HIGH SOCIETY

Celebrated as the playground of the rich and famous, The Hamptons offer a charming and chilled contrast to the frenetic pace of New York

- GEMMA COURAGE

The slow train from NYC

As a string of seaside communities frequented by affluent Big Apple residents, you might think The Hamptons are off limits to us mere mortals. But we were pleasantly surprised when we paid a brief visit to escape the frenetic energy of “the city that never sleeps”.

We set off on the only (double deck) Long Island Railroad [LIRR] train to Montauk from New York’s Penn Station at 9am. The single track railway takes you out to the Hamptons in the morning, returning at 11pm. The three-hour journey allows time to settle back, chat and tuck into a packed brunch, passing through each of the Hamptons, West, East and Southampton, before arriving at Montauk. You can catch the Cannonball – a direct express train that clips 30 minutes off your journey. Our cheaper ticket merely involved a quick transfer at Jamaica in Queens.

Montauk and chill 

In Montauk (location of US drama The Affair and Kate Winslet’s Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind) you’ll find accommodation options ranging from self-catering to hotels and B&Bs at a wide range of prices – but booking in advance is essential. We splashed out for a stay at Gurney’s Montauk Resort and Seawater Spa.