3 Counties Connected Community Rail Partnership (CRP) has launched a competition to promote sustainable travel to attractions and experiences in Chester, Shrewsbury and Crewe this summer.

For the ‘Three Counties by Rail’ project, the CRP partnered with Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) including This is Wrexham, Visit Shropshire and Marketing Cheshire to identify key attractions and experiences that are easily accessible from railway stations, whether by foot, cycle or bus.

Nick Thompson of Lemondrop Creative produced a user-friendly pocket-sized map, and each DMO has created dedicated webpages that provide in-depth information about the attractions featured.

The launch of ‘Three Counties By Rail’ coincides with Transport for Wales’ Big Days Out summer promotion, with deals on rail tickets for families and at selected attractions.

To celebrate the promotions, 3 Counties Connected CRP have launched a competition, where a family day ticket to Chester Zoo is up for grabs. To enter, simply upload a photo or video of your rail adventure in Wrexham, Cheshire or Shropshire to Instagram, using the hashtag #3CountiesByRail and tagging @3countiesconnected_crp.

Josie Rayworth, community rail officer for the 3 Counties Connected CRP, said: “Quite often we don’t explore what is on our doorstep. This project is a great opportunity to promote sustainable, accessible and affordable tourism for our local communities and travellers. We hope passengers enjoy their ‘3 Counties by Rail’ adventures this summer and it’s a great opportunity to make the most of special offers and discounts when travelling with Transport for Wales, such as Kids Go Free and Big Days Out”.

Sarah Creighton, marketing manager at Visit Shropshire, said: “We are delighted to be part of this fantastic initiative. The ‘3 Counties by Rail’ project not only highlights the incredible attractions in our region but also encourages sustainable travel. It’s a wonderful way for families and friends to discover the beauty and culture of Shropshire, Cheshire, and Wrexham while supporting eco-friendly tourism.

“We hope everyone takes advantage of this opportunity to explore and enjoy our local treasures.”

Copies of the map are available at railway stations between Chester, Shrewsbury and Crewe. Digital versions of the map are also available to download from the 3 Counties Connected website and their DMO partner webpages.

Keep up to date with future news, projects and events from 3 Counties Connected CRP via their website.