12 train trips from London within 1 to 1½ hours

Here are 12 ideas for day trips by train from London to beautiful English destinations roughly one to one and a half hours from the capital. I’m addressing this article mostly to readers from the continent because I know many of you are nervous about driving on the left. Honestly, it is not as difficult as it looks, but I understand the concern. Travelling by train is less stressful — all you have to do is decide where to go!
A big welcome too, to my local readers 🙂 I chose destinations with easy rail connections from London, including university cities, historic towns, seaside resorts, castles and places surrounded by nature, such as the famous New Forest and the Seven Sisters cliffs.

For each destination, I have listed the London station and train company for the quickest journey. Other, slower routes or journeys involving a change are often available from different London stations too (see my train-booking advice at the end of the article).

Oxford

Oxford is a beautiful little university city that feels like a journey back in time. The architecture in the centre and across its university colleges is full of charm. It is a wonderful example of an attractive, historic English city. Oxford is also associated with Lewis Carroll and therefore Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. More recently, scenes from the Harry Potter films were shot at several Oxford locations.

Essential things to see in Oxford:

Explore the historic centre and old libraries such as the Bodleian Old Library (book a tour well ahead) and the Radcliffe Camera, whose interior is accessible to the public only on certain guided tours. For museums, I recommend the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and the Ashmolean Museum. The best-known university colleges include Christ Church and Magdalen College.

• Train from London to Oxford: about 50 minutes from Paddington station with Great Western Railway. Say hello to the little bear on platform 1 while you are there!
• How long to stay: one day gives you a good overview. Allow two days if you want to visit several museums or university buildings.

Cambridge

The rivalry between Oxford and Cambridge is intense! Cambridge is another magnificent university city with remarkable academic buildings. I personally prefer Cambridge: I found its streets even more charming, especially with the River Cam flowing past the most prestigious colleges.

Essential things to see in Cambridge:

Explore the historic centre, go punting on the River Cam, stroll around the Backs — the gardens behind the colleges — and visit the Fitzwilliam Museum. The best-known university colleges include King’s College and Trinity College. The Wren Library at Trinity College can normally be visited free of charge, but check current access arrangements before travelling.

• Train from London to Cambridge: about 50 minutes from London King’s Cross with Great Northern.
• How long to stay: one day. Staying overnight lets you soak up the city’s pleasant evening atmosphere.

Windsor

Interested in the British Royal Family? Windsor Castle is an official residence of King Charles III and makes an excellent visit combined with a walk around Windsor and along the Thames.

The essential visit: Windsor Castle

We visited as a family and found it fascinating. Do not miss Changing the Guard, the State Apartments, St George’s Chapel and Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House. The chapel is closed to visitors on Sundays, and as this is a working royal palace opening arrangements can change, so check before visiting. Afterwards, wander through Windsor’s attractive streets and perhaps cross the Thames for a walk near Eton College.

• Train from London to Windsor & Eton Riverside: about 50 minutes from Waterloo station with South Western Railway.
• How long to stay: one day, perfect for a return trip from London.

Canterbury

Love history? You will enjoy the small city of Canterbury. Thomas Becket was murdered in its famous UNESCO-listed cathedral.

Essential things to see in Canterbury:

Start with a guided tour of the cathedral — its special family tour is very well designed. Then stroll along the King’s Mile, the historic shopping quarter, and through the Westgate Gardens beside the River Stour. You can also take a traditional boat trip, known locally as punting.

• Train from London to Canterbury: about 55 minutes from St Pancras station with Southeastern.
• How long to stay: one day. Stay overnight to enjoy the pubs and restaurants in the old town.

Bath

Bath is the most beautiful English city outside London that I know! Its Georgian architecture is magnificent — it is my favourite English architectural style. Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for both its architecture and its natural hot springs.

