Got a weekday free? Make the most of it with a rail adventure to somewhere new.
We’re seriously spoiled for choice when it comes to days out in the North. From market towns packed with independent eateries, to canal-side trails and fantastic country pubs, there’s something for everyone. And getting there is simple when you take the train, putting a wide range of destinations within touching distance.
We’ve rounded up five towns and villages for you to visit next, along with ideas for what to do and how to get there from Leeds with TransPennine Express.
Find your next day out with TransPennine Express
- For food lovers: Malton
- For a leisurely wander: Yarm
- For a countryside escape: Marsden
- For a history fix: Thirsk
- For an active day out: Brough
Malton
Credit: Visit Malton
Our tip when you’re planning a trip to Malton? Bring your appetite. You’ll find cafes, pubs, antique shops and boutiques around Market Place and the surrounding streets, so you can browse between bites. Start with a coffee at Roost, explore artisan producers at Talbot Yard, browse the shelves at Kemps Books or hunt for pre-loved treasure at Magpie Antiques.
There’s plenty of history to dig into too. Malton Museum will introduce you to Roman Derventio – the settlement that once stood here – while you can walk over the remains of a Roman fort at Orchard Fields. Malton Castle Gardens and the Roman-style labyrinth are worth a detour before you head back into town. When you’re ready for a pit stop, try a beer flight at Brass Castle Tap House or hunt down The Library Bar, tucked behind a secret door in McMillans of Malton.
For a bigger history fix, Eden Camp Modern History Museum is well worth a visit. Housed inside a former prisoner of war camp built in 1942, the immersive attraction offers an eye-opening glimpse into life in wartime Britain. It’s outside the town centre, but you can hop on the Coastliner from Malton Bus Station and get there in around 15 minutes.
Go for: Independent food shops, local producers and Roman history.
Getting there: Around 50–55 minutes from Leeds on a direct TransPennine Express train. Services run hourly.
From the station: Head up Railway Street from Malton station and cross the bridge over the River Derwent. The town centre is around a 10-minute walk away.
Yarm
Credit: Tees Valley Combined Authority
With its Georgian buildings, riverside scenery and historic high street, picturesque Yarm is a real hidden gem of North Yorkshire. Enclosed within a meander of the River Tees, its unique setting makes it perfect for a day trip – and you can get there on a direct train from Leeds in little over an hour. Start with a browse of its indie shops, including Ultra Football Shirts – a must if vintage kits are your kind of treasure.
You can’t miss Yarm’s railway viaduct, whose red brick arches tower over the town and the river. Yarm Castle takes more seeking out – this miniature Gothic folly is tucked away off the High Street, and it’s not the kind of castle you can wander around! To explore more of the area, set off on the 1.8-mile Yarm Riverside Route from the Town Hall, following the River Tees before returning to the town centre.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, stop at Muse, a continental cafe on the High Street that serves from breakfast right through to dinner. Its pavement terrace is the perfect place to watch the world go by – when the weather’s on your side. Just down the road, Atomic Beers is a bottle shop and taproom that rewards craft beer fans with plenty of variety. If you’re looking to extend your stay, Yarm has a vibrant nightlife scene, centred around the buzzing High Street.
Go for: Historic streets, riverside wandering and unusual landmarks.
Getting there: Around 1 hour–1 hour 20 minutes from Leeds on a direct TransPennine Express train. Services run hourly.
From the station: It’s around a half an hour walk into Yarm town centre, or you can catch the number 7 bus.
Marsden
Credit: Canal & River Trust
Fancy swapping city streets for stunning Pennine scenery? Marsden is just the place, with moorland, canal-side walks and independent venues to build your day around. Start your day with a coffee and a bite to eat at Peel Street Social, then amble by the canal or take a longer walk into the surrounding countryside.
The local highlight has to be Standedge Tunnel – Britain’s longest, deepest and highest canal tunnel. Follow the Huddersfield Narrow Canal west towards the visitor centre, where you can take a boat trip beneath the Pennines for a completely different perspective on the landscape. The 30-minute Discovery Boat Ride usually runs on Fridays and Saturdays, plus selected Sundays – be sure to book in advance if you want to hop on board.
