Ten weird and wonderful journeys

1. Ballooning over Bath

To appreciate the happy marriage of architecture and landscape, climb into a basket and be hoisted aloft to drift placidly over the Avon Valley.

www.bathballoons.co.uk; 01225 466 888

2. Tram in Blackpool

While cities elsewhere in the UK are rediscovering the virtues of the tram, in Britain's premier seaside resort they have never gone away.

Blackpool to Fleetwood, one hour, £2.50. www.blackpooltransport.com

3. Waterbus in Bristol

The best way to explore the maritime heritage of this fine city is from the water.

www.bristolferry.com; 0117-927 3416

4. Sea tractor to Burgh Island

Agatha Christie made this pretty offshore colony famous; you can reach it on a bizarre contraption that lifts you clear of the lapping waves at high tide.

Sea tractor £1.50 each way. www.burghisland.com; 01548 810 514

5. London Underground train on the Isle of Wight.

The last remaining stretch of the national rail network on the Isle of Wight, from Ryde to Sandown, uses redundant rolling stock from the Tube. Mind the gap.

£4. www.island-line.co.uk; 01983 812 591

6. Seaplane from Loch Lomond

Lift off from Britain's biggest lake to get a fresh perspective on Scotland.

www.lochlomondseaplanes.com; 0870 242 1457

7. Narrowboat on Llangollen Canal

One of Britain's boldest feats of infrastructure is now strictly for holidaymakers.

www.cheshirecatnarrowboats.co.uk; 01544 370 315

8. Harwich Harbour Foot Ferry

As featured in The Independent Traveller last Saturday – the greatest short-cut in East Anglia. Harwich to Felixstowe: £3.50

www.harwichharbourferry.com; 0791 991 1440

9. Ferry to Skye

Despite the bridge, you can still emulate Bonnie Prince Charlie and sail over the sea to Skye, like a bird on the wing with the five-minute hop from Glenelg to Kylerhea.

www.skyeferry.co.uk; 01599 522 273

10. Great Orme Tramway, Llandudno

Misguided tourists in search of the cable-car experience fly to California, when they could enjoy the same steep climbs much closer to home in North Wales.

www.greatormetramway.com ; 01492 879 306