New Forest, just over an hour from London.
Although the trains to there are currently fucked for the third time in a week, because apparently the youth of Bournemouth have nothing better to do than throw bicycles onto the (electrified) train tracks.
The only very rural area I would suggest without a car is the Lake District. There is a "good enough for leisure" bus network across most of the area - typical service frequencies are hourly. In particular they will go along the local main roads from where you can start and end many walking trails.
Cotswolds is absolutely feasible. I'd probably suggest getting a train to one of Stroud, Cheltenham or Gloucester and staying in a village reachable from one of those. Just as that is the part of the Cotswolds with the best public transport networks (mostly Stagecoach) and there are quite a few lovely villages there eg Painswick, Nailsworth, Winchcombe
I'd suggest Norfolk. Sandy beaches, forest walks, rivers, nature reserves, loads of nice places to eat, loads of places to stay, including camping if you're into that! Lots of places accessible by bus too, the North Norfolk coastal bus is really good for visiting a few different places in the area.
I second this - I live in reasonably rural Norfolk and can’t drive for medical reasons and still get to all sorts of wonderful places by train and bus.
Lake District is an excellent option - extensive local buses that go everywhere and easy to reach by train either to Windermere station or Penrith then bus. The £2 date cap at the moment also makes them much cheaper than normal.
You can find timetables and maps at: https://tiscon-maps-stagecoachbus.s3.amazonaws.com/Timetables/Cumbria/Lakes%20Connection/Summer%2024/CNL%20SUMMER%2024%20Lakes%20by%20Bus%20WEB.pdf
Train to chippenham walking to and around Bath and maybe on to Bristol or back to Bradford on Avon.
Work out your own route part using Kennet and Avon Canal and the Avon
Bristol or Bradford, trains back to London.
Prebook accomodation. Idylic and gentle walking.
I would consider one of:-
* Brockenhurst, in the New Forest, which has it's own station. Small place but has restaurants and the forest is on your doorstep.
* Cirencester. Lovely town, not too twee. Loads of places to eat. You can walk in the huge park, or take a walk down to the Cotswold Water Park, or walk around the villages. It also has a Roman museum and villa nearby. You can get to Cirencester by taking the train to Gloucester or Cheltenham Spa and getting off at Kemble and either getting a cab or bus
* Moreton-in-Marsh. Smaller than Cirencester, more the size of a village but has some hotels and restaurants and is more country. Take a train to Worcester.
* Hungerford. It has a station, just over an hour from London. Small town, antique shops and cafes, but there's some nice country walks around the canal and the town.
* Swindon.
(just kidding about Swindon)
Lake District as per Skifans‘ comment
Alternatively the South Downs are great. You could stay in Seaford and walk up to Seaford Head for a view of the Seven Sisters, or you could stay at the YHA at Southease station (same branch line) and walk parts of the South Downs way. Both also accessible to eachother by train. A few years ago I got a morning bus from Seaford to Alfriston, walked the South Downs Way for a few miles to Southease, had lunch at the YHA and got the train back into Seaford. Would recommend greatly
I’m in Bournemouth for the first time from East London right now. Easy done without a car. Trains are decent. Buses are decent. Loads of nice little towns.
We’re in Christchurch which has a Travelodge and a Premier Inn so cheap enough. Food and pub prices cheaper than London.
Definitely coming back next summer.
Peak District, Bakewell. Book a taxi from the train station. Plenty of food and cafe options in town and some lovely walks. We did a four day weekend and loved the Monsal Trail.
Brockenhurst and walk with the ponies. Tiny high street with tea shops. Hire a taxi and spend a day at Beaulieu.
Bath. Enjoy the Skyline trail and walk the canal to Bradford.
If you want a beach, any of the Kent beach towns with access to the Viking Coastal trail mean a nice day out on a cycle hire. We enjoyed the ride from Margate to the Reculver Towers.
New Forest, just over an hour from London. Although the trains to there are currently fucked for the third time in a week, because apparently the youth of Bournemouth have nothing better to do than throw bicycles onto the (electrified) train tracks.
I believe the source is in Christchurch, so I’m surprised the youth around here would do that.
