I overnight rail trip out of London: Where should I go?

York is the answer

If you want to go on an overnight train I would suggest Edinburgh. York would make a great trip also.

I agree that York makes a wonderful day or overnight trip. Bath is also a popular choice. But please realize that the "big cities" are REAL England, too. London, York, Cardiff, Liverpool, Manchester, etc. are all quintessentially Brittish. Windsor and Canterburry are more of the "small town" aspect of England and will give you a feel of that part of English life- both make good day or half-day trips. From Bath or Straford-upon-Avon you could see some of the Cotswold area. From York, you could see part of the Yorkshire Dales. What are your interests? That could help us make more pertinent suggesstions. If you love Roman history- Bath, if you are into Vikings- York. Art? Gardens?, etc. Let us know a bit more. Also- how long is your total trip and what other things are you planning to do in London. A well planned, balanced trip makes a good vacation.

Toni, Robin, and John...
I am planning 5 days in London and 2 outside to get to and return from where ever I decide to ride the train. I have looked at York and the Cotswolds. What I really want to see is the Yorkshire-type landscape and villages. If I take a train up that way is there a place to stop besides York in a smaller town?

Thank you for your speedy responses!

Jerry

Train up to York and either get day tours or rent a car. Aim at the Yorkshire moors (the alternative is the seaside), or you can roam around by car looking for the various ruined abbeys that seem to surround York. we have stayed in interesting hotel/manor houses a few miles out of York. York itself is worth exploring, but that is not the countryside

Just checked my notes. An interesting village we found near /on the Yorkshire moors is Thornton Dale, nice village with a chanelled stream runnibg alongside the road in the heart of the village. Homeowners on that side of the street have little bridges to get to their front yard. we found a nice (solid english style ) hotel there and had a good afternoon tea. very nice people (I was dressed in jeans). Probably the only hotel for miles. Sorry- did not keep the name, but it should pop up if you Google the village. Another village to visit is Hutton-Le-Hole, whitewashed houses around a very large sloping village green with sheep. I do remember a store, but dont think they have a hotel

There are some great small villages by York~there is Thirsk, Leyburn, Bedale...just so name a few. Have you heard of the series of books and tv show~~All Creatures Great and Small? The vet that wrote the books practiced in Thirsk..if you haven't go to the library and get some of his books and/or DVD's to watch...I'm sure you will enjoy the DVD's

If it is a single overnight trip you're looking for, York is fine suggestion. A bit more than two hours by train from London. The part of York you want to see is very compact and walkable. The station is a few minutes walk from the center of town. If you take a train up in the morning, spend the night, and return the next evening, you'll have two good days.

If you have more time, there's much to see in Yorkshire, either by a rental car or by bus. Getting about locally by train may be a bit more limiting.

Edinburgh is four and one-half hours by train from London. To my thinking, that's too long for a single overnight visit and not long enough to be a practical overnight sleeper run.

That said, you really don't need to go very far if you just want to get out of London into the countryside and spend some time at an interesting smaller town. Think about places like Winchester and Salisbury. Easily reached by train. If you can stretch more time, Devon is especially attractive.

For that matter, Henley-on-Thames, just west of London and a well-to-do little place, can keep you busy for a night and a day.

I'd suggest you check out the VisitEngland website (http://www.visitengland.com/en/) It has an interactive map. Clik on the Yorkshire area and it will give you lots of ideas. You can also put int the dates you will be there (or a range of dates) and it will tell you what's on- festivals, concerts, markets, etc.

To all who replied to my overnight rail question, thank you very much. Your advice has been very helpful. Jerry

If you like wide open vistas with few trees go to the Yorkshire Dales. If you like more cute Villages with Hedgerows and Cottage Gardens go west from London. Everyone seems to pass over the Midlands...which seems to be the "most" English of all to me. Check to see where the "Treasure Houses of England" are located and you'll find some great villages.

If you really want to get off the beaten track, visit Norfolk. There is less traffic and fewer people than the rest of the UK. Norwich is a lovely old town, and the Norfolk countryside is tranquil and lovely.

We enjoyed York more than Bath, but both are good. Loved seeing Stonehenge and Shakespeare's home.

Oxford is little more than an hour away by train and a great compact historical town centre to walk around. The university colleges are open for sight seeing and the Oxford Story is a great place to spend a few hours getting the history of the place, although I have not done this tour myself it has been recommended to me. You could check it on the web. Failing this as a choice Bath would be my next recommendation as it too is small enough to walk around with ease. At Stratford upon Avon you could visit Shakespeare's house and his wife Anne Hathaway's cottage. In my opinion though not a lot more to do at Stratford unless you like shopping, which I don't.

There are only two overnight sleeper trips in the UK: Night Riviera Sleeper between London and Cornwall: http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=1555 Caledonian Sleeper between London and Scotlandhas several different sections to it going to various destinations in Scotland.
http://www.scotrail.co.uk/caledoniansleeper/index.html