Things to do

Find things to do on our network

Explore the south west

The south west has an incredible amount to do. And from roller coasters to spa retreats, we've got everything you need to find something to do on your next day out! Whether you're looking for something to do with the family, for a romantic trip, or a day out with friends, you can find your inspiration for a day out below.

Bath
Berkshire
Bournemouth
Devon
Dorset
Exeter
Guildford
Hampshire
Isle of Wight
London
Poole
Portsmouth
Salisbury
Somerset
Southampton
Surrey
Weymouth
Wiltshire
Bristol
Winchester
Windsor

After work
Beach and coastal
Events and attractions
Festivals and carnivals
Food and drink
Free and cheap
Indoor
Museums and galleries
Music, theatres and concerts
Outdoor
Parks and gardens
Shopping and markets
Sights and landmarks
Sports, leisure and excursions
Zoos and farms

Couple
Dog friendly
Family friendly
Group friendly

Autumn
School holidays
Spring
Summer
Winter

Clear all

Bath
Berkshire
Bournemouth
Devon
Dorset
Exeter
Guildford
Hampshire
Isle of Wight
London
Poole
Portsmouth
Salisbury
Somerset
Southampton
Surrey
Weymouth
Wiltshire
Bristol
Winchester
Windsor

After work
Beach and coastal
Events and attractions
Festivals and carnivals
Food and drink
Free and cheap
Indoor
Museums and galleries
Music, theatres and concerts
Outdoor
Parks and gardens
Shopping and markets
Sights and landmarks
Sports, leisure and excursions
Zoos and farms

Couple
Dog friendly
Family friendly
Group friendly

Autumn
School holidays
Spring
Summer
Winter

Clear all

All articles

Free things to do in London

Ideas to have a cheap day out in the capital!

28 June 2022

9 of the best floral alternatives to the Hampton Court Flower Show

Where do you go if you can't make it to the Hampton Court Flower Show? Easy - just read on.

27 June 2022

Best rooftop views in the south west

From cityscape or admire the seaside, there’s no better way to do it than from a height

24 June 2022

7 amazing spots to watch Wimbledon

No courtside tickets to Wimbledon? Check out our best spots to watch Wimbledon when you can't get tickets

20 June 2022

Best theatres in London and the south west

There are so many incredible theatres to choose from, plus get 10% off with SWR Rewards

17 June 2022

The ultimate wine crawl around the south west

Explore the south west's award-winning vineyards and wineries

16 June 2022

Top 10 tennis courts in London

Discover the best tennis courts in London for an after-work match or a weekend activity

15 June 2022

The best fossil-hunting spots in the south west

Discover pre-history in the south with these amazing spots for fossil-hunting!

10 June 2022

Best festival tips from South Western Railway

Top 10 festival tips

Our top 10 tips to make your festival trip go smoothly - whether it's your first or your fortieth

7 June 2022

Best places for cheese lovers in London

From cheese shops to restaurants, we’ve got you covered with our guide

4 June 2022

SWR Pride

Pride season is here and there are plenty of ways to celebrate on the SWR network

1 June 2022

What’s on in June

The warmer weather is finally here and with it is a month packed full of events and things to

27 May 2022

Queen’s Jubilee events: a travel guide

With a bumper bank holiday to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee, why not take part in the festivities

25 May 2022

Most beautiful vineyards in the UK

Keen to learn about the journey from vine to wine? Explore the most beautiful vineyards in the UK

25 May 2022

The best seaside towns in south west England

Some of the best seaside towns in the UK are found in the south west of England

23 May 2022

Top 10 summer outdoor activities with kids

Explore our guide to the top summer outdoor activities with the whole family

20 May 2022

13 of the best beaches in the south west

Get set for summer and plan a trip to our favourite beaches on the South Western Railway network

18 May 2022

Best brunches in the south west

Ready to brunch with the best? We’ve rounded up some of the best brunch spots for you to enjoy on our network

11 May 2022

London bucket list

Overwhelmed with all the things to do in London? Follow our London bucket list for the activities you simply can’t miss

10 May 2022

The best fish and chip shops in the south west

See our favourites around the network selling Britain's favourite takeaway

6 May 2022

What’s on in May

From Chelsea to to Beaulieu river, and blooms to the baroque, there’s some amazing chances to do something new this month

27 April 2022

Find the best golf courses in the south west with SWR

The best golf courses in London

Fancy a round? Take a look at our recommendations for some of the best golfing in the capital.

23 April 2022

The best farmers markets in London

Looking to bag some regionally sourced goodies? Why not visit a farmers market?

21 April 2022

The best sports bars in London

Major sports fan? Catch the biggest games with our recommendations for the best sports bars in London

18 April 2022

Discover the best towns in the UK for independent shopping with SWR

The UK cities with the most independent retailers

Join the movement to support local businesses and explore the best in the UK!

