Day-trip roulette: 15 rail journeys under £15 from uni hubs

You love your uni city, we get that. But, while you're there, take time to explore what's around you—trust us! The UK is full of amazing towns and cities, and some of the very best may be a short train ride away.

Let us prove it to you. We've selected 15 of the UK's top uni destinations. Then, we scoured Trainline.com to find return fares under £15 to great places, by train.

If you’re in one of these uni cities, take our advice. Go to where we recommend, play our roulette rule game with your friends, and have a great day out. You can click on the price links to book at Trainline directly. Isn’t that helpful of us?

Stay to the very end for a special offer!

1. London to St Albans City

• Why go? It’s the best place in the UK to see a fake Roman ruin. It's also insanely pretty, has a great laid-back atmosphere, stunning architecture, and an amazing park
• Roulette rule: When you get to Verulamium Park, someone (who’s game!) has to roll down a hill like they’re five years old again. No “I’ll just film and post this on Insta” though
• Price: £5.80 return

2. Manchester to Hebden Bridge

• Why go? Heaven has found its place in Yorkshire with canals, colourful houses and independent bookshops. At the end of the day, you'll think to yourself, "I could live there, you know?"
• Roulette rule: Everyone has to buy the weirdest thing they can find under a fiver in a charity shop. Then, do a fashion show for the passengers on the way home
• Price: £2.60 return

3. Edinburgh to North Berwick

• Why go? Leave the big smoke for the cobbles, seagulls, and food at North Berwick. Feel that connection with the natural world for just one afternoon
• Roulette rule: One or more of you has to paddle in the sea, whatever the weather. Bonus points if you snap a feet-in-the-water pic for the group chat. Hate pebbles, love sand? You’ll love North Berwick beach
• Price: £8.90 return

4. Glasgow to Balloch (Loch Lomond)

• Why go? This is your ticket to transport you from the lecture hall to proper Highland-adjacent scenery. Loch views, forest paths and fresh air that slaps you awake in the best way. Plus, there's a fun Sea Life Centre in the village, too
• Roulette rule: Pick a trail at random on the Balloch County Park map. Follow it until you get to the highest point. First one to suggest a pint to break up the walk pays for the group
• Price: £7.40 return

5. Newcastle to Durham

• Why go? It is like a faux-Geordie film set: huge cathedral, castle on the hill, and tiny cobbled streets. It's another jewel in England's most remote region
• Roulette rule: Break up into pairs and hire a rowing boat. Race down the River Wear to an agreed end point. Lunch is on the losers! Your own Blaydon Races, admittedly, nowhere near Blaydon
• Price: £2.10 return

6. Sheffield to Edale (Peak District)

• Why go? No-one's better at hills than you as a Sheffield student. Tapton, Crooks, Broomhill. You can do them without getting out of breath. It's time to up your steep hill game further at Edale. Plus, you’ll be surrounded by hills, sheep, and a kind of serene silence your brain has been begging you for
• Roulette rule: At the station map, close your eyes and point at a walking route. That’s the hike. No switching when you see how much your legs will hate it
• Price: £2.40 return

7. Leeds to York

• Why go? Ancient walls envelope this chocolate-box city of tiny lanes, giant cathedrals, and timber-framed houses. Plus, you won't find more pasty shops in a city centre, not even Newcastle, the home of Greggs
• Roulette rule: This is the gourmand challenge. You're only allowed to eat and shop at independents. Absolutely no chains, even if your fave is right there
• Price: £2.70 return

8. Liverpool to Chester

• Why go? The intellectual side wants to see the museums, the gennels, and the Roman Ruins. The shopper in you wants to go to the unique boutiques on Eastgate to see if they're as amazing as everyone says
• Roulette rule: Half of your group heads to the downstairs Rows shop, the other half heads upstairs. You've got £10 each. The winner is the team that buys the most medieval, tourist-trap-like present
• Price: £7.10 return

9. Bristol to Weston-super-Mare

• Why go? Bristol's amazing but it can be sensory overload at times. It's time for a change: you’re going to immerse yourself in the glories of the British coastal holiday resort for a day
• Roulette rule: Go in November during term time for the big carnival. Before the procession begins, find the best-rated fish and chip shop on TripAdvisor and indulge yourself
• Price: £9.20 return

10. Nottingham to Lincoln

• Why go? Ask anyone who’s been to Lincoln and they’ll tell you that people should know, love and celebrate it as much as York. It's a beautiful city with an amazing history with friendly Lincolnshire folk and a thriving indie shop scene
• Roulette rule: Walk up Steep Hill without stopping. First person to pause and pretend they've spotted something interesting (when really their legs are dying)—you're buying the castle wall tour for everyone
• Price: £4.70 return

11. Coventry to Leamington Spa

• Why go? Coventry's had a rough ride (thanks, history). Leamington Spa, though? Completely untouched. Go there to find a town that time has thrown its arms around and embraced. That includes the amazing High Street, still thankfully packed with many indie stores
• Roulette rule: Leamington is ground zero for green bowling in the UK. Pop along to Victoria Park to see how good you really are (or aren't)!
• Price: £6.50 return

12. Cardiff to Barry Island

• Why go? Gavin and Stacey. The Pleasure Park. Doesn’t stop there, either. You're away from the hustle and bustle of Cardiff and in a holiday spot that, as soon as you see it, you'll know why people love it
• Roulette rule: Can you find Benedict? He's the man who single-handedly fought off pirates centuries ago and now roams the town as a ghost. Go down to the south coast to see if you can spot him amidst the rocks
• Price: £4.50 return

13. Leicester to Loughborough

• Why go? Calm canal walks, parks to lie down and take in the rays (safely, of course), and a town centre that’s made for lazy wandering. Leave your stresses behind in Leicester and come here on a sunny day, sitting outside a pub watching the world go by.
• Roulette rule: Loughborough is famously a sporting city. See who's got the best head for heights by popping into the indoor climbing walls.
• Price: £8.00 return

14. Birmingham to Worcester (Foregate Street)

• Why go? Think of Worcester like Brum’s quieter cousin. A genuinely beautiful place with riverside paths, a big cathedral and old streets that you just have to snap
• Roulette rule: Let Lady Luck guide you. Bring a clutch of straws, one of them short. The person who draws the shortest one gets to decide the next thing to do
• Price: £11.10 return

15. Brighton to Lewes

• Why go? You'll feel the vibes in Lewes, it's a special place. Castle ruins, winding streets, cute shops and easy access to South Downs views
• Roulette rule: You’re not allowed to catch your train home until you’ve climbed up to a viewpoint (castle or nearby hill) and taken a “tiny town, big sky” picture.
• Price: £5.90 return

Explore your university area

Did you know you can save loads with a Railcard? For UNiDAYS members, Trainline are offering 15% off 16-17, 16-25, and 26-30 Railcards.

Here's how you can grab that deal.