Grand Central - From London to the North

Leaving Kings Cross on a regular basis, Grand Central railways offers excellent access to destinations in the North thanks to its two popular routes. Part of the Arriva Group which provides transport solutions across the country, these are two important rail links that allow for regular journeys between important destinations.

The company runs two routes: the North East service leaves Kings Cross and heads north via Wakefield and Doncaster before taking in York en-route to Sunderland, with links from there to Newcastle upon Tyne. The second route - the West Riding service heads slightly west after Wakefield to take passengers to Pontefract, Halifax and the Bradford Interchange.

These are important commuter routes for people who live in the North but work in London - and increasingly common choice in these days of inflated property prices - yet they also cover some interesting and exciting tourist destinations along the way.

North Yorkshire and the North East

For anyone exploring the north of England Grand Central rail offers an excellent method of travel, and by using the North East service from London Kings Cross it is easy to reach many excellent places of interest in a surprisingly short journey time.

The fabulous landscapes of the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales - two of the most popular National Parks in the country - are home to James Herriot country, popularised by the famous TV series about the country vet. Stunning moorland is reached by travelling to Thirsk, a pretty town with a rich history, and there are many attractions in the region that are family friendly. Rail enthusiasts may want to visit the charming Wensleydale Railway, a heritage steam line covering 16 miles of picturesque valleys.

Further north passengers are taken through some of the most important parts of our railway heritage, for the North East is where it all began. Sunderland is a city that is rapidly finding a new name for itself - the Glass Centre is a world famous attraction - while further north at Gateshead you can find the spectacular Angel of the North, Anthony Gormley’s massive statue that ranks as the most viewed example of outdoor art in the country.

Hartlepool, with its stunning docks, and Newcastle are among the places to visit - the latter being famous for its vibrant nightlife and beautiful architecture - while the beauty of Northumberland with its wonderful coastline is just to the north. Railway enthusiasts are in for treat with the likes of the Bowes Railway in County Durham, an original steam line designed by the great George Stephenson.

South Yorkshire and Bronte Country

Some of the most romantic and famous landscapes in the whole of England can be reached by taking the West Riding service. From here you enter Bronte Country, the stunning vistas of the Yorkshire Moors that inspired the legendary Wuthering Heights. This is truly spectacular scenery with plenty to offer the visitor, and is well worth a visit.

The town of Doncaster is a stunning gem that is much overlooked by visitors, featuring a wealth of popular attractions and a rich history relating to the railways, and is home to Doncaster Racecourse where the classic St Leger is held each year. West Yorkshire also has much to offer - take in the pretty market town of Pontefract for example - and is superbly represented by Grand Central rail.

Cheap Tickets on Grand Central

The Grand Central website - www.grandcentralrail.com - offers a simple and efficient online booking service that can be used to book tickets for all rail providers in the UK. Look out for special promotions, early booking discounts and group booking deals, and make use of the secure payment system.

The website features a great deal of information on journeys, deals and destinations and is updated on a regular basis with news about disruptions, giving the passenger an excellent service that is very much welcome.