13 April 2022

Discover the best Easter activities with SWR

What’s on this Easter

Make the most of the long Easter weekend with some of the great activities taking place in the south west

4 April 2022

Find the best activities for railway enthusiasts with SWR

Top things to do for railway enthusiasts

If you love all things railway related, hop on a train and discover these great activities

30 March 2022

The best spots for seafood in the south west

Craving some seafood? Try some of the best the south west!

29 March 2022

Pie, liquor and jellied eels as served at M Manze

Try out the best British pies in the south west

From Cornish pasties to the best of London's traditional delights, check out the best inside!

14 March 2022

Find the best spots for vintage shopping in London with SWR

The best places for vintage shopping in London

Love vintage shopping? Hop on a train to London, and explore some of the best vintage our network has to offer!

7 March 2022

The best places to celebrate St Patrick's Day

Ready to celebrate Ireland's patron saint? Discover some of the best spots to do it!

1 March 2022

Plan an unforgettable mothers day with SWR

Plan an unforgettable Mother's Day getaway

If you’re still searching for Mother’s Day ideas, plan a weekend getaway!

25 February 2022

Find the best International Women's Day events with SWR

What's on this International Women's Day

Explore your inner feminist with these great IWD activities and events

23 February 2022

Find the best activities in March with SWR

What's on in London this March

Discover the best of the capital this March

21 February 2022

Find the best places to see cherry blossom with SWR

Where to see cherry blossom in the south west

Perfect pink blossoms welcome in the spring - discover the best spots to see them!

21 February 2022

Discover the best art galleries with SWR

The best places in the south west for art lovers

Get your culture fix with our guide to the best art galleries in the south west

18 February 2022

The best flower markets in the south west

Take the train, and spend your day off exploring some of the best flower markets in the south west

15 February 2022

Free things to do in London this spring

There is no shortage of things to do in London during Spring - and some of the best of them are free

11 February 2022

Discover the UK's literary hotspots with SWR

The literary hotspots in the UK

Follow our literary hotspots recommendations for a literary adventure around the UK

8 February 2022

Find the south west's best stately homes with SWR

The best stately homes in the south west

Have a hankering for some history? Visit some of the best stately homes on our network

17 January 2022

Find the best days out with your dog with SWR

Best dog-friendly things to do in the south west

From dizzying heights to the seashore, explore the south west with your furry best friend

15 January 2022

Discover the best spots to propose to your partner with SWR

10 beautiful proposal spots on our network

We've put together the best spots to pop the question on our network

13 January 2022

Find the south west's most scenic cycle routes with SWR

Most scenic cycling routes in the south west

Get on your bike, feel the wind in your hair and discover the most scenic cycle routes in our region

11 January 2022

Top 10 most unique afternoon teas in London

Traditional afternoon teas are great, but if you fancy some fun, try out these themed options!

23 December 2021

Find the best Christmas activities with SWR

Top Christmas attractions for kids in the south west

In search of some festive fun for all the family? Jump on a train and discover the best!

15 December 2021

Find the best indoor activities in the south west with SWR

Top indoor activities in the south west

Rainy day? Don’t fret, enjoy some of the great indoor activities on offer!

13 December 2021

Performance by Rankin

Celebrate Theatre #BackOnStage with this incredible photographic exhibition

11 December 2021

Find destinations better than any history lesson with SWR

Top 5 historic places better than a history lesson

From London to Exeter - discover some of our most historic landmarks

9 December 2021

Find the best things to do in Berkshire with SWR

Top things to do in Berkshire

Discover the best restaurants, coffee shops and the best places to stay in England's most royal county

7 December 2021

Best shopping centres in the south west

Have the itch for a shopping spree? Discover the best shopping centres in our region

6 December 2021

Find the best independent bookshops with SWR

The best independent bookshops in the south west

There's little better a feeling thank curling up with a good book – find the best places to buy one!

2 December 2021

Find the best spas in London and the south west with SWR

Best spa breaks in the south west

Sit back, relax and discover the best spa getaways in London and the south west

23 November 2021

The best pantomimes in the south west

Take part in a great Christmas tradition with a pantomime! Take a look at the best inside.

16 November 2021

The best Christmas markets in the south west with South Western Railway

Best Christmas markets in London and the south west

Mulled wine, handicrafts, alpine lodges, ice skating...nothing beats a Christmas market!

16 November 2021

Five of our favourite winter walks

The benefits of a walk in crisp winter air can't be overstated - take a look at five of our favourites inside.

16 November 2021

Find the best places to see marine wildlife with South Western Railway

Top places for seeing marine life in the south west

From SeaLife centres and dolphin spotting trips to rock pooling spots and more

10 November 2021

Find London's best food markets with South Western Railway

Best food markets in London

London is one of the foodie capitals of the UK – find the best ones to visit!

3 November 2021

Best autumn walks near London

Escape London in colourful autumn for a stunning country walk

28 October 2021

October Half Term activities with South Western Railway

The best October half term activities for kids

Looking to keep your kids entertained this half term? Look no further than our guide!

