I am an experienced Great Britian visitor, normally using trains to get around. However, for my next solo adventure this fall I am thinking of taking the train from London on the day of arrival, around 1pm, up to Warrington. This would only be a place to spend the night as I will be heading up to Inverness, then bus to Ullapool. So any comments or suggestions for a place enroute not more than 3 hour from London.

I doubt there's a ticketing argument for this, since surely this isn't the only route to Inverness, and does it let you break the journey anyway?

There's nothing in central Warrington wothwhile: I've never even seen a hotel in the centre, and have always stayed in Travelodge style places out by the M62. Should you have to do this, the best one's at Daresbury, and it's a shortish walk to the church there. Lewis Carroll was born in the village and the church has a charming Alice window.

If the ticket really does force you to stop somewhere en route, I'd stay on to Carlisle, which has a nice small town feel to it - though I've never got off the train at Oxenholme, which might be worth investigating.

Otherwise, Lichfield sounds nice, but apart from its cathedral, it's not. Sadly, all the stations on the line from London to Carlisle - except possibly Oxenholme - are in pretty grim places.

You obviously don't want to trundle off to Liverpool, Manchester or Chester however incomprehensible I find it that anyone would give up a night in the centre of the universe.

But are you really sure you can't get the East Coast line to Edinburgh instead? That way, you could get off at York or Durham, which are precisely the kind of cities you'd want to be in after an overnight flight.

The obvious question is WHY. The only "claim to fame" for Warrington that I can think of is that the IRA blew up a child there.

Why don't you go to the FirstScotRail website and book a sleeper train from London to Inverness - if you are lucky you might even get a "bargain berth". Then you have a free afternoon in London.

Alternatively & depending on which airport you arrive at consider flying to Inverness with BMI / BA or Easyjet.

Note I don't recommend changing London Airports to do so as you need several hours to make the connection and it isn't cheap

Thanks for your replies. First, I will have a rail pass and second I have just spent time in York. In the past I stayed at Durham, Carlisle, Lancaster and, well several other places. I am always seeking different places to break up trips and to get over jet lag. I want to go up the West side as on my way to Inverness, I want to do the loop via Dumfries. As a senior solo traveler, I really enjoy the trains and in fact have done a few trips. Thanks again.

If you've got a railpass, you don't totally need to be on the direct line to Scotland. Go to Liverpool. Chester would be messier to get back onto the mainline: there are reasonably frequent trains from Liverpool north.

Or closer to London, get the train to Oxford (if starting from Heathrow, Heathrow Connect to Southall, then changing at Slough, or from Gatwick change at Reading). Oxford has a surprisingly good, if reliably unpunctual, direct service to the North and Scotland.

Most unconventionally of all, try Birmingham. Nothing sensational - but it's an increasingly interesting place. More miles of canal than Venice (and they don't smell as horrible)

How about staying in Newcastle then taking a train to Carlisle, train to Glasgow via Dumfries?

I believe there is the odd train that doesn't require you to change at Carlisle

Flanneruk, thanks for the suggestions. I just returned from Shropshire and passed through Birmingham on my way to Cosford. I have never been to Liverpool as I normally skip large cities, however, perhaps I might. Chester I did find a bit off the path, but it made for a good point for day trips.

AlanRow, Newcastle? Really. I have passed through many times, never spent any time. If I took that route I most likely stay at Haltwhistle. They have a great B&B not far from the station.

Roger, sometimes I think your threads should carry health warnings

Never been to Newcastle or Liverpool!!!!

How can you claim to be an experienced Great Britain visitor if you've never had a bottle of Broon Ale AND have never taken a ferry across the Mersey?

Well now you've every opportunity to get away from all those theme parks and visit Britain.

Liverpool is a large city, but their city centre is small by European standards. I think you'd have a fine time visiting the maritime museum, and, of course, the ferry cross the Mersey is a must!

Broon Ale is a chemical concoction that has nothing to do with beer. When you see what it does to the locals how can you recommend it to anyone

My serious suggestion for a stop after a long flight would be either Oxford or Bath as you have a rail pass and enjoy travelling. Otherwise why not see real England and try BLACKPOOL for an unforgetable experience for all the wrong reasons. ONLY JOKING for all you Blackpool lovers

Rogerdodger don't go to Warrington, I think you may be disappointed.
Go to Liverpool, lots to see and do, great museums, you could take the ferry get off at Birkenhead and get the train to Chester which is only 20 minutes or so. It's a lovely Roman City so you could do Liverpool & Chester depending how much time you have.

"When you see what it does to the locals..."

Ah, but I've seen my Geordie step in laws before their hourly Broon Ale ration. No question which is preferable.

Newcastle Breweries, or whoever makes it these days, are public benefactors.

Speaking of Newcastle and beer..Some years ago I had a bottle of Newcastle Amber ale, not the Brown ale. Is it still being brewed? Never found it again.