Essential things to see in Bath:

Spend time walking through the city centre to see the Royal Crescent, the Circus, Pulteney Bridge and the Gothic abbey. Above all, do not miss the Roman Baths, a visit the whole family can enjoy. If you are visiting as a couple, spending a few hours at a spa is a quintessential Bath experience — the clue is in the city’s name! Bath also attracts fans of Bridgerton, as many scenes were filmed here. Jane Austen lived in Bath for several years, although she was born and spent much of her life near Winchester (see below).

• Train from London to Bath: about 1 hour 20 minutes from Paddington station with Great Western Railway.
• How long to stay: one or two days. In one day you can explore the historic centre and Roman Baths. With two days, enjoy the parks — we recommend beautiful Prior Park — and walk the Bath Skyline for lovely views over the city.

Bristol

Only 20 kilometres from Bath, Bristol offers a completely different scene. The city is known for its maritime history and street art, not least because it is Banksy’s home city. It is youthful and lively, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Essential things to see in Bristol:

For a walk, follow the River Avon along the harbourside, passing Brunel’s SS Great Britain, and continue towards the famous Clifton Suspension Bridge. In the city centre, do not miss the cathedral, St Nicholas Market for lunch and Cabot Tower for a free view over Bristol. I recommend an organised street-art tour, particularly around Stokes Croft (see my Bristol article for details of our guided tour). Titpuce, my young artist, loved it when she was 12!

• Train from London to Bristol: about 1 hour 30 minutes from Paddington station with Great Western Railway.
• Train plus bicycle idea: take your bikes on the train and cycle the traffic-free Bristol & Bath Railway Path, approximately 13 miles/21 kilometres. You can combine both cities in a three-day triangular weekend trip.
• How long to stay: one or two days for Bristol, depending on how many attractions you visit. Allow three days if combining it with Bath.
• Read my article: visiting Bristol.

Winchester

Welcome to my county, Hampshire! Winchester, the ancient capital of Anglo-Saxon England and former seat of King Alfred the Great, is full of charm. It is a quintessential historic English provincial city.

Essential things to see in Winchester:

Stroll along High Street, the old town’s main shopping street, then visit the beautiful cathedral, where Jane Austen is buried. Walk beside the River Itchen, passing the castle ruins and Winchester College. For a view over the city, climb St Catherine’s Hill. A local produce market is held on High Street from Thursday to Saturday.

• Train from London to Winchester: about 1 hour from Waterloo station with South Western Railway.
• How long to stay: one day. Stay overnight to enjoy the pleasant evening atmosphere and perhaps continue to the New Forest the following day — it is on the same railway line.
• Good places to eat in Winchester: Marse, a small Tibetan fast-food restaurant for momos on the go, or Chesil Rectory for fine English food in the city’s most beautiful medieval building.
• See my article: Winchester in 1 day

New Forest

Staying in Hampshire, we now come to the New Forest, a vast national park known for its ancient woodland, open heathland and free-roaming ponies. Londoners love coming here for the weekend.

What can you see in the New Forest?

Arriving by train, you can easily reach the New Forest’s paths and you are almost certain to see the famous ponies — they are everywhere! The national park is very large, however, so you will explore only a small part on foot. To see more, bring bicycles on the train: the New Forest has plenty of cycling routes. Its official tourism website lists five recommended New Forest cycle routes.

• Train from London to the New Forest: about 1 hour 30 minutes from Waterloo station with South Western Railway. Most trains stop at Brockenhurst, in the heart of the New Forest. Ashurst is another possible stop. From either station, you can walk in the forest, see ponies or go cycling.
• How long to stay: one or two days. If staying overnight, I recommend travelling to Ashurst, as the campsite is only a short walk away. We stayed there and found it friendly and family-oriented. For a bed and breakfast, Brockenhurst is a better choice.
• Read my article: visiting the New Forest.

Dover

Dover is a place people often pass through without stopping when arriving through the Channel Tunnel. Fortunately, a day trip from London is easy to organise.

Essential things to see in Dover:

Our family favourite was Dover Castle, both the oldest section associated with Henry II and the Second World War tunnels. It is fascinating to discover two different periods on one site. We also recommend a walk beneath the white cliffs — you can even see France!

