Outside London

Just a 1 ½ hour train journey from London Paddington station will bring you the magnificent Georgian town of Bath.  Bath was England’s first spa resort and its only World Heritage City.  Visit the Roman Baths Museum and Pump Room to see the remains of Roman Baths built almost 2,000 years ago.

 

 

This superb 18th century baroque palace is only a bus ride away from Oxford station (itself a mere 1 hour from Paddington).  It was built for the Duke of Marlborough and is the birthplace of Winston Churchill.  Now home to the 11th Duke of Marlborough, it is a World Heritage Site and is the home of the annual Blenheim Flower Show. 

 

 

Brighton is a splendid English coastal town and is only 50 minutes by train from London Victoria.  It has elegant regency architecture and the big attraction is the Royal Pavillion, one of Britain’s most striking buildings.  The Pavillion is built in an Indian architectural style with exotic interiors.  Brighton is a buzzing resort with great shopping and café culture; a real must see in the summer months. 

 

 

The world famous University City of Cambridge is only a 1 hour train journey from London King’s Cross.  Spend your day wandering through the colleges and along ‘the backs’ beside the River Cam.  You can enjoy the history of this wonderful city by foot, or why not hire a punt to glide along the river on a warm summer’s day.  For those who like the countryside, Cambridge has wonderful villages and we would recommend garden tea in Granchester at the former home of the poet Rupert Brook. 

 

 

One for the family, this is 150 acres of parkland offering over 50 interactive rides, live action shows and famous European buildings made from Lego.  Legoland is just 30 minutes by train to Windsor and an additional shuttle bus transfer.

 

 

This beautiful University City has famous colleges that you can spend a whole day walking around.  Visitors should also make time to see Magdelan Bridge, the Museum of Oxford and the Bodleian Library.  This is definitely a day trip opportunity as it is only a 1 hour train journey from Paddington.

 

 

Started 5,000 years ago and built in 3 stages, today this prehistoric monument remains as an outer ring of upright stones set in a circle of 30 metres across.  Each stone stands at least 6 metres tall in a ceremonial landscape.  Stonehenge is a World Heritage site and can be reached by train from Waterloo to Salisbury (1 hour 20 minutes) and then a bus journey. 

 

 

This is a picturesque town most famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare.    It offers a taste of Olde England and visitors can enjoy walks along the River Avon and take time to see Anne Hathaway’s Cottage.  If you would like to see a play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, then visit the Royal Shakespeare Company website at rsc.org.uk. for details of what’s on and when.  Stratford Upon Avon is a 2 hour 20 minute train journey from Paddington. 

 

 

Windsor Castle is naturally the key feature of this Georgian town situated on the banks of the Thames.  Be sure not to miss the Guard Change which is a daily event at 11am (except Sundays).  Windsor is only 49 minutes by train from Waterloo.