In this article, you'll learn the following:
For many people, New Year’s resolutions have some rather un-jolly connotations. But at South Western Railway, we’re strong believers that the promises we make ourselves on December 31 don’t all have to be rooted in self-restraint. Instead of burdening yourself with a list of things you’re not allowed to do come January 1, why think of all the ways you can add to your life in the coming year? To start you off with some inspo, we’ve partnered with Secret London to round up a few fun new skills and activities you can enjoy in 2024.
Become a master of historical martial arts
From beginners to expert martial artists, everyone is invited to train at London Longsword Academy. Here you can learn the ropes of 7 different weapons across 15 different style classes, including longsword, rapier, and small sword. And this simple yet sophisticated practice is a great way to challenge your brain whilst keeping active at the same time! Don’t worry if you don’t own a weapon - training weapons will be provided in class. You can dip your toe in the water with a single lesson, then bag yourself a discount once you’re ready to commit to a monthly membership
How to get there: Catch the Jubilee line from London Waterloo to London Bridge, then switch to the Northern line to Old Street. It's a 10 minutes walk from there. The address is Old St, London EC1V 9LP.
Sharpen up your knife skills
Despite what many may think, possessing a good knife (and the correct skills to use it) does much more than give you clout in the kitchen. The sharpness of your knife and your technique actually has a great impact on the resulting taste and texture of your dish! Yes, it’s time to discard that blunt instrument that’s been knocking around in a drawer for God knows how long. This year, give yourself the gift of better tasting food with an Applied Knife Techniques cooking class at Borough Kitchen. In this three hour session you’ll learn everything you need to know about how to carry out impressive knife skills safely and effectively. Then you can enjoy the fruits of your labour at the end with a delicious meal of roast poussin with a herb and fennel salad and crispy roast potato gratin.
How to get there: Catch the Jubilee line from London Waterloo to London Bridge. It's a 4 minutes walk from there. The address is 16 Borough High Street, SE1 9QG.
Wes and Sandy’s pick of the week
South Western Railway’s winged friends, Sandy and Wes are always ready to share their top London recommendations. Sandy loves the arts, theatre and lunching with the girls, while Wes loves clubs, pubs and going to gigs with his mates. But one thing they will never disagree on is their love of a time-efficient workout. So when they’re not keeping active by flying about the place, they like to sneak in a quick 20 minute Electrical Muscle Stimulation session at E-Pulsive. Used by celebrities, models and athletes alike, EMS works by sending low frequency electric impulses to contract your muscle fibres to increase the intensity of your workout. This one comes with a considerable price tag but you can get your first session for just £20, and we’ve got a cheeky discount code for you as well. Use the code SWR to redeem 10% of all purchases in Jan and Feb!
How to get there: Catch the Bakerloo line from London Waterloo to Paddington, then switch to the Circle line to High Street Kensington. It's a 4 minutes walk from there. The address is 40 Kensington High Street, W8 4PW.
How to get there: Catch the bus 76 from Waterloo Station / Waterloo Road (Stop F) to Aldwych. The address is 180 Strand, Temple, WC2R 1EA.
Tuft your own rug
There are few things more satisfying than kitting out your home with gorgeous decor… that you’ve made yourself. And at Tufting London, you can channel your creativity into making warm, cosy rugs or wall hangings guaranteed to brighten up any room. The workshops are run by a team of talented designers, who’ll make sure you go home with the rug of your dreams. So once you’ve got to grips with the tufting gun, you’re free to get started (with as much guidance as you wish). And just like that, you’re well on your way to being your very own interior designer…
How to get there: Catch the Northern line from London Waterloo to Nine Elms. It's a 2 minutes walk from there. The address is 10 Hebden Place, Nine Elms, SW8 2FR.
Learn to distil your own liquor
If you’ve ever been curious about the intricate process behind the making of your favourite gin, whisky or rum - then you can find out the tricks of the trade at this blending and distilling experience in the heart of London. From creating your own gin to learning the delicate art of blending in a whisky or rum class, London Bridge Distillery School is the place to become a connoisseur of your favourite tipple. And you can get 15% off your workshop with this SWR reward
How to get there: Catch the Jubilee line from London Waterloo to London Bridge. It's a 6 minutes walk from there. The address is 88 Borough High Street, SE1 1LL.
Save money by travelling with SWR
Now you’ve discovered these wellbeing activities to try, it’s time to plan your travel. Find cheap train tickets by travelling off-peak and enjoy further discounts with a Railcard. If you’re travelling in a group, you could benefit from GroupSave.
Don't forget to check out SWR Rewards to unlock rewards when you travel with us. Enjoy discounts on any of our rewards including days out, dining deals, theatre tickets, hotel stays and much more.
