Best day trips from London: 26 easy escapes from the city
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We love London. There is an endless stream of new restaurant openings, glitzy bars, and, simply put, so many things to do. The best day trips from London, however, offer a perfect excuse to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and recharge, even if just for a sunny afternoon. Occasionally, we'll turn a day out from London into a blissful weekend away, ensuring that we secure every breakfast, brunch, and supper reservation we've been recommended. However, whether it's a sunny day eating fish and chips along the Kent coast or stomping around one of Sussex's most charming, picture-perfect villages, we're big fans of seeing as much of England's beauty as possible. Thankfully, due to London's strategic location surrounded by various glorious counties and high-speed trains offering a sustainable excuse, it's all possible without eating into a single, precious slice of annual leave. Here, we've racked our brains to reveal 26 of the best day trips from London, whatever your heart desires.
Here are more ideas for exploring outside of London:
Getty Images1. Margate, Kent
The best day trip from London for: a cultural day out
How to get there from London: the fast train from London St Pancras takes 1 hour 25 minutes.A decade ago, Kent’s once-thriving seaside town was best known for boarded-up shops and a high street desperate for some TLC. However, things have come a long way in the past decade, and Londoners are back in Margate in their droves – and sticking around longer than ever, thanks to a handful of uber-smart hotel openings. The town’s food scene is thriving like never before. Tuck into small seafood plates in a cosy bistro-style spot at Angela's, or head to Sète for light bites and natural wine. The Old Town’s brunch scene is so buzzy that you’ll want to arrive before the day trippers or book ahead, where possible, for a place at The Greedy Cow Cafe or The Pickled Fox. Spontaneous summer day trips warrant eating on the go, and there are plenty of places to fill up. Join the queue for Peter's Fish Factory before shuffling to the beach to pick at vinegar-doused chips while looking out across the sand and pier before scoops from Ramsay and Williams Ice Cream Bar. Behind the seafront row of colourful arcades, you’ll find Dreamland, home to plenty of children’s funfair rides, a rollerskating room, and a stage that hosts big names such as Tom Jones, Billy Ocean and Texas between May and September.
If you decide to stay over: Fort Road Hotel’’s opening signalled changing tides in this corner of Thanet. Margate’s most grown-up hotel features a handful of mid-century-style rooms, some that gaze out over the English Channel, and ground-floor Colina Restaurant for Mediterranean-inspired fare.
Getty Images2. Windsor, Berkshire
The best day trip from London for: Royal buffs
How to get there from London: The train from London Waterloo takes 55 minutesMost people know Windsor for one of two reasons – Windsor Castle or Legoland. William the Conqueror’s fortress is the longest-occupied palace in Europe and has had its fair share of airtime, hosting televised events such as the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018. It’s a fascinating attraction worth devoting the best part of a day to, factoring in the latest exhibitions and a guided tour; visit on a summer’s day to make the most of the short train journey from London. There are plenty of things to do in Windsor besides, if history isn’t your thing. Learn about the beer-making process at Windsor and Eton Brewery, amble through Windsor Great Park or hop between boutiques and independent shops. On a sunny summer’s day, there are few better places to be within easy reach of London than one of Windsor's beer gardens – we’re big fans of The Windsor Castle and The Royal Windsor.
If you decide to stay over: Fairmont Windsor Park is the discerning Londoner’s go-to when the hustle and bustle of the city becomes overwhelming. It’s a short drive from the heart of the action but all the more idyllic for it, housing a sumptuous spa and manicured gardens for endless ambling – Wellingtons at the ready.
Getty Images3. Southend-on-Sea, Essex
The best day trip from London for: A classic day out by the seaside
How to get there from London: Trains from London Fenchurch Street take 55 minutesRomans, Saxons and Danes have passed through this Essex town, but it wasn’t until the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway launched in the second half of the 19th century that Southend-on-Sea started transforming into the playful spot it is today. Now, it’s a firm favourite among sun-seeking families throughout the summer, as they arrive in their droves, little ones and picnic baskets in tow, to find a spot along Southend’s seven miles of coastline. The sweeping bend of shore harbours four Blue Flag beaches, where visitors dip in and out of the waves on the balmiest days – we’re fans of Shoebury Common due to its recognised water quality and accessible facilities. If you're averse to sand between your toes, unwind in one of the local parks, such as Cockethurst Park, home to a children’s playground, or head to Adventure Island, where games and theme park rides cater to all ages.
