Thameslink - Departures magazine

Welcome to the spring issue of Departures.

Spring is my favourite season, and I’m particularly excited for you to join us on this journey around the South East at what I’d consider its most beautiful time of year.

This issue, we take you inside England’s only five-star seaside hotel, The Grand, Eastbourne (page 16). It’s an icon in its own right, but what really makes a stay here special is the staff - so say two regular guests who you’ll meet in a few pages’ time. In nearby Lewes (page 34), it’s all about history, heritage, and a connection to one particularly famous author.

Further north, in Hertfordshire, discover the small but mighty town of Royston (page 20), and meet the people who have followed their dreams by opening independent boutiques that serve both the local community and visitors. Paul, Linda, Rob, Sinead, and multiple women named Kelly are ready to welcome you with open arms.

For our cover feature this issue, it just had to be Arundel Tulip Festival (page 28). Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking, I know. I had the pleasure of speaking to Martin Duncan, head gardener at Arundel Castle, to take you behind the scenes of this annual spectacle and find out why it’s such a special place to visit - not only in spring, but throughout the seasons.

We also have features from our lovely railway colleagues who will be taking you on expert guided tours of the towns and cities they know best, from street art in Brighton (page 38) to local heritage in Shoreham (page 22), and a cheeky visit to feed the giraffes at Whipsnade Zoo (page 42).

I hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed making it. I’d love to hear your thoughts, just scan the QR code in the magazine to fill out a feedback form.

Happy travelling!

Ally Neagen, Editor, Departures magazine

Golden ticket giveaway - terms and conditions

Departures magazine Spring 2026 Golden Ticket Giveaway (the “Promotion”) *.

Terms of Participation in the Promotion (the “Terms”)

1. Eligibility

To be eligible you must:
- be aged 18 or over
- find a Golden Ticket in a copy of Departures Spring 2026 magazine; and
- have a UK postal address.
Employees of the Promotor, their families, dependents and agents and any other person connected with the Promotor are not eligible to participate in the Promotion.

2. Participation

To participate in the Promotion, you must:
- find a Golden Ticket inside a copy of Departures Spring 2026 magazine
- email departures.magazine@gtrailway.com quoting the unique redemption code stated on your Golden Ticket, no later than midday on Monday 20 July 2026
- provide the names and addresses of the of the people who will be travelling, as well as the dates and times of travel at least one week in advance
- By doing the above, you agree to be bound by these Terms, and those of the terms of National Rail Conditions of Travel.

3. Winners and Selection

There are a maximum of 10 Golden Tickets distributed in copies of Departures Spring 2026 magazine, therefore 10 potential winners.
The winners will be contacted via email by no later than Monday 10 August 2026, with confirmation of their prize. If a winner does not respond within 72 hours (or any other period specified in our contact notice) of the notification e-mail being sent or is otherwise not available, the Prize will be forfeited by them.

4. The Prize

The winner will receive two free return train tickets to Arundel from any Southern, ThamesLink, Great Northern, or Gatwick Express railway station which must be used by 31 December 2026. The tickets will be off-peak day or weekend returns. (“the “Prize”).

5. Other applicable terms:

Only one entry per person.  No purchase necessary.
The Prize is not transferable and, unless offered by the Promotor, there will be no substitutions, or cash alternatives of, for the Prize.
The Prize is subject to availability.
No expenses incurred in connection with entry to or participation in this Promotion will be paid.
The winning selection of the Promotor is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
The Promotor shall be entitled to the right to refuse to accept any entry. 
All entries are subject to verification.  Incomplete, bulk, automated and third party entries (including “voting exchange”) will be disqualified.
Failure to comply with these Terms will automatically render an entry void. 
The Promotor does not accept any liability for any entries which are late, lost, incomplete or rendered
The name and county/town of the winners will be available until 30 August 2026 by sending a stamped addressed envelope to the Promotor.
Except as outlined in 5.10 above all personal data will be held and used by The Promotor in accordance with its Privacy Policy Promoter: Govia Thameslink Railway Limited, Monument Place, 24 Monument Street, London, EC3R 8AJ, Registered in England company no. 07934306
Participants may print these Terms or send a self-addressed envelope to: Data Protection Manager, 1st Floor, Monument Place, 24 Monument Street, London, EC3R 8AJ requesting a copy and they will be sent to you.
The Promoter reserves the right to withdraw this offer or amend these Terms at any time without notice.
In the event of any dispute regarding the Terms, the Promotion itself or any other matter relating to, or arising out of, these Terms or the Promotion, the Promoter’s decision shall be final. No written correspondence or verbal discussion will be entered into.

6. The Promotor is Govia Thameslink Railway Limited of 2nd Floor, 55 Degrees North, Pilgrim Street, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, NEL 6BL and its successor.

7. This Promotion and these Terms are governed by the Laws of England and Wales and the Promoter and Participants agree that the Courts of England and Wales, exclusively, shall settle disputes.

Welcome to Departures

Welcome to the spring issue of Departures.