Best town near London for a winter trip?

Posted by wanderingclaire on 12/13/24 08:39 PM

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a trip (4 adults) for early February. We are trying to decide where to spend two nights of our trip before we finish in London.

We like hiking and visiting castles/cathedrals/historic sites, and will be using only public transport. Ideally it would be within 1-1.5 hours by train from London.

We were looking at Bath as an option, but it seems like there is not much going on in winter and it would be better suited for a summer trip (eg walking/ghost/minibus day tours are limited to certain week days, and some do not run at all during the winter months). Seems like we would also be spending a lot of time on busses/trains to get anywhere too, as points of interest around Bath are all 1-2 hours away by transit. (Lacock Abbey, Avebury, etc).

Somewhere similar to Lewes would be nice- sites of interest within the town and nice hikes nearby, but two of us have already visited there and would prefer to see something new.

Would love to hear any recommendations if you have them!

Posted by Volva

UK (London - Chelsea Harbour)

12/13/24 09:21 PM

175 posts

Hi!

1) Why not just stay in London and day trip from there? Wouldn’t that be easier?

2) How about Brighton? I know the seaside might not seem ideal in winter, but honestly, all of the UK is chilly and damp in February. Brighton is fun and camp and vibrant and there is plenty to do, plus you can easily get to the Seven Sisters and the South Downs from it, among much else. So there’s urban coolness, plus easy access to nature/nice hikes.

Posted by Kathleen

Camano Island, WA, usa

12/13/24 09:57 PM

1526 posts

Oxford is an easy train ride from London. Check "What's On in Oxford". There are the wonderful Museums and Theatre Venues. There is a lot of things to do in the Holiday Season. I'm not sure about February. It is a short bus trip to Woodstock and Blenheim Palace. Lacock is just over an hour away by road. You would have to check if places have Winter Hours.

Posted by Sandancisco

Bay Area SF & Uppsala Sweden

12/13/24 11:16 PM

1038 posts

I agree with Kathleen, would also suggest Oxford.It's an easy trip by train from London & has so much to offer - The Ashmolean museum, Natural history museum, lovely high tea at the Old Parsonage (book ahead for table by the fireplace), the Black Swan pub that CS Lewis & JRR Tolkien frequented is a personal fav, great town to wander & easily accessible by bus to Blenheim Palace. What fun!

Posted by Claudia

Land of La

12/14/24 12:35 PM

9261 posts

The are some enjoyable flat trails in London.

This November enjoyed the Parkland Trail from Finsbury Park to Crouch End. Had a great breakfast at the Blue Owl Cafe. Tubed back to where I was staying near the Holborn Station.

Took the Holland Park trail to the Holland House. From Holborn tubed to the Holland Park Station. Exited, strolled through a posh neighborhood till I entered via a path off Holland Park Ave.

There are also the Walthamstow Wetlands. Tubed from Holborn on Piccadilly Line to Finsbury Park. Changed to a Victoria Line train to Black Horse Road Station. Got out, was still dark but loads of commuters out. Looked for a spot for coffee. Found the adjacent Deja Brew. Sat at the counter looking out on the street. A number of men in overalls, boots, parkas kept entering and leaving with large take away coffees in hand. Left there and started off to find a trail to meander. Wasn’t well signed but found a trail. Took it. Saw no one. Exited from the trail at the Paddock and started walking on a sidewalk. Traffic wizzed by.

November of 2023 did a Richmond Park walk from the E Sheen cemetery to the White Cross Pub.

No busses ridden on any of these. Used the London Underground.

Lastly the Thames River Path goes for miles.

Posted by wasleys

Lincolnshire, UK

12/14/24 02:44 PM

2320 posts

Where have you been on your trip and where is the last stop before those two nights you want to spend in London - that would help us to suggest good places to stop between the two....

Posted by wanderingclaire OP

12/14/24 03:20 PM

12 posts

Thank you for the suggestions, everyone! I will look into Brighton and Oxford.

To clarify: We will be arriving in London after a 3-hour Eurostar journey, which is why we’re looking for a town near London to stay. We’ve all been to London and would prefer to stay somewhere new.

Everyone is fit and we don’t have to worry about steep trails etc.