If you decide to stay over: The charming Seashells Airbnb has everything you need for a couple’s escape, packed with modern amenities, a south-facing balcony and a billowy king-size bed.
Alamy4. Canterbury, Kent
The best day trip from London for: Following in the footsteps of pilgrims
How to get there from London: Trains from London St Pancras take one hourCanterbury is no stranger to visitors, having attracted countless pilgrims over the past 1,000 years. Following the heinous assassination of Archbishop Thomas Becket in 1170 on the supposed orders of King Henry II, Canterbury was flung into the European spotlight and it quickly became a rite of passage for believers to visit his shrine from across Christendom. Geoffrey Chaucer crafted The Canterbury Tales about these pilgrims between 1387 and 1400, immortalising the tiresome (and often humorous) journeys folk made. Canterbury Cathedral remains the biggest draw for day-trippers and weekend visitors alike, housing almost 1,000 years of history within its echoey chambers – embark on a guided tour and just think what else would be revealed if these walls could talk. Chaucer’s early English text is a tough text for the casual 21st-century reader, but after a complete refurbishment, the interactive Canterbury Tales experience is set to reopen in 2025. The cobblestone High Street is a mismatch of well-known national stores and independent boutiques, with smaller alleyways guiding in-the-know amblers towards gorgeous pub gardens, restaurants and historic attractions. Our favourite hideouts include The Dolphin, a traditional English pub serving classic fare that opens into a secluded grassy garden during summer, and The Pound Bar and Restaurant, set within England’s largest surviving medieval gateway.
If you decide to stay over: If you’ve got a car, check into The Pig at Bridge Place to experience the hotel group’s winning formula of sleek service, cosy bedrooms and lip-smacking (yet unpretentious) food three miles south of Canterbury. To reach the city’s attractions and restaurants on foot, head to The Falstaff, a boutique abode occupying a former coaching inn dating back to 1403.
Getty Images5. Whitstable, Kent
The best day trip from London for: oysters on the beach
How to get there from London: The train from St Pancras takes 1hr 13 minutesSeaside towns don’t get much more postcard-worthy than Whitstable. Think shingle beaches lined by jazzy huts, a charming high street and enough foodie hideouts to warrant several return visits. Some of Whitstable’s colourful storefronts have become social media icons over the years, such as Wheelers Oyster Bar, which serves ready-to-eat picnic boxes stocked with goodies like crab tartlets, potted brown shrimps, homemade pate and seafood arancini during the summer. The Lobster Shack is reason enough to hop on the train from the capital, where local rock oysters are followed by half or full lobsters doused in garlic and parsley butter alongside generous helpings of fries and dressed salad. Plenty of less formal fish and chips spots are dotted around, plus a handful of charming pubs – our favourites include The Duke of Cumberland and The Sea Farmer’s Dive Taproom. Work off the bloat with a stroll around the harbour, or head out into the English Channel with Whitstable Boat Trips, which runs seal-spotting excursions and short bay adventures ideal for breaking up a sunny day.
If you decide to stay over: Work your way from The Marine’s à-la-carte restaurant to one of the cosy rooms via the bar for an excellent night’s sleep within easy reach of everything the charming coastal town offers.
Getty Images6. Rochester, Kent
The best day trip from London for: Historic attractions and riverside ambling
How to get there from London: High-speed trains from London St Pancras International take as little as 36 minutesNeolithic remains suggest this corner of Kent has seen its fair share of foot traffic over millennia. Still, Rochester is perhaps best known for its medieval attributes – namely, the grand cathedral and castle beside the River Medway. The Norman-style cathedral reaches for the heavens a stone’s throw from the Historic Rochester Bridge, and its foundations show it has been a place of worship for around 1,500 years. It’s a popular attraction for countless visitors, religious and otherwise, each year – embark on a guided tour to uncover the site’s secrets before refreshments and a slice of something sweet in the Crypt Café. The nearby Rochester Castle, an English Heritage site, has guarded a key crossing point of the city’s waterway since the 12th century, remaining a crucial fortress for 400 years. After dark, once day-trippers depart and wardens lock up, it’s said the ghost of Lady Blanche De Warenne claims the battlements, arrow protruding from her chest. A little further down the river, towards where the River Medway and the English Channel meet, you’ll find Historic Dockyard Chatham, home to Royal Navy warships and exhibits exploring the area’s shipbuilding heritage.
