Day trip suggestion from London
Feb 2nd, 2016, 06:03 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Day trip suggestion from London
Hi:
I will be in London on part of my trip to Europe this summer. I would like to take a day to get out of the city and see some the English countryside before traveling northwards to Carlisle and Scotland. I have been searching the topic of solo day trips from London and I mostly get big tours through Viator. I am not sure I want to spend a day on a big bus although I am interested in some of the sights they go to. This leads me to my question. Can anyone suggest a possible day trip where I could possibly take in some history and see the countryside by bike or by foot? I expect I would arrive at my start destination by rail. I did find one article about hiking in Hastings. That seemed pretty neat. If I were to do that walk, is there a train to Hastings? Also, is it possible to get to Bodiam Castle from Hastings? The tour I imagine includes the countryside, a village, some water (a canal?), and maybe a castle. Is this fantasy? I do know that London Walks has a tour to the Cotswalds, but I think I am little more adventurous than what that tour offers. Thoughts? I will check back this weekend. Thanks...
I will be in London on part of my trip to Europe this summer. I would like to take a day to get out of the city and see some the English countryside before traveling northwards to Carlisle and Scotland. I have been searching the topic of solo day trips from London and I mostly get big tours through Viator. I am not sure I want to spend a day on a big bus although I am interested in some of the sights they go to. This leads me to my question. Can anyone suggest a possible day trip where I could possibly take in some history and see the countryside by bike or by foot? I expect I would arrive at my start destination by rail. I did find one article about hiking in Hastings. That seemed pretty neat. If I were to do that walk, is there a train to Hastings? Also, is it possible to get to Bodiam Castle from Hastings? The tour I imagine includes the countryside, a village, some water (a canal?), and maybe a castle. Is this fantasy? I do know that London Walks has a tour to the Cotswalds, but I think I am little more adventurous than what that tour offers. Thoughts? I will check back this weekend. Thanks...
Feb 2nd, 2016, 06:53 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hiking the White Cliffs at Dover can be spectacular. Easy train ride; LONG steep up and down hike from station to the National Trust area entrance to the paths along the Cliffs, but worth it (and see the castle, too)
DD and I had the MOST wonderful day with a train ride to Chawton to see Jane Austen's home and then from there we took a long walk as a loop from that house and back through wonderful country side views. A highlight of several trips to England.
Oxford is wonderful and you can walk around a lot in the city--of course, this isn't country walks, but it's close and so beautiful and full of history.
DH and I even did a day trip to Chatsworth--it was rather stressful getting to the right bus to get us there and we almost missed the last bus from the house back to the train station (well, we were at the bus stop on time, but it was totally packed, unexpectedly). Had a lovely but warm walk through the grounds to the House and then all around it and its beautiful gardens--worth the effort.
One time, after we'd gone to Bodiam via a car, I looked at getting there by train--there's a train station within sight of the castle, but it may be a limited special vintage one or something. Worth checking out, though. Or maybe someone will know more details and post.
DD and I had the MOST wonderful day with a train ride to Chawton to see Jane Austen's home and then from there we took a long walk as a loop from that house and back through wonderful country side views. A highlight of several trips to England.
Oxford is wonderful and you can walk around a lot in the city--of course, this isn't country walks, but it's close and so beautiful and full of history.
DH and I even did a day trip to Chatsworth--it was rather stressful getting to the right bus to get us there and we almost missed the last bus from the house back to the train station (well, we were at the bus stop on time, but it was totally packed, unexpectedly). Had a lovely but warm walk through the grounds to the House and then all around it and its beautiful gardens--worth the effort.
One time, after we'd gone to Bodiam via a car, I looked at getting there by train--there's a train station within sight of the castle, but it may be a limited special vintage one or something. Worth checking out, though. Or maybe someone will know more details and post.
Feb 2nd, 2016, 06:54 PM
#3
It would be very easy to take a train to Hastings, rent a bike there and ride anywhere. It is a little over 10 miles from Hastings to Bodiam Castle.
Or you could take a train to Canterbury - where you could ride out to Whitstable/Herne Bay.
