This summer, our train partners are helping families discover that every journey can be an adventure. Whether you're travelling to the seaside, visiting friends and family or exploring somewhere new, books are the perfect companion for your journey.
To celebrate this year's Summer Reading Challenge, our train partners have come together to share ideas for days out across England and Scotland plus information on offers to get the most value for money from rail travel. You’ll also find downloadable fun activity and colouring sheets.
Choose a train partner to start your next adventure.
All Aboard for Summer Reading with LNER
This summer, LNER is proud to support The Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge, helping children across the UK discover the joy of reading. Kids can grab a free Summer Reading Challenge pack onboard and start their reading adventure.
Fill the summer holidays with fun
There’s nothing like that carefree summer feeling and trips that turn into stories. And it’s even better when you travel by train.
We’ll get you to the heart of the action with fast journey times, frequent services and great-value fares. Wherever you’re heading, start your summer trips with us.
Save an average of 77% with the Family Single Ticket
With LNER, a Family Single ticket for the whole family starts from just £30 each way.* Bring up to two adults and four children (aged 15 and under) on your next action-packed outing.
Why drive when the train makes it this easy? Skip the traffic, grab a Summer Reading Challenge pack onboard, and enjoy freedom all the way.
*Average saving based on two adults and two children travelling with a Family Single vs the most popular Standard Advance fare
TransPennine Express
Ready for an amazing summer adventure? Hop onboard a TransPennine Express train and discover exciting places, fantastic animals, incredible museums and loads of family fun along the way!
Travel to York and visit the National Railway Museum, where you can learn all about the past, present and future of railways. Don’t miss Wonderlab, packed with hands-on activities and you can take the road train to York Minster.
Love the seaside? Head to Scarborough or Cleethorpes for a day of sand, sea and ice cream! In Scarborough, you can come face-to-face with sharks, seals and jellyfish at Sea Life. Or visit The Jungle Zoo in Cleethorpes to meet monkeys, lemurs, owls and lots of other amazing animals.
Prepare to be amazed by mind-bending illusions at Camera Obscura in Edinburgh, or get hands-on with science at Glasgow Science Centre, where you can enjoy interactive exhibits, live shows and even explore a planetarium.
Did you know you can see an elephant wearing armour? Visit the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds to discover thousands of fascinating objects from history – and it’s free to visit!
In Liverpool, explore the World Museum, home to life size dinosaur skeletons, an aquarium, a planetarium and treasures from Ancient Egypt.
Football fans won’t want to miss Manchester, where the National Football Museum is packed with exciting exhibits, games and football history. You can even take a tour of some famous stadiums.
Book your train tickets at tpexpress.co.uk. Kids travel for half price and under-5s travel free. Don’t forget to visit daysoutguide.co.uk for great family discounts and special offers too!
To keep you entertained onboard download our activity sheets:-
Whether you’re looking for a hike across rolling hills, classic seaside fun, or exploring a historical city, our network has something for everyone.
Up to 4 children can travel for just £1 each on our off-peak trains when traveling with an adult.
Hastings
With a 120-year-old Funicular and leading contemporary art gallery, there’s plenty to do in Hastings. As you explore along the beach, you’ll also discover Hastings Adventure Golf which has three themed courses and even holds the World Crazy Golf Championship!
Canterbury
This enchanting city dates back to the Middle Ages. Wander its narrow, cobbled streets and explore its magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site cathedral. You can even take a tour along its river on a traditional punt boat.
Sevenoaks
Just 23 minutes from London, Sevenoaks is the perfect day trip. The charming town is packed full of trendy cafes and shops. It’s only a short walk from the town to Knole Park, a stunning National Trust property with a 1,000-acre pack where you can spot free roaming deer!
Ramsgate
This seaside town boasts a continental charm, owing to it being just 35 miles from France. You can explore the tunnels underneath the town that provided shelter for 60,000 people during the Second World War. Seal your day out with a boat trip to sea the resident seal colony.
Don’t forget, you pay no booking fees when you buy direct!
