The best day trips to take by train

With plenty of the UK in tiers 1 and 2 and strong encouragement from all corners to keep Christmas interactions to outdoor meetups wherever possible, some of us are able to think about getting out of town on an off peak train to blow off the corona cobwebs in the Great Outdoors. Here are some of our favourite day trips to make by train, from national parks to nature reserves and canals to the coast. We don’t advise travel from Very High risk areas even during the Christmas easing, since trains are likely to be busy.

Best day trips from Brighton by train

The South Downs

The South Downs National Park is one of the most spectacular winter walking destinations and within easy reach of Brighton. Hike up onto its famous rolling hills, through ancient woodlands and along the Sussex cliffs via Winchester, Lewes, Amberley, Southease or Liss train stations. You can get a shuttle bus to the Downs, then back to the cool coastal hub for dinner and drinks.

Hastings to Rye cycle route

All those new bikes from Santa need to be tested out, and one of the best family-friendly routes is the Hastings to Rye cycle route, part of National Cycle Route 2. Brighton to Hastings by train takes around 1 hr 10 mins and the cycle to Rye follows 16km of coastal paths and quiet roads through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Served by Southern trains, you can take your bike during off-peak times and at weekends, without booking, as long as there is room.

Best day trips from Cardiff by train

Brecon Beacons National Park

The quickest route from Cardiff to the Brecon Beacons National Park by train is to Abergavenny in around 44 mins. There is a wide array of walking trails straight out of the town, with three iconic mountains all beckoning: the Skirrid, the Blorenge and the Sugar Loaf. You can hike these peaks, all in the national park, or take on some gentler trails such as along the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal or the Cwmyoy circular walk. Abergavenny is the Slow Food capital of Wales, with an annual food festival, so there is no shortage of restaurants to feast at after a day on the hills.

The Taff Trail and BikePark Wales

This 88.5km mostly off-road Taff Trail is part of the long-distance Lôn Las Cymru trail, and makes for superb cycling between Cardiff Bay and Brecon. The town of Brecon is not accessible by train, but you can cycle the 50km section to Merthyr Tydfil and take the train back from there (54 mins) for a great day out. Cycling enthusiasts may well want to extend their stay to explore BikePark Wales in Merthyr Tydfil, one of the most extensive mountain bike centres in the UK.

Best day trips from York by train

Yorkshire Dales National Park

The train from York to Ilkley only takes an hour, and from there you can access some magnificent parts of the Yorkshire Dales. The Dales Way long-distance trail goes all the way from Ilkley Old Bridge to Bowness-on-Windermere in the Lake District (128km) which is certainly more than a day trip, but illustrates the sort of landscapes on Ilkley’s doorstep. You can also head up to Ilkley Moor to see the Twelve Apostles Neolithic stone circle. Treat yourself to an excellent local book, Dales Rail Trails by Tony and Chris Grogan, which gives details of 32 walks into the Yorkshire Dales, all accessible by train.  

Scarborough 

This traditional coastal town on the edge of the North York Moors is only 50 mins by train from York and an excellent starting point for one leg of the Cleveland Way walking trail, between Scarborough and Filey. After a 16.8km walk along clifftops, through wooded hillsides or overlooking the wide expanses of Cayton Bay, you arrive into Filey, where you can catch a train back to Scarborough and then York, hopping off the train in the foodie market town of Malton for afternoon tea.

Best day trips from Oxford by train

The Cotswolds

The Cotswolds can get busy in summer and so if you want some incredible walks, followed by idyllic Cotswold village pub dinners, head to Kingham or Moreton-in-Marsh stations, both just over 30 mins by train from Oxford. With shorter days, your walks will finish in time for afternoon tea and you have no shortage of suitable stop-offs for that in the Cotswolds. A good day walk is the 11km Moreton-in-Marsh circuit which taps into the long-distance Monarch's Way and the Heart of England Way. This walk also takes in Sezincote House and Batsford Arboretum, the latter boasting magnificent mature woodland, and both of which are worthy day trips in themselves.

The Goring Gap

Head south from Oxford to Goring and Streatley station, just 30 mins by train, to take on the Goring Gap walk. The Gap is a Thames valley that cuts between Goring and Streatley villages as well as the Chilterns and the North Wessex Downs. It is also considered to be one of the most stunning sections of the Thames, taking you through woodland, along waterfront paths and up over rolling hills. The Goring Gap is also a meeting point of three ancient trading routes: The Ridgeway, Icknield Way and River Thames - the Goring is never boring.

For more ideas, check out our blogs on the best remote UK getaways for slow travellers and the best short breaks in Scotland this winter.

For a long weekend away instead (or as well), let Byway plan and book your slow travel winter trip, for a seamless holiday from start to end.