Or to Salisbury and ride out to Stonehenge and Old Sarum.
Or lots of other places.
Or you could take a train to Canterbury - where you could ride out to Whitstable/Herne Bay.
Or to Salisbury and ride out to Stonehenge and Old Sarum.
Or lots of other places.
Feb 2nd, 2016, 07:34 PM
#4
+1 for Salisbury, it's one hour thirty minutes by train from Waterloo. Fantastic cathedral (book tower tour in advance, well worth it), lots of walks right around town or slightly farther afield.
http://www.mapmywalk.com/gb/salisbury-eng/
I went there a few times for the day on weekends when I had business trips in Portsmouth, never tired of it.
http://www.mapmywalk.com/gb/salisbury-eng/
I went there a few times for the day on weekends when I had business trips in Portsmouth, never tired of it.
Feb 2nd, 2016, 09:51 PM
#5
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The best sources for your idea are the Time Out Books of Country Walks (The TOCW1 and TOCW 2 tabs at http://www.walkingclub.org.uk/walks/map.shtml )
60 planned walks starting and ending at stations about an hour's journey from central London. The tabs take you to brief summaries: the actual walk routes you can get either by buying the book, or by googling.
Of your brief: "the countryside, a village, some water (a canal?), and maybe a castle", I'd be leery about castles in SE England. Apart from Dover, they're mostly either tiny, almost unrecognisable, ruins or relatively modern houses with battlements.
Most daytrips to towns (like Oxford), however pleasant and interesting, mean you simply won't have time for villages or much countryside. There are walks around Salisbury (which, though pretty around its cathedral, has little else to offer - and its externally stunning cathedral has less inside than most) taking you out into the countryside, but trips to the other main heritage towns mostly don't.
There's very pleasant walking around Hastings. The town itself however - apart from a couple of streets endlessly featured, after a lot of tarting up, in Foyle's War - is underwhelming.
60 planned walks starting and ending at stations about an hour's journey from central London. The tabs take you to brief summaries: the actual walk routes you can get either by buying the book, or by googling.
Of your brief: "the countryside, a village, some water (a canal?), and maybe a castle", I'd be leery about castles in SE England. Apart from Dover, they're mostly either tiny, almost unrecognisable, ruins or relatively modern houses with battlements.
Most daytrips to towns (like Oxford), however pleasant and interesting, mean you simply won't have time for villages or much countryside. There are walks around Salisbury (which, though pretty around its cathedral, has little else to offer - and its externally stunning cathedral has less inside than most) taking you out into the countryside, but trips to the other main heritage towns mostly don't.
There's very pleasant walking around Hastings. The town itself however - apart from a couple of streets endlessly featured, after a lot of tarting up, in Foyle's War - is underwhelming.
Feb 2nd, 2016, 10:16 PM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've been to Bodiam castle several times but have no sense for how to get there on public transport, sorry.I agree the Time Out walking guides are very helpful and quite detailed, lots of suggestions. In Cambridge you could do the walk along the river from Cambridge to Granchester meadow, it is very lovely, we always walk my brother's dogs here and you'd get a sense for a more rural setting. In the summer you can stop at The Orchard to have tea in a deck chair as Rupert Brooke and Virginia Woolf did. I'm not sure on the details but if you Google it there should be lots of details on the walk.
If you're looking for a day out there are also options closer to London.
Last time we were there I made a list of day trips I wanted to make and there were quite a lot of nice properties out in Richmond. Have a look at the national Trust site. You can walk to a number of these along the river. I know several looked at were Ham House and Marble Hill House
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ham-house-and-garden
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/v...le-hill-house/
Here's a description of a short walk in this area
http://londonist.com/2015/05/weekend...ong-the-thames
Richmond to Hampton Court could be a possibility, this would also take in Wapole's Strawberry Hill.
http://www.thames-path.org.uk/thames...ton_court.html
Lots of other London ideas on my blog...
http://www.somuchmoretosee.com/search/label/London
Hope these suggestions help!
If you're looking for a day out there are also options closer to London.
