A whim and a train ticket: 10 day trips you don’t need to plan

There’s nothing quite like the excitement of going on holiday – especially after a pandemic. But having stayed put for so long, many of us have forgotten the stress involved in planning a break – booking annual leave, sorting out transport to the airport, and researching all the landmarks, restaurants and bars to visit, for starters. And that’s on top of making sure you’ve ticked off all those everyday tasks at home before you leave.

So how about a trip that requires nothing like that level of planning – and is affordable too. We’re talking day trips that you can take on a whim and, because you’ll be travelling by train, are delightfully sustainable and easy to do. So pack a daysack and put yourself on the right track. Here are 10 day trips that will help you rediscover the fun of being spontaneous.

A botanical dream in Cambridge
With plenty of historic sights to discover, Cambridge has a lot more going for it than just its university campuses – and it’s just over an hour away from St Pancras on Thameslink. The Cambridge University Botanical Gardens, which boasts more than 8,000 varying plant species, is the ideal spot for solo travellers, couples or families. Bring a book to read among the blooms, or a watercolour set to capture the seasonal flowers. The nearby Fitzwilliam Museum rivals the best European galleries with its collection of antiquities and modern art. And if you have a taste for modern and award-winning architecture, there’s the Cambridge Central Mosque, the first eco-mosque in Europe, which was specifically designed to minimise environmental impact. Within the mosque, there are beautiful gardens, exhibitions and a cafe.

A history hit in Dorking
If you’re looking for somewhere to put your hiking boots to good use, Dorking is the place for you. You can reach the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (that’s the official name) in under an hour on a Southern railway train from London Victoria. Once there, you’ll have 422 sq km (163 sq miles) of green space at your feet. Though if that’s not enough exploring for you, 15 minutes walk from the station there’s the historic Deepdene trail where you can discover the restored Hope mausoleum, the resting place of the family that once had an estate on the land. Brought your bicycle? Even better. Five miles down the road, you also have Polesden Lacey, a countryside retreat that looks over the Surrey Hills, with its glittering saloon full of English, Dutch and Italian paintings. A tip: go in June when the roses are blooming.

Go hiking in Eastbourne
If you’re a fan of walking on the beach (who isn’t?), Eastbourne is the place for you. And it’s only an hour and a half away from London Victoria on a Southern train. The Seven Sisters – a series of chalk cliffs – is one of southern England’s most striking landscapes and takes around four to six hours to hike. The Towner Eastbourne, a contemporary art gallery, is also nearby, in case you want to add some culture to your trip.

https://www.theguardian.com/leisure-like-a-local/gallery/2022/may/23/from-brighton-to-greenwich-10-of-the-most-instagrammable-day-trips

Eat your way through Portsmouth
With its busy working port and historic naval dockyard, Portsmouth has lots for any visitor to see – and Portsmouth & Southsea station is only two hours away from London Victoria on a Southern train. But what you may not know is that it’s also a great city to eat in – so drag yourself away from HMS Victory and the Spinnaker tower and make time for foodie exploration. The Hunter Gatherer in Albert Rd, 200 metres back from the seafront, is a plant-based kitchen serving high-quality food from scratch. If you have a sweet tooth, head to Huis, in Southsea, a Belgian bar where you can get your hands on some sweet Belgian waffles. And if you’re in the mood for seafood, check out the Southsea Beach Cafe for some locally sourced fish and chips.

Shopping in St Albans
Head to St Alban’s on market day – either Wednesday or Saturday – and you’ll find it brimming with colour, life and energy. Browse the stalls offering everything from plants and flowers to olives, fish and herbs, then take a break at St Alban’s Museum and Gallery to have coffee in the restored octagonal courtroom. While you’re there, pop down to look at the cells, where prisoners used to await their fate. Then it’s a short stroll to the vast 11th century St Albans cathedral, which has the longest nave – 85 metres – of any cathedral in England. On the way back, come past the clock tower, the only surviving medieval town belfry in England. A sign above its door commands “Commit no nuisance”. St Albans City station is just over 20 minutes from St Pancras on Thameslink.

Do everything – and nothing – in Brighton
Hailed as the unofficial LGBTQ+ capital of the UK, Brighton is a bustling yet historic seaside destination famed for its green mindset and ample nightlife. And what would be the point of going to Brighton without experiencing a drag show? Tucked is a three-hour drag show and bottomless brunch that boasts rave reviews. For more traditional seaside entertainment, there’s Brighton beach and Brighton Palace Pier where you’ll find candyfloss and a water log flume ride. Shoppers can fill their tote bags with wares found on The Lanes, the narrow streets in Brighton’s historic quarter known for its independent designers and antique shops. But for blissful moments of not particularly doing anything, Undercliff Walk – a coastal uninterrupted walkway – can’t be beaten, nor can the Royal Pavilion, a landmark with colourful regency history. And the best thing is that Brighton is just over an hour away from London Bridge on Thameslink and Southern trains, making it the ideal impulsive British getaway.

Go glamping in a yurt in Chichester
If nature is calling you, Chichester is the perfect place to spend some quality time outdoors – and it’s only an hour and a half away from London Victoria on a Southern train. Step up your camping game, and stay at Plush Tents Glamping, where you’ll be able to relax in peaceful yurts that include a log-fired hot tub, a large communal fire pit and a range of private and communal spaces. And it’s only a stone’s throw away from the beautiful West Dean Gardens and the sandy West Wittering beach.

Fly over Shoreham-by-Sea
Small town Shoreham-by-Sea is a coastal town and port in West Sussex, with architecture that reflects its fishing history. What’s more, it’s only 75 minutes away from London Victoria on a Southern train. Why not enjoy everything this city has to offer from above? A 40-minute flying lesson from Shoreham Airport starts from £169.

Watch the tennis at Wimbledon
Optic yellow balls, plush green courts and Ray-Bans can only mean one thing: Wimbledon, of course. Although Wimbledon tickets range from £43 to more than £1,000, depending on the seat and day, a grounds pass – from £8 to £27 – which allows you to observe the games through unreserved seating and standing space on certain courts, is far more affordable. Jump on a Thameslink train from London Blackfriars, and you’ll be in Wimbledon in just over half an hour.

Explore wellness in Hastings
For some, wellness is interchangeable with self-care, while, for others, it’s all about maintaining joy and seeking new experiences. On a day trip to Hastings – which is an hour and 20 minutes away from Brighton on a Southern train – you can have both. The Wellington Health & Wellbeing Centre offers a range of therapies from hot stone reflexology, to Reiki and Shiatsu. After all that relaxation, you might be ready for some exploring. Board the West Hill lift to take in the glorious sights of Hastings. The lift retains its original wooden Victorian coaches, and runs through a tunnel, eventually dropping off sightseers on George Street, where you can enjoy the independent restaurants, cafes, art shops and book shops.

Book direct at southernrailway.com, thameslinkrailway.com or greatnorthernrail.com and avoid any booking fees. Look for super off-peak and off-peak fares, which offer great value for money when you travel outside of peak times