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

(63 Posts)
Patsy70 Tue 08-Aug-23 10:59:30

I just fancy going off on my own to a picturesque village, where I haven’t been before, by train, just for the day. I live on the border of Kent/South East London. It would be good to do some window shopping, not necessarily buying, looking at attractive buildings, walking around a park and gardens, having lunch. I was thinking I might just go to Waterloo and select a place I haven’t visited. Have you any favourite places not too far from me that you could recommend? Thank you. 😊

Kim19 Wed 09-Aug-23 17:24:08

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.

Patsy70 Wed 09-Aug-23 17:58:46

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. 😊

nandad Wed 09-Aug-23 18:10:54

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?

nandad Wed 09-Aug-23 18:15:02

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.

grannyro Wed 09-Aug-23 18:24:20

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

Wiser Wed 09-Aug-23 18:30:59

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 ÂŁ15 return

Pinkrinse Wed 09-Aug-23 18:37:32

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

Patsy70 Wed 09-Aug-23 19:16:59

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

Esmay Wed 09-Aug-23 21:12:52

Wonderful suggestions .

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

Gwenisgreat Wed 09-Aug-23 21:52:01

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

Grantanow Thu 10-Aug-23 14:38:48

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.

Patsy70 Fri 11-Aug-23 22:31:23

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.

BigBertha1 Sat 12-Aug-23 06:52:52

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.

Wolfie59 Sun 13-Aug-23 19:18:54

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.

Primrose53 Sun 13-Aug-23 19:41:44

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/

Patsy70 Thu 24-Aug-23 15:16:13

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

Patsy70 Thu 22-Feb-24 17:00:43

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

SeaWoozle Thu 22-Feb-24 17:03:12

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.

Nannashirlz Thu 22-Feb-24 17:11:21

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

M0nica Fri 23-Feb-24 16:20:10

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........................................

Patsy70 Fri 23-Feb-24 16:24:10

I’ll cross that one off the list MOnica.

Callistemon21 Fri 23-Feb-24 16:26:20

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.

M0nica Fri 23-Feb-24 19:47:35

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

Imarocker Fri 23-Feb-24 22:13:37

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

Ali08 Sat 24-Feb-24 12:28:26

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