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

From Waterloo I would take a river bus or a regular bus to Greenwich area.. Lots of mooching to do there including Cutty Sark, National Maritime museum, interesting market and a very pleasant high street in general.

Some great suggestions here. Thank you so much. I already have a senior railcard, as I visit my sister in Devon and we also meet in Salisbury, which is virtually half way for us. Yes, Bromley South is easily accessible to me, and I do like those places pintuck. That was pretty time-consuming for you DeeJaysMum, and I’m sure they appreciated it. Train journeys are so relaxing and stress free when there are no strikes, delays or cancellations. I have a nephew who lives in Ham, and we had lunch at Ham House last time I visited him Supernan. A wander around Richmond would be lovely. Tunbridge Wells is only a short distance. I’ve been many times, but not for a while. I’m thinking of going somewhere on Friday, so will let you know how it went. I really appreciate this. 😊

WWM2 - we are staying in Arundel for a few days at the end of the month. Do you recommend your eatery? If so, could you please share the details?

For the past few years we have bought the Gardener’s World magazine with the 2 for 1 offer. This year lots of new places have been added, including National Trust and English Heritage properties. Too late for this year, but look out for it next March/April. It includes places such as Leeds Castle, Eltham Palace and Audley End House.

Rochester is a nice little place to spend the day. Also Broadstairs in Kent is still a lovely olde worlde seaside town.

For Oxford I would take the Oxford tube from Victoria station, which is a very regular coach service you can pay as you board..last year £15 return

Rochester, Whitstable, Hastings, rye, Brighton, Tunbridge wells, Tonbridge, Canterbury.

Kim19. We did that exact trip last week with our two grandsons. We all really enjoyed it.

Wonderful suggestions .

I also love Richmond and Twickenham .
My weather relatives live over there - if only !

How about a trip to Oakham in Rutland. A delightful county town surrounded by lovely scenery!

Some good suggestions already. I like Oxford - the old centre is compact to walk around, there's the architecture of the colleges, the river, the Ashmolean museum and some shopping. Lots of cafes in the covered market. Only drawback is the longish walk from the station but there are taxis and buses.

Well, I promised to let you know where I went. I decided to take the easy option and got a train direct to Hastings. A pleasant journey, with only a few stops en route. On arrival, I walked through the town - the usual shops (Primark, Poundland, Sports Direct) 🙄. I carried on to the Old Town, passing many independent bookshops and a variety of others selling clothes, cards & gifts, bric-à-brac. It was a fine day and generally people were enjoying eating outside at the many cafes and bars. I chose an Italian restaurant for a light lunch of scallops. An enjoyable enough day, but I’ll be more selective next time.

I realise this is not the area you are in but just saying we went to Shrewsbury on a W.I. coach outing. I had never been there before and it was lovely. It has everything. Lots of independent shops, river trips, sightseeing and numerous cafes and restaurants.

Supernan

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.

So glad to hear those gorgeous statues are still there. I feel a visit coming on.

We are going on the Northern Belle (luxury train) in Sept. About 5 hour round trip with afternoon tea and champagne. Not cheap but wanted to do it for ages.

northernbelle.co.uk/

I’m sure you’ll have a lovely day Primrose53. Still undecided where to go next.

I am again looking at all your suggestions, as when the weather improves, I intend to visit some of the places you’ve recommended.

Foxygloves

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!

This brings back very happy memories for me. As a child myself and my siblings would accompany my grandma from our house in Gloucestershire down to her little ramshackle "bungalow" in south Wales. It was a real adventure and I wish I do it all over again with her.

Me and my friend did that we went to train station and said where shall we go. Landsend came up so off we went Leeds to landsend 10hrs one way on a train lol that was long before cancelling trains and strikes it’s Cornwall incase you don’t know lol

I see someone recommended Oxford. I wouldn't. We have lived 12 miles from Oxford for nearly 30 years. It used to be a lovely city, but no longer. The town centre is all tourists and students, you expect those in a university city, but Oxford has attracted lots of commercial colleges of all kinds and qualities, like parasites eating off the univeristy name and now the town centre is all eateries and tourist tat, the pavements crowded and the colleges, whose quadrangles used to be open and free to anyone wanting to sample their tranquility, are all locked with limited opening times and charges for access.

Then there is the traffic........................................

I’ll cross that one off the list MOnica.

Arundel is a delight.

We stopped there by default once when driving home from Kent just to use the loo and ended up staying all day - what a lovely place!

I was going to suggest Tenterden but there is no direct rail service there. However, once there, the Kent and East Sussex Railway runs from there to Bodiam.

Definitely Arundel, my parents lived near Arundel for nearly 30 years and I never tired of visiting the town.

I have just reread your OP, I see you say trains from Waterloo for a day trip, so here goes: Windsor, Guildford, Winchester, Hampton Court, Chessington,

From Waterloo East: Greenwich, the Kent coast (places listed is someone else's post, Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, Dover, Hastings

Brighton? Antiques, trendy market, shopping centre, restaurants on the prom.

You could pop to Lindon, take a leisurely boat trip on the Thames to wander about in Kew Gardens.