A stunning Welsh route has been hailed as one of the “world’s greatest” thanks to its breath-taking views of the lush countryside.
The Heart of Wales line, a 121-mile rural railway stretching from Swansea to Shrewsbury through Carmarthenshire, Powys and Shropshire, has earned a spot in the roundup of the “world’s greatest” train journeys.
The cherished railway offers travellers a scenic, leisurely way to soak up spectacular views and take a nostalgic journey back in time.
“It’s not the longest train journey ridden in full, just 120 miles over about four hours. But there’s a magic to it”, writes the publication.
Since its establishment, the journey has been loved by countless passengers. It was inaugurated in stages between 1861 and 1868, finally opening as a through route in 1868, reports .
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The coastal train and railway line (Image: Getty)
The line was constructed by five different railway companies over a span of 29 years and has seen numerous changes over time, including new timetables, modern trains and gradual modernisation.
The publication added: “Boarding in south Wales, popping out in Shropshire, disappearing into wild borderlands in between, it’s a bit Alice in Wonderland, like you’ve gone down a very green rabbit hole.
“The rural Heart of Wales Line connects the midst-of-nowhere communities of the Welsh Marches. Well, it does if you ask; many of its lyrical halts Pontarddulais, Llangadog, Llangammarch, Llangunllo are request stops, so you must stick out your arm.
“Along the way, it passes lovely Llandeilo, pointy Sugar Loaf hill, the handsome viaducts of Cynghordy and Knucklas. It’s accompanied by a Heart of Wales Line Trail, which you can use to walk between stations. Oddly, it’s busiest over winter: Welsh pensioners can ride for free from October to late March. So they do. My off-season journey was packed with over-65s out for the day, tables filled with nibbles and wine. Take your own. Raise a glass to Welsh wonderland.”
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0_train.jpg (Image: Transport for Wales)
Dubbed as a “rural lifeline”, this route offers a stunning view of the Welsh landscapes and an opportunity to visit some incredible places along the way.
With railway heritage, bustling towns, independent coffee shops and restaurants, and a variety of accommodation options, you could easily transform your journey into a weekend getaway or a longer trip, depending on how many stops you wish to make in mid Wales and the borders.
The Heart of Wales Line describes each station along its route as a “gateway to a community.”
As stated on their website: “Unlike urban stations with a high footfall, we have few commercial cafes or newsagents on stations along the Heart of Wales Line, other than at the larger stations either end. Instead, stations are made available to local people – gardeners, rail enthusiasts, small rural enterprises and volunteers.”
For those not in a rush, it’s an ideal opportunity for a couple of adventures. The Heart of Wales journey has garnered much praise over the years, often leaving a lasting impression on travellers as it offers a unique glimpse into different ways of life depending on how one chooses to traverse through.