If you decide to stay over: Embrace Rochester’s history with a stay at this historic house. Entering this cosy home is like stepping back in time and is the rumoured meeting place of King Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves.
Getty Images7. Broadstairs, Kent
The best day trip from London for: Beach days as the Victorians did
How to get there from London: Trains from London St Pancras take one hour 20 minutesWe still love the seaside town of Broadstairs just as much as the Victorians did when they arrived in their droves each summer to escape the capital’s smog. Londoners began arriving via steamboat in the 1820s, and numbers greatly increased from the 1860s as the railways served Kent’s coastal resorts. The young Princess Victoria was an avid fan of Broadstairs, holidaying here with her Mother between 1826 and 1836. Another notable fan is Charles Dickens, who called Broadstairs home during summer between the 1830s and 1850s – see artefacts relating to the author’s life at The Dickens House Museum. The Dickensian charm continues at Bleak House; although this isn’t the original featured in the novels, it was home to Dickens and his family every summer for mote than 10 years. In summer, the town’s action centres around horseshoe-shaped Viking Bay, where families bodyboard the waves at high tide, frolic around the rockpool and enjoy trampolines and swings for a small fee. If it’s not warm enough for a dip, sample craft beers and the sea air in one of the pub gardens such as The Albion or The Pavilion. No sunny visit is complete without a fish and chip supper – get your fix at Seafarer Restaurant.
If you decide to stay over: The Royal Albion Hotel is the classiest address in town and a home-from-home for plenty of ‘down from London-ers’ throughout the year as they make the most of the area’s beaches, hiking trails and catch up with family in the surrounding restaurants.
Rebecca Douglas8. Elmley Nature Reserve, Kent
The best day trip from London for: getting fully immersed in nature
How to get there from London: The train from London St Pancras International to Swale takes 1 hour 50 minutes and then it’s a short taxi ride to Elmley Nature ReserveThink of day trips to Kent and you’ll probably skip straight over the Isle of Sheppey. Just off the northern coast of Kent next to the Thames Estuary, Sheppey is an unglamorous largely industrial island that initially lacks the tourist appeal of some of its Kentish neighbours. But there’s a secret gem here right off the mainland – the bucolic Elmley Nature Reserve, 3,300 acres of wetlands and wilderness. This family-run estate is a true wildlife conservation haven and is the perfect trip for birdwatchers and nature lovers. With over forty varieties of birds raising their young at Elmley each year, there are some beautiful walking trails to spot them all, plus the other resident hares, frogs, dragonflies, cows, voles, bees and more. As soon as your taxi turns onto the long entry drive, it’s easy to see elegant birds such as egrets, lapwings and redshanks happily frolicking on the flat marshlands, and that’s before you’ve even started exploring. Open Sunday to Thursday, the entry fee is £8 and that gets you access to the beautiful open landscape for a self-guided wander (although you have to stay on the paths!); they also arrange organised tours at dusk for £33 if you want an expert to help you spot marsh harriers, long-eared owls, sparrowhawk and peregrine falcons. It might be only 40 miles from London but it feels like another world. As well as an incredible place for a day out in nature, there’s also a lovely barn restaurant to get cosy in for toasties at lunch and more hearty evening meals, plus an impressive range of smart places to stay dotted across the reserve if you want to extend your visit. Sonya Barber
If you decide to stay over: From decked-out shepherd’s huts with outside baths to four poster beds in the grand 18th-century main house, there’s a wide range of places to stay – all with stunning views over the nature reserve.
Toby Mitchell9. Bath, Somerset
The best day trip from London for: soaking up history
How to get there from London: The train from London Victoria takes 1 hour 20 minutesBath is known for its history, but among the buttery-hued Georgian architecture and ancient thermal springs, there’s a fresh, independent spirit. When the weather is good, there are a couple of brilliant walking routes to try. The six-mile Bath Skyline, for example, is a short stroll from the city centre and passes through woodland, meadows and orchards, with views of the buildings below.
