Written by NIAMH O'BRIEN
If you’re looking for a hassle-free weekend getaway from London, take the train to one of these stunning spots.
New Forest: 1 hour 35 minutes from Waterloo Station
Lace up your hiking boots on the picturesque train journey into this otherworldly landscape. You’ll be greeted by cows and the eponymous ponies, as well as roaming pigs in the autumn.
The sprawling New Forest is pretty flat with a network of smooth roads throughout, so take two wheels to explore or, better still, book a horseback tour.
Cambridge:
48 minutes from King’s Cross Station
Head to pretty Grantchester and go for a swim in the river. Nearby is The Green Man, a 400-year-old pub with an incredible selection of homemade gins, complete with a rope swing to entertain you.
Cambridge’s striking architecture is best viewed from the water. Pack a picnic and a few bottles of bubbly and book a punting tour before exploring this ancient university town further on foot.
Bristol: 1 hour 40 minutes from Paddington Station
Take yourself on a street art walking tour and see how many Banksy works you can spy. Bristol’s cobbled streets are flanked by beautiful red-brick buildings and often adorned by vibrant art.
In the evening, book a gig in Colston Hall or get your theatre on in Bristol Old Vic, the longest continuously running theatre in the English-speaking world.