The nights are drawing in, the leaves are changing colour, and the temperatures are starting to drop. You might want to spend a cosy night in with a mug of hot chocolate and a good film or a book. Alternatively, you may prefer to get out and explore some of the autumnal events you can find. Whether it’s a market, a Bonfire Night event, some fireworks, or just going for a countryside walk, we’re absolutely sure you’ll be able to find something that you’ll enjoy.
You may have questions, though, about how to get to where you want to go. Well, why not leave the car at home and let the train take the strain? Many autumnal experiences are either directly accessible by rail, or are close to a rail station, so there may be plenty of great deals on cheap train tickets to be had through our website. So let’s dive on in to see what autumnal experiences there are in the UK! (Please note that this article only considers England, Wales, and Scotland - Northern Ireland is on a separate rail network to the rest of the UK). Please make sure you research your options carefully, and do contact us on customer.support@trainsplit.com if you have any additional questions - we're very happy to help you out!
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Lewes Bonfire
Nearest stations: Lewes, Falmer, Glynde, Southease (services at all four stations operated by Southern)
The Lewes Bonfire is one of the most iconic events celebrating Bonfire Night in England. These originally happened on a sporadic basis, being banned by Oliver Cromwell, but being reintroduced under King Charles II (again on a random basis). The 1850s was the time when the events started to take the form they still hold today. The Lewes Bonfire always takes place on 5th November, with the only exception being if this date is on a Sunday; in such cases, it is held on Saturday 4th November. The events held include the pulling of flaming tar barrels, a commemoration of the 17 Lewes Martyrs, a number of bonfire displays, and a number of effigies are often paraded through the town before being burned on the bonfires. The latter element is perhaps what the Lewes Bonfires are most well-known for, with the effigies often being of public figures. Large numbers of people attend this event every year, which can help add to the atmosphere of the whole event. Due to how many people attend, it may not be suitable for younger children, and you will want to make sure you get there by train in good time, as services often stop running in the afternoon to help with crowd management. Having said this, the fact that multiple stations are used to get people to and from Lewes for the Bonfire Night events means you may be able to take greater advantage of opportunities for cheap train tickets from our website.
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Chessington Halloween Event
Address: Chessington World of Adventures, Leatherhead Road, Chessington, Surrey KT9 2NE
Nearest station: Chessington South (services operated by South Western Railway)
Found to the south west of London and within easy reach of Chessington South station is one of the UK’s most popular theme parks, Chessington World of Adventures. As well as the theme park, there is also a zoo on site, which helps to heighten the appeal for everyone. While there has been activity of different descriptions on the site for many years, the theme park itself opened in 1987. There are plenty of different things for the family to enjoy at Chessington’s Howl’O’Ween event - whether it be some of the shows that are put on, a walk-through trick-or-treat experience, a scare zone, or getting one some of the rides in the dark, there’s a lot to enjoy!
Xtreme Scream Park
Address: Xtreme Scream Park, Melton Spinney Road, Thorpe Arnold, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE14 4FF
Nearest station: Melton Mowbray (services operated by CrossCountry and East Midlands Railway)
One type of event that has grown in popularity over the years for Halloween is scare events. These typically involve a number of horror-themed mazes designed to terrify anyone who dares to enter. One popular location for this is Xtreme Scream Park, located next to Twinlakes Park to the north-east of Melton Mowbray. The attractions for 2025 include a maze themed to a brewery in 1980s North Carolina, one about witches in Leicestershire in the 1600s, a pie factory (perhaps appropriate when you consider that Melton Mowbray is the home of the famous pork pie), a circus, and more. There’s definitely a lot going on here that you can experience! (N.B. You must be at least 14 years old to visit Xtreme Scream Park.)
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Cockfields Farm Park
Address: Cockfields Farm Park, Lees New Road, Ashton Under Lyne, Greater Manchester OL6 8AR
Nearest station: Mossley (services operated by TransPennine Express), Oldham (Metrolink)
A popular thing for families to do in the autumn period is to go and pick a pumpkin, which they then carve and/or decorate for Halloween itself. One option in the north-west is at Cockfields Farm Park near Manchester. Travel from Manchester is possible via the 231 service from Piccadilly Gardens (best stop for Cockfields Farm Park is Lichfield Avenue, with the farm park being a 15-minute walk away). From Oldham, you will need the 425 service to Abbeyhills Road, which is a six-minute walk away. The tickets for the pumpkin patch also include entry to the rest of the farm, so why not make it even more of a day out for the family? You can visit some of the more typical animals you’d get at a farm park, including Highland cattle, donkeys, sheep, chickens, and many more. There are also some slightly more unusual ones, including chameleons, iguanas, and meerkats. Play areas are available both indoors and outdoors, which makes it an even more ideal proposition for the whole family.
