7 of the best towns to visit by train from London
For a day trip to remember, swap bustling city life for market squares, medieval streets and historic encounters. Packed with character, culture and countryside, these English treasures are ripe for exploring.
Quiet cobbled streets, rural landscapes and an array of outdoor escapades await once you venture out of London. Beyond the big cities, there’s an abundance of rural yet well-connected towns that are perfect for spontaneous day trips or relaxed weekend breaks. The best bit? These places are all within a two-hour train ride from the capital.
1. Tring, Hertfordshire
Sitting on the edge of the Chiltern Hills, the market town of Tring’s headline attraction is its Natural History Museum. Housing a remarkable collection of Walter Rothschild’s Victorian-era zoological specimens, including stuffed mammals, birds, insects and fish, it’s free to visit.
Tring Park and Tring Reservoir offer a slice of rural scenery, but for the big camera shots, head to the Chilterns. Tring Station connects directly to various trailheads, or alternatively you can head out into the hills directly from the city park. To refuel after a busy day’s exploring, stop off at Beans N’Brunch on High Street for generous portions and hearty dishes.
How to do it: A one-way ticket from London Euston to Tring costs £11.10 and the journey takes 38 minutes.
2. Guildford, Surrey
This historic university town attracts day visitors in part thanks to its unique 20th-century, Grade II-listed cathedral and Saxon churches. History enthusiasts should head straight for the Norman castle, thought to have been built by William the Conqueror or one of his barons straight after the Norman invasion of England in 1066. You can access the Castle Keep from April to October, while the beautiful gardens are open daily until dusk. Climb to the top of the Great Tower for 360-degree panoramas of the Surrey countryside.
For a stand-out lunch, go to The Boathouse. On the banks of the River Wey, its tranquil setting is just as pleasurable as its homemade sausage rolls and fresh salads.
How to do it: Fast trains run from London Waterloo to Guildford station in 32 minutes, with single tickets from £17.
3. Bournemouth, Dorset
This large seaside town often doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. Perfect for outdoorsy types, the Blue Flag beaches are a big draw, and swimming, surfing and paddleboarding at the likes of Durley Chine and family-friendly Alum Chine are easy ways to while a day away. There’s also cycling, nature walks and, if you’re brave enough, the PierZip — the world’s first pier-to-shore zip-wire.
Make time to visit the 150-acre nature reserve, Hengistbury Head. It’s home to over 500 plant species, 300 types of birds and a diverse habitat for small mammals, insects and reptiles. Stop for a cone of local Purbeck ice cream at the Visitor Centre, too.
How to do it: A train from London Waterloo to Bournemouth station, situated on the edge of the town centre, takes one hour and 45 minutes. Single tickets start from £15.50.
(These 7 seaside towns are perfect for a day trip from London by train.)
4. Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Dubbed the ‘Capital of the Cotswolds’, Cirencester is not only surrounded by rolling countryside but is also drenched in Roman history. Highlights include the Corinium Museum, which features one of the best Roman collections in the country. There’s easy access to walking trails and it’s just a 40-minute bus journey on the number 51 to the Cotswold Lakes wetland landscape, which will appeal to nature-lovers.
Cirencester prides itself on its historic Charter Market, dubbed one the best in the Cotswolds. Documented in the Domesday Book, the market’s stalls sell fresh food, clothing, plants and household wares in the shadow of the cathedral-esque Church of St John Baptist in Market Place every Monday and Friday.
How to do it: A journey from London Paddington to Kemble station — Cirencester’s nearest — takes one hour and 10 minutes and costs from £36, one way. The 882 bus takes visitors the final five miles to Cirencester.
5. Stamford, Lincolnshire
It may be famous for its 16th-century Elizabethan manor, Burghley House — the backdrop of films such as Pride and Prejudice and The Da Vinci Code, as well as TV series The Crown — but there’s more to Stamford than its big-screen connections. Its beautifully preserved Georgian and medieval listed buildings are a huge pull for architecture fans — look out for the soaring spire of St Mary’s Church, best seen from across the River Welland.
If a stop at Burghley is at the top of your list though, make sure to book tickets in advance. Its scenic gardens, art collections and peaceful walks attract many visitors. Need a coffee to perk you up in the afternoon? Grab a window seat at Fine Food Store in the centre of town and order a homemade cake while watching the world go by.
How to do it: The fastest journey is from London King’s Cross to Stamford station, changing at Peterborough, taking one hour and 19 minutes in total. Tickets start from £23.40, one way.
6. Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Compact and easy to explore on foot, Bury St Edmunds delights visitors with myriad outdoor attractions, including its tranquil 14-acre Abbey Gardens next to the equally beautiful cathedral. For fans of cask ale, a trip to the historic Greene King Brewery is a must. Brewing in this market town can be traced back to the Domesday Book, and tours and tastings are available on select days.
Moyse’s Hall Museum has overlooked the marketplace in the centre of town for 900 years and exhibits an eclectic collection of art and local history — some of it gruesome. Don’t miss the Suffolk Regiment Gallery, documenting almost three centuries of the corps.
For a cosy yet cool lunch, head to Blue Fig, close to the abbey. Serving European dishes with a modern twist, the restaurant’s venison ragout and slow-cooked beef short rib come highly recommended.
How to do it: The fastest train from London King’s Cross reaches Bury St Edmunds station, with a change at Cambridge, in one hour and 33 minutes, and costs from £29.20, one way.
7. Lewes, East Sussex
Often ranking highly on ‘prettiest towns in Britain’ lists, this beating heart of rural Sussex is just over an hour away from central London. Packed with history, Lewes is known for its Norman castle, completed in the late 11th century. Visitors can climb to the top for exquisite panoramas across the county, before learning all about the fortress’s key role in shaping the town. The adjoining Museum of Sussex Archaeology showcases local history dating back to prehistoric times, while out in the gardens youngsters will love to spot the Russian cannon.
An insight into Henry VIII’s fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, is revealed in her namesake Tudor house. Children can dress up like kings and queens while exploring the immaculately preserved interiors, including the beautiful bedroom and kitchen. After your visit, head to the award-winning Flint Owl Bakery on High Street for sourdough and indulgent cupcakes.
How to do it: Trains go from London Victoria to Lewes station in just over one hour, with prices starting from £8, one way.
