The Great British Rail Sale has returned for another week from January 14 until January 20, where travellers can get discounts on thousands of journeys across the UK.
People looking to plan a winter day trip can take advantage of these discounts when booking journeys between January 17 and March 31.
Whether you want to peruse titles at cosy bookshops or explore a historic castle, these winter day trips have plenty to do indoors.
Rochester
You can hop on a train from Bromley South to the town of Rochester in Kent for as little as £2.50 one way.
Famously known as the former home of Charles Dickens, this riverside Kent town is ideal to visit for a chilly winter day trip.
Famously known as the former home of Charles Dickens, this riverside Kent town is ideal to visit for a chilly winter day trip. (Image: Glen Turner)
With a cathedral, the ruins of a castle and two museums to explore, the town has plenty of things to do indoors.
Bookworms should also pay a visit to Baggins Book Bazaar, the largest second-hand bookshop in England, which is a book lover’s dream.
Bookworms should also pay a visit to Baggins Book Bazaar, the largest second-hand bookshop in England. (Image: Glen Turner)
The town also has an array of independent shops, as well as cute cafes to curl up in on a drizzly day, but if you do fancy a walk you can head up to the River Medway for a riverside stroll.
Canterbury
Another popular Kent town is the historic town of Canterbury, a UNESCO World Heritage site famously known for its links with Chaucer, as well as its historic cathedral and rich Medieval architecture.
A one-way ticket from Bromley South costs £5 to either Canterbury East or Canterbury West, with the town centre just a short walk from either.
Canterbury is a UNESCO World Heritage site famously known for its links with Chaucer. (Image: Canterbury Connected)
Canterbury is home to over 1,500 listed buildings along with a plethora of museums to visit, ranging from the Canterbury Roman Museum to the eclectic Beaney House of Art and Knowledge, where you can find the iconic Bagpuss puppet.
But of course, one of Canterbury’s most popular attractions is Canterbury Cathedral, dating back to the 11th century, which played an important role in forming the Magna Carta.
One of Canterbury’s most popular attractions is Canterbury Cathedral, dating back to the 11th century, which played an important role in forming the Magna Carta. (Image: Canterbury Connected)
But if the weather is pleasant you can also head over to Westgate Gardens, especially if you visit in late March, for a chance to punt along the River Stour to see early signs of spring in bloom, from pastel-coloured daffodils to vibrant tulips planted along the river bank.
If you’re looking for a new book to read at a café or on the train home, you can stop into Canterbury’s Catching Lives bookshop, in a 16th century building which has become slanted over the years and is a popular spot for Instagrammers.
If you visit in late March, you’ll have a chance to punt along the River Stour to see early signs of spring in bloom. (Image: Canterbury Connected)
Faversham
Next on our list is the market town of Faversham, which is a train ride away from Bromley South for just £3.90 one way.
This market town with its cobbled streets, independent shops and restaurants has that old town charm feel with plenty of shops to explore.
If you visit on Tuesdays, Fridays or Saturdays, stop by Faversham Market where you’ll find a range of second-hand crafts and antiques, as well as a range of produce from cheeses to freshly baked bread.
At Faversham Market you’ll find a range of second-hand crafts and antiques, as well as a range of produce from cheeses to freshly baked bread. (Image: Faversham Town Council)
If you’re a fan of beer, Faversham is also home to Shepherd Neame’s brewery, which is over 400 years old and runs frequent tours.
During an 80-minute tour you’ll be taken through the beer brewing process, getting to try some of the fresh Kent-grown malted barley and hops that are used to make the beer, before trying some brewed beer at the end.
Faversham is also home to Shepherd Neame’s brewery, which is over 400 years old and runs frequent tours. (Image: Shepherd Neame)
Royal Tunbridge Wells
If it’s vintage steam trains, Georgian architecture and shopping you’re after, Royal Tunbridge Wells in Kent is just under an hour’s train ride from Bromley South.
Currently you can get a train from Bromley South to Tunbridge Wells for just £2.60.
Royal Tunbridge Wells in Kent is just under an hour’s train ride from Bromley South. (Image: Visit Tunbridge Wells)
This former spa town was built within the Spa Valleys from 1606, where people would flock to for rejuvenation.
Today you can see plenty of examples of its historic architecture including the Pantiles, a former Georgian structure built in the 17th century, which is now home to a host of shops and restaurants.
The Pantiles, a former Georgian structure built in the 17th century, is now home to a host of shops and restaurants.. (Image: Visit Tunbridge Wells)
If you love trains, visit Spa Valley Railway, where you can ride aboard a 1940s train carriage across tracks first built in the 19th century.
You can buy a rover ticket which allows you to disembark and explore Eridge Station and Groomsbridge Station on the route, if you fancy exploring some quaint Kent villages or exploring the scenery on a good day.
At Spa Valley Railway you can ride aboard a 1940s train carriage across tracks first built in the 19th century. (Image: Spa Valley Railway)
Arundel
Finally on our list, over in the country of Sussex, Arundel is a historic town known for its 11th century castle.
Over in the country of Sussex, Arundel is a historic town known for its 11th century castle. (Image: Michael White)
You can take a train from Clapham Junction or East Croydon for £3.50 one way with a journey taking 1 hour 20 minutes.
This picturesque town dates back as early as Roman times, and is probably best known for its historic castle with parts dating back as early as 1068, along with 40 acres of beautiful gardens which play host to its popular annual Tulip Festival every year.
This picturesque town is probably best known for its historic castle, with parts dating back as early as 1068. (Image: The Drone Awakens)
You could easily spend a whole day in the castle exploring its rooms and outdoor gardens, but if you fancy a walk into the town it’s home to a 19th century cathedral, as well as plenty of antique and independent shops.