Today I want to bring you my list of the best weekend trips from London by train. The UK has a great rail network, which makes it easy to get around Britain (and beyond) using trains. If you’re looking for an exciting weekend break from London, my list will help you find the perfect getaway for your style. I’ve included a map, too.
Weekend Trips from London by Train
My guide to weekend trips from London by train features a range of travel destinations. Whether you love the English countryside or the British seaside, the best cities or the prettiest towns, there’s a short break for you.
From England to Scotland and Wales, these trips will take you to some of the best places to visit in the UK. I’ve included a few getaways to Europe, too.
If you’re not familiar with taking rail journeys in Britain, you can read my guide to train travel in the UK. It will help you avoid the mistakes I made when I first moved to London.
I’ve been to all the places on my list (a lot of them more than once), and I can personally say they’re worthwhile spots to visit. There are a lot more ideas in the book 52 Great British Weekends, too. You can get it on Amazon here.
1. Weekend in Edinburgh
I’ll start my list of the best weekend trips from London by train with Edinburgh. The Scottish capital is one of the most beautiful cities in the UK, and the train ride from London passes through stunning countryside, cities, and coastal areas.
Edinburgh is famous for its hilltop castle, historic streets, and village-like areas. The views from the Scott Monument and Calton Hill are stunning, the food scene is world-class, and the Royal Mile has amazing history.
If you want to take this trip, you can book a hotel in Edinburgh here. I’ve stayed in the city many times and my favorite is the The George. It’s in a great location on George Street near St Andrew Square. You can book a room here.
2. Weekend in St Ives
Next on my list of weekend trips from London by train is St Ives in Cornwall. This town in southwest England is one of the best places to go to the seaside in the UK. With great coastline, delicious food, and pretty beaches, it’s hard to beat.
I did a weekend trip to St Ives by sleeper train once. It was great to experience an overnight train journey from London, and waking up to the sunrise in Cornwall was incredible.
St Ives is famous for its art, too. From the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden to Tate St Ives and lots of local galleries, it’s a great place to channel your inner art lover (and collector).
If you want to take this trip, you can book accommodation in St Ives here. From cottages to hotels, there are lots of fun places to stay.
3. Weekend in Brighton
Down on the south coast, Brighton is another of the best weekend trips from London by rail. Just an hour by train from the UK capital, this seaside city is famous for its beaches, pier, Royal Pavilion, and narrow streets filled with shops and restaurants.
With 2 days in Brighton you can see everything from the English Channel to the shopping streets and beyond. You’ll have time to hit the big attractions and take in the city’s legendary nightlife and street art scenes, too.
If you want to take this trip, you can book a hotel in Brighton here. I’ve stayed at the Brighton Harbour Hotel and Spa and I love its seaside decor and location right on the waterfront. You can book a room here.
4. Weekend in Bristol
Next on my list of the best weekend getaways from London by train is Bristol. It’s an easy rail journey from the UK capital, and with 2 days in Bristol you can see all the highlights.
Located in southwest England, Bristol is known for its independent spirit and riverside attractions. The Harbourside area is home to the contemporary M Shed museum, which explores the city’s industrial and social heritage.
Converted 19th-century waterfront warehouses shelter fun restaurants, shops, and art galleries, and Clifton is full of Georgian townhouses, elegant crescents, and the famous Clifton Suspension Bridge.
If you want to take this trip, you can book a hotel in Bristol here. I’ve stayed at the Hotel du Vin and I like its spacious rooms and central location. You can book a room here.
5. Weekend in Kent
Next on my list of weekend trips from London is Kent. This county in southeast England is teeming with places to escape to for a couple days.
If you like the coast, Kent has some of the best places to go to the seaside near London.
From oyster-famous Whitstable to pretty Rochester, hip Margate, lovely Deal, beachfront Broadstairs, harborside Ramsgate, underrated Folkestone, and castle-renowned Dover, there are plenty of places you can get to by train for a weekend getaway from London.
