Today I want to share my top picks for walks near London by train with you. If you love escaping the city and getting out to the coast or countryside, these walks are perfect for you. They’ll transport you to parts of England packed with idyllic landscapes and classic seaside scenery. And they’re all just an easy train ride away from London.
Walks Near London by Train
I’ve done a lot of walks, hikes, and rambles in the area around the UK capital over the years. From coastal routes to country jaunts, they’ve been great ways to get to know England on foot.
In doing them I’ve discovered that it doesn’t take much to get into beautiful landscapes and seaside scenery near the city, and that traveling by train is a great way to do it.
Each walk on my list can be done as a day trip from London, so they’re straightforward and easy if you don’t have much time. In that sense, they’re ideal for visitors and locals alike.
You can read about additional walks and find further details in Time Out Country Walks: 52 Walks Near London. You can get it on Amazon here.
And if you’re new to British rail travel, you can find helpful tips on my blog post about how to travel by train in the UK.
So without further ado, read on for my favorite walks near London by train…
1. Surrey Walk
My first walk is a station-to-station route in Surrey. It’s called Walk the Chalk, and the 7-mile (11-kilometer) path goes from Dorking to Godalming.
The hike starts at Dorking station, from where you’ll walk through woodland areas and chalk landscapes in the English countryside near London.
You’ll pass World War II pillboxes and wildlife habitats en route, and you’ll even get to take in great views from God’s Seat. There are fun country pubs in Godalming to enjoy when you finish the walk, too.
This ramble in Surrey is ideal if you want to do a country walk that’s under an hour from London by train. It makes for an easy day out from the UK capital.
The route covers both flat areas and rolling hills, so it’s a perfect one if you like some variation when it comes to terrain.
If you want to do this country walk, you can find the detailed route, map, photos, and video on my blog post about a country walk in Surrey.
2. Moreton-in-Marsh Walk
Next on my list of walks near London by train is a Moreton-in-Marsh walk in the Cotswolds. This relatively flat 7-mile (11-kilometer) circular ramble is a great way to get out into the English countryside in one of the most beautiful parts of Britain.
Along the route you’ll spot everything from quintessential Cotswolds villages to whimsical stately homes, country pubs, and a famous arboretum.
This Cotswolds walk is just the thing if you want to explore the Cotswolds without a car, as it starts and ends at the Moreton-in-Marsh train station.
If this one appeals, you can find the full route, map, photos, and video on my blog post about a Moreton-in-Marsh walk.
3. Folkestone to Dover Walk
Third on my list of the best walks near London by train is one on the English seaside in Kent. It’s a 9.2-mile (14.8-kilometer) hike, and it’s one of my favorite coastal walks near London.
The route will take you from Folkestone train station to Dover train station, clinging to the shoreline and ascending the chalk cliffs to offer stunning views across the English Channel.
This walk is a good one if you like historic streets, as Folkestone is full of lanes with pretty houses, cafes, and shops. It’s also ideal if you love the seaside, as it goes past lots of beaches and waterfront areas. They’re some of the best places to visit in Kent.
There’s one steep hill climb in the middle, so it’s perfect if you like a challenge, too.
I recommend doing this walk on a sunny day if you can. That’s not least because you’ll be able to see France in the distance if it’s clear.
If this walk appeals, you can find the route and photos on my Folkestone to Dover walk blog post.
4. Oak Trail in Epping Forest Walk
Next on my list of walks near London by train is a circular route in Essex. The 6.6-mile (10.6-kilometer) Oak Trail is one of nine signposted rambles in Epping Forest, a woodland area on the border of Greater London.
The walk starts and ends at the Theydon Bois tube station, so it’s easy to get to from central London without leaving the Underground.
The route will take you into the village of Theydon Bois and out to the English countryside. You’ll pass through pastures and forest land, and you’ll even go by the Epping Forest Deer Sanctuary.
The walking route is mostly flat, so it’s an ideal one if you want a gentle ramble. There are pubs and cafes along the way if you need a rest, too.
This one is for you if you want to go on a country walk near London that’s accessible by tube. It’s less than 30 minutes from some stations in the city, and it’s one of the easiest walks to get to from the UK capital.
If this country walk appeals, you can find the details, map, photos, and video on my blog post about the Oak Trail in Epping Forest.
5. Arundel to Amberley Walk
The fifth of my walks near London by train is a fairy tale. This 9-mile (14-kilometer) hike in the South Downs is full of castles and towers.
With a route starting at Arundel train station and ending at Amberley train station, it passes by medieval fortresses throughout.
Arundel and Amberley are both home to some of the most impressive castles near London, and there’s a fun Gothic Revival tower in between them.
The route of this walk will take you up hills and into villages, so there’s a mix of scenery to discover beyond the castles. It’s one of the best walks in West Sussex.
This hike is perfect if you like fortresses, villages, and landscapes. It’s also fairly flat apart from one steep hill, so it’s a good choice if you want a bit of a challenge but not too much of one.
You can see the details, route, and photos on my Arundel to Amberley walk blog post.
6. Southbourne to Chichester Walk
The sixth of my walks near London by train is also down in West Sussex. The 11.5-mile (18.5-kilometer) route will take you from Southbourne to Chichester. The latter is one of the best cathedral cities in England.
