Trains to Beaches from Reading

skylight

I am looking at summer day trips for the kids and am looking for places within a very easy reach of a train station - so that there is little walking/travel to do when we get to the other end!

I need a sandy beach (soooo important to a 5yo!) and as mentioned everything within a very short distance from the train station itself. We are looking to leave from Reading so it gives us the South Coast and round to Weston-Super-Mare really - no further as 2hrs is more than enough travel for the kids. Actually, any non-beach ideas would be great too!

It all has to be by train - the people carrier died and we cannot replace it. Plus OH is not able to drive so we cannot take 2 cars either.


Any fun suggestions?

Marg2k8

I think that Weston Super Mare Train station would be about 20 minutes walk from the beach, and that is for an adult, so if your children are toddlers, then longer.

Have you looked at the local coach companies to see if they are doing any trips that might be suitable?

Mum_of_3_3

Unless you have a family train ticket I would've thought that a train would cost nearly as much as hiring a 7-seater. I was looking at the Enterprise website the other day for 7-seater hire & iirc it's about £115 for the day.

If you can't do that then how about Weymouth? I've just checked & although it's a 3 hour (each way) trip with 1 stop the train station is really close to the beach.

Hope you manange to have a good day out.

M_o_3

mrfrostie

Weston beach is 10-15 minute flat walk from the station -even with young kids there is also an open top bus that runs from the station along the sea front. there is quite a lot of construction work going on what with the Pier rebuild and the sea defences being beefed up but the beach is so vast this should'nt cause to much disruption to your day out although there is no guarantee you'll see the sea!
Train travel can be quite reasonable if you book in advance and maybe use their groupsave 4 scheme tips here - http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/BuyTickets.aspx
There are no direct trains in the mornings to wsm from Reading (change at Bristol Temple Meads) but on weekday evenings their are 10 past the hour direct trains from 5.00pm taking about 11/2 hours to Reading.
Weekend travel is cheaper but longer due to engineering works.
Another option is buying a family rail card -you will need to travel 3 times to get benefit from it but it might be worth the investment
http://www.familyandfriends-railcard.co.uk/what-is-a-familyandfriends-railcard

jd87

You can get to Weymouth in under 2 and a half hours if you get the right trains, and the station is literally a two minute walk from the beach. I think Weymouth is a much nicer place than Weston too. A lot of the beach is really nice and sandy, it's very safe, and there are lots of shops and a harbour and other things to look round if you get bored.

If you think 2.5 hours will be too long, then you could always go to Bournemouth instead. You can get a direct train that takes 1.5 hours. It looks like the station is a bit too far from the beach to walk, but there are bound to be buses taking people straight to the beach.

skylight

Thanks for that - Hadn't thought of Weymouth!

Its a bit pointless hiring a car - although it may be cheap to hire there are still petrol costs to add on, so doesn't really make it any more cost effective. But saying that, its definitely something I will check out before I book any train tickets, just in case!

mummytofour

Mum_of_3 wrote: »

Unless you have a family train ticket I would've thought that a train would cost nearly as much as hiring a 7-seater. I was looking at the Enterprise website the other day for 7-seater hire & iirc it's about £115 for the day.

If you can't do that then how about Weymouth? I've just checked & although it's a 3 hour (each way) trip with 1 stop the train station is really close to the beach.

Hope you manange to have a good day out.

M_o_3

That is such a loty of money! Check out 1car1 much cheaper.

mummytofour

Ohh I did reply to this on teh other site hunni but just to throw another idea in Littlehampton! It has 2 beaches, one pebbles and one sand ( west beach) both easy to get to from the train station. An understanded town not big and brash like brighton.

skylight

Can't find a slapping head icon - but I used to LOVE Littlehampton as a kid. How on earth could I forget that one! Ta Mummytofour!

kjmtidea

What about Bournemouth, it is only about 1 1/2 hours from Reading on the train. The train station isn't far from the beach and there are buses every couple of minutes if you didn't want to walk. There is also the oceanarium and wacky warehouse right next to the beach aswell.