From Windsor and Oxford to Bath and Brighton, Where to Go When London Needs a Rest From You
Bohiney Magazine | The London Prat
Ten London Day Trips by Train: When the City Needs a Break From You (or You From It)
London is extraordinary and London is exhausting and the best thing about London is that it is twenty to forty minutes from places that are entirely different. The train network from London’s termini reaches the sea, the countryside, medieval cathedral cities, university towns, and spa towns in timeframes that, by the standards of most countries, are remarkable. Here are the ten I recommend most consistently to visitors.
Windsor (30-40 minutes from London Paddington or London Waterloo). Windsor Castle is the largest occupied castle in the world and genuinely worth the ticket price. The town is pleasant. The Long Walk in Windsor Great Park is free and magnificent. Go on a weekday to avoid the weekend crowds.
Oxford (55 minutes from Paddington). The university colleges, the Ashmolean Museum (free), the Covered Market, and the Bodleian Library tour all justify the train fare. The city is best understood on foot. Avoid driving — parking is expensive and the city does not reward cars.
Bath (75-90 minutes from Paddington). The Roman Baths are one of Britain’s genuinely unmissable historical sites. The Royal Crescent and the Circus are the finest Georgian urban architecture in England. The city is compact enough to cover thoroughly in a day and beautiful enough to make you wish you had booked a night.
Brighton (50-60 minutes from London Victoria or London Bridge). The Royal Pavilion, the Lanes for independent shopping, the beach, and the pier. Brighton rewards those who wander rather than those who plan. The food scene is excellent.
Cambridge (45-50 minutes from King’s Cross or Liverpool Street). King’s College Chapel, the Backs, the Fitzwilliam Museum (free), and a punt on the Cam if you are feeling adventurous and do not mind getting slightly wet. Book the punt in advance in summer.
The remaining five. Canterbury (55 minutes from St Pancras) for the Cathedral and medieval streets. Stonehenge requires a bus from Salisbury (90 minutes from Waterloo) but the site is worth it on a quiet morning. Rye in East Sussex (80 minutes from Charing Cross) for the best-preserved medieval town in England. Stratford-upon-Avon (2 hours from Marylebone) for Shakespeare and the RSC if you book ahead. Whitstable in Kent (75 minutes from Victoria) for oysters, a beach walk, and a genuinely charming harbour town that has not yet been entirely discovered. The London Prat’s full guide covers specific trains and prices. Britain’s train network has its challenges but its reach from London remains genuinely excellent. Book in advance. Flexible tickets cost considerably more. The difference between booking three days ahead and booking the day before is often thirty to fifty percent.
