By Rail
Information and help on travelling by rail, both to and around the East of England.
The region is served by an excellent rail network. Regular fast and frequent trains run to all major cities and towns. London stations which serve the area are Euston, Fenchurch Street, King's Cross, Liverpool Street, Marylebone and St. Pancras. Bedford, Luton (including the airport) and St. Albans are on the Thameslink line which runs to King's Cross - and on to
Gatwick Airport. Trains also run from the region's airports, offering direct links to London - Luton (King's Cross) and
Stansted (Liverpool Street).
For further information on timetables - please contact National Rail Enquiries on +44 (0)8457 484950, or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk
Eurostar operates high speed trains from Paris, Lille and Avignon (France); and Brussels (Belgium) straight to St. Pancras International Station (London). +44 (0)1233 617575. www.eurostar.com
The BritRail Pass offers discounted rail travel for overseas visitors. This must be purchased before you leave home, as they are not sold in Britain. Details from www.britrail.com
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Train operators serving the region
c2c (Shoeburyness, Southend, Basildon, Upminster, Stanford-le-Hope, Tilbury, Grays, Chafford Hundred) www.c2c-online.co.uk
London Midland (Bedford, Berkhamsted, Hemel Hempstead, Leighton Buzzard, St. Albans, Tring and Watford) www.londonmidland.com
Chiltern Railways (Rickmansworth) www.chilternrailways.co.uk
Cross Country Trains (Cambridge, Ely, Peterborough and Stansted Airport) www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk
First Capital Connect (Baldock, Bedford, Biggleswade, Cambridge, Ely, Hatfield, Hertford, Hitchin, Huntingdon, King's Lynn, Letchworth Garden City, Luton Airport, Peterborough, Royston, St. Neots, Sandy, Stevenage and Welywn Garden City) www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk
National Express East Coast (Peterborough and Stevenage) www.nationalexpresseastcoast.com
National Express (Bishop's Stortford, Braintree, Bury St. Edmunds, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Clacton, Colchester, Cromer, Diss, Ely, Felixstowe, Great Yarmouth, Harwich, Hertford, Ipswich, Lowestoft, Newmarket, Norwich, Peterborough, Sheringham, Southend, Stansted Airport, Stowmarket, Sudbury, Thetford and Woodbridge) www.nationalexpresseastanglia.com
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Community Rail Partnerships
Leave the car behind, and explore the region's wonderful countryside by train - with our special Tourism Trails.
The Abbey Line (rail route from Watford to St. Albans, Hertfordshire) www.abbeyline.org.uk
The 'Abbey Flyer' is the colloquial name for this 6½ mile branch line railway running between Watford Junction and St. Albans Abbey stations. There are five intermediate stations - with various walks available in the surrounding countryside, or take time to explore the historic city of St. Albans.
The Bittern Line (rail route from Norwich to Sheringham, Norfolk) www.bitternline.com
Named after the famous 'booming' bird, the 30 mile Bittern Line runs between Norwich and the North Norfolk Coast. Spot Coots and Grebes dabbling in the River Yare as you head for the heart of The Broads. Glimpse your first view of the sea as you come to Cromer before skirting the coastline towards Sheringham.
The Crouch Valley Line (rail route from Wickford to Southminster, Essex) www.esscrp.org.uk
The Crouch Valley Line runs between Wickford and Southminster, following the River Crouch for most of its length, through glorious Essex countryside, and past stunning wetlands populated by a rich variety of wildlife and wildfowl. Towards the eastern end of the line is the popular sailing town of Burnham-on-Crouch.
The East Suffolk Line (rail route from Ipswich to Lowestoft, Suffolk) www.eastsuffolkline.com
This line runs from the historic county town of Ipswich to the popular seaside resort of Lowestoft, travelling through beautiful countryside and linking quaint market towns such as Woodbridge (with ancient Sutton Hoo nearby), Beccles, and the picturesque riverside resort of Oulton Broad.
The Gainsborough Line (rail route from Marks Tey, Essex to Sudbury, Suffolk) www.esscrp.org.uk
This is a delightful rural journey running through landscape straight out of Constable's paintings. Leafy cuttings give way to the great 32-arch Chappel viaduct, by the village whose station is home to the East Anglian Railway Museum. The line then enters Suffolk with typical Constable views along the Stour Valley, leading to Sudbury, birthplace of artist Thomas Gainsborough.
The Lee Valley Line (rail route from Stratford, London to Hertford East, Hertfordshire)
This river route takes you past wildlife sites and green open spaces, all part of the Lee Valley Park, stretching 26 miles from London's East End. Disembark at Cheshunt and walk through the park to Broxbourne where you can hire a bike or even take a river cruise. Hop on the train for Hertford to browse in the antique shops.
The Mayflower Line (rail route from Manningtree to Harwich, Essex) www.esscrp.org.uk
Leaving the charming riverside town of Manningtree, the line follows the River Stour through beautiful Essex
countryside, past nature reserves, to the busy modern Harwich International Port, and onto its historic neighbour, the ancient seafaring town of Harwich.
The Sunshine Coast Line (rail route from Colchester to Clacton/Walton, Essex) www.esscrp.org.uk
Starting from Colchester Town, the route travels through the Hythe, Wivenhoe, Arlesford, Great Bentley, Weeley and to
Thorpe Le Soken. Here the line spilts into two, one going to Clacton, the other to Frinton and Walton. Beautiful countryside, tiny villages and historic sights.
The Wherry Lines (rail route from Norwich, Norfolk to Great Yarmouth, Norfolk and Lowestoft, Suffolk) www.wherrylines.org.uk Named after the cargo boats which once sailed the area's waterways, the Wherry Lines transport you between Norwich and the coast. The northern section of the line heads for Great Yarmouth, whilst the southern route runs through marsh and fen country to the heart of The Broads, and onto the isolated village of Berney Arms or lively Lowestoft on the Sunrise Coast.
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