If you want to take this trip, you can book a hotel in Kent here. I’ve stayed at The Bay Tree in Broadstairs and The Relish in Folkestone, and I recommend both.
6. Weekend in Bath
Bath is one of the best cities in England, and it more than deserves a place on my list of weekend trips from London by train. Known for its beautiful stone buildings and rich history, it’s one of the most popular places to visit in Britain.
The Roman Baths are amazing to see, and the Jane Austen connections offer another historic draw. That’s to say nothing of The Circus and the Royal Crescent, where the curves and columns are a photographer’s dream.
There are also a lot of independent restaurants and shops in Bath that make the city worth visiting. From bookstores to cute cafes, there’s enough on offer to fill a weekend in Bath.
If you want to take this trip, you can book a hotel in Bath here. I’ve stayed at The Yard in Bath and I love its stylish interiors. You can book a room here.
7. Weekend in Cambridge
Next on my list of weekend trips from London by train is Cambridge. One of the best university cities in the UK, Cambridge is not only beautiful, but also an important center of history and learning.
With 48 hours in Cambridge you can see the city and experience the main activities and attractions. From admiring the colleges to punting on the River Cam and going to evensong at King’s College Chapel, there’s a lot to do here.
If you want to take this trip, you can book a hotel in Cambridge here. I’ve stayed at the Clayton Hotel and I love its contemporary decor and proximity to the train station. You can book a room here.
8. Weekend in Eastbourne
Back on the south coast, Eastbourne is a great weekend trip from London by rail. If you love the seaside, you’ll be spoiled for choice here. There are great beaches all around, and a fun pleasure pier to boot.
Spending a weekend in Eastbourne will allow you to explore this resort town and soak up the sun on its seafront at a leisurely pace.
If you visit during the high season, you can enjoy dinner at one of the restaurants on the beach followed by a waterfront concert at the bandstand.
If you want to take this trip, you can book a hotel in Eastbourne here. I’ve stayed at The Lansdowne Hotel and I love its waterfront location. You can book a room here.
9. Weekend in The Cotswolds
It’s hard to beat the Cotswolds when it comes to scenery, which is why I can’t help including it on my list of weekend trips from London.
With picture-pretty villages, bucolic landscapes, and great towns, it’s worth visiting this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
There are several train stations in the Cotswolds, including places like Kingham, Moreton-in-Marsh, and Kemble. You can learn more about getting here in my blog post about visiting the Cotswolds without a car.
Once in the area, you can base yourself in one of the towns with a station and explore the local surroundings. I’ve written about a great Moreton-in-Marsh walk and an overnight stay in Kingham that can give you inspiration.
If you want to take this trip, you can book a hotel in the Cotswolds here. There are lots of great places to stay in the area.
10. Weekend in Yorkshire
Yorkshire is another fun place to take a weekend trip from London by train. This region in the north of England is full of beautiful cities, pretty towns, and stunning countryside.
York is the perfect place to visit if you love urban escapes. It has some of the most photogenic streets in England, as well as lots of good shopping. York Minster makes it one of the most important cathedral cities in England, too.
The historic spa town of Harrogate is another great place to spend a weekend in Yorkshire. It’s full of heritage architecture and pretty parks.
I combined it with a trip to Leeds, and I had a great time exploring the shopping arcades and going to the theater with friends.
If you want to take this trip, you can book a hotel in Yorkshire here. I’ve stayed at a number of places in the area, and my favorite is The Lawrance in Harrogate. You can book a room here.
11. Weekend in Glasgow
Back in Scotland, Glasgow is another of my favorite weekend trips from London by train. My grandmother grew up here and I’ve been visiting all my life.
This spirited city features an eye-catching mix of historic and contemporary architecture, an amazing food scene, and great nightlife.
Add to that friendly locals, a botanical garden, lively markets, street art, and enough museums to keep one entertained for a lifetime, and there’s a lot to do in Glasgow.