The Somerset city’s literary heritage is well documented – Jane Austen is probably the most famous one-time resident – and there’s still a thriving network of bookshops and literature festivals here, including at bookworm magnet Topping and Company, which stocks more than 55,000 titles. Restaurants are driven by excellent local produce and seasonal ingredients. Grab a traditional lunch at The Circus (we recommend the Wiltshire lamb two ways) or order bun cha at Vietnamese spot Noya’s Kitchen. After a bite, shop at clever concept stores such as Nām, which sells antique furniture and homeware curated by owner Sharan Kaur, and Found, where you can buy clothes from niche global brands, or spend an afternoon at wine bar Corkage, where about 70 bottles are available to sample by the glass. Sarah James
If you decide to stay over: Small hotel Eight lives up to its name; there are just eight rooms, and the ground-floor restaurant always has eight dishes on the menu.
Getty Images10. The New Forest, Hampshire
The best day trip from London for: woodland walks and long pub lunches
How to get there from London: The train from London Waterloo usually takes about 1 hour 45 minutesWith its purple carpets of heather, ancient woodland and England-of-yore villages, the New Forest has long been a release valve for Londoners eager to clear the cobwebs and the cortisol. The apex of its beauty has to be autumn when its rich hues cut through morning mists and dazzle in the afternoon sun. It's best enjoyed during a long ramble, where you’re likely to meet free-roaming New Forest ponies, cattle and even pigs, followed by a hearty pub lunch with local ale and a warming log fire.
Take the train from Waterloo to Beaulieu Road station and fuel your hike with a pint of real ale at the Drift Inn. If independent shops, cafés and beaches are on the agenda, it’s best to head to Lymington instead, as this one-and-a-half-hour loop around the pub on the edge of the New Forest is blissfully rugged and remote. Having traipsed through a mixed mosaic of woodland and absorbed the silence and sweeping views across the heathland, hunker down at the Drift Inn for a Hampshire beef burger, ale-battered haddock or the pie of the day (invariably something along the lines of mud pie with mash and gravy). Rosalyn Wikeley
If you decide to stay over: Those seeking the quintessential heather-and-wild-ponies New Forest should bed down at The Pig Hotel in Brockenhurst or Lime Wood near Lyndhurst (about five minutes from the Drift Inn). However, the trusted favourite among New Forest devotees, Chewton Glen continues to lure weary urbanites with its coveted position – wedged between woodland and the coast – and commitment to a country club's good, old-fashioned service and comforts. You’ll find a few zeitgeisty design details or next-gen touches here. Instead, antiques, thick carpets and mahogany furniture keep this 18th-century manor house sure of its identity – save a few fun treehouse bedrooms, should privacy or the 21st century fall into your criteria. Don’t miss the fresh salads and fish lunches once you’ve been pummelled in the spa or worked up an appetite in the Grecian-style pool. The gardens are also glorious for afternoon tea after visiting Highcliffe Beach.
Getty Images11. Hertford, Hertfordshire
The best day trip from London for: pub-crawling and country walks
How to get there from London: The train from Finsbury Park takes 35 minutesWith its higgledy-piggledy, pastel-coloured buildings and cobbled streets, this county town serves up a slice of English antiquity that’s postcard-pretty enough to satisfy both shiny-eyed visitors from further afield and weary Londoners searching for fresher air, shorter queues and somewhere different to look at for the day. With trains running every half hour, it’s possible to find yourself marching around its 15th-century castle grounds (check ahead for cinema screenings, talks and events), net fishing from a sandy cove in Hartham Common or wandering about its dinky museum within the hour. Alternatively, if you’re feeling ambitious, you can cycle from London along the River Lea towpath.
