Seven brilliant ideas for your getaway wishlist

Craving a charming village or a long stretch of sandy beach? These stunning escapes refuse to disappoint

1. BRISTOL

It’s hard to resist Bristol’s cultural sights, superb restaurants, vibrant waterfront, Georgian architecture and a chance to spot Banksy’s art. Two direct GWR trains per hour from London Paddington speed you there in under 90 minutes, leaving lots of time to explore. Start in Harbourside to visit Brunel’s SS Great Britain and the M Shed Museum. Amble to elegant Clifton via the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery and admire the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge. Gaze over the River Avon from Clifton Observatory before finding a cosy restaurant in Clifton Village.

• DON’T MISS: Bristol Craft Beer Festival, Harbourside; 7-8 June; from £52; bristolcraftbeerfestival.co.uk

2. CARDIFF

With journey times from central London in under two hours, once you step off your GWR train at Cardiff Central, the Welsh capital is at your feet. Step into the Victorian Gothic world of Cardiff Castle, whose origins date back to the Romans. Whet your appetite browsing the food stalls of the covered Cardiff Market – a good introduction to the city’s excellent shopping, including Victorian and Edwardian arcades. Make time to explore Cardiff Bay, whose bustling waterfront includes a huge choice of restaurants, the serene walkways of the Cardiff Bay Wetlands Reserve and cultural venue Wales Millennium Centre.

• DON’T MISS: BBC NOW season closing concert, Wales Millennium Centre; 6 June; £5-£12; wmc.org.uk

3. CARMARTHENSHIRE

Like its neighbours to the south and the west, the Gower Peninsula and Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire offers long sandy beaches to go with charming waterside towns, medieval castles and luxuriant landscapes. While this might seem a world away from the metropolis, a high-speed GWR train from London Paddington to Carmarthen can take less than four hours. Fans of poet Dylan Thomas should make a beeline for the riverside town of Laugharne, where his former home – the Dylan Thomas Boathouse – is a museum. Flanking the River Towy are Llansteffan, with its sandy beaches and 12th-century castle, and Ferryside, which has its own railway station. Take in the sea air while walking on the seven miles of sands at Pendine, above, and along Pembrey Country Park’s Cefn Sidan, the longest beach in Wales.

• DON’T MISS: A Taste of Wales Spring Festival, National Botanic Garden of Wales; 27-28 April; children £10, adults £19; botanicgarden.wales

4. COTSWOLDS

It’s not just the pretty honey-coloured small towns of the Cotswolds – such as Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-theWater and Moreton-in-Marsh, to name just three – that draw people to the area. In as little as 90 minutes on regular GWR trains from the bustling capital, you can enjoy the Regency beauty of Cheltenham; the wonder that is Tewkesbury Abbey; the museums, pubs and shops within the lively Gloucester Docks; or the outstanding farmers’ market every Saturday in Stroud. Get ready to unwind in the wetlands of the Cotswolds Water Park and the lush greenery of Westonbirt Arboretum – when you’re not hiking or cycling through one Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty after another. Also, take a tour of stately homes, including the magnificent Blenheim Palace and Sudeley Castle, pictured. • DON’T MISS: Blossom Trail, Vale of Evesham; until mid-May; free; valeandspa.co.uk/blossom

5. DORSET

Springtime in Dorset sees wildflowers blooming all over its landscapes, from the dramatic Jurassic Coast to its inland nature reserves. It’s closer than you think too, with frequent GWR trains from London to Weymouth via Castle Cary opening up connections to stations along the Heart of Wessex Line towards the south coast. Weymouth is perfect for coastal, atmospheric walks with the stunning stretches of Chesil Beach and the Isle of Portland on its doorstep. If you have time, add Dorchester to your itinerary, just a 13-minute train ride away. Literature lovers will want to follow the Thomas Hardy Trail – a scenic walk accompanied by the author’s words. • DON’T MISS: The Dorchester Walking Festival, all around Dorchester; 11-18 May; free; discoverdorchester.co.uk/dorchester-walking-festival

6. EXETER

There’s a timeless beauty about Exeter – but it’s not just history buffs who will be impressed with Exeter Cathedral and its 12th-century towers, medieval astronomical clock and 14th-century vaulted ceiling. Two direct GWR trains an hour can transport you there from the capital in under two and a half hours. As well as the cathedral, make sure you visit the free Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery, whose exhibits range from prehistory to contemporary art. In this lively university city, it’s not hard to find places to eat and drink either – especially as the days get warmer and riverside pubs open their gardens. Check out the bars around Exeter Castle too, whose surrounding gardens are a suitably relaxing place for a stroll.

• DON’T MISS: Festival On The Hills, Honiton Showground; 30 May-2 June; children £20, adults £99; festivalonthehills.com

7. PENZANCE

Penzance’s arty vibe combined with its historic harbour, sandy beaches and the National Trust Trengwainton Garden are appealing on their own. Add Penzance’s proximity to the fishing village of Newlyn (and its excellent Newlyn Art Gallery), cute Mousehole and Marazion with the splendid medieval St Michael’s Mount on its own island, left, and you have the ingredients for a fabulous mini-break. Set off with GWR from Paddington at lunchtime and you’ll be there by teatime – or why not up the romance factor by taking the overnight sleeper and waking up on the enchanting Cornish coast.

• DON’T MISS: Golowan Festival, all around Penzance; 21-30 June; free; golowanfestival.org