'Exotic' day of discovery proves to be much better than Skeggy

DAY trips from Derby usually take in the likes of Skeggy, Blackpool or Brum.

But there are more, dare I say, exotic options. How about Lille? Believe it or not, from Derby, you can be there in under four hours courtesy of East Midlands Trains and Eurostar.

And if, like me, you love train journeys, it can become a pleasure all round.

My mother was the catalyst. She was keen to see the newly revamped St Pancras in London and, as trains are the only from of travel that don't make her violently sick, I decided we should be adventurous.

"If you're going to St Pancras, you've got to go on Eurostar," I ventured.

"How about Lille? It's supposed to be very pretty, bustling with great bistros and restaurants and it has this giant annual flea market, the biggest in Europe.

"It's called La Braderie and it dates back to medieval times. Apparently, the city's narrow streets come alive. Over a million people from all over Europe go there to bag a bargain.

"There are stalls selling antiques, bric-a-brac, arts and crafts and French food. And, to best sample the atmosphere, you have to have a plate of mussels washed down with some local beer. Fancy it?"

There was a nano-second's hesitation, then mum said: "Yes!"

So, the big day trip was a goer. It was an early start. We caught a 6am train from Derby to give us an hour at St Pancras before joining the 08.57 Eurostar to Lille.

Of course, St Pancras was what prompted it all, and it is impressive by any capital city's standards.

Celebrated for its Victorian architecture, the grade I listed building was opened in 1868 by the Midland Railway as the southern terminus for Midland Main Line, arriving from the East Midlands and Yorkshire.

So, you see, it was built for Derbeians. Nearby Burton also played a key part. In days gone by, there was growing demand in London for its fine ales and the huge void beneath the platforms was ideal. Consequently, the iron pillars that support the platforms were perfectly spaced to store Burton beer barrels.

Times have changed at St Pancras but its £800m revamp has not marred its special atmosphere.

It's now a vision of modernity, but classic architecture has been preserved. As well as a buzzing shopping/bistro area it boasts a Carluccio's restaurant and champagne bar.

Then there are statues, one of poet Sir John Betjeman, who was behind efforts to save the site in the 60s, and a controversial 30ft structure of a parting couple.

However, this was all just the pre-cursor to the big treat – Eurostar.

There is something special about stepping on to a train knowing that, when you get off, you will be in a different county.

You get that airport feeling as bags go through security, but it's more relaxed than jetting off somewhere.

Minutes later, we were off, whizzing through southern Britain on our way to the Channel tunnel.

You hardly notice, or realise, that you're thundering under the ocean.

Before you know it you're in French sunlight.

It takes just an hour and 20 minutes to get from London to Lille. I've had longer car journeys to work on a bad traffic morning.

Lille Station isn't up to St Pancras standards – make sure you're got some loose change if you need the loo! – but it's just a short stroll from the town centre.

Lille is a pretty place to visit at any time of year. To be frank, the flea market wouldn't appeal to all tastes. There was plenty of tat for sale and the sheer volume of people there made it difficult to move at times.

So we snuck off to quieter areas, took in the architecture and spent an hour in the peaceful surrounds of Lille's Cathedal, Notre-Dame De La Treille.

After a day of discovery, we headed back to the station for a comfy journey home.

All the trains, including our connecting East Midlands trains, were bang on time and we were back in Derby just after 9pm.

Did it beat Skeggy? Afraid so.