On arrival, dip into its handful of local shops – The Women's Society Boutique has an imposing exterior but is a real treasure trove – before stopping at one of the many independent cafés and restaurants. Popular deli bar Giambrone’s serves authentic Italian plates, while Hertford Coffee Lab makes for a cool pit-stop, and Georgian townhouse and B&B Number One Port Hill hosts occasional pop-up suppers. Plus, the artsy Dog and Whistle, once a pop-up café, has blossomed into a hipster foodie pub and music venue with rooms. Indeed, Hertford – a quiet market town by day and more bustling nightspot come evening – specialises in pubs, particularly old-world ones. There's The Salisbury Arms Hotel, said to have been the place where Oliver Cromwell stayed during the Civil War and home to a number of ghosts; the 16th-century White Horse; the 17th-century Blackbirds; and the riverside Old Barge (exact age unknown, but 'old' is part of the name…). If you have time, go on the three-mile walk to Ware alongside the River Lea towpath – the neighbouring town also has a plethora of pubs – and catch the train back to London from there. Becky Lucas
If you decide to stay over: Hertford House Hotel took over the former local newspaper’s offices in pretty Parliament Square in 2006 and hasn’t stopped evolving since, with its latest restaurant and bar renovation completed in autumn 2020. Don’t miss out on brunch in the secret garden, a locally sourced roast in the restaurant and a pint in smart sister pub The Quiet Man.
Helen Cathcart12. Deal, Kent
The best day trip from London for: an under-the-radar getaway
How to get there from London: The fast train from St Pancras International takes 1 hour 22 minutesThis hillside scribble of Georgian streets tucked behind the Kent coast really hit our radar in 2018. Nicknamed ‘Margate’s little sister’, it’s a much cosier, countryside version of its arty neighbour. And that’s exactly its appeal. Deal is less shouty than Margate, but there’s still an exciting slew of shops, cafés and galleries that have arrived over the past few years. The Saturday Market stalls are worth a rummage, but it’s the food that brings the locals back each weekend. For more of a sit-down lunch we love Frog and Scot where the chef, previously of The Sportsman in Seasalter, cooks up a daily changing menu based on hyper-local produce. Founder of Smugglers Records Will Greenham (ex singer and guitarist of the band Cocos Lovers, who’ve supported Mumford & Sons on tour) is at the heart of the town’s music scene, and in terms of art, Linden Hall Studio is a contemporary gallery in a converted chapel that wouldn’t look out of place in Mayfair. Tabitha Joyce
If you decide to stay over: The Rose was revamped in 2018 and now there a handful of cute bedrooms splashed in bold colours and filled with vintage finds.
Jan Baldwin / Narratives13. Rye, East Sussex
The best day trip from London for: a bracingly fresh seaside getaway
How to get there from London: The train from St Pancras International takes about 1 hour 10 minutes with a change at Ashford International.Rye is home to what might just be Britain’s prettiest (and most prettily named) street, and a wave of newcomers have moved in alongside the quaint old-timers in Mermaid Street and beyond, opening smart interiors stores and artisan bakeries next to unironically vintage tea rooms and souvenir shops. After breakfast at Whitehouse Rye – order the halloumi hash – pick up a new read at a local bookstore, and window shop for that fantasy mansion at striking antique shop Strand House Interiors. The blustery dunes and invigorating waters of Camber Sands, one of the best beach near London, are a 15-minute ride away on the local bus, but head back in time for a rustic supper at The Fig, which serves Ottolenghi-esque plates that are (almost) too pretty to devour. Chef Ben Tish named The Fig one of his favourite places to eat in Rye when we interviewed him as part of our Where the Chefs Eat series.
If you decide to stay over: Book a room at the lively George in Rye, which welcomes A-list guests (George Clooney and Helena Bonham Carter have both checked in for sleepovers) and smart locals in the same breath.
Getty Images14. Eastbourne, East Sussex
The best day trip from London for: fair-weather walkers
How to get there from London: The train from London Victoria takes 1 hour 30 minutes.Eastbourne is an old-timey British seaside town with a Victorian pier, a pebble beach, and a much-loved bandstand where tribute acts reign: ‘Queen’, ‘ABBA’, ‘Frank Sinatra’ and ‘Lady Gaga’ have all played. You could spend the day taking in the town’s thriving art galleries, with plenty of opportunities for refuelling stops along the way (our favourite is the stripped-back-trendy Nelson Coffee Co opposite the station) but the real draw here is enjoying the great outdoors at Beachy Head, where you’ll find the famous Seven Sisters chalk cliffs. A hike with seriously impressive views out to sea runs across the top. Wander all the way along to neighbouring Seaford or make one of the secret beaches tucked away at the foot of the cliffs your way point. It’s a steep climb down, but Falling Sands Beach is quiet and sandy and well worth the adventure. Eastbourne often makes the list of the sunniest places in the UK, so don’t forget your sunglasses. Olivia Holborow
If you decide to stay over: Book into the Beachy Head holiday cottages – there’s a choice of eight, all set around a rambling walled garden with fruit and vegetables you can help yourself to.