Last time we were there I made a list of day trips I wanted to make and there were quite a lot of nice properties out in Richmond. Have a look at the national Trust site. You can walk to a number of these along the river. I know several looked at were Ham House and Marble Hill House
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ham-house-and-garden
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/v...le-hill-house/
Here's a description of a short walk in this area
http://londonist.com/2015/05/weekend...ong-the-thames
Richmond to Hampton Court could be a possibility, this would also take in Wapole's Strawberry Hill.
http://www.thames-path.org.uk/thames...ton_court.html
Lots of other London ideas on my blog...
http://www.somuchmoretosee.com/search/label/London
Hope these suggestions help!
Feb 2nd, 2016, 10:43 PM
#7
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A small warning
The area within London's one hour train journey isochrone is just about the most densely populated 10,000 square miles in the developed world. Our unique planning laws mean an extraordinary proportion of that area isn't built on - and we've got surprisingly few roads. Our dense railway system was designed for moving millions a day into and out of London - but not for other journeys within the area. Our unique footpath system plus our planning laws make much of those 10,000 sq miles a delight to walk across.
But, taken together with our predominantly undulating countryside, that all means the area's lethal at worst and downright miserable at best for cycling. Our few - universally twisty - roads are usually congested - and walk or cycle along them even when they seem empty and you realise why cycling is now the most dangerous form of transport in Britain.
A driver on any country road in Britain has almost no time for taking evasive action once he sees a cyclist - and most evasive action risks hitting an oncoming car. This isn't a universal law, and there are cycle-friendly areas: around the New Forest for example. But I'd strongly disagree that "it's easy to cycle anywhere".
Especially if unused to driving on the proper side of the road, I'd say it's foolhardy for anyone without experience of our roads - and especially of our rural roads, where a larger proportion of seemingly minor accidents turn out fatal than anywhere else in Britain - to rely on bikes. SE England has been designed for visiting on foot, by public transport, car - or on horseback, if horses and riders are taught (as most here are) how to deal with rural vehicles.
The area within London's one hour train journey isochrone is just about the most densely populated 10,000 square miles in the developed world. Our unique planning laws mean an extraordinary proportion of that area isn't built on - and we've got surprisingly few roads. Our dense railway system was designed for moving millions a day into and out of London - but not for other journeys within the area. Our unique footpath system plus our planning laws make much of those 10,000 sq miles a delight to walk across.
But, taken together with our predominantly undulating countryside, that all means the area's lethal at worst and downright miserable at best for cycling. Our few - universally twisty - roads are usually congested - and walk or cycle along them even when they seem empty and you realise why cycling is now the most dangerous form of transport in Britain.
A driver on any country road in Britain has almost no time for taking evasive action once he sees a cyclist - and most evasive action risks hitting an oncoming car. This isn't a universal law, and there are cycle-friendly areas: around the New Forest for example. But I'd strongly disagree that "it's easy to cycle anywhere".
Especially if unused to driving on the proper side of the road, I'd say it's foolhardy for anyone without experience of our roads - and especially of our rural roads, where a larger proportion of seemingly minor accidents turn out fatal than anywhere else in Britain - to rely on bikes. SE England has been designed for visiting on foot, by public transport, car - or on horseback, if horses and riders are taught (as most here are) how to deal with rural vehicles.
Feb 3rd, 2016, 04:45 AM
#8
How to get around by public transport http://www.traveline.info/
where the trains go to http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/statio...ions/maps.aspx
where the trains go to http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/statio...ions/maps.aspx
Feb 5th, 2016, 09:34 PM
#10
One of my favorite walks involves a train to either Bath or Bradford-on-Avon and the walk between the 2 along the Kennet & Avon Canal. You can't get lost, just follow the canal which passes very near both stations and both the town of Bradford and the city of Bath are pretty, interesting places to wander at either end. The walk is about 9 miles, station to station. I've it done, I think, 3 times, both ways. There are locks on the canal in Bath and 2 aqueducts along the way carrying the canal over the river, along with the path. Beautiful countryside, an interesting walk and 2 towns for your time and money.
http://www.kennet-avon-canal.co.uk/K...d-on-Avon.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennet_and_Avon_Canal
http://www.kennet-avon-canal.co.uk/K...d-on-Avon.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennet_and_Avon_Canal
Feb 6th, 2016, 08:28 AM
#12
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mme Perdu we were in Bradford on Avon last year and I'm sorry we missed your recommendation, but I appreciate it for next time. It's a lovely part of the country and 9 miles is a good distance for a day hike, I'm not inclined to go much further.
