THE Watercress Line has been included in Lonely Planet’s list of UK top experiences in a new ranked list of the 500 most memorable, beautiful, surprising and compelling experiences to be had across Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands.

For the first time, Lonely Planet’s community of travel experts have chosen the best sights and experiences and ranked them in order of their brilliance in Lonely Planet’s Ultimate United Kingdom Travelist.

The heritage railway, which runs between Alresford and Alton, has long been popular with Hampshire families with its Day out with Thomas, Father Christmas and other special events.

Now it's been recognised by the highly regarded travel bible.

Watercress Line Marketing Manager Woodies Mountford said: “The whole team is delighted to have been included by Lonely Planet and for us to let even more people know about what the Watercress Line has to offer. We are among some great company in the Ultimate United Kingdom Travelist and to be recognised for the experience we bring to the UK is fantastic.”

To create Lonely Planet’s Ultimate United Kingdom Travelist, the Lonely Planet team compiled every highlight from the Lonely Planet guidebooks for Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Every sight, attraction and experience that had caught their writers’ attention over the years were included. Lonely Planet’s London office team, plus 20 leading figures in the country’s travel sector, were then asked to reveal their favourite spots and experiences before the voting began. Lonely Planet’s UK community was also asked to vote for their top 20 experiences resulting in hundreds of votes cast, and a score for each of the 500 experiences in the book.

Lonely Planet’s VP of Experience, Tom Hall, added: “Lonely Planet’s Ultimate United Kingdom Travelist brings together the UK’s most compelling sights and experiences, from world-class museums and giant cathedrals to rollicking festivals, inky lochs and tiny pubs. We’re thrilled to name Hampshire’s Watercress Line among the entries. When it comes to the joy of steam, few trains top this heritage beauty.”