Contactless train journeys are expanding further out of London — with 47 new stations reachable with a simple tap of the bank card from February, and another 49 stations joining the list later in 2025.

We’ve every reason to be excited about Project Oval, not least the fuss-free day trips it’ll open up to Londoners. Here are six places well worth tapping in for.

1. Tring — and its ‘bonus’ Natural History Museum

Stuffed animal in glass cases
Image: Matt Brown/Londonist
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. Contactless starts 2 February.

2. Tilbury — historic fort and docks

Aerial view of Tilbury Fort
A fort was first built at Tilbury in Tudor times. The one you can visit now dates back to the 17th century. Image: Mervyn Rands via creative commons
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 well worth a day trip. Tilbury Town station is 40-41 minutes from Fenchurch Street. Contactless starts 2 February.

3. Leigh-on-Sea — quaint coastal vibes

Boats in a harbour at sunset
When you’ve overdone Brighton, consider Leigh-on-Sea for your next seaside jolly. Image: johnlsl via creative commons
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 from February, 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. Contactless starts 2 February.

4. Box Hill & West Humble/Dorking — breathtaking walks and reviving wines

Late afternoon over Box Hill
Drink in undulating views, followed by a good glass of chardonnay. Image: Londonist
Yes, yes, London’s got more green that Elon Musk. 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. Contactless starts later in 2025.

5. Great Missenden — former home of Roald Dahl
Dahl’s leather flying helmet on display in the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre in Great Missenden
Roald Dahl’s leather flying helmet. Image: DeFacto via creative commons
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. Great Missenden station is 35-44 mins from Marylebone. Contactless starts later in 2025.

6. Reigate — scout out the tunnels of Reigate Caves
Reigate Caves
These caves can tell you some stories, although some are to be taken with a pinch of salt. Image: Dominic Alves via creative commons
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. Contactless starts later in 2025.