This week marks the return of the Great British Rail Sale, where prices on over a million rail tickets will be slashed for journeys on many routes over a six-week period.
From Tuesday, January 23 until Monday, January 29 tickets on thousands of rail routes across England and Wales will be discounted for advance journeys made between Thursday, February 1 and Friday, March 15.
Passengers will have from 23 to 29 January to claim up to 50% off selected Advance and Off-Peak rail tickets, through the Great British Rail Sale.
We’ve put together a list of five of our top recommendations for places to visit in Kent, reachable by train from south east London, for your next day trip away.
Whether you’re looking to explore some history, enjoy a countryside walk or do a spot of shopping, there are plenty of places you can visit by train within an hour of south east London.
Here are our top five day-trip ideas:
Rochester
Known for its links to novelist Charles Dickens, the town of Rochester still feels like something out of a Dickens book even today.
Rochester has several museums as well as Rochester Cathedral and the remains of Rochester Castle to explore, dating back to 1127.
If you love books, take a trip to Baggins Book Bazaar – famously known as the largest second-hand bookshop in England.
If it’s shopping you fancy, explore the town's array of independent shops and sellers, where you’ll find everything from retro-themed sweets to homeware and gift shops.
You can take a direct train from Bromley South station to Rochester in 25 minutes, with tickets priced at just £2.50 one-way in the sale this week.
Faversham
If you’re looking for a market town with a mix of independent shops, food stalls and old cobbled streets to explore, Faversham is definitely somewhere to add to your list.
You can get a direct train into the town centre from Bromley South within an hour, with one-way tickets priced at £3.70 in the sale.
If you visit on Tuesdays, Fridays or Saturdays, check out Faversham Market for its range of second-hand crafts and antiques, as well as a range of produce from cheeses to freshly baked bread.
The market has been hailed at the oldest in Kent, so you’rer sure to find something that takes your fancy.
Sevenoaks
Just over an hour away by train from Grove Park, Petts Wood, Chislehurst and Orpington is Sevenoaks, with its mix of independent shops, eateries and heritage locations.
Sevenoaks has plenty of independent and well-known retailers if you fancy some retail therapy.
If you fancy a walk in the park, you can head over to National Trust-owned Knole Park, which is home to free-roaming wild deer and boasts 1,000 acres of land to explore.
Canterbury
Famous for its iconic cathedral and links with Geoffrey Chaucer, Canterbury has a lot to offer for history enthusiasts.
You can catch a train from Denmark Hill or Swanley to Canterbury East in 1 hour 45 minutes with one-way tickets priced at £4.80 during the promotion.
Check out the famous cathedral itself, which is one of the oldest Christian buildings in England, dating back to 597 AD, and the resting place of Thomas Becket.
You’ll see many old buildings like the Weavers House, a 16th century building-turned-pub serving pies and Sunday roasts.
For bookworms, visit the Catching Lives bookshop in Palace Street, a 17th century building has become skewed over the years and claims to be one of the most photographed buildings in Britain.
If you fancy seeing some of Canterbury’s most scenic parts, take a punt and spend some time on the Great Stour with picturesque views of Westgate Gardens and Canterbury’s many historical buildings.
Eynsford
If you’re looking for a quaint English village to explore, then Eynsford in Kent is a great place to visit, on account of its old pubs, picturesque houses and historic attractions.
Located in the Darent Valley in Kent, Eynsford is accessible by a direct train from Bromley South within 20 minutes.
Once there, be sure to visit the nearby attractions of Lullingstone Roman Villa and Lullingstone Castle to explore some of Eynsford’s history.
There are also some scenic walks you can take, including a walk up to the iconic sight of Eynsford Viaduct.
If you get peckish, stop off at The Plough Inn if you’re looking for a cosy pub serving Mediterranean food, or the Malt Shovel if you’re after a dog-friendly pub serving traditional British dishes.
If you have a sweet tooth, don’t forget to drop by Eynsford’s local sweet shop, which has to be one of the most photographable locations in the area.
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