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Severn Valley Railway
Address: Severn Valley Railway, 1 Comberton Place, Kidderminster, Worcestershire DY10 1QX
Nearest station: Kidderminster (services operated by West Midlands Trains under the West Midlands Railway branding)
There’s always something quite pleasing about taking a ride on a heritage railway, and one of the most well-known in England is the Severn Valley Railway. Running for about 16 miles, the line goes between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth, with the station at Kidderminster Town being next door to the mainline station, helping to facilitate easy access by rail. It may mean there are greater opportunities to get cheap train tickets from our website for your journey there and back. Towards the end of October, there are a number of different events for visitors to experience, with one being the Ghost Train, which promises a spooky experience for anyone who wishes to board. If you’re 18+, then perhaps the Scream Train would be up your street, which is a bit more of an intense experience than the Ghost Train.
Sophia Gardens Fireworks, Cardiff
Address (for the cricket ground): Glamorgan County Cricket Club, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff CF11 9XR
Nearest stations: Ninian Park (services operated by Transport for Wales), Cardiff Central (services operated by CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, and Transport for Wales)
Watching a fireworks display on Bonfire Night is really popular, with displays ranging from small town/village ones to large organised displays which are a major draw for many people. In Cardiff this year, a large event is being organised once again at Sophia Gardens, the cricket ground on the banks of the River Taff; it is of note as being the only cricket ground in Wales to have hosted an Ashes Test, first doing so in 2009. The event this year takes place on 5th November itself, and in addition to the fireworks themselves, there will be funfair rides and street food stalls to help add to the atmosphere. All previous editions of this event have sold out, so if you want to go, make sure you book your tickets in good time! The accessibility of Cardiff from many places in the country can help to facilitate the purchase of cheap train tickets from our website, so keep on having a look to see what you can find.
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Loch Lomond and the West Highland Line
Nearest stations: Balloch (services operated by ScotRail), Arrochar & Tarbet (services operated by ScotRail, with the Caledonian Sleeper also calling), Ardlui (services operated by ScotRail, with the Caledonian Sleeper also calling)
Even with colder weather making its entrance over the coming weeks, there’s something that can be said for taking a walk in the countryside, and Scotland has plenty of options for doing this that are accessible by train. One such option which is easily accessible by train is the well-known Loch Lomond, served by a number of stations from Glasgow - Balloch to the south, Arrochar & Tarbet to the north-west, and Ardlui to the north. There are many different walking routes to consider if you want to take in the beauty of one of Scotland's most famous landmarks. WalkHighlands have a few different options, and the website for the Loch Lomand & The Trossachs National Park also has quite a bit of information about walking around the area. Please make sure you are well-prepared for walking around the area - there is plenty of information around with advice on how to stay safe. If you want to go further into Scotland and see more of the autumnal countryside, then the West Highland line up to Fort William and Mallaig is highly-renowned for its stunning scenery, as well as travelling over the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct.
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Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market
Address: Victoria Square, Birmingham and New Street, Birmingham (both within walking distance of Birmingham New Street station
Nearest station: Birmingham New Street (services operated byu Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Transport for Wales, and West Midlands Trains under both the London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway brands), Grand Central (West Midlands Metro), Town Hall (West Midlands Metro)
You may perhaps not be thinking about Christmas yet, or not even wanting to think about Christmas yet. However, Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market runs thoughout November until Christmas Eve, and is well worth visiting. Cited as the largest authentic German Christmas Market outside Germany or Austria, there is a lot going on at the Market. There's free live entertainment on the stage in Victoria Square, with local artists being invited to take part. The main draw, of course, is the stalls, with so much on offer. Local crafts, gift ideas for Christmas, Christmas decorations, and traditional German Christmas food & drink ensure there is something for everyone. Furthermore, Birmingham's central location in England and the mass of destinations that can be reached by rail make it easily accessible to large parts of the country, and it's also an ideal location for saving money on cheap train tickets from our website!
