Last updated:Today at 19:20
Train companies affected:Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, London Northwestern Railway, Transport for Wales, West Midlands Railway
Nothing Beats Musical Routes
Nothing Beats Being There, so explore Britain’s musical roots when you travel by train
Find out everything from the origins of genres to the artists who defined them with our fantastic audio guides.
Musical routes to musical roots
Despite Britain having produced many of the world’s most famous musicians and recording artists, many Brits remain unaware about the origins of our favourite bands, songs, and genres.
To help you explore Britain’s musical roots, we’ve teamed up with national broadcaster and DJ, Jo Whiley, to narrate a series of short audio guides telling the stories of British music scenes past and present.
Listen now
You can listen to the audio guides on Spotify(external link, opens in a new tab), or by clicking on the links below.
Jo Whiley’s introduction to Musical Routes (mp3, 862kb)
You can also read or download a transcript of the audio guides (PDF, 264kb).
I believe that you can appreciate music on a whole new level when you get out there and experience the places that influenced it. I’m hoping to inspire fans to take a trip, by train, and discover more about their favourite bands and genres of music.
Our musical route map
Got a train trip coming up?
Turn your journey into a guided tour of Britain’s musical roots. Download the Window Seater App, for free, and receive a notification straight to your mobile device when you’re coming up to a location of musical significance. Then sit back, relax, and listen to our guide to the musical history of the towns and cities you’re travelling through.
Looking for some inspiration?
All-singing Liverpool
Set off on a magical tour of the UNESCO City of Music’s most poptastic places with our short guide to the city
Soundscapes of Britain
Discover 9 of the most musical cities to visit by train, from Glasgow to Brighton, and save money with a Railcard
Nothing Beats Being There
Wherever we’re going and whatever we’re doing, rail gets us there safely, quickly and comfortably
Get great offers on musical days out
2FOR1: British Music Experience
Discover the story of British Music through costumes, instruments, performance, and memorabilia
ABBA: One Week in Brighton
Get 2FOR1 entry to the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery and you can also celebrate the 50th anniversary of ABBA’s Eurovision win at Brighton Dome with this exhibition
2FOR1: Royal Albert Hall Tour
Learn more about the fascinating history of this London venue, which has hosted artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Luciano Pavarotti and Adele
Nothing Beats Sporting Routes
If you’re looking for inspiration for more journeys, you can listen to our Sporting Routes audio series, hosted by sports broadcaster Kirsty Gallacher and with guests including darts prodigy Luke Littler, former goalkeeper Chloe Morgan, Olympic athlete Derek Redmond and England cricketer Kate Cross.
Find out how to experience some of Britain’s fantastic sporting locations, for less, when you travel by train.
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