Getty Images15. Brighton, East Sussex
The best day trip from London for: blasting the cobwebs away by the sea
How to get there from London: The train from London Victoria takes 1 hour 34 minutes.Brighton is a brilliant mish-mash of retro, seaside fun and progressive culture. Book in advance and you can get return tickets from London for as little as £10. A maze of bunting-lined streets, The Lanes burst at the seams with vintage shops – don’t miss Beyond Retro and Dirty Harry, and one of our favourite independent boutiques, Peggs & Son, as well as retro memorabilia (navigate the turnstile at Snoopers Paradise for collectors’ items, vinyl, and furniture). Reserve a table at Food for Friends, a superb veggie restaurant with award-winning flavours and presentation. The huge 8km pebbly beach is a short walk away – the section near the Palace Pier is dotted with stripy deckchairs and usually buzzing from spring to autumn (and often absolutely crammed in summer). There’s something terribly British about layering up and enjoying a windswept walk in the winter months, too. Reward yourself with a bag of hot, sugary doughnuts from the pier.
If you decide to stay over: No. 124 by GuestHouse is the smartest stay in town since it opened in 2024. Feast at The Peraly Cow restaurant and rest weary legs in cloudy beds – ask ahead for one of the 16 rooms with a sea view. See what we thought when we were among the first guests through the door in our exclusive review.
Getty Images16. Lewes, Sussex
The best day trip from London for: history buffs and vintage hunters
How to get there from London: The train from London Victoria takes just over 1 hour.Lewes: the market town in the South Downs that sits against a backdrop of chalk hills and green peaks. Cobblestoned 'twittens' (narrow streets), handpainted shop signs and crumbling tiles from the 1960s make it feel like a town time forgot, and its slower rhythm makes for a reinvigorating gear-change. The Needlemakers on West Street is home to a range of small, independent shops that sell local craftsmanship, from jewellery to books – Alexis Dove is a favourite for delicate silverware and Susie Petrou has an eye for vintage blouses and Romanian embroidery. There’s an incongruous well at the bottom by the vintage shops – throw in a penny for good luck before you start hunting through piles of clothes and bags. Lewes Flea Market is an alluring source for antique furniture and quirky homeware, and is open daily (not to be confused with the outdoor Sunday market, which is also worth a visit). At the other end of town, at the bottom of Cliffe High Street, you can find Bill Collison’s very first Bill’s restaurant, a European deli-turned-eatery, where you can get hearty dishes such as pumpkin, fig and chestnut roast, or a beef, bacon and camembert burger. After lunch, ponder the paperbacks at the Fifteenth Century Bookshop, which has been carefully restored in recent years but remains as much of a landmark as Lewes Castle. Finish the day with a pint; Harvey’s Brewery is the only independent brewery in Sussex and provides the John Harvey Tavern over the road with local cask ales (download the self-titled app to find out where you can get it in London).
If you decide to stay over: Head to Firle for a night at The Ram Inn, and enjoy crisp linen and generous breakfasts served by an open fire.
Getty Images17. Folkestone, Kent
The best day trip from London for: a coastal up-and-comer
How to get there from London: The fast train from London St Pancras to Ashford takes 40 minutes, where you can change for Folkestone Central.The seaside town of Folkestone is mid-makeover, which is the ideal time to visit – before everything gets priced up and the place’s quirks glossed over. The appeal of Sunny Sands beach is self-explanatory – this tiny, windswept slip of sand is one of the best beaches in Kent and the ideal spot to kick off your day (unsurprisingly, it fills up with families wielding buckets and spades, sticky with sunscreen, too). A trio of swashbuckling pubs and restaurants – The Ship Inn, The Mariner and The Captain’s Table – lines the seafront, but the real treasure can be found in the Creative Quarter. At the bottom of The Old High Street is Bounce Vintage, an open space with rails full of retro sportswear, French chore jackets and Aloha shirts. If you exchange smiles and pleasantries with the rosy-cheeked owners, they might just offer you an espresso on the house. Failing that, further up the road, Steep Street sells speciality coffee, homemade cake and books. Floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall shelves of hardbacks tower over fat leather armchairs and blackboard tables that you can doodle on in chalk. There are endless places to eat and drink around town: Rocksalt for a smart menu and sea views; Papas for old-fashioned fish and chips; Beano’s for veggies; Luben's for pizza; and Little Rock for brunch dishes with a sea view. The Harbour Arm, though, is where Folkestone’s own folk go – the Champagne bar hidden in the lighthouse at the end is rustic, romantic, and completely charming.
