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Nothing Beats Musical Routes

Take a musical journey through Britain by train

Discover some of the most iconic British locations that have helped to define musical culture both at home and abroad with our fantastic audio guides

Musical Routes – Behind the Tracks 

From legendary lyrics to unforgettable album covers, Britain’s cities, streets, and railways have inspired some of the world’s most celebrated music acts. 

To help you discover these iconic music locations for yourself, we’ve teamed back up with legendary broadcaster Jo Whiley and friends, to narrate a new series of audio guides that go behind the tracks, revealing the locations across the nation that have helped to inspire your favourite artists both at home and abroad – and how you can get there by train. 

In this series, former All Saint Melanie Blatt takes us back to the heart of London’s Notting Hill, where the iconic 90s supergroup found their voice and inspiration. Plus, journalist and DJ Yinka Bokinni shares her take on why Britain has long been a powerhouse in the global music scene. 

Listen now 

You can listen to the audio series below, or on the National Rail Spotify channel(external link, opens in a new tab). 

Take a trip by train to discover some of the most iconic locations in Britain that have helped to define musical culture.

90s icon and founding member of All Saints, Mel Blatt joins us to explore the cultural melting pot of the South East and discover how it has inspired countless musical masterpieces.

We’re hopping on a train to the heart of the country to find out more about the places mentioned in songs across a multitude of genres - from disco to R&B.

Broadcaster Yinka Bokinni joins us on a trip up North to uncover some of the places that have influenced artists from the likes of The Beatles to One Direction.

Our train journey finishes up in Sheffield & Yorkshire, where we visit some of the places name checked in songs by The Arctic Monkeys, Pulp, Kate Bush and more.

You can also read or download a transcript of the audio guides (PDF, 165kb).

Find your musical locations on our map

To celebrate 200 years since the birth of the modern railway, check out our interactive map below which features 200 key musical locations you can travel to by train across Britain. 



Locations in Britain and the railway have been a source of inspiration for music artists for as long as I can remember. There’s no better way to connect with the music and artists you love than going to see the locations that inspired them in person
Jo Whiley, broadcaster and DJ

Listen to the rest of our Musical Routes audio guides

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 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.

You can listen to the audio guides on Spotify(external link, opens in a new tab), or by clicking on the links below.

You can also read or download a transcript of the audio guides (PDF, 264kb).

Plan your next musical journey

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.

Offers are correct at time of publication but subject to change.

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