Best Day Trips From Gloucester By Train in up to 2 hours
Gloucester offers many fantastic day trip options by train. This day trip guide includes places that take up to 2 hours each way, so you have plenty of time to enjoy your trip. I created this guide from places I’ve visited and enjoyed for a variety of reasons.
Disclosure! Keep in mind that some links in these posts are affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may earn a small commission (for which I’m extremely grateful) at no extra cost to you. Thanks for visiting!
Gloucester has a train station, and you can reach it easily from all parts of Gloucester by bus. You can find exact times and book train tickets on the Omio site.
As a bonus, you can take your dog, as all trains in the UK are dog-friendly. They have a few rules, such as wearing a lead and sitting on the floor, but it’s an easy way to get around the country. Also, there is no fee for travelling with a dog.
The Best Day Trips By Train From Gloucester
Some of the best train options from Gloucester include historic towns and cities.
Bristol: A Historic City
Bristol is a historic city with a rich cultural heritage, making it a great day trip from Gloucester. It is known for its historic sites, vibrant music and interesting arts scene. Bristol also offers a wide range of bars, pubs, and restaurants. It is on the River Avon and has a beautiful harbour area with great attractions and waterfront restaurants.
Some fantastic attractions you can visit include the SS Great Britain in the harbour, Bristol Zoo, and the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge. The waterfront is my favourite option while visiting, and I can try some delicious food on the way. Clifton is also a lovely area for dining out or visiting independent shops.
Train Trip Length – Between 50 minutes and 64 minutes to Temple Meads Station in the centre of the city.
London: The Epic Capital
London is a fantastic place with countless things to do. You can visit historic sites like Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London. The city has hundreds of museums to suit different tastes.
A stroll through London’s parks, including Kew Gardens, is a great outdoor option for a day out. Alternatively, you can see the sights alongside the River Thames, including the Houses of Parliament and Tower Bridge. If you love food, Borough Market is a great lunch option.
Train Trip Length – A direct train takes just under 2 hours each way into London Paddington.
Bath: A Top Place To Visit
Bath is a beautiful city, popular with travellers from abroad and locals alike, and a fantastic day-trip destination. The city is most famous for its Roman baths, Georgian architecture, and natural hot springs. The Roman Baths are one of Bath’s most popular attractions and a great place to visit, especially if you’re interested in Roman history.
Other popular sights include the Royal Crescent, with its Georgian architecture. You can also visit the 7th-century Bath Abbey or see the picturesque Pulteney Bridge on the River Avon. While visiting, you can also choose from a variety of museums, including the Fashion Museum and the Bath Postal Museum.
Train Trip Length – 1.5 hours each way with a change in either Bristol or Swindon.
Chepstow And Its Historic Castle
Chepstow, just over the border in Wales, is one of the shortest day-trip options from Gloucester by train. Chepstow has several interesting visitor attractions, the most popular being Chepstow Castle. Chepstow Castle is one of the oldest castles in Great Britain, and it was built in the 11th century. Visitors can explore its ancient walls, towers, and dungeons and learn about its history.
For history buffs, the Chepstow Museum tells the town’s story, including its maritime history. If the weather is good, you can head to Piercefield Park for a walk or a picnic. The park is on the banks of the River Wye and has stunning views of the valley. Other things to see include the 11th-century St Mary’s Priory Church, or you could visit Chepstow Racecourse, the home of the Welsh Grand National.
Train Trip Length – Roughly half an hour each way.
The Famous City of Oxford
Oxford is a top-drawer place to visit for a day out. There are lots of interesting buildings to see, including those that are part of the famous University of Oxford. There’s also open space to enjoy the scenery, including Christ Church Meadow.
You can also visit the Ashmolean Museum and the nearby Radcliffe Camera. For fun, go punting on the river or enjoy a drink at a riverside pub. Oxford also offers themed guided tours, including one on Inspector Morse filming locations. As a bonus, many pubs in Oxford are pet-friendly.
Train Trip Length – Just under 2 hours each way with one change.
Worcester: A Historic Place
Worcester is a historic city on the banks of the River Severn. It is best known for its Tudor and English Civil War history, which features in the city’s museums. Worcester has lots of tourist attractions, including its beautiful cathedral, historic buildings, and museums. The cathedral and the Commandery Museum were my favourite spots during my visit.
The city is also rather dog-friendly and has many pleasant bars and cafes for refreshments. One interesting option is Triple-B, a bar that specialises in Belgian food and drink.
Train Trip Length – Roughly an hour with some direct train options.
Great Malvern: For Those Who Enjoy Hill Walking
If you fancy a trip to a cute little town with walking options, then Great Malvern is a great option. The town centre has some interesting sights, including gardens and the Abbey Church. The Malvern Hills are perfect for hiking, and you can walk from the town centre.
While visiting, you can find cafes and pubs for refreshments. We found most of these to be dog-friendly.
Train Trip Length – 1 hour 40 minutes each way with a change at Worcester.
Weston-Super-Mare: The Nearest Seaside To Gloucester By Train
Weston-super-Mare in Somerset is the closest seaside town to Gloucester, thus a popular option for those who want to visit the sea. It has long sandy beaches, Victorian architecture, and a variety of entertainment options. Weston has museums and galleries to visit, as well as historic piers.
You can also enjoy some beach fun or take in the sea views while walking along the promenade. I enjoyed many a fun day out visiting Weston-super-Mare when younger, the highlights being the amusements on the pier and playing on the beach. For pub ideas, the Old Thatch Cottage has good views and a good food menu.
Train Trip Length – An average of 1 hour 40 minutes each way, typically changing in Bristol.
Birmingham: A Great Place For Shopping
Birmingham is a vibrant city with lots going on, including music and theatre events. It also has some tourist attractions to suit all tastes. These include seeing the architecture of Victoria Square, visiting museums, walking the historic canals, or visiting the Botanic Gardens.
Birmingham offers many more shopping options than Gloucester, including the Bullring and Mailbox. Birmingham also has splendid food options, so you can enjoy a delicious meal. This includes some Indian food from the Balti Triangle or some Asian cuisine in Chinatown near the railway station.
Train Trip Length – Just under an hour on a direct train from Gloucester.
Cheltenham
Cheltenham is very close to Gloucester and easy to reach by train. There are many things to do in Cheltenham, including the theatre, parks and galleries. It is also a top destination for its food scene.
The town has some amazing places to dine out, including some dog-friendly places. One of my favourite parts of Cheltenham is Pittville Pump Room and the nearby park.
Train Trip Length – Roughly 15 minutes by train with a pleasant 15/20-minute walk into the centre.
Dean Forest Railway in Lydney
A great place near Gloucester is the Dean Forest Railway. This heritage railway line lets you ride steam locomotives through the Forest of Dean. They have an on-site museum, cafe and railway artefacts to see.
The site has several stations where you can alight and explore the villages. Each of these has places for refreshments and other interesting sights. When arriving by train from Gloucester, it’s a short walk to the DFR Lydney Junction station to hop on a steam train.
Train Trip Length – Roughly 20 minutes by train with a short walk to the heritage railway station.
Cirencester
Cirencester is a top place to visit by train or bus. If travelling by rail, you head to Kemble and then catch a bus in the centre. Cirencester has many interesting aspects, including its Roman history and the Corinium Museum.
You can also explore pleasant parks, great markets, and top restaurants. The town is pretty, with many Cotswold stone buildings.
Train Trip Length – Roughly 30 minutes by train, then bus into the town.