Advice/ideas for UK countryside breaks by train

mangog

Hi all,

I'm looking for some ideas and advice! My husband and I have had a tough year with family stuff and ill health and we'd like to treat ourselves to a short UK break in the countryside in October (my favourite time of year and our wedding anniversary!). Neither my husband or I drive and we're not keen on flying if we can avoid it because of the environmental impact, so the journey needs to be by train or coach. We'd like to go somewhere with a different landscape from what we're used to (we live in Norwich, so I'm hankering after rolling hills or moors or something - love the big skies round here but I need a change!)

The trouble with the train is that it's so expensive, and it takes forever to get anywhere from Norwich! Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions for a nice getaway where we can just chill out, maybe go for nice walks etc within a reasonable distance of Norfolk?

Thanks for any advice. We don't travel much for these very reasons so this is all a bit outside of my comfort zone!

JulieM

I'm not sure what you'd consider a reasonable distance by train from Norwich but what about York, you could get there in less than 4 hours with just one change. And whilst York couldn't be considered countryside, it's a nice place to wander around and from there you can easily get to nearby places like Harrogate or Knaresborough by train. (There's a Premier Inn just found the corner from the station). You can save on rail fares by buying advance tickets, in addition, two people travelling together could also save a third with a Two Together Railcard costing around £30.

Closer to home, you could look at the Suffolk area, I've never been there myself but Ipswich seems an easy journey from Norwich.

Paula_Smith

How about the South coast between Brighton and Hastings. There are lots of busses and trains around there and you can get out on the South Downs or go to the towns.

JGB1955

How about Hope or Hathersage in Derbyshire? 4.5 hours by train and less than £85 return for two with a Two Together Railcard

peewhyeff

How about a coach holiday. I have used Shearings 6 or 7 times in the last 2 years. We enjoy the journey and the included trips without the stress of driving ourselves. You can travel to the other end of the country or choose somewhere closer to home. Food is good too. Maybe you have a local coach tour company that offers similar breaks.

D_M_E

How about Dartmoor, Exmoor or the moors around Jamaica Inn, Cornwall?