So, you’ve decided to visit London. Great! However, you’re not sure if you want to stay right in the centre of the action or mix in some of the beautiful countryside that everyone recommends.
The good news is… you can do both! Listed below are three places within an hour train ride to London that offer more peaceful surroundings and a taste of the country life. When you had your fill, just take a train back to the city. It’s the English way of life.
Weybridge, Surrey
This lovely town is inside the M25, (a freeway that circles London) but you wouldn’t know it with some of the beautiful sights you can visit. There are plenty of gorgeous country trails and plenty of pubs to visit, such as The Flintgate Pub in Weybridge, so you can reenergize yourself with food and drink afterwards.
If you choose to not go into central London one day during your stay, there are also many museums to visit. There are also a couple of large theme parks nearby, too, if you’re looking for fun thrills.
To get into central London, you can take the train that goes to Waterloo with direct access to the Northern, Jubilee and Bakerloo tube lines. If you get a stopping train, you can alight at some of the other stations on the route to get onto other tube or train routes.
Amersham, Buckinghamshire
If you enjoy the countryside and think you’ll want to spend some time taking in the views in this part of the world, think about having Amersham as your base when going to London. Not only is it easily accessible by road and rail, but you’re right on the doorstep of the Chiltern Hills.
There are many walks to enjoy in this area of outstanding natural beauty. There are riverside and woodland walks which you can use to explore the landscape. If walking isn’t your thing, then you can take in the history of Amersham and the area at the local museum.
When you want to go into central London, you can take the train to Marylebone in just 40 minutes and then get onto the Bakerloo line. Or, you can join the Metropolitan line at Amersham, which will take you into the heart of the capital and just a tube line change from some of the most popular monuments.
Enfield, Essex
As with Amersham and Weybridge, Enfield is also well connected to London’s public transport and road networks. Unlike them, though, it’s a great base for you to explore the attractions in east London.
Trains take just over 30 minutes to get you from the Essex countryside into London Liverpool Street station. From here, you can hop onto many tube routes such as the Central and Metropolitan lines as well as the Hammersmith and City line that will take you into the eastern side of the capital.
If you want to spend the day in Essex, there are a number of museums to visit, including the Whitewebbs Museum of Transport. There’s also the Dugdale Centre if you want to catch a show or see an exhibition.