To give some context, I'm currently stuck at a station where the line splits to go to several different locations, so my question is: can I go on a different train that goes past my destination station if I double back on myself and take a train back?

For example, if I was at Surbiton station and I wanted to get to Richmond, could I take a train to Waterloo and then to Richmond *or* take a train via Weybridge and then go to Richmond, assuming I had a ticket that permitted me to take any route (regardless of London travel zones)?