Great Western Railway named Best UK Domestic Train Service

Great Western Railway (GWR), which operates routes up to Barnstaple along the Tarka Line, has been named the Best UK Domestic Train Service at the Business Traveller Awards 2024. 

GWR triumphed over competitors such as LNER, Avanti West Coast, and the Elizabeth line to secure the title.

The Business Traveller Awards, widely regarded as the benchmark for excellence in the business travel market, are determined by votes from readers of Business Traveller magazine. 

These awards, which have been a staple of the industry for nearly 40 years, see the results independently verified by market research experts.

More than 200 industry leaders gathered for the award ceremony at The Steel Yard in London, where BBC Breakfast presenter Ben Thompson revealed the winners, hosted by Business Traveller publisher Ink.

GWR Managing Director, Mark Hopwood, expressed his pride in the recognition, saying: “It’s fantastic to be named the UK’s Best Domestic Train Service and particularly humbling that these awards are voted for by readers of the magazine, who are regular travellers on the UK rail network. This award is recognition of the hard work and commitment shown by colleagues to deliver the best service possible for customers, and also the world-class destinations we are proud to serve on the GWR network.”

Tamsin Cocks, editor of Business Traveller, shared her thoughts on the ceremony: “It’s always exciting to find out who has been crowned in the Business Traveller Awards. So much has happened in the last year as travel providers continuously up their game, and our readers are a tough crowd to impress, so these results really do reflect the best of the best. The event was made even more special this year as we celebrated the relaunch of the magazine in a fabulous new venue. Thank you to everyone involved, and a huge congratulations to our worthy winners.”

As part of its network, GWR’s Tarka Line is a vital connection for communities in North Devon, offering a scenic and reliable route for travellers along this picturesque stretch of railway.