In this article, you'll learn the following:
Once the leaves change colour to beautiful shades of red, orange and brown, it’s the perfect time to take a scenic railway trip through the countryside. Luckily, there are plenty of places to enjoy an autumn train journey in the South West. Whether you’re hoping to escape the city for a day or want to plan a weekend break and visit several locations, we’ve got you covered.
Our guide is here to help you plan autumnal train excursions, so you can sit back, relax and take in the scenery! Find the best routes from London Waterloo, including trains to Hampshire, Wiltshire, Devon and Dorset.
Scenic train journeys to Hampshire
Home to one of the best National Parks in the South West, the New Forest, Hampshire is an excellent location to enjoy the autumn scenery. Explore the top places to visit and find out how to get there on our network.
Brockenhurst
Photo credit: Daniel Gynn via Unsplash
Brockenhurst is a picturesque village surrounded by ancient woodlands and sprawling heathland. It’s a beautiful place to visit during autumn as the leaves change colour. Plus, you can get up close with the New Forest’s ponies, donkeys and cows, who often venture into the village!
If you’re travelling to Brockenhurst from London, Winchester or Southampton, you’ll pass through much of the New Forest’s countryside, making it one of the top scenic routes on our network.
How to get there: Take the train from London Waterloo to Brockenhurst. The journey is approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes.
Scenic train journeys to Devon
Devon is a great place to explore by train if you’re looking for an idyllic autumn escape. From impressive seascapes along the Jurassic Coast to rolling hills further inland, you’ll be surrounded by natural beauty at every stage of your journey.
Honiton
.jpg)
Caption: Arthur Hinton via Unsplash
Located on the edge of the Blackdown Hills Areas of Natural Beauty (AONB) in East Devon, Honiton is a market town surrounded by breathtaking countryside. Whether you want to visit Honiton for a day to enjoy autumnal walks or would prefer to take in the landscape from the comfort of our trains, it’s easy to reach from London, Exeter and Salisbury.
You’ll pass through the North Wessex Downs and Cranborne Chase National Landscape on your way to Honiton, making it a particularly beautiful journey during autumn.
How to get there: Catch the train from London Waterloo or Clapham Junction to Honiton. The journey takes around 2 hours and 55 minutes.
Scenic train journeys to Dorset
Although Dorset is predominantly known for the Jurassic Coast, there’s so much more natural beauty to discover here. Explore our top picks to plan your autumn train trip.
Sherborne
Situated between Cranborne Chase National Landscape and Dorset National Landscape, Sherborne has been named one of the most beautiful towns in England thanks to its charming medieval architecture. The surrounding hills and woodland only heighten its appeal, making it an ideal spot to enjoy a train journey in autumn.
When travelling to Sherborne from London and Woking, you’ll pass through other scenic locations like Tisbury and Templecombe, so you’re guaranteed to see some picture-perfect autumn landscapes.
How to get there: Catch the train from London Waterloo or Clapham Junction to Sherborne. The journey takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Wareham
Photo credit: Cliff Baxter
This historic riverside town in Dorset is a great place to visit in autumn. Whether you decide to stop off here for a few hours or a long weekend, there’s plenty of opportunity to immerse yourself in nature. To see autumn leaves up close, head out along the Wareham Forest Way – a 13-mile route starting at Wareham Quay.
If you’re travelling to Wareham from London or Southampton, you’ll pass through the New Forest National Park, where you’ll see a kaleidoscope of autumn colours, from golden yellows to warm greens.
How to get there: Take the train from London Waterloo to Wareham – a 2 hour and 15-minute journey.
Scenic train journeys to Somerset
Somerset boasts some of the most impressive landscapes and natural phenomena in the UK. From the Blackdown Hills AONB to Exmoor National Park, you’re bound to see some beautiful scenery here in autumn.
Crewkerne
This historic market town in south Somerset is surrounded by green space, so you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to scenic autumn landscapes! From hiking trails to cycling routes and the Bincombe Beeches Nature Reserve, there are plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in nature in Crewkerne.
Travelling to Crewkerne from London or Salisbury? You’ll pass through the North Wessex Downs National Landscape and Cranborne Chase National Landscape. Once you arrive in Crewkerne, you can easily take a day trip to Dorset National Landscape and the Blackdown Hills AONB.
How to get there: Hop on at London Waterloo or Clapham Junction and arrive in Crewkerne within 2 hours and 28 minutes.
Templecombe
Located in the Blackmore Vale, Templecombe is a charming historic village surrounded by natural beauty. Its proximity to Cranborne Chase National Landscape makes it a prime spot for walking trails. However, if you don’t fancy venturing further afield, the village itself looks especially pretty against a backdrop of autumnal colours.
Whether you’re passing through by train on your way to Sherborne, Crewkerne or Exeter Central or stopping here on a tour through Somerset, Templecombe is a must-visit location during autumn.
How to get there: Take the train from Clapham Junction or London Waterloo to Templecombe – a 2-hour and 5-minute journey.
Scenic train journeys to Wiltshire
Photo credit: Paul Macallan via Unsplash
With over 40% of the county being classed as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it’s easy to see why Wiltshire makes for a spectacular train journey – especially in autumn! These are the best places to travel to, whether for a day trip or a longer break..
Tisbury
Tisbury is a charming village in the Nadder Valley – an area at the centre of Cranborne Chase National Landscape. If you’re hoping to discover the best walking trails in the South West, Tisbury is a great place to start, as there’s plenty of green space to enjoy here.
However, if you’d rather relax and take in the views by train, this route passes through some of the best nature in the South West, whether travelling from London, Basingstoke or Exeter St David’s.
How to get there: Take the train from London Waterloo or Clapham Junction to Tisbury. The journey is approximately 1 hour and 48 minutes.
Sit back, relax and enjoy your journey with SWR
It’s not just breathtaking landscapes you’ll enjoy when travelling with us throughout the South West. All our trains have free onboard Wi-Fi, comfortable seating and charging points. Plus, we offer affordable train tickets to suit your requirements and help you save money on your journey.
Explore the various ticket types available, and don’t forget to check your eligibility for Railcards and discounts to save even more. When travelling with friends or family, take advantage of our GroupSave offers. Our Sunday Out and Semi-Flex return tickets are ideal for day trips, giving you extra flexibility if plans change.
While you’re here, sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest offers, exclusive competitions and travel inspiration.
