended and slapped 21 drivers with a Notice of Intended Prosecution for parking on a Clearway. 

They wrote: “Upon our arrival, we were met with chaos as traffic was at a standstill in both directions. In order to clear the traffic, we had to temporarily close the top of Winnats Pass for approximately 20 minutes.

“This was necessary due to nearly 30 vehicles being parked illegally at the top of Winnats Pass, all the way to the junction at the top.”

Buxton Mountain Rescue also reported difficulties attending a nearby incident due to ‘the number of visitors cars parked on the road around Mam Tor’.

@ge0rgiamary

It will be fun they said 💀🤣 #mamtor #mamtorsunrise #sunrisehike

♬ IrelandOfThePast Dont Make Unnecessary Journeys – Ireland of the Past

While Mam Tor is considered one of the easier walks in the national park, walkers have been arriving completely unprepared for the icy weather conditions. 

One person commented on a video of people sliding down the hill: “Uggs and trainers. No walking boots, spikes or poles in sight. Just what mountain rescue love to see… Well done TikTok for spoiling a beautiful place.”

Someone else wrote: “Bunch of idiots. Just being taken over by a load who just want an Insta photo.”

If you’re heading out on a walk or hike in the countryside, make sure you’re being respectful of local communities and environments, and that you’re suitable dressed and equipped for the weather conditions, which can change quickly in the hills.

You can see the latest Mountain Rescue safety advice HERE.

@chedwardlodge

Travel chaos at Mam Tor this weekend, cars were just just sat not moving for at least 30 minutes. If you can find the time and energy, it’s honestly worth the extra effort to park up at one of the surrounding village car parks and hike over – the views on the way over are unreal and very quiet. I’d expect some of those people missed most of the sunrise 😭 #mamtorsunrise #mamtor

♬ original sound – Chedwardlodge

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Featured image: TikTok, mum.life.travels

Travel & Tourism

The Northern Belle, ‘Britain’s poshest train’, is coming to Manchester, with a seven-course banquet on board

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia The Northern Belle, 'Britain's poshest train', is coming to Manchester, with a seven-course banquet on board

A luxury train that’s been dubbed the poshest in Britain is steaming into Manchester this year, offering passengers a chance to sit in the same seats as royalty.

The Northern Belle will set off for its first trip of 2025 from Manchester Victoria, whisking people on a breathtaking journey through the Yorkshire Dales.

Whilst on board the Settle-Carlisle railway line, guests will tuck into a a show-stopping seven course banquet with bottles of champagne and wine.

The steam locomotive is a 1930’s Pullman-style train and used to form part of the iconic Orient Express experience, and takes on its journeys with an on-board live band.

Self-proclaimed as ‘Britain’s poshest train’, this vintage travel vehicle has been known to host a famous face or two, including acting legend Billy Nighy, who described the locomotive as ‘the Grand Dame of luxury travel’.

It’s not just Hollywood A Listers travelling in style – the royals have been known to frequent these four carriage walls.

On board The Northern Belle, which will visit Manchester in March. Credit: Supplied
On board The Northern Belle, which will visit Manchester in March. Credit: Supplied
On board The Northern Belle, which will visit Manchester in March. Credit: Supplied

One of the seven carriages which will be making the journey used to be party of Queen Elizabeth’s Royal Train, and is home to the Queen Mum’s favourite seat, where she would sit and wave through the window while sipping a gin and tonic.

A red carpet will be rolled out at Manchester Victoria to welcome everyone hopping on board this high-class rail service, with tickets from £365.

The Northern Belle departs Manchester city centre around 10am, collecting more passengers from Bolton before cruising some of the UK’s finest countryside.

Dust off your glad rags and get ready to be the ‘Belle’ of the ball as you travel on vintage locomotive The Northern Belle.

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This isn’t the only Northern Belle trip running this year as you can make your big and bold entrance to both Royal Ascot and Chelsea Flower Show via this comfortable and certainly not modest rail liner.

Just like its epic decorum, the prices follow the same bold style with tickets varying from £365 upwards depending on which event you’d like to attend.

Arriving on 1 March 2025, this luxury train is making a special stop in Greater Manchester with tickets available to purchase HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image: Publicity Picture (Supplied)

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