• Train from London to Dover Priory: about 1 hour 10 minutes from St Pancras station with Southeastern.
• How long to stay: one day.

Eastbourne and the Seven Sisters

This is the perfect trip if you enjoy walking by the sea. The Seven Sisters are the most beautiful white cliffs in southern England.

Hiking to the Seven Sisters:

The train does not drop you directly beside the cliffs! This trip really is about walking. Eastbourne is a pleasant small town. From there, walk for about 30 minutes through town and another 30 minutes on the coast path to Beachy Head and its lighthouse. Then continue towards Birling Gap, where you can admire the Seven Sisters after roughly another hour of walking.

• Train from London to Eastbourne: about 1 hour 20 minutes from Victoria station, followed by a one-hour walk to Beachy Head and another hour to the Seven Sisters.
• How long to stay: one day. You could take a train to Brighton, about 40 minutes away, and add a night and a day there.

Brighton

This seaside resort is a classic day trip and already attracts many French visitors. Honestly, I prefer all the previous destinations, but if you want to see a typical seaside city with easy connections from London, it is a good choice. For me, Brighton’s highlight is not the seafront but its magnificent Royal Pavilion.

Essential things to see in Brighton:

Do not miss the interiors of the Royal Pavilion. Then head to the beach and Brighton Palace Pier. To experience the city’s bohemian atmosphere, explore the Lanes, its old medieval alleyways, and the vintage shops of North Laine.

• Train from London to Brighton: about 1 hour from Victoria or Blackfriars.
• How long to stay: one day. Stay overnight to enjoy the city’s excellent restaurants and a sunset by the sea.

Arundel

Arundel is a picturesque Sussex town with a magnificent castle.

Essential things to see in Arundel:

First, allow several hours to explore the castle and cathedral, which look as if they have stepped out of a fairy tale. The castle gardens are particularly well known for their tulip festival in April. The town is small but very pretty, with streets of Victorian and Georgian houses such as Tarrant Street and High Street.

• Train from London to Arundel: about 1 hour 30 minutes from London Victoria with Southern, followed by a 10–15-minute walk.
• How long to stay: one day.

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I hope these 12 train trips from London have inspired you. Please share your own suggestions too!

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Practical information for travelling by train in England

Where should you book train tickets in England?

Britain’s rail network is served by several train operating companies. You can begin by searching on Trainline, which brings services together, then book on the website or app of the company operating your journey. You can, of course, book through Trainline too. I personally find operators’ apps convenient for planning journeys, holding tickets and dealing directly with disruption or Delay Repay claims.

When should you book train tickets in England?

You can usually travel even at the last minute, but booking earlier often gives you a better chance of finding a cheaper Advance fare. These tickets are limited and subject to availability; on many routes they may still be sold on the day of travel, while other operators stop selling them earlier. Prices also depend on the day and time. Off-Peak journeys outside the busiest periods are generally cheaper. Advance tickets are tied to a specific service, whereas Off-Peak and Anytime tickets offer more flexibility. A seat reservation is not always included or available. If you do not have one, sit in any unreserved seat in the correct class; busy trains may have standing passengers.

Travelling by train in England with children:

• Children under five travel free on most journeys when accompanied by a fare-paying passenger, but without their own ticket they are not guaranteed a seat.
• Children aged 5–15 generally receive a 50% discount on most tickets.
• Paid Railcards may be worthwhile depending on how often you travel. There is a Railcard for 16- and 17-year-olds, as well as Railcards for families and groups of friends. See the Family & Friends Railcard conditions.

Taking a bicycle on the train in England:

Bringing a bicycle is a great idea for the New Forest, or for combining Bath and Bristol. Bikes are generally carried free, but rules vary by train company. On some services you must reserve a bicycle space, and spaces are limited, so check the operator’s policy and book ahead where required.

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If you would like to extend a London stay and discover more of England, I hope this article has given you ideas. And if you live in London, I hope these train trips help you escape for a weekend or Bank Holiday.

So, are you tempted to explore these parts of England by train from London?