If you want to take this trip, you can book a hotel in Glasgow here. I’ve stayed at the Grand Central and I like the convenient location by the train station. You can book a room here.
12. Weekend in Rye
Next on my list of the best weekend trips from London by train is Rye. This gem of a town in East Sussex is full of cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, haunted inns, and postcard-perfect cottages. It’s one of the prettiest towns in England.
Rye was once home to writer Henry James, and his house and garden are open to the public now. Touring them is one of the best things to do in Rye.
The town is also in walking distance of Camber Castle, a historic fortress with Henry VIII connections. It’s one of the best castles near London.
If you want to take this trip, you can book a hotel in Rye here. If you want something unique, the Mermaid Inn is said to be haunted. You can book a room here.
13. Weekend in Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon is another of the best weekend trips from London by train. This town in Warwickshire is famous for its Shakespeare connections. Not only is it full of houses he lived in and theaters showing his plays, but also historic streets and pubs.
Spending a weekend in Stratford-upon-Avon will allow you to visit all the Shakespeare houses, see a play in the evening, and explore the historic streets.
If you want to take this trip, you can book a hotel in Stratford here. There are lots of good places to stay.
14. Weekend in Leicester
Next on my list of weekend trips from London by train is Leicester. This city in the Midlands flies under the radar, but it’s worth a visit for a number of reasons.
First, the Richard III connections are fascinating. The former king died here, and there’s a museum dedicated to him in the city center. He’s buried in the impressive cathedral, too.
Next, Leicester is one of the best Arts and Crafts Movement places to visit in Britain. The Leicester Museum and Art Gallery houses an important collection, and leading figures like architect-designer Ernest Gimson were born here.
If that’s not enough, the city has stunning historic architecture to admire. If you look up as you walk around during your weekend in Leicester, you’ll be impressed. There are even ancient Roman ruins here.
If you want to take this trip, you can book a hotel in Leicester here. I’ve stayed at St Martins Lodge, which is housed in a beautifully renovated Grade II-listed building in the heart of the city. You can book a room here.
15. Weekend in Paris
Outside the UK, Paris is my top pick for a weekend trip from London by train. The City of Light makes a great 2-day escape from the UK capital.
There’s a lot to do here, including world-class museums, great shopping and dining, fun nightlife, and stunning Paris landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. It’s worth spending a weekend in Paris to see the highlights.
If you want to take this trip, you can book a hotel in Paris here. I’ve also written about the best areas to stay in Paris if you want specific recommendations.
16. Weekend in Brussels
Also on the continent, Brussels is another great weekend getaway from London by rail. The Belgian capital is underrated as far as European cities go, but I spent a summer living and working here and I can vouch for its worthiness.
Brussels has everything from delicious food and drinks to great museums, colorful street art, beautiful Art Nouveau architecture, and fun markets. The Grand Place is one of the most photogenic city squares in Europe, too.
If you want to spend a weekend in Brussels, you can book a hotel in the city here. I’ve visited many times, and my favorite place to stay is the Hilton Brussels Grand Place. You can book a room here.
17. Weekend in Amsterdam
With direct rail services between London and Holland, Amsterdam is another of the top weekend trips from London by train. This city in the Netherlands is known for its unique canals, skinny houses, abundance of museums, and fun nightlife.
Two days in Amsterdam is enough time to walk around the streets, visit the markets, take a canal boat ride, and cycle into the countryside. If it’s spring, you can visit the famous Keukenhof Gardens, too.
If you want to take this trip, you can book a hotel in Amsterdam here. I’ve visited several times, and my favorite place to stay is the Amsterdam Marriott Hotel. You can book a room here.
Map of Weekend Trips from London
Best Weekend Trips from London by Train
I hope you’ve enjoyed this list of the best weekend trips from London by train, and that it’s helped you discover new places to travel for a couple days.
If you want more ideas, you can take a look at my blog posts about weekend getaways from London, the best weekend trips in the UK, weekends in Wales, weekends in Scotland, and romantic weekend getaways to Europe. Happy travels!
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