Epic train journey starts in London then passes through Paris, leading travellers to a beach in Spain with golden sand and a lively atmosphere
San Sebastian in Spain boasts golden beaches reachable by train from the UK(Image: Jose Miguel Sanchez via Getty Images)
A stunning nine-hour rail journey that begins with the Eurostar in London and concludes on a breathtaking beach in Spain is sure to leave you mesmerised. The thrilling train adventure sets off from St Pancras station in London, whisking you away to the picturesque La Zurriola beach, nestled in the city of San Sebastián (Donostia) in Spain.
This charming beach is famed for its idyllic surroundings, golden shores, and superb surfing conditions, making it a favourite spot for both locals and holidaymakers. To reach this scenic beach in San Sebastián from London by rail, you’ll need to first board the Eurostar train from London St Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord.
This leg of the journey takes roughly two hours and 15 minutes. From Paris, passengers can then jump onto a TGV train bound for Hendaye, which will take around five to six hours, reports the Express.
Upon reaching San Sebastián’s train station, you can opt for a bus or taxi ride to La Zurriola beach.
The beach is situated in the Gros district, which is within strolling distance from the train station, but it might be more practical to take a brief bus or taxi trip, particularly if you’re laden with luggage.
One visitor reviewed the seaside location on TripAdvisor, writing: “Visiting San Sebastián was truly unforgettable, especially with the breath-taking view of the Atlantic Ocean.
“The coastline is stunning, just a short walk from downtown, where you can surf, swim, or simply relax and soak in the soothing sounds of waves crashing on the shore.”
The beach boasts a vibrant ambience with a bustling promenade peppered with bars, eateries, and shops, creating a lively hub of activity.
The official tourism website for the region, San Sebastián Turismoa, described the area on their website: “The promenade running round the beach from Sagüés to the Kursaal ‘cubes’ continues on its way round Monte Urgull and along the Paseo Nuevo to end at the Peine del Viento sculpture on the Concha Bay.
“This spectacular city walk covers around six kilometres and offers spectacular sea views and delightful resting spots along the way.
“From the Zurriola, you can also make your way up to Monte Ulía, a green area only a moment’s walk from the city centre. A former look-out point for whales, Monte Ulía is the city’s best hillwalking option and follows part of the coastal route on the Way of Saint James.”
La Zurriola is renowned for being a top-notch surfing location in Europe. The beach regularly experiences powerful swells from the Bay of Biscay, drawing in surfers ranging from novices to seasoned pros.
Surf schools and hire shops are on hand to accommodate visitors keen to ride the waves or pick up the sport.
Beyond surfing, La Zurriola offers the chance to partake in other water sports such as bodyboarding and paddleboarding. The beach also occasionally plays host to beach volleyball tournaments and other leisure activities.
The most affordable ticket from St Pancras for 29 April currently stands at roughly £67 on Trainline.
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The venues have been assessed according to their “performance, value and quality” by SquareMeal. Each establishment featured in the top 100 is deemed worthy of recognition amongst Britain’s premier restaurants.
The SquareMeal panel observed: “It’s no secret that the UK’s restaurant sector is facing formidable challenges. And yet, with each year that passes, hospitality pros continue to invest everything they have into projects for the love of what they do.”
Claiming the crown is Bristol’s Wilsons, which holds one Michelin star. Operated by Mary Wilson and Jan Ostle, the establishment is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, reports the Express.
Runner-up honours went to Manchester’s Skof, with Nottingham’s Restaurant Sat Bains with Rooms securing third position. Whilst missing out on the podium places, Birmingham certainly has plenty to celebrate.
The West Midlands metropolis features four establishments on the 2026 rankings, which champion Britain’s finest offerings beyond the capital.
Birmingham’s top four restaurants
Opheem
Address: 65 Summer Row, Birmingham B3 1JJ.
Claiming the number 21 position, Opheem stands as Birmingham’s highest-rated restaurant. The venue is characterised as a “modern, plush eatery” delivering “elevated, modern Indian plates alongside shaken cocktails and wine”. Opheem holds a Michelin star and is operated by Aktar Islam. Their menu evolves with the seasons, being refreshed several times annually. Guests can choose between five or 10 courses based on their preferred dining duration.
The Wilderness
Address: 27 Warstone Ln, Birmingham B18 6JQ.
Discover fine dining at Alex Claridge’s establishment, which secured 51st position on the top 100 rankings. They present “provocative, playful tasting menus” showcasing seasonal produce. The Wilderness guarantees a distinctive culinary journey as the venue occupies a converted factory, “to the soundtrack of rock, punk and heavy metal.” They hold Michelin Guide Recommended status and boast 3 AA Rosettes.
Claiming 87th spot nationally is Riverine Rabbit, which originally launched in Cape Town, South Africa. It represents the vision of Ash and her partner Erin, who prioritises building relationships with farmers and sourcing sustainable produce. Ash secured Michelin Young Chef of the Year 2025 and the Rabbit earned Michelin Guide recognition with a Bib Gourmand last year. Riverine Rabbit presents two daily menus, which vary from day to day.
