City to Countryside: London to Surrey by Train

#myfavoriteroute Just an hour (or less!) from London, Surrey feels like a different world — ancient woodlands, country pubs, winding rivers, and walking trails through lush green hills. Whether you’re heading to Guildford, Dorking, or Box Hill, the ride south is a breath of fresh air — literally. 💨🌲 ⸻ 🎯 Highlights Along the Way • Departure from London Waterloo 🚉 Start at Waterloo Station and choose your Surrey-bound train — South Western Railway runs frequently to spots like Guildford, Dorking, Woking, and Haslemere. Don’t forget to grab a coffee from The Gentlemen Baristas before boarding! • Views on the Move 🪟 • Pass through Clapham Junction, then quickly swap cityscapes for leafy suburbs • Watch as the scenery opens into fields, cows grazing, and wooded hillsides — especially stunning if you’re heading toward the Surrey Hills AONB • Catch glimpses of quaint villages like Shalford and Gomshall, with cottages and cricket greens that look like movie sets • Arriving in Surrey 🌳 Depending on your stop: • Guildford offers a riverside town with historic charm and shopping • Dorking is nestled beneath Box Hill, with vineyards and antique shops • Woking brings modern art and sci-fi vibes (yes, War of the Worlds was set here!) • Godalming and Haslemere feel like secret getaways — ideal for a nature walk and lunch in a timber-framed pub ⸻ 🗺️ Getting There • Train Operator: South Western Railway • Route: London Waterloo → Surrey towns (Guildford, Dorking, Woking, etc.) • Journey Time: ~35 to 60 minutes depending on destination • Frequency: Very frequent — typically 4+ trains per hour ⸻ 🌟 Tips from a Leafy-Lane Commuter • 🪟 Best Seat: Sit on the left when heading to Guildford or Dorking — more open views across the fields and hills • 🚶♂️ Walk It Off: From Box Hill & Westhumble Station, you can walk straight into National Trust trails within minutes • 🍷 Local Secret: Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking has a vineyard right by the station — yes, English wine country! • 📚 Book Match: Try The Wind in the Willows or Emma by Jane Austen — both inspired by southern English countryside ⸻ 💬 Final Thought The London to Surrey train ride is the city dweller’s shortcut to tranquility — a countryside commute that feels like a mini holiday. Whether you’re escaping for the day or slipping away for a long weekend, this journey proves that green space and fresh air are just a train ride away. 🚞🌼🫖