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Sideshoots - associated subjects => The Lighter Side => Topic started by: grahame on February 23, 2021, 18:33:09



Title: Day trips from Xxxxx ... early choices for early summer
Post by: grahame on February 23, 2021, 18:33:09
The Lonely Planet (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/day-trips-from-london) has published its top ten day trips from London.   Some destinations which are no surprise at all, one or two such as Margate could be a slight surprise.

Can you suggest some contenders for day trips from YOUR home station - in the early summer, when we're less locked down but while accommodation away (apart from self catering for single bubbles) is still unavailable.

Let me try some from Melksham ... Pangbourne, Mottisfont, Marlow, Heyford, Topsham ...



Title: Re: Day trips from Xxxxx ... early choices for early summer
Post by: johnneyw on February 23, 2021, 20:48:59

Can you suggest some contenders for day trips from YOUR home station - in the early summer, when we're less locked down but while accommodation away (apart from self catering for single bubbles) is still unavailable.


Red rag to a bull grahame, Bristol is spoilt for choice.

The recommendations from London on the link you have provided already had included Bath, Oxford, Weymouth and Winchester, which are also obvious ones from Bristol so instead:

Penarth, stroll from the station to the interesting high street with it's Victorian Arcade and descend through Alexandra Park to the waterfront and pier.  From there a signposted route takes you over the headland then down to Penarth Docks and the Cardiff Bay barrier which takes you to the former Tiger Bay, Welsh Assembly Building and Mermaid Quay. A stroll past the Wales Millennium Centre takes you to Cardiff Bay station for the return leg.

Alternatively:

The Taff Valley Trail.  Various railway stations to start from , for example, Radyr or Taff Wells, depending on how far you want to walk. Don't miss detouring slightly to include Llandaff Cathedral and "village".  This general route provides various different routes to take other than the "official" route so it's good and different a second time around.  Return from Cardiff Queen Street or through Bute Park to Cardiff Central.

Or why not?

Dawlish/Teignmouth.  Station's at Teignmouth, Dawlish, Dawlish Warren to start and finish from. All stations linked by coast paths so you can tailor your day out to where you want to explore and how far you want to stroll.

There are others of course, Yatton for the Strawberry Line cycle and walking path and Great Malvern for the Malvern Hills. Gloucester is worth a visit for the docks, Cathedral and more.

Believe me, I could go on.


Title: Re: Day trips from Xxxxx ... early choices for early summer
Post by: CyclingSid on February 24, 2021, 07:23:32
From Reading could modify some of their suggestions:
1.  Stonehenge and bike to Salisbury via the old Larkhill railway track, Amesbury down the Avon to Old Sarum and into Salisbury.
2.  Brighton cycle through Hove to Shoreham and then the Downs Link via Christs Hospital to Guildford.
3.  Bath, Two Tunnels Way.
6.  Winchester, a brief ride out to Hockley Viaduct.
7.  Oxford, via Didcot and the Hanson Way.
9.  Windsor, via Taplow and the Jubilee River into Eton and over the Thames to Windsor.
10. New Forest, two options:
       Lymington and round the coast to Milford on Sea, or
       Brockenhurst to Poole, via Ringwood and Wimborne

Additional
  Chichester Harbour circular
  Christchuch to Poole along the sea front
  Langstone Harbour circular

What you would expect from a cycling person. I don't think the Regents Canal will be on this year, Camden Lock is hardly somewhere you can social distance (whatever the Government guidelines).


Title: Re: Day trips from Xxxxx ... early choices for early summer
Post by: Lee on February 24, 2021, 07:32:41
In what now seems like a previous life, I used to be the manager of the Texaco on Langstone Bridge in the early 2000s.


Title: Re: Day trips from Xxxxx ... early choices for early summer
Post by: CyclingSid on February 24, 2021, 08:39:45
Quote
In what now seems like a previous life, I used to be the manager of the Texaco on Langstone Bridge in the early 2000s.

A slightly draughty spot!


Title: Re: Day trips from Xxxxx ... early choices for early summer
Post by: grahame on February 24, 2021, 10:24:26
What you would expect from a cycling person. ...

Expect exactly what I got - which is a wonderful selection of ideas.    Thank you - exactly what I needed!

I hadn't cycled for 20 years until last autumn ... simply none of those middle distance day-to-day journeys for which the bicycle is ideal, and so much else to do on leisure days and trips.  Also the effects of age on energy and (in my case) balance put me off.   Triggered by various changes (electric assistance moved forward including folding bikes, need for exercise within the area, parking charges on a previously free car park) I hired a bike for the day and after feeling how I got on, I'm now a re-cyclist!


Title: Re: Day trips from Xxxxx ... early choices for early summer
Post by: Lee on February 24, 2021, 10:47:59
Over here in France, I am fortunate, for the time being at least, that the fact that we are under curfew rather than full lockdown means that day trips by train are still an option for me.

One of my favourites is to combine work in Saint Brieuc with a walk along Plerin beach, by taking the every 20 minute bus from the interchange outside Saint Brieuc station. I have attached some photos which illustrate this.


Title: Re: Day trips from Xxxxx ... early choices for early summer
Post by: CyclingSid on February 25, 2021, 07:09:20
The original list, being London based, was probably a bit too East for most of our contributors. I should have added Bristol to Bath to No. 3. Also for the Two Tunnels you can take NCN 24 back into Bath to make a circular route.

Note that some of mine are a bit lumpy.



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