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We very much hope that we've been able to convince you to consider exploring the UK for one of many reasons this autumn in England, Wales, and Scotland. If we have, then fantastic! If you have any questions about cheap train tickets for getting to & from any of these, please email us on customer.support@trainsplit.com, and we'll be more than happy to assist you.
Frequently asked questions
How can I find cheap train tickets in the UK?
You can save money by booking in advance, travelling at off-peak times, and using a site like TrainSplit to find split ticket options, frequently involving cheap Advance tickets. It’s a great way to cut the cost of travelling across the UK by train.
Can I use split ticketing for journeys by train?
Absolutely! Many UK train routes allow for split ticketing, meaning you can book multiple tickets for different parts of the journey and save compared to a single through fare. Try it on TrainSplit and see how much you could save.
When should I book my train tickets for a UK journey for the best prices?
To secure the cheapest train tickets for travel in the UK, it's advisable to book well in advance, as fares tend to increase closer to the travel date. Additionally, consider exploring split ticketing options for additional savings.
Are there any discounts available for frequent train travellers in the UK?
Consider purchasing a digital railcard that offers discounts for frequent train travellers to and other destinations. A railcard can provide significant savings on train tickets, especially when combined with strategies such as split ticketing, to ensure you get great-value cheap train tickets for your journeys. Whether you're commuting regularly or planning occasional trips, a railcard is a valuable investment that can help you maximise your savings on train travel across the UK.
Is it cheaper to book train tickets for travel in the UK online or at the station?
When looking to secure cheap train tickets for travel in the UK, booking online in advance typically provides the most cost-effective fares. Using train ticket booking platforms like TrainSplit can also help in finding split ticket options, further reducing your travel expenses.
If you travel by rail when exploring cheese & wine experience options in the UK, there's also the added benefit of it helping to protect the environment through reducing the number of cars on the roads and also decreasing CO2 emissions while you're at it.
You don't have to go too far out of your way, either - we've given the closest possible stations for each location, which can also help to minimise the duration of the final leg of your journey.
Let TrainSplit help you explore the many different cheese & wine experiences in Britain - for less.
💡 Tip: If you’re planning multiple trips, don’t forget to buy a digital Railcard directly through TrainSplit. It can pay for itself in just 1-2 journeys!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Planning a seasonal trip by train? Here are answers to the most common questions about finding cheap train tickets, using split ticketing, and making the most of autumn adventures across the UK.
How can I find cheap train tickets in the UK?
You can save money by booking in advance, travelling at off-peak times, and using TrainSplit to find split ticket options, often involving cheap Advance tickets. It’s a great way to cut the cost of travelling across the UK by train.
Can I use split ticketing for journeys by train?
Absolutely. Many UK train routes allow for split ticketing, meaning you can book multiple tickets for different parts of a journey and save compared to a single through fare. TrainSplit does this automatically and shows you the savings upfront.
When should I book train tickets for the best prices?
It’s best to book well in advance, as fares rise closer to the travel date. Booking 8–12 weeks ahead often gets you the lowest fares. Split ticketing can also help you save even when booking later.
Are there discounts for frequent train travellers in the UK?
Yes. A digital Railcard offers 1/3 off most fares and works alongside split ticketing for even bigger savings. It’s ideal for frequent travellers or those planning several day trips and weekend breaks.
Is it cheaper to book train tickets online or at the station?
Booking online in advance is almost always cheaper. Using TrainSplit lets you compare fares, find split ticket combinations, and avoid paying full-price walk-up fares at the station.
Can I reach autumn events like bonfires or markets by train?
Yes. Many events such as Lewes Bonfire, Leamington Spa Autumn Market, and the Severn Valley Railway are within walking distance or a short bus ride from train stations. The blog lists stations for each event to make planning easy.
Can I still travel if my original train is delayed or cancelled?
Yes. Under the National Rail Conditions of Travel, you’re entitled to take the next reasonable service to complete your journey if your train is delayed or cancelled.
When is the best time to travel for autumn events?
Trains are quieter outside peak hours. For large events like fireworks or markets, travel early and check return times in advance. Mid-morning departures often offer the best balance between comfort and cost.
How can I reduce my carbon footprint when travelling?
Travelling by train produces far fewer CO₂ emissions than driving. Visiting autumn events by rail helps reduce congestion and environmental impact while supporting sustainable tourism across the UK.
Do I need to print my train tickets?
No. Most tickets are available as e-tickets you can store on your phone. You can also collect them from a station machine with your booking reference if you prefer a paper copy.