LNER Launches Family Tickets To More Destinations As Travel-hungry Brits Look To ‘Day And Staycation’

London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is offering families looking for inspiration for memory-making trips even better value journeys to more destinations this summer.  

As many travel-hungry Brits are planning day trips or holidays in the UK, the launch of fixed price family return tickets for up to two adults and four children, is just one of several ways LNER is responding to growing demand for staycations this year.  

Research shows 71 per cent of people are now willing to consider travelling further afield for a day trip than in the past, and many are planning to holiday in the UK. LNER Family Tickets are available for a number of popular destinations, providing savings of 48 per cent of the equivalent Standard Advance tickets without a Railcard across the route.  

Special ‘LNER Experience Events’ are also planned to encourage people to leave the car at home and hop onboard, where they’ll enjoy the warmest of LNER welcomes and greatest hospitality as they explore hidden gems along the East Coast route.  

The first event of its kind takes place on Saturday 3 July with the ‘LNER Lincoln Experience’, with the city among the new destinations for Family Return Tickets just in time for the summer holidays. Journeys between London King’s Cross and Lincoln, in either direction, are £79.  

To make the experience truly memorable for families returning to rail, LNER will be adding special touches to surprise and delight families throughout the summer. The exclusive LNER Lincoln Experience day trip, in partnership with Visit Lincoln, is leading the way.  

The unforgettable experience will start as customers board the 08:06 LNER Azuma service from London King’s Cross to Lincoln on 3 July, complete with Lincolnshire-themed goodie bags, including guides showcasing the city, famed for its Castle and Cathedral, along with treats to tickle the taste buds from some of the area’s food and drink producers. An LNER Hero Chef will be creating culinary Lincolnshire themed delights that will be served during the journey, with day trippers arriving in Lincoln less than two hours later at 09:56.  

The train will be calling at Peterborough at 08:55, Grantham at 09:15, Newark North Gate at 09:30. Once there, families will be greeted by the team from Visit Lincoln, who’ll help them make of the most of their day, including taking in the first day of the famous Imp Trail for 2021. 

David Horne, LNER Managing Director, said: “Making memories is something we all cherish. We want our customers to enjoy the best possible experience from this summer. Our new money-saving Family Tickets and experience events are the latest initiative we’ve created to encourage more people to return to rail and explore fantastic destinations, with fast journey times, free Wi-Fi and beautiful views from the window. Lincoln has so much to offer – it’s a real hidden gem for a day trip – so we’re delighted to make it our first LNER Experience Event.”   

After arriving in Lincoln, day trippers can make the most of their daycation by enjoying the host of family friendly outdoor activities and open attractions on offer. No family trip to Lincoln is complete without a visit to the iconic Castle. Dating back to 1068, Lincoln Castle offers its visitors an interactive discovery of British history over the past millennia. Visitors can explore the Castle Walls and the Georgian and Victorian prison, all whilst imagining what life was like during these eras. The castle grounds are free to enter, with family tickets to see the Medieval Wall Walk, Victorian Prison and Magna Carta available for £37.00. 

Also launching on 3 July is the brand-new Lincoln Imp Trail. A series of 30 colourful and mischievous imp sculptures will be displayed at key sites around the city, giving visitors an interactive and self-guided way to experience Lincoln. The imp is the emblem of city, originating from its connection to Lincoln Cathedral. Legend has it that young imps were once let loose on the city's stunning cathedral, causing havoc, where an angel stepped in and turned the imp to stone. Local and national artists, both professional and amateur have designed each sculpture, highlighting Lincoln's rich culture, art scene and heritage. 

Visitors can end the day of sight-seeing in Lincoln with a dinner in The Cornhill Quarter. Centred around the city’s 1879 Corn Exchange, the Grade II listed building combines the rich history of the city with new contemporary bars, shops, and restaurants.  

Charlotte Goy, Chief Executive Officer at Visit Lincoln, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with LNER for the Lincoln Experience. Due to the present international travel situation, many people are looking to do more shorter trips in the UK and fall in love with domestic travel. We are excited to bring a sense of nostalgia to families with this Lincoln daycation, giving parents a chance to take their children on a unique train journey that may remind them of their own youth.”  

Tickets for the Lincoln Experience on 3 July at https://www.lner.co.uk/our-destinations/trains-to-lincoln/, with the LNER Lincoln Experience departing from London King’s Cross at 08:06. Customers can select their own direct return journeys on the same day, with services to London King’s Cross departing from Lincoln at 15:24, 17:26 and 20:25.  

Family Return Tickets are now on sale across the LNER route. 

(Lincoln Cathedral, courtesy of Visit Lincoln)