London is a pretty incredible place for a lot of reasons.
Its home to an incredible culture cultivated over 2,000 years, it has some of the very best museums and galleries in the world, a seemingly endless list of stunning attractions, world class food, abundant history- you get the idea; there is a lot going on.
But one of the main reasons that people who visit the UK love London so much, is that you can enjoy all of this and be really well connected to the rest of the UK.
In fact, London acts as a kind of transport hub for many of the country’s rail networks- getting to London from any city or town in the UK is pretty manageable, and you can reach the far flung corners of the country like Cornwall.
Thanks to the country’s relatively small size, using coaches, cars and trains to get around is a very easy thing to do!
If you’re visiting London and using it as a base to explore the UK then book a room in The Montcalm Royal London House; you’ll be in the perfect location to explore London and beyond.
Now let’s take a look at the best ways you can use London as a base, and explore the gorgeous UK.
Day Trips by Train
As we already know, London is something of a transfer hub for the UK’s rail network- especially in the south.
It seems like all railways go through London at some point, and this is great for getting around.
The UK actually has an incredible rail network that spans large amounts of the country and allows you to get close enough to pretty much anywhere you could want to go!
You can make plenty of day trips by train to some of the UK’s best cities where you can experience the incredible history of Britain first hand.
Pros
- Extensive Network- Pretty much every city in the UK is connected to the rail network- so go anywhere you want!
- Easy to Use- Riding the trains themselves is very easy, and for the most part, navigating stations and new towns is very easy to do too.
- Traffic is No Issue- We like a bit of organisation here, and the train network is totally traffic free and actually runs quite efficiently.
- Sit Back and Relax- You don’t really have to do anything on your journey, sit in comfort and enjoy a good book, browse your phone and have some food- you’ll be there in no time.
Cons
- Can be Expensive- One of the main problems with our rail network is the cost of travelling. It can be a pretty expensive way to get around, booking in advance can help but some journeys are just pricey.
- Strikes, Delays and Changes can be Problematic- In recent years there has been a slew of strikes, cancellations and delays that affect millions across the country- so plan ahead and check the websites before you travel!
How to Book
There are a few ways to book, and you can even just wait until you arrive at the station to catch your train- but this is the most expensive way to do it.
Booking in advance is the best way to save, and it can be quite reasonable if you are forward thinking enough. Check out National Rail, Trainline and Split Ticket for the best prices- but it’s an extraordinarily complex ticketing system so check a few variations of the trip for the best deal!
The Best Day Trips By Train
Brighton
Brighton is one of the country’s best coastal towns.
It’s home to amazing shopping, great food and coffee, incredible live music and one of the best nightlife scenes in the country.
And the best part? It’s a 1.5 hour train ride from your Montcalm London City hotel.
Enjoy an ice cream on the beach and explore the famous Laines shopping area- it’s a great day out.
Bath
Bath is one of the country’s most historical towns.
It was founded by the Romans thanks to the geothermal activity and you can still visit the Roman Baths today, 2,000 years on.
There is a gorgeous modern shopping area, as well as several beautiful marketplaces, cobbled streets, amazing pubs and the jaw dropping Bath Abbey.
Cambridge
Cambridge is yet another incredible city, and one you’ve probably heard of thanks to its historic university.
This absolutely stunning town has barely changed since Isaac Newton strolled the streets in the 17th century.
Explore the ancient streets, visit the gorgeous University buildings and get a real feel for the history of Cambridge.
Day Trips by Coach
Using a coach to navigate the country can be a cost effective way to travel- but it does have plenty of problems.
For one, you are fully reliant on where the services operate. The Coach network is designed to get people to major areas and cities, it does not really cater towards countryside locations.
It’s also a slow way to travel thanks to the UK’s busy roads. It’s all well and good being able to travel to Newcastle for £10 but if it takes you 9 hours and you sit in traffic all day, you may lose some of the magic of adventure.
For the most part the buses are nice, albeit a bit cramped and there really is no cheaper way to connect the UK’s major cities.
Pros
- Can be Very Cheap- Coaches are a great way to travel cheaply between the UK’s major towns and cities.
- There are Overnight Services on Offer- The Trains don’t offer overnight services, but the coaches do, it can be a great way to get around if you can sleep the whole time!
- Great Regularity- Buses run all day to many locations around the country, so you’ll be spoiled for choice.
Cons
- Can be Very Slow- The UK’s motorways are over used, this means that there is frequent traffic and your coach will find that traffic!
- Uncomfortable for Taller People- The seats are often smaller and cramped than on the trains, and finding a comfy position can be difficult for those of us who are taller than average.
How to Book
Head to the National Express website for a very easy and cheap booking system, if you’re trying to save money on your trip then this is the best way to go!
Hiring a Car
If these options don’t appeal to you, or you’re travelling in a group, then hiring a car can be a great option.
It gives you endless freedom and you can get to any tricky countryside location you like!
Just make sure you set your SatNav to avoid motorways- you didn’t travel all this way to sit in traffic on bland British motorways.
Explore the beautiful countryside at your own pace, and go wherever you please!
London is the Key to the UK
So there we have it, some of the best ways to travel from London to places all over the UK.
From your room in the fantastic station-adjacent hotels, Old Street London is a great place to be. You are close to Liverpool Street Station that can get you pretty much anywhere, and Moorgate Station that connects you to the entire city, so book a room in The Montcalm Royal London House now.
Make the most of your time in London and explore to heart’s content in this fantastic country.
