With the warmer months quickly approaching, there’s no better time of year to get outside and make the most of the Great British outdoors. Rolling green hills, panoramic views over the English coast and charming villages to enjoy a post-walk pint in, there are plenty of day trips that can easily be made without a car.
There’s no shortage of scenic hiking routes to explore in the UK, but some are more remote than others and require a few days of walking. If driving isn’t an option, or you’re simply pressed for time and don’t have a few days to spare, there are also a number of day trips along England’s coast that are easily accessible. In a post shared to Instagram, adventure traveller Zoe Tehraini revealed her top three coastal walks along the English Channel that can “be done as day trips from London using the train”.
A mix of moderate and more challenging routes, the first walk Zoe recommended is Hastings to Rye, which she also said is “one of my favourites”.
The seaside town is just an hour and a half away from London by train. The entire journey from Hastings station to Rye is 13 miles long and takes three to four hours to complete.
Finishing in Rye, the ancient port town is known for its cobbled lanes and medieval houses, making it a popular destination in its own right. Zoe recommends taking the train from St Pancras to Hastings, as you can return on the same ticket from Rye. An open return costs £30, depending on your railcard.
Further along the coast, Dover to Deal is a moderate walk. It is just over an hour from London St Pancras by train and 11.5 miles between the train stations.
If you want to make the most of being near the coast and go for a dip, Zoe said that she also loves “to take a sea dip on this walk” at St Margaret’s Bay. This makes it a good choice for milder weather, and return tickets are available for £21.50 if you book in advance.
Finally, for “a good old classic walk”, Zoe recommends the Seven Sisters route from Seaford to Eastbourne in Sussex. Taking the train from London Victoria, you’ll need to change at Lewes to get to Seaford.
To do this, you can buy a return ticket to Eastbourne, which costs £15.30 with a railcard when booking a week in advance, and simply get a single ticket to travel from Lewes to Seaford. With 12 to 14 miles of walking, the journey will take you past the iconic white chalk cliffs known as the Seven Sisters.