Rather stay above ground? Explore the trails across Marsden Moor or take a walk out towards Butterley Reservoir. After stretching your legs, head back into the village, where Riverhead Brewery Tap offers a welcome reward. Stop for a pint of locally brewed ale and Asian street food from BaoBros23 before your journey home. There’s a pub right outside the station too, if you fancy one more for the rail.
Go for: Canal walks, moorland scenery and a pub afterwards.
Getting there: Around 30–40 minutes from Leeds with TransPennine Express, changing at Huddersfield. Services run hourly.
From the station: Cross over the canal and into the town centre.
Thirsk
A famous vet, a supposedly cursed chair and a historic cinema – Thirsk has a fair few stories up its sleeve. Explore the cobbled Market Place and its surrounding snickets and ginnels, or pick up a trail map from the tourist information centre to set off on a tour of the town’s many blue plaques.
Fans of All Creatures Great and Small should make a beeline to The World of James Herriot. Situated inside the original home and veterinary surgery of Alf Wight, who wrote under the name James Herriot, it’s a chance to step back in time and discover what life was like for a rural vet in Yorkshire. Just across the road, Thirsk Museum is housed inside the former home of another famous resident – James Lord, founder of Lord’s Cricket Ground. You’ll also find the infamous Busby Chair Stoop here – along with the unsettling folklore behind it.
Make time for a look around the Grade I-listed St Mary’s Church before stopping at The Golden Fleece, a historic coaching inn that overlooks the market place. If you’ve got time, check out what’s showing at the volunteer-run Ritz Cinema – one of the oldest cinemas in the country, which first opened back in 1912.
Go for: Local history, James Herriot and market town exploring.
Getting there: Around 40–60 minutes from Leeds on a direct TransPennine Express train. Services run hourly.
From the station: It’s a half an hour walk into the town centre, or you can check the 70 or 153 bus timetable.
Brough
Home to Humber views and Roman history, with watersports and Wolds walks nearby, Brough offers a different kind of Yorkshire day out. Hop off the train and head straight to Brough Haven to take in the estuary, where boats and mudflats open onto panoramic views.
Back in the town, there’s history beneath your feet. Brough was once the Roman settlement of Petuaria, and the town’s warrior statue is a nod to its past. For an active day out, plan a visit to nearby Welton Waters, where you can get involved with paddleboarding, kayaking and sailing.
If you’re up for exploring further, head north to Welton and pick up the Yorkshire Wolds Way on the Welton Wander. This 4.3-mile circular route takes around two and a half hours, combining a ramble through Welton Dale with a descent towards Elloughton Dale. After your walk, refuel at Emon Spice Lounge – the former station house serves Indian and Bangladeshi dishes which will set you up for the rail journey home.
Go for: Watersports, Humber views and a curry before your train home.
Getting there: Around 45–60 minutes from Leeds on a direct TransPennine Express train. Services run hourly.
From the station: Head up Station Road and it’s about 5-10 minutes to the town centre.
Plan your next day out with TransPennine Express
Credit: Jonny at kaptur.co.uk
Pick your destination, round up your favourite people and get your next day out in the diary. It pays to be prepared – book advance tickets online or on the TPExpress app and you could save up to 50%. Booking for a group of three or more gives you a 20% discount on Advance tickets.
Your day out starts as soon as you reach the station. With modern interiors, Wi-Fi and charging points, TransPennine Express trains offer a comfortable way to sit back and watch the scenery roll by. Fancy an extra treat? Upgrade to First Class and relax in a spacious, reclining seat, with free onboard refreshments on selected services.
*Advance tickets are subject to availability and valid on the booked service only. The up to 50% saving is compared with equivalent Anytime Standard Single fares. Group passengers must travel together on the same service. Engineering works may affect some services, with rail replacement buses operating on selected weekends between Leeds and York. Check TransPennine Express' planned engineering works before you travel. Advance ticket terms and group travel terms apply. Cover image credit: Tees Valley Combined Authority.
