From Big Ben to the Bay: London to Cardiff by Train

#myfavoriteroute Craving a commute with castles, cathedrals, and sweeping countryside? The train from London to Cardiff is a legendary ride that blends urban departure with epic Welsh arrival. Whether it’s for work or a weekend getaway, this route never gets old — especially if you’re lucky enough to catch a sunrise over the Severn. 🌤️🎒🏞️ ⸻ 🎯 Highlights Along the Way • London Paddington Departure 🚉 Start your journey at the iconic Paddington Station, home to Brunel’s beautiful architecture and (yes!) Paddington Bear. Grab a pastry at GAIL’s or a snack from Sourced Market and head to your Great Western Railway train. • Rolling Through Royal Berkshire 👑 Soon after leaving London, you’ll breeze past: • Ealing Broadway: Leafy and low-key charming • Slough: The unlikely hometown of the Mars Bar and a The Office filming spot • Reading: A major hub — but keep your eyes on the Thames Valley scenery beyond • Through Wiltshire’s Green Heart 🌳 • Didcot & Swindon: Industrial meets countryside • Uffington White Horse (if you’re quick): This ancient chalk figure can sometimes be spotted from the train near Wantage — blink and you’ll miss it! • Rolling hills, hedgerows, and farmland stretch endlessly in every direction • Crossing Into Wales 🏞️ • After Bristol Parkway, the real show begins: • 🎇 Severn Tunnel: A blink-and-it’s-gone engineering feat under the river • 🌊 Emerging into South Wales feels like a breath of sea air and green valleys • Arriving in Cardiff 🏰 Pull into Cardiff Central, right in the city’s beating heart. You’re steps from: • Cardiff Castle, with its Norman keep and fairytale walls • Bute Park, perfect for a post-train stroll • Cardiff Bay, with waterside cafés and the Wales Millennium Centre nearby ⸻ 🗺️ Getting There • Train Operator: Great Western Railway (GWR) • Route: London Paddington → Cardiff Central (via Reading, Swindon, Bristol Parkway) • Journey Time: ~1 hr 50 mins • Frequency: Trains every 30 minutes or so — direct and easy ⸻ 🌟 Tips from a Capital-to-Cardiff Commuter • 🪟 Best Seat: Sit on the left heading west — especially after Swindon for open views, and exiting the Severn Tunnel for the big ta-da into Wales • 🥐 Snack Strategy: GWR carriages often have trolley service, but Paddington’s food scene is unbeatable for takeaway train treats • 🔌 Work Friendly: Most GWR services have tables with plug sockets — ideal if you’re mixing business with pleasure • 🎧 Soundtrack Suggestion: Try a little Welsh folk, Tom Jones, or Public Service Broadcasting’s “The Pit” to match the landscape mood • 🐉 Fun Fact: Cardiff has more green space per person than any other UK city — perfect if you like to decompress after the ride ⸻ 💬 Final Thought The London to Cardiff train ride is a mini-epic — smooth, fast, and packed with moments of quiet awe. You leave behind the glass towers of the City and arrive in a land of dragons, poets, and passionate rugby fans.