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

Not Henley. Russell Brand's dog might come in the café. (See ongoing Waitrose thread!)

pen50

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

I second Henley. We went there last year and were having breakfast in a cafe when somebody looked in through the window - it was Theresa May. the station isn't far from the river, the shops and some nice pubs.

Bath, Rye, Stratford and York are a few of my favourite places, where we’ve stayed in the past.

Stratford would be good outside the main tourist season, York also, plenty to do for a long weekend, in fact there are many cities and towns that train and bus travellers could enjoy for a couple of days

Bath remains lovely, except for the huge number of tourists.

Five years ago we chose Bath for a family holiday/celebration for our 50th wedding anniversary/75th birthday. We went mad, hired a big house in the town centre and we all did what ever we wanted during the day and gathered for supper to share our stories. There is so much in the town centre, even a Waitrose. That none of us used our cars all week,

Can’t imagine Bath changing that much charleygirl.

I love Bath but have not been there for many years so could easily have turned into Poundland and rubbish shops.

Rye is lovely.

Patsy70

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.

Yes, I did report back, as promised. 😊 I’m thinking of going to Sandwich next, but have a few commitments, so won’t be going for a while.

Oh just spotted the date of your post and realised you will have already been 🤦
Hopefully you had a great day!

Primrose53 we sent my Mum and Dad on a Northern Belle day trip as part of their golden wedding celebrations. They went from Birmingham to Edinburgh, with a visit to the Royal Yacht.

They absolutely loved the whole experience: the decor, staff, food and drinks were excellent.
They shared a table for four with another couple, the lady slept virtually the whole way!

We picked them up on their return and could have a look inside their carriage. It was beautiful and I'd love to go, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

You will know the Kent coast well, plenty of places to visit there but Salisbury from Waterloo isn’t too far fir a day.

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

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

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

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.

I’ll cross that one off the list MOnica.

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

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

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.

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

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

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/

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.

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.