670 Grams
Address: 4 Gibb St, Deritend, Birmingham B9 4AA.
Completing Birmingham’s remarkable selection of eateries on the list is 670 Grams, at number 87. Situated in a former custard factory, the culinary team say they draw inspiration from “the diverse culture that’s within the heart of the country”. 670 Grams serves up a tasting menu that is “globally influenced” and hopes the eatery will be “approachable to everyone”.
The UK’s Top 100 Restaurants (outside London)
1. Wilsons (Bristol)
2. Skof (Manchester)
3. Restaurant Sat Bains with Rooms (Nottingham)
4. Vraic (Guensey)
5. L’Enclume (Westmorland and Furness)
6. Grace & Savour (Solihull)
7. The Greyhound Beaconsfield (Buckinghamshire)
8. JÖRO (Sheffield)
9. Pine (Northumberland)
10. Moor Hall Restaurant with Rooms (West Lancashire)
11. Ynyshir (Ceredigion)
12. Restaurant 22 (Cambridge)
13. Lyla (City of Edinburgh)
14. Woven by Adam Smith (Windsor and Maidenhead)
15. Upstairs at Landrace (Bath and North East Somerset)
16. Myse (North Yorkshire)
17. Updown Farmhouse (Dover)
18. Osip (Somerset)
19. The Little Chartroom (City of Edinburgh)
20. The Kinneuchar Inn (Fife)
21. Opheem (Birmingham)
22. The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant (Perth and Kinross)
23. The Old Stamp House (Westmorland and Furness)
24. Lark (West Suffolk)
25. Tallow (Tunbridge Wells)
26. The Angel at Hetton (North Yorkshire)
27. Alchemilla Nottingham (Nottingham)
28. Dogstar Edinburgh (City of Edinburgh)
29. Heft (Westmorland and Furness)
30. Argoe Newlyn (Cornwall)
31. Stow (Manchester)
32. Juliet (Stroud)
33. Bavette (Leeds)
34. Paul Ainsworth at No 6 (Cornwall)
35. Hansom (North Yorkshire)
36. Vetch (Liverpool)
37. Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall (North Yorkshire)
38. The Sportsman (Canterbury)
39. The Shed (Swansea)
40. The Parkers Arms (Ribble Valley)
41. Higher Ground (Manchester)
42. Moss (City of Edinburgh)
43. Meadowsweet (North Norfolk)
44. The Pony Chew Valley (Bath and North East Somerset)
45. Dongnae (Bristol)
46. Gorse Cardiff (Cardiff)
47. The Barn at Moor Hall (West Lancashire)
48. Fish Shop Ballater (Aberdeenshire)
49. OTHER (Bristol)
50. Winsome (Manchester)
51. The Wilderness (Birmingham)
52. Restaurant Interlude (Horsham)
53. The Pass at South Lodge (Horsham)
54. Furna (Brighton and Hove)
55. Big Counter (Glasgow City)
56. Roots York (York)
57. The Swine Bistro (Leeds)
58. Seasonality (Windsor and Maidenhead)
59. The Muddlers Club (Belfast)
60. The Abbey Inn Byland (North Yorkshire)
61. The Forest Side (Westmorland and Furness)
62. The Cottage in the Wood (Cumberland)
63. The Greyhound Inn – Pettistree (East Suffolk)
64. Root Bath (Bath and North East Somerset)
65. Upstairs by Tom Shepherd (Lichfield)
66. Forge at Middleton Lodge (North Yorkshire)
67. Maré by Rafael Cagali (Brighton and Hove)
68. Waterman Bistro (Belfast)
69. Gwen (Powys)
70. Bybrook Restaurant at The Manor House (Wiltshire)
71. Wild at Bull Burford (West Oxfordshire)
72. The Black Swan at Oldstead (North Yorkshire)
73. Cedar Tree by Hrishikesh Desai (Cumberland)
74. Long Friday (Newcastle upon Tyne)
75. Aven (Preston)
76. Olive Tree Bath (Bath and North East Somerset)
77. Emilia (Teignbridge)
78. The Jackdaw Conwy (Conwy)
79. Manifest (Liverpool)
80. Shwen Shwen (Sevenoaks)
81. Catch at The Old Fish Market (Dorset)
82. Riverine Rabbit (Birmingham)
83. Amari (Brighton and Hove)
84. Ardfern (City of Edinburgh)
85. The Blue Pelican (Dover)
86. Skosh (York)
87. 670 Grams (Birmingham)
88. The Coach Marlow (Buckinghamshire)
89. Gloriosa (Glasgow City)
90. Cardinal Edinburgh (City of Edinburgh)
91. The Victoria Oxshott (Elmbridge)
92. Briar (Somerset)
93. Bench Sheffield (Sheffield)
94. Henrock at Linthwaite House (Westmorland and Furness)
