As of 2025, contactless train journeys have expanded further out of London thanks to Project Oval — with almost 100 new stations now reachable with a simple tap of a bank card. Here are 10 places well worth tapping for.
1. Tring and its 'bonus' Natural History Museum
Canal-side constitutionals, the model aircraft-stippled Ivinghoe Beacon and a smashing brewery await in and around the Hertfordshire market town of Tring. Most locals would agree on its number one tourist attraction, though: the Natural History Museum. An outpost of London's own, Tring's museum comprises the collection of Victorian eccentric Walter Rothschild, and still has that 1890s vibe about it, given the vitrines packed with taxidermied creatures. These days, the museum lays on a number of interactive sessions, including sketching classes and kids' trails. Tring Natural History Museum, free, book ahead. Tring station is 39-44 mins from Euston.
2. Tilbury: historic fort and docks
In its long history, Tilbury has been used both to deter and to embrace foreign visitors. In 1588 Elizabeth I made a rallying cry against the Spanish Armada. 360 years later the Empire Windrush steamed into Tilbury Docks, loaded with Caribbean immigrants who were destined to transform Britain's healthcare, transport system and music scene for the better. The Walkway of Memories is sadly closed until further notice, but the jagged 17th century fort — run by English Heritage — means Tilbury is still an educational day trip (reopens for the summer from March). Tilbury Town station is 40-41 minutes from Fenchurch Street.
3. Leigh-on-Sea: quaint coastal vibes
If you do like to be beside the seaside — but have already done Brighton and Margate to death — Leigh-on-Sea offers a quaint alternative, and now you can simply tap in to magic yourself there. Cobbled streets lined with weatherboarded buildings, bougie art studios and a picturesque harbour overlooked by pubs like the real ale-peddling Mayflower make this town Southend's whimsical neighbour. What it lacks for in Brighton-style nightlife, it makes up for with reflective quietude. Leigh-on-Sea station is 44-67 minutes from Fenchurch Street.
4. Box Hill & West Humble/Dorking: breathtaking walks and reviving vino
Yes, yes, London's got its fair share of green spaces. But for unhindered, rolling, straight-out-of-a-landscape-painting scenery, you must venture a little further afield. Box Hill does it with a flourish: your heart might be pumping so hard largely due to the insanely steep steps cut into the ascent, but it's surely a little bit to do with the swoonworthy Surrey Hills vistas too. One station on from Box Hill & West Humble is Dorking, home to the Denbies Wine Estate, where you can amble through their vineyards, drink their chardonnay and mutter stuff about terroir. Vino not your bag? There's an excellent brewery too. Box Hill & West Humble station is 47-49 mins from Waterloo. Dorking station 53-54 mins from Waterloo.
5. Great Missenden: former home of Roald Dahl
We've all seen the footage of Roald Dahl cosying up in his outhouse and blithely scribbling out the next bestselling children's book with a Dixon Ticonderoga, four hours at a time (what a life!). That shed was in Dahl's back garden in Great Missenden, and although you can't visit that, you can see the contents of Dahl's office, now relocated down the road to the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre. The museum also has manuscripts and curios such as Dahl's leather flying helmet, and is one of our tips for a literary day trip from London. Great Missenden station is 35-44 mins from Marylebone.
6. Reigate: scout the tunnels of Reigate Caves
Slap bang in Reigate town centre are its caves, a curious squiggle of underground passageways, actually the result of the soft sandstone being mined from here over a number of centuries. Tours of the Reigate Caves take place once a month May-September. Guides will tell you how the caves have been adapted for everything from a gig venue to an ammunition store, although unfortunately the legend that the Barons' Cave was where the Magna Carta was drawn up in 1215, is a romantic falsehood. Reigate station is 46 mins from Victoria. Reigate Caves.
7. Bletchley: codebreaking geniuses of WWII
A short walk from Bletchley station lies Bletchley Park, the mansion house and grounds where a group of codebreaking geniuses — including Alan Turing — toiled away to crack various secret codes created by the Nazis, in order to stay one step ahead of the Axis forces. Rooms are set up as they would have looked during the time — think chunky typewriters, equation-chalked boards — with contextual information explaining the importance of these code-cracking days. Bletchley station is 38 minutes from Euston station. Bletchley Park.
8. Windsor: Iconic castles and wonky shops
Once upon a time you could catch the Tube to Windsor — and though that's not quite the case now, you can at least get there by simply tapping in from London with your contactless card. Boasting one of the world's most famous castles — not to mention Legoland — Windsor is also home to a number of other sights worth seeking out, including an alarmingly wonky shop (see above). You can easily turn this trip into a weekend. Windsor & Eton Central station is 39 minutes from Paddington station. Windsor.
9. St Albans: rewind to Roman times
While London itself bristles with ancient Roman heritage, a trip to St Albans — formerly the important town of Verulamium — is scattered with various leftovers from the days of our Latin forebears, including chunks of the city walls built between AD 265 and 270, and the remainders of an outdoor theatre. The Verulamium Museum is also a must-visit, with its recreated Roman rooms and dazzling mosaics. There are plenty of non-Roman things to do in St Albans, of course, including a mooch around the cathedral — although even that is partly made from brick repurposed from the old Roman town. St Albans City station is under 20 minutes away from St Pancras station.
10. Sevenoaks: spot deer... and a yeti
Most non-Sennockians probably don't have Sevenoaks high up on their 'must visit' list — but as our guide to the Kent town demonstrates, it more than justifies a day trip, especially now that you can get there simply by tapping the ol' debit card on the reader. Among the delights that await is Knole Park and its resident deer, and Riverhill Himalayan Gardens, set on a hillside with views over the Kent countryside... and where you might catch a glimpse of a roaming yeti. Sevenoaks station is 39 minutes from Victoria station. Sevenoaks.
Note: if you have discount rail cards e.g. a Two Together, it will still probably work out cheaper to purchase tickets rather than use contactless.
