Day trips from London: 3 countryside destinations

During our stay in London, we had the opportunity to visit a few of the areas and towns a train ride away. These include seaside and countryside and there is something for everyone: from trails to historic architecture. On this article I will dive into 3 countryside options.

Railcard and trains

Regarding British trains, I found them to work generally well: they are mostly on time and in good conditions. But we have experienced a few delays on different trips in the past years. It’s good to know that you can apply for delay repay on the webpage of the train company. The application for compensation, usually consisting of a long online form, is not the most user-friendly, and the pages can be finicky, but it can be worth it depending on the amount of time lost and the price paid for the ticket.

Another consideration that makes travelling by train more accessible, price-wise, are railcards. Railcards allow the owner to get 1/3 off the price of most train fares. There are several types of Railcards and each type has a specific criteria. For example, to be eligible for the 16-25 Railcard you have to be between 16 and 25 years old or in full-time education. Another example is Two Together Railcard where the benefit is 1/3 off for adult fares for two named people travelling together aged 16 and over. Most Railcardsare priced at just £35 for a 1-year Railcard. So, depending on how many trips, and the price of the trips, it may be a good investment for you. According to Railcard.co.uk, “Typically, the cost of your Railcard will have paid for itself after 1 or 2 trips."

Depending on the availability of ticket types, which are varied and complex in the UK train ticket system, the prices vary. Another way to save some money while travelling by train is to have date flexibility:

• Travel off-peak: avoid rush hour (typically 7-9am and 5-7pm during weekdays) since it's when more expensive tickets are.
• Travel mid-week: try to avoid Fridays and weekends since these are usually the most expensive days to take the train.

Winchester

This city in the county of Hampshire sits within the South Downs National Park. Characterized by its mediaeval streets and the Winchester Cathedral, it's perfect for a day trip in the English countryside.

How to get there from London

South Western Railway is the train company that covers the trip from London to Winchester. Specifically, the train departs from Waterloo station and Weymouth is the final destination. It stops in Winchester after passing one or two other stops. The journey lasts a little less than an hour. Trains depart every 30 minutes from Waterloo station, so it should be easy to take the one that’s most convenient for you. Return tickets start at £46.60, without a Railcard, on a weekend, while tickets on weekdays start at £41.80.

What to do

Explore the streets and narrow alleyways of the historic city center and visit the Winchester Cathedral. This brochure suggests a possible route to walk along to hit a few of the notable attractions in Winchester. Walk along the River Itchen and stroll along Hockley Viaduct.

When we visited Winchester, we were lucky and caught a festival called A Taste of WInchester that included lots of food stalls, activities and street performances. It seemed a great place to visit with families and friends alike.

Here a few ideas and attractions found in the Winchester area:

Winchester Cathedral

Wander around in this beautiful building from the 11th century that is the resting place of Jane Austen. You can enjoy the gardens as well. If the weather is nice, the front lawn is perfect for a picnic.

Walk along the River Itchen

There is nothing like a stroll by the river following The Itchen Navigation Heritage Trail. It is a 10 miles / 16 km trail that can be done partially or completely. The path is well marked and mostly flat, making it appropriate for most visitors. The brochure has additional information and a map.

Winchester City Mill

This historic mill is free to visit. It has a café with an island garden facing the river and it's considered a wildlife spot in the heart of Winchester. If you are not interested in the history of the building or the flour mill process, it's still worth a visit to see the garden.

Wolvesey Castle

Wolvesey used to be the residence of the Bishops of Winchester in the Middle Ages. Now well preserved ruins dating all the way back to the 12th century, you can walk and imagine the once grand home of advisers to the king. Wolvesey Castle is free to enter. You can find more details here.

Jane Austen's House

A bit further out of the city, you can find Jane Austen’s house, a great stopping point for literature or history fans. They recommended to reserved tickets in advance at https://janeaustens.house/. Opening days and times should also be confirmed in the official site mentioned before. 2025 is the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, so it's a busy and exciting year to visit the lovely Hampshire cottage.

Walk or bike along Viaduct Way

We only walk a part of this trail, but I highly recommend it, especially for bike lovers. You can find the brochure with the map and additional information here.

The trail passes through several Winchester attractions like the Victorian Guildhall, King Alfred’s Statue and Wolvesey Castle. It includes Hockley Viaduct, where you can stop and gaze into the surrounding fields and river.

Other options

• Take part in a ghost tour
• Marvell Zoo
• Explore the South Downs

Surrey Hills: Box Hill

The Surrey Hills National Landscape is an area southwest of London. A few of the places you can visit within in are Box Hill, Leith Hill and Hindhead Commons and the Devils Punch Bowl.

When we visited, we went to a trail in the Box Hill area specifically.

How to get there from London

Starting at Waterloo station, get on the South Western Railway train headed to Dorking. Ride it for 13 stops and 47 minutes and get off the train at Box Hill & Westhumble station.

The tickets start at £15.50 for a return journey without a Railcard any day of the week.

Take advantage of the view on the second leg of the trip. The hills start to appear and the landscape is beautiful.

What to do

Once you get to Box Hill station, there are a bunch of trails on the Surrey Hills characteristic of the area. You can walk to Box Hill Shephard’s Hut Information Stand where there are toilets, maps with possible trails, a parking lot and a café, so it’s a good starting point.

We followed this trail but we got lost near the end. And instead of retracing our steps we decided to head over to the Stepping Stones. From the Stepping Stones, we headed back to the station.

Note: If you are going to embark on one of the longer trails, be mindful to carry sufficient water and food with you. Some of the trails don't have places to replenish along the way.

Oxford

How to get there from London

To get to Oxford, Great Western Railway direct trains leave from Paddington every 30 minutes. The journey lasts 55 minutes and has 2 stops along the way. Off-Peak Day Return tickets start at £37.10 for any day of the week without a Railcard.

What to do

Oxford is a very popular destination when escaping the hustle and bustle of London. It’s easy to get to and presents the visitor with iconic architecture featured in many movies.

Christ Church College

Inmortalized in Harry Potter films, this college features stunning architecture surrounded by lush green and the River. If you wish, you can take a tour of some of the buildings. I recommend taking a relaxing stroll around the Christ Church Meadow, which borders the river for most of the path. If you continue past The Watcher Tree, you can go to the Botanical Garden after.

Bodleian Libraries

One of England’s oldest and most beautiful libraries, it features the Old Schools Quadrangle, the Radcliffe Camera and the Divinity School among other buildings. Some of them are even open to tours.

Ashmolean Museum

It’s the oldest public museum in the UK, showcasing a vast collection of art and artifacts. It features a Rooftop Restaurant and a café.

Oxford Botanic Garden

After strolling by the river on the Christ Church Meadow Walk, we found ourselves right by the Oxford Botanic Garden. It's a great spot to slow down in a serene environment. Its spacious and varied glasshouses and paths surrounded by fruit trees offer a welcome change in scenery.

Covered Market

A great place to experience local produce, fashion, and food. We stopped here for lunch and enjoyed pie and mash from Pieminister.

Other Activities

• Bridge of Sighs
• University of Oxford: Explore the various colleges and buildings that make up the prestigious university. One ood example is St John's College, Oxford and its gardens.
• Walking Tours: Explore the city's cobbled streets and alleys by yourself or with a guided tour.
• Carfax Tower
• Oxford Castle & Prison
• Tour Harry Potter Filming Locations
• Punting on the River Cherwell
• Blenheim Palace: A short trip from Oxford, the palace that is the birthplace of Winston Churchill. I visited in 2012 and loved it. So if you care going to Oxford for a couple of days, it is worth looking into visiting the Palace and its lovely grounds.