19 October 2021

Discover the ultimate dog-friendly carriage with SWR

The ultimate dog carriage

Travelling with your dog? We’ve envisioned the paw-fect doggy train carriage of dreams for pets and owners alike!

16 October 2021

The most beautiful places in Dorset

It's hard to choose the most beautiful places in Dorset - but look inside for our list!

15 October 2021

London Necropolis Railway Brookwood Cemetery station

The London Necropolis Railway

Discover one of London's strangest and spookiest railways

1 October 2021

The best bonfire night displays in London and the south west

Make this bonfire night unforgettable with one of these spectacular bonfire night events

30 September 2021

Ultimate Guide: The top spooky UK attractions

Feel like getting in the Halloween spirit? You can’t miss these top attractions this spooky season!

26 September 2021

The best places to watch the Great South Run

The UK’s biggest 10-mile runs hits Portsmouth – check out our tips on the best places to see it!

14 September 2021

Southampton International Boat Show

Discover everything you need to know about the UK’s best festival for ocean-goers and boat-buyers alike

9 September 2021

Join the Marine Conservation Society's Great British Beach Clean 2021

The Great British Beach Clean

Join the Marine Conservation Society and thousands of volunteers in the annual event to clean Britain's beaches

2 September 2021

10 of our favourite theatre shows in London

There’s never been a better chance to support our theatres and get back out there this summer

23 August 2021

Best afternoon teas with South Western Railway

9 of the best afternoon teas in the south west

There’s little more British an addition to a day out - discover some of our favourites!

28 July 2021

10 of the best parks and gardens in the south

This Love Parks Week, show some of the best parks and gardens in the south some love!

21 July 2021

Best chocolateries in the south west with SWR

The south west’s best chocolateries

Enjoy one of Britain's favourite treats this International Chocolate Day

7 July 2021

Discover the UK's best breweries with SWR

The UK’s best independent breweries

The UK is home to some of the best beers in the world - and there’s plenty of choice for everyone

6 July 2021

7 perfect picnic spots

Grab a blanket, pack some tasty treats, and let’s jump on a train to some of the best picnic spots in the region

24 June 2021

Benefits of coastal walks

Discover the benefits of seeing the sea by foot

17 June 2021

Discover the movies and TV shows filmed on our network

The railway movie trail

Our region is scattered with famous film locations easily reached by train

27 May 2021

Find the best racecourses in the south west with SWR

Racecourses on the network

Discover our region’s most well-known racecourses

23 May 2021

All you need to know about Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle

All about Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle

Explore everything you need to know about Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle

21 May 2021

The best short and long walking trails in the south west

From coastal, inland and mountain hikes, explore some of the shortest and longest walking trails across the South West

12 May 2021

South Western Railway Quirky Bucket List

The south west's quirky bucket list

Discover some of the unique traditions and activities on our network

5 May 2021

Most beautiful wedding mansions across the south west

Take a look at the marvellous wedding mansions across the south west

5 April 2021

Most beautiful villages in the south west

South west’s most beautiful villages

Discover the south west and explore some of UK’s most beautiful villages

2 April 2021

Discover the best art galleries in the south west with SWR

The best art galleries to visit in the south west

Discover some of the incredible artwork in our region

17 March 2021

Best vegan and vegetarian restaurants in the south west

6 of the best vegan & vegetarian restaurants

Discover vegan and vegetarian restaurants across our network

15 March 2021

Best stargazing spots near London

Two of the world's seventeen International Dark Sky Reserves are in our region - find out more!

13 March 2021

The best virtual museum tours in the south west

Although lockdown means we can’t visit our favourite museums and galleries in person, take advantage of these great virtual tours!

6 March 2021

Lidos in the south west

Enjoy an outdoor swim with some of the UK’s best lidos

26 February 2021

The best wildlife parks in our region

Enjoy some of the UK's most well-known wildlife centres by train

25 February 2021

The south west’s best roller coasters

Discover our region’s tallest, fastest, and loopiest thrills

21 February 2021

Hidden things to do in Richmond

Richmond is widely known for the expansive Richmond Park – but there’s so much more to this beautiful part of London

17 February 2021

Classic books set in the south west

Explore the settings of some incredible classics

15 February 2021

9 traditional treats to try next time you’re in the south west

Make sure to try these delicious local treats next time you’re travelling

19 January 2021

Amazing locations that feel like they're abroad

9 south western destinations that will make you feel like you’re abroad

Take advantage of these amazing spots to make the most of a staycation

18 January 2021

Bridgerton filming locations: 7 iconic Regency settings you must visit

Discover the incredible locations where hit Netflix drama Bridgerton was filmed on our network

9 January 2021

The best markets to visit in London

From street food heaven to flea market bargains, check out the 10 very best markets the city has to offer

11 December 2020

Enjoying King Alfred’s Way by train

Discover Cycle UK's newest 350km cycling route across Wessex

4 September 2020