The route winds around the channels in the Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). It will guide you past waterfront scenery and idyllic villages like Bosham. It also offers a reward at the end in the form of Chichester Cathedral.
This country walk is for you if you love history, villages, and the waterfront. There’s a pub with a beer garden in the middle, so it’s a perfect one if you want to have a leisurely day.
The walk is also completely flat, so it’s another good one to go on if you don’t like hills.
If you want to do this one, you can find the details and photos on my Chichester walk blog post.
7. Goring Circular Walk
My seventh walk near London by train is a circular route in the Berkshire countryside. This 11.2-mile (18-kilometer) walk will take you from Goring and Streatley station through pretty villages and fields of purple flowers.
The walk starts in the village of Goring on the River Thames. From there it winds past big country houses and through golden fields with woodland areas in between. There’s a great lunch stop at a 15th-century pub, too.
This walk is perfect if you like countryside, villages, a fairly quick train ride, and a circular route. The path has a few hills (including one steep one), so it’s ideal if you enjoy a mix of terrain and topography.
If this country walk appeals, you can find the details and photos on my blog post about walks in Berkshire.
8. Overton Circular Walk Near London
My eighth walk near London by train is a circular one starting and ending in the village of Overton in Hampshire. The 11.6-mile (18.7-kilometer) route will take you past rivers, through fields, and beside sheep.
It will also guide you through Jane Austen’s birthplace, making for a great excuse to pay homage to one of Britain’s most famous writers. Elsewhere, you might spot a herd of buffalo used for making mozzarella.
This hike is an ideal one if you like a mix of countryside and village charm, a relatively short train ride, and a circular route that makes transportation easy and straightforward.
The path is mostly flat the whole way, so it’s ideal if you like a ramble with even ground.
If this one appeals, you can find the details and photos on my Overton walk blog post.
9. Marlow Walk
Next on my list of walks near London by train is one that takes place in and around Marlow in Buckinghamshire. This 6.3-mile (10.1-kilometer) hike is a fun one to do if you want to walk along a flat route that’s accessible by rail from the UK capital.
The path goes along the River Thames before veering off into woodland areas. There are Tudor houses, pretty footbridges, and historic churches to take in along the way.
This walk is ideal if you want to discover the Chiltern Hills and see some of Marlow at the beginning and end. It’s also shorter than some of my other walks, so it’s good if you want something a bit easier.
If this one sounds good, you can find the full route, map, photos, and video on my Marlow walk post.
10. Tring Circular Walk
Next on my list of the best walks near London by train is a Tring circular walk. This 8.5-mile (14-kilometer) route in The Chilterns is perfect for immersing yourself in Britain’s unique chalk grassland scenery.
Along the way you’ll walk through nature reserves, over rolling hills, and up to the famous Ivinghoe Beacon. There are spectacular views across the English countryside and great pubs for lunch in the town of Tring, too.
This country walk is just the thing if you want something relatively close to London and you enjoy hiking a few hills.
You can find the full route, photos, and video on my Tring circular walk blog post.
11. Country Walk Near Cambridge
The next of my walks near London by train is close to Cambridge. The 14-mile (22.5-kilometer) circular route starts and ends in Wendens Ambo, which is an easy train ride from London, if a bit longer than some of the others in this post.
The walk itself is stunning. It goes through some of the most beautiful villages in England, including Wendens Ambo and Arkesden.
There are thatched-roof cottages and bucolic streams galore, not to mention a great country pub for lunch.
This walk is perfect if you prefer the ease of beginning and ending in the same spot and taking in fairy-tale scenery along the route. If you want to do it, you can find the details and photos here.
12. Rochford Walk Near London
My twelfth walk near London by train is a circular one that starts and ends at Rochford station. This 13-mile (21-kilometer) ramble will take you along varied terrain.
The route features everything from narrow paths under leafy canopies to overgrown trails along wheat fields. It also goes on top of raised mounds separating the River Roach from the farmland next to it.
In the middle of the walk, there’s a country pub in a pretty village called Paglesham where you can have lunch.
If you want to go on this one, you can find the details and photos here.
13. Ely Circular Walk Near London
Next on my list of the best walks near London by train is a circular one in Ely. The route begins and ends at the train station in Ely, a historic city in Cambridgeshire. The city itself is worth visiting at the beginning or end of the walk, as Ely Cathedral is stunning.
As for the walk itself, there’s idyllic countryside to go through, including lots of fields that run alongside waterways.
It’s exciting to spot canal boats along the path, and there are pubs and picnic spots throughout the area if you want to stop somewhere for lunch.
This walk is ideal if you love history and classic countryside in equal measure. The area around Ely is also flat, so it’s the perfect walk if you don’t like hills.
There’s information about circular walks from Ely online, so you can do a similar one if you’re interested.
More Country Walks in Britain
Beyond these walks, I’ve also written a guide to my favorite country walks near London and my top country walks in Britain. They’re great resources if you want to do more hikes and rambles in the UK.
Walks Near London by Train
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about these walks near London by train. The English countryside is famous for a reason, and these routes are the perfect ways to get outside and discover it.
I’ll share more walks with you as I go on them, and I’ll add the new ones to this blog post as I do. If you want to bookmark or pin it on Pinterest, you can use it to find them all in one place. Happy walking!
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