Feb 6th, 2016, 08:54 AM
#13
Those 9 miles are also almost entirely flat, wtb, the advantage of walking along waterways. I gave up hills, for the most part, after a painful few days several years ago but there's no shortage of canals & rivers to enjoy. I'll be back for a section of the Thames Path in May, almost finished, and then for next time have just several days at the Reading end of the K&A Canal, while I can. But the end of my walking days seems to keep moving forward, along with the feet.
Another nice walk is along the River Avon, from Stratford to Bidford-on-Avon, not on a canal with a towpath so more variety on the ground while still not many hills. There are local buses to get to or from Bidford.
I'm constantly amazed at the opportunity to enjoy these paths, for the most part, entirely alone. Even between places crowded with visitors, as Bath & Bradford often are, one meets very few along the path. The occasional dog walker and passing boats but long periods of solitude between. Wonderful.
Another nice walk is along the River Avon, from Stratford to Bidford-on-Avon, not on a canal with a towpath so more variety on the ground while still not many hills. There are local buses to get to or from Bidford.
I'm constantly amazed at the opportunity to enjoy these paths, for the most part, entirely alone. Even between places crowded with visitors, as Bath & Bradford often are, one meets very few along the path. The occasional dog walker and passing boats but long periods of solitude between. Wonderful.
Feb 7th, 2016, 04:20 PM
#15
Interestingly, even in the Cotswolds, if you leave the "Quintessentials", not even far, one is again alone. I don't know where all the people are who say they're walking but the paths there are as empty as anywhere, dog walkers aside. And not many of them.
Mar 10th, 2016, 08:37 PM
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Can you confirm if this walk works?
http://www.theaa.com/walks/warwick-a...ngmaker-421178
It includes a castle, canal, countryside, and a town.
http://www.theaa.com/walks/warwick-a...ngmaker-421178
It includes a castle, canal, countryside, and a town.
Mar 10th, 2016, 09:40 PM
#19
The odd thing about the walk on your link is north is to the left instead of at the top. So, for me, it's disorienting. However, you can still compare it with the OS map shown on streetview.co.uk - print them both so you can compare and get a better sense of it.
Once on Streetmap, put Warwick Castle into the search & check "place name". It'll ask you "Warwick Castle, Warwickshire (place of interest)"? Click on it and you'll have the map with north in the usual direction, up, and you should recognize it. For "zoom control" 3rd up (1:25,000) I find best, showing paths, and using the larger "map size" helps. I'd be very surprised if the walk didn't work.
Once on Streetmap, put Warwick Castle into the search & check "place name". It'll ask you "Warwick Castle, Warwickshire (place of interest)"? Click on it and you'll have the map with north in the usual direction, up, and you should recognize it. For "zoom control" 3rd up (1:25,000) I find best, showing paths, and using the larger "map size" helps. I'd be very surprised if the walk didn't work.
Mar 10th, 2016, 09:43 PM
#20
I guess I don't understand -- that is not a tour. It is simply a 'walk'. Like thousands of others all over the UK. If that is where you want to walk -- through and around Warwick -- then yes, it 'works'.
You do have to travel to Warwick.
BTW -- the 2 hours time listed is <u>just</u> for the walk -- not for visiting the Castle, or the Lord Leycester Hospital, or St Mary's Church/the Beauchamp Chapel. If you include those - it will take about 6 or 7 hours or more.
You do have to travel to Warwick.
BTW -- the 2 hours time listed is <u>just</u> for the walk -- not for visiting the Castle, or the Lord Leycester Hospital, or St Mary's Church/the Beauchamp Chapel. If you include those - it will take about 6 or 7 hours or more.
