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The Heart of Wales route is one of the most scenic routes in the UK (Image source: Getty)
It is over 150 years old and stretches 121 miles from start to finish, passing through some of the most beautiful and colourful scenery in Britain.
In fact, the Heart of Wales railway line is so special, it has been named one of the best rail journeys in Europe by world-renowned travel guide Lonely Planet.
The route, which runs from an estuary in South Wales to “one of the most beautiful medieval cities in England”, is described by guides as “utterly picturesque”. It was voted one of the top ten best train journeys in Europe, along with the Petit Juan train in the French Pyrenees, the Berliner Express in Switzerland and the Brenner Railway through Germany, Austria and Italy.
However, councillors have raised concerns about the long-term future of the iconic line, criticising service cuts on the route, which runs between Swansea and Shrewsbury in four hours, passing through towns and villages such as Llandovery and Llandovery in south-west Wales, and Craven Arms and Church Stretton further north.
Operator Transport for Wales (TfW) said services would be reduced from five to four services a day from December this year. Wales Online ReportTwo late night services to the towns of Llandovery and Llandindrode Wells were also cancelled.
A motion backed by Carmarthenshire councillors claims decades of underinvestment on the Heart of Wales line, coupled with service cuts, could jeopardise the line’s long-term future. The motion calls on the Welsh Government to reconsider the Department for Transport’s decision.
The Heart of Wales line stretches eastwards from Llanelli to the mouth of the River Loughe (Image source: Getty)
The numerous stops on the route (some of which are only available on request) include Bynea, Llangennech, Pontarddulais, Pantyffynnon, Ammanford, Llandybie, Ffairfach, Llandeilo, Llangadog, Llanwrda, Llandovery, Cynghordy, Sugar Loaf, Llanwrtyd, Llangammarch, Garth, Kilmeri, Builth Road, Llandrindod, Pen-y-Bont, Dolau, Llanbister Road, Llangynllo, Knucklas, Knighton, Bucknell, Hopton Heath and Broome.
The line passes through and stops at the beautiful town of Llandlo in Carmarthenshire (Image source: Getty)
Journalist Robert Harris Complete the journey in 2023He said: “You can get great value for money here. For just £13 (one way) you can travel through the heart of Wales and see everything it has to offer.”
“As we arrived in Farfach we really took in the rural feel of this journey, passing rivers, streams and sheep-filled fields. Soon rows of colourful townhouses appeared on a hill to my left, homes that could have been built just for a postcard from Llandreau.
“As we sped past Singhodi toward the wonderfully named Sugarloaf Station, a thousand trees lined the steep hills, like a Roger Moore Bond movies.
“If there hadn’t been a chatty Englishman two rows in front of me chattering away to the poor wretch next to me, I could have sworn we were in the Swiss Alps in summer, the sun shining through the lowlands between the mountains.
“As well as all the hills and fields, the journey took me to some of the loveliest, prettiest towns and villages in the country – surrounded by red brick and tile, country pubs, glorious viaducts – and more or less straight into the quaint gardens of residents along the route.
“The views are spectacular, like wandering through a life-size model village. This is a part of Wales I’m not familiar with; it’s millions of miles away from Cardiff, Swansea, Llanelli and Carmarthen.
“When I got off the train at Craven Arms I felt like I had seen a true advertisement for Wales: it’s beautiful, but you can never rely on the weather. I can’t wait to take this train again. It was well worth the £13, the time and the lack of mobile and internet coverage. I sat there for over three hours looking out the window; my phone was mostly in my pocket for over three hours. It was fantastic.”
What does Lonely Planet say about the Heart of Wales route?
The guide named the Heart of Wales line one of the top ten train routes in Europe, saying: “The journey takes you through a variety of scenery, from the sandy estuaries of South Wales, to idyllic farming towns, vast forests and hilly areas, to one of England’s most beautiful medieval cities.”
Lonely Planet’s full list of Europe’s 10 best train journeys
1. Settle to Carlisle, England: 73 miles
2. French yellow cars: 39 miles
3. Belgrade to Bar Railway, Serbia and Montenegro: 296 miles
4. Bernina Express, Switzerland: 96 miles
5. Heart of Wales Line, Wales and England: 121 miles
6. Munich to Venice (Brenner Railway, Germany, Austria and Italy): 350 miles
7. Kyle to Lochalsh Line, Scotland: 84 miles
8. Nova Gorica to Jesenice, Slovenia: 55 miles
9. Centovalli Express in Switzerland and Italy: 32 miles
10. Bergen Railway, Norway: 308 miles
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