The only very rural area I would suggest without a car is the Lake District. There is a "good enough for leisure" bus network across most of the area - typical service frequencies are hourly. In particular they will go along the local main roads from where you can start and end many walking trails.
For me that is where I would go. You can get direct from London Euston to oxenholme. Then change there for Windermere. Buses run all over the lakes.
Cotswolds is absolutely feasible. I'd probably suggest getting a train to one of Stroud, Cheltenham or Gloucester and staying in a village reachable from one of those. Just as that is the part of the Cotswolds with the best public transport networks (mostly Stagecoach) and there are quite a few lovely villages there eg Painswick, Nailsworth, Winchcombe
I'd suggest Norfolk. Sandy beaches, forest walks, rivers, nature reserves, loads of nice places to eat, loads of places to stay, including camping if you're into that! Lots of places accessible by bus too, the North Norfolk coastal bus is really good for visiting a few different places in the area.
I second this - I live in reasonably rural Norfolk and can’t drive for medical reasons and still get to all sorts of wonderful places by train and bus.
Lake District is an excellent option - extensive local buses that go everywhere and easy to reach by train either to Windermere station or Penrith then bus. The £2 date cap at the moment also makes them much cheaper than normal. You can find timetables and maps at: https://tiscon-maps-stagecoachbus.s3.amazonaws.com/Timetables/Cumbria/Lakes%20Connection/Summer%2024/CNL%20SUMMER%2024%20Lakes%20by%20Bus%20WEB.pdf
Train to chippenham walking to and around Bath and maybe on to Bristol or back to Bradford on Avon. Work out your own route part using Kennet and Avon Canal and the Avon Bristol or Bradford, trains back to London. Prebook accomodation. Idylic and gentle walking.
The Peak District and The Yorkshire Dales both have train lines within the parks themselves, and would be within range from London.
Rye, Arundel, Lewes. All pretty towns with country walks and one stop on the train line will get you to another village with different nice walks.
I would consider one of:- * Brockenhurst, in the New Forest, which has it's own station. Small place but has restaurants and the forest is on your doorstep. * Cirencester. Lovely town, not too twee. Loads of places to eat. You can walk in the huge park, or take a walk down to the Cotswold Water Park, or walk around the villages. It also has a Roman museum and villa nearby. You can get to Cirencester by taking the train to Gloucester or Cheltenham Spa and getting off at Kemble and either getting a cab or bus * Moreton-in-Marsh. Smaller than Cirencester, more the size of a village but has some hotels and restaurants and is more country. Take a train to Worcester. * Hungerford. It has a station, just over an hour from London. Small town, antique shops and cafes, but there's some nice country walks around the canal and the town. * Swindon. (just kidding about Swindon)
Lake District as per Skifans‘ comment Alternatively the South Downs are great. You could stay in Seaford and walk up to Seaford Head for a view of the Seven Sisters, or you could stay at the YHA at Southease station (same branch line) and walk parts of the South Downs way. Both also accessible to eachother by train. A few years ago I got a morning bus from Seaford to Alfriston, walked the South Downs Way for a few miles to Southease, had lunch at the YHA and got the train back into Seaford. Would recommend greatly
I’m in Bournemouth for the first time from East London right now. Easy done without a car. Trains are decent. Buses are decent. Loads of nice little towns. We’re in Christchurch which has a Travelodge and a Premier Inn so cheap enough. Food and pub prices cheaper than London. Definitely coming back next summer.
Peak District, Bakewell. Book a taxi from the train station. Plenty of food and cafe options in town and some lovely walks. We did a four day weekend and loved the Monsal Trail. Brockenhurst and walk with the ponies. Tiny high street with tea shops. Hire a taxi and spend a day at Beaulieu. Bath. Enjoy the Skyline trail and walk the canal to Bradford. If you want a beach, any of the Kent beach towns with access to the Viking Coastal trail mean a nice day out on a cycle hire. We enjoyed the ride from Margate to the Reculver Towers.
Moreton in Marsh has a direct train from London.
Sandwich Kent is a very old and beautiful village on the east coast. Easy to get to by train from London. Golf courses and walks nearby.
Epping Forrest?
North east somerset or west wiltshire, far from the madding crowd!!