Somewhere interesting to go on the train for a day’s outing

Oxford might do - only an hour from Paddington, I'd start with an open-top bus tour to get your bearings and a feel for what you'd like to see more of.

Sandwich in Kent is a pretty village with river walks and quirky shops, there is a train station. You could then go on to Deal, by bus or train its just a few miles, a lovely seaside town.

How about St Albans? You could go to Kings Cross from Waterloo then out.
Good shopping centre an Abbey and Roman ruins.

Arundel is a delight. Castle, cathedral, lovely river walks, boating lake, bird sanctuary, castle gardens, delightful independent shops, superb eateries, outdoor lido 😄, and their festival is on all this month with plays, music etc. 10 minutes walk from the country station. It is such a small town that walking around is a doddle.

We live relatively close and frequent it often. In fact will drive past tomorrow on our way to an eatery near Goodwood.

Thank you for your suggestions.

I did exactly this a day trip on a train I choose Canterbury it was lovely it has everything and you can have mooch round the unique shops. 1.5 hrs from London.

Rye is lovely and Thursday is market day …..

Another vote for Ocford. I attended two academic conferences there and I enjoyed just walking around the streets. One was in spring and the other autumn so not so many tourists. An afternoon tea cruise on the river is a pleasant way to relax and see the sights at leisure.

They all sound lovely. Very pleasant outings. Do let us know which you choose Patsy

I used to do this myself when I was more mobile. I had a railcard so just go to the station and pick a town or city where I knew there would be lots of book or antique shops or a market with vintage stalls. I enjoyed doing it alone as I did not have to please anyone else or compromise. No fixed time table but always treated myself to a nice lunch.

Richmond on Thames is easily accessible from Waterloo, it's a pretty town with lovely river views and Richmond Park at the top of the hill, lots of lovely shops. Further down the line is Teddington, again a pretty high street, nice for window shopping awash with great cafes. Bushy Park nearby and if you are an able walker, a walk through that park will take you to Hampton Court Palace. All those places I know well I lived in that area for many years.

Although having moved a bit further away I'd second WW choice of Arundel, lovely smallish town, castle, great shops, and plenty of enticing eateries.

I would also recommend Tunbridge Wells if you haven't already discovered that town, but in particular an area there called The Pantiles which has an amazing collection of shops and cafes, almost feels like France!

Canterbury also great.

Cambridge is great for shops, it has the river and lovely architecture.

Just thinking - do you remember the “Granny Awaydays” when Senior Railcard holders (I think) could go anywhere on the train for £1.
Oh if only!

Henley-on-Thames has trains from Paddington (probably change at Twyford). And you can get to Winchester from Waterloo.

TerriBull

Richmond on Thames is easily accessible from Waterloo, it's a pretty town with lovely river views and Richmond Park at the top of the hill, lots of lovely shops. Further down the line is Teddington, again a pretty high street, nice for window shopping awash with great cafes. Bushy Park nearby and if you are an able walker, a walk through that park will take you to Hampton Court Palace. All those places I know well I lived in that area for many years.

Although having moved a bit further away I'd second WW choice of Arundel, lovely smallish town, castle, great shops, and plenty of enticing eateries.

I would also recommend Tunbridge Wells if you haven't already discovered that town, but in particular an area there called The Pantiles which has an amazing collection of shops and cafes, almost feels like France!

Canterbury also great.

A second vote for Richmond and Teddington. Or Twickenham too; hopefully the beautiful statues are still in York House Gardens. Sorry no longer live there so not up to date on that.

Whitstable. But poss means go8ng in to London to come back out again. Independent quirky shops, cafes galore, seaside.

Does one not need a mortgage to pay for a train journey not booked weeks in advance?

The naked ladies are still in Twickenham. They have been spruced up a bit. Then get the little ferry over to Ham House and its garden. Finish with tea in the garden. Bus back to Richmond. Do the shops. Perfect.

Never mind the extortionate price of rail tickets, just try finding a train that's going where you want to be, when you want to be there!
My DS and their partner went away for a wedding at the weekend, but couldn't get a train to the airport because of the rail workers working to rule (and its not even a bank holiday!), so I ended up driving them the 140 miles to the airport at stupid o'clock on Friday. Then, to add insult to injury, there was no train on their return on Monday afternoon, so I had to go and fetch them, so I ended up driving 600 miles for them, when a train would have been far more environmentally friendly and I could have been doing something else, not that I begrudge them my time, but even so, I shouldn't have needed to get involved in their travel arrangements.

Lower Slaughter? Actually, anywhere in Costwolds?

Canterbury is lovely it has the usual shops but also a Fenwicks. Lots of places to eat and drink and you can always walk by the river or even take a boat ride.

Henley is delightful.

There's so many places to go - maybe consider getting a railcard?

www.southernrailway.com/destinations-and-offers

If you are on Kent/SE London borders, are you anywhere near Bromley? If so, trains from Bromley South go along the North Kent coast. Apart from Canterbury, placed worth going to on that line ate Rochester, Whitstable, Faversham, Broadstairs and Margate.