Train Travel

Avoid the traffic jams and travel by train to escape the city.

The following suggestions may help you avoid the traffic during the summer months, when you want a break from city life. Park the car and let the train take care of your journey. The following ideas start from a selection of cities around the country

90 minutes from Victoria is Minnis Bay, Kent

Board a direct train to Thane, on a hot sunny day and experience the Blue Flagged Minnis Bay. There is safe bathing, coastal paths to explore and the shallow sea and steady breezes means you can learn kitesurfing. If you would like to try this activity contact Clydach Marine on 01732 462213 or on-line at www.allgoodfun.com. After a morning of fun why not try lunch at the Minnis Restaurant, you can try their beer battered plaice fillets or sauteed scallops while admiring the view from its panoramic windows.

To sample the delights here, take a direct train from Victoria to Birchington-on-Sea. This will take approximately 90 minutes, and then you can choose to jump on the number 9 bus or take a gentle stroll into Minnis Bay. The walk is about 20 minutes.

If you want to stay overnight why not book into Green View B & B. It has been awarded four diamonds from the English Tourist Board. It is a minutes walk from the beach, has a cottage garden and five ensuite bedrooms. The price starts at for a double room.

90 minutes from Waterloo is the New Forest.

Arriving in the New Forest you will discover 150 miles of tracks and paths that will lead you to typical English villages with a warm welcome waiting in the pubs.

The New Forest is perfect for a cycling break. A good rail service is available to Brockenhurst, and you are allowed to take your bikes on most trains. However, if you prefer, you can rent a bike from Cyclexperience, which is in the village. Make sure you telephone ahead to book (01590 623407). There is also a hop on, hop off New Forest tour bus, which has an open top and a cycle trailer. So if your legs are tired you can take advantage of this service. An adult day pass is nd Under 16's day pass is For more information contact them on 0871 666 0000 or on-line at www.city-sightseeing.com.

To get to the New Forest there are direct trains from Waterloo to Brockenhurst, this takes about 90 minutes or there is a direct train from Reading, which takes aboout 70 minutes. You can download maps and cycle routes from www.hants.gov.uk/cycling.

There are lots of hotels etc to choose from. One in Brockenhurst, is the Cottage Hotel, this is a family run concern and is a converted forester's cottage. It has been awarded five AA diamonds. It has six bedrooms and offers bed and breakfast accomodation. Breakfast includes all local produce. The starting price for a double room is

75 minutes from London Liverpool Street is Sudbury.

Sudbury is a hiostoric market town. It is the birthplace of Thomas Gainsborough, so to fully enjoy this countryside take the three mile walk along the willow and poplar tree lined valley. This walk runs along the abandoned rail line next to the River Stour all the way to Long Melford. You canpick up the trail in the Kingfisher car park next to the Sudbury railway station. In Sudbury you can visit the museum that was Gainsborough's former home.It is closed on Sundays and there is an admission charge.

To get to Sudbury take the train from Liverpool Street Station andchange at Marks Teys.

For an extended stay try the Boathouse. It is newly refurbished and has a restaurant and a bar with an outdoor terrace. There are four double bedrooms and costs start at for bed and breakfast,

An hour from Birmingham is the Heart of Wales Line

This rail line takes nearly four hours to meander through the 121 miles of awe inspiring scenery between Shrewsbury and Swansea.This is one of the best ways to see the hills and valleys of central Wales. The train crosses seven bridges, including the viaducts at Knucklas and Cynghordy, as well as travelling through six tunnels. The journey also travels through the English marshes, the Shropshire Hills, Radnor Forest and th Loughor estuary near Llanelli. To enjoy the journey to its utmost be prepared to get on and off as the train stops. It is possible to rent mountain bikes in Llanwrtyd Wells. On arrival at Llandeilo, walk up to Dinefwr Castle where you can admire the views along the Tywi Valley. If you are hungry have lunch at the old coaching inn, the Cawdor Arms. To book ahead telephone: 01558 823500.

To board this train you can take a direct train to Shrewsbury, this will take 55 minutes from Birmingham or 67 minutes from Manchester. A free guide is available from 0870 900 0772.

If you want to extend your stay book into the Lasswade Country House, for more information contact them by telephone 01591 610515 or link to www.lasswadehotel.co.uk. This hotel is near to the stationat Llanwrtyd Wells. It has eight rooms, has won awards for its organic food and offers bed and breakfast accomodation for per couple.

33 minutes from Manchester the West Pennine Moors

Sample the delights of the Ribble Valley Line. This journey will take you across the Irwell Valley before climbing over the West Pennine Moors and then following the Ribble Valley to Clitheroe, a pleasant market town. Do not allow the delight of the scenery to persuade you to stay on the train, be prepared to alight and explore the surrounding countryside. At Entwistle you leave the train and find yourself immediately on the moors. If you are a walker, take the eight and a half mile walk , known as the Warpers Trail, this track will lead you through woods, alongside reservoirs and past long forgotton mill buildings. For more information or to order a printed game telephone 01254 53277.

There are frequent direct trains from Manchester to Entwistle and the journey time is 33 minutes

If you want to extend your stay you can book into the Strawberry Duck. It is a minute's walk away from the station and is a renowned real ale pub. It offers bed and breakfast accomodation from for a double room. Other meals are also available.

30 minutes from Newcastle is King Edward's Bay.

King Edward's Bay has a blue flag award, sandy beaches, beautiful grassy banks and surfboards are available for hire. It is surrounded by cliffs and the 11th-century Benedictine Priory looks down on to the beach.English Heritage run the Priory and daily opening times are 10am until 6pm. There is an admission fee. To sample locally caught fish try Sidney's in Tynemouth, it has been awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Set menus are available.

Trains run frequently ( every 10 minutes weekdays, 15 minutes on Sundays) on the Metro from Newcastle. It is only 12 stops to Tynemouth and then a short stroll to King Edward's Bay.

Stay overnight at Martineau House, which offers rooms that overlook Tynemouth Priory or the sea. A double room cost starts at for bed and breakfast. For more infomation telephone 0191 296 0746 or on-line www.martineau-house.co.uk.

Two hours from Glasgow or Edinburh is St. Cyrus, Angus

St. Cyrus is situated in a nature reserve. It is an excellent spot to see birds and butterflies. The beach is two miles of golden sand with a 15th century castle on a stack. There is only one pub in the village, the St. Cyrus Hotel. They serve a variety of food including freshly caught fish.

You can get there on a direct train from Glasgow and it will take 90 minutes, if travelling from Edinburgh to Montrose (90 minutes) you will need to take the 101 or 113 bus or a taxi to St Cyrus. (takes 10 minutes).

You can stay at the Woodston Fishing Station a family run bed and breakfast, that sits on the cliff tops, in St Cyrus. Each room has a sea view. Double rooms start at You may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of seals or dolphins.