If you decide to stay over: Gather pals and spend a weekend in town by checking into Shoreline Beach House, a fabulously sleek townhouse-style property with sea views that sleeps up to six adults and two children.
Getty Images18. Oxford, Oxfordshire
The best day trip from London for: a traditional slice of British culture
How to get there from London: The Oxford Tube coach service takes 1 hour 30 minutes and runs until 3am; trains also run from Paddington and Marylebone stations and take 1 hour.In one of the most quintessentially English cities in the UK (and one of the most expensive to live in outside London), cream tea is not just a rite of passage – it’s a requirement. And there’s only one place to take it – The Vaults and Garden Café, signposted by the presence of an antique bicycle with a flowerbed in its basket, is a gorgeous 14th-century building surrounded by colleges (Oriel, Brasenose, Murton, All Souls), where scones come loaded with clotted cream and seasonal homemade jam (the café has serious sustainability credentials, too). Architecture is a major draw in Oxford; the libraries, bridges and even cinemas feature Palladian domes, Norman design, ziggurat influences and listed buildings which make this a city to see on foot (Radcliffe Square is a must, and it’s worth paying £4 to climb the tower at the Church of St Mary The Virgin for the best view of Oxford). If you’re taking kids, the Pitt Rivers Museum is packed with bizarre artefacts and stories they’ll tell their friends about, and The Story Museum welcomes you through a wardrobe into Narnia and other fictional worlds of wonder. If you booked a babysitter, however, grab a drink at the brilliant Freud bar in Jericho – a stained-glass church-turned-cool-cocktail-bar that is grown-up enough to feel sophisticated but studenty enough to have plenty of atmosphere and frivolity in the air (or perhaps it’s something in the drinks).
If you decide to stay over: There are plenty of lovely hotels in the Cotswolds, such as The Wild Rabbit – a charming pub with rooms from eco-queen Carole Bamford (of Daylesford Organic fame).
Getty Images19. Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
The best day trip from London for: people-watching and scenery
How to get there from London: The train from London King’s Cross takes 45 minutes.Like cycling in Amsterdam or taking trams in San Francisco, punting really is the most sophisticated way to see the city of Cambridge and the university grounds. Scudamore’s is the oldest ‘chauffeur’ company and offers a more traditional tour, but board a boat from the Garret Hostel Bridge for a younger, more humorous experience (ask your punter why the GHB is also known as Orgasm Bridge). For lunch, foodPark is a top hawker convoy of Sri Lankan curries, wood-fired pizza and open-wide burgers that sets up from 12pm until 2pm in varying locations around Cambridge from Wednesday to Friday. For something more upscale, book one of Galleria’s terrace tables on the south side of the Magdalene Bridge, with British fusion food and views of the River Cam (your gluten- and dairy-free friends will thank you, as there are two separate menus specifically catering to their diets). In the autumn, the leaf-covered colleges are particularly picturesque as they turn red and rust, and in spring, Parker’s Piece is a scenic stretch of greenery from which to navigate (spot the lamppost that supposedly inspired the post in CS Lewis’ Narnia). From here, find eccentric English shop Bowes & Co, Fitzbillies for iced buns, Aromi for Italian nibbles, Kettle’s Yard art gallery and G David for antique books. Finish your day with the choral evensong at King’s College Chapel around 5.30pm: goosebumps guaranteed. For more ideas, see our guide to the best things to do in Cambridge.
If you decide to stay over, It doesn’t get much better than the iconic University Arms hotel, which reopened in 2018 after a serious reboot.
Getty Images20. Ashdown Forest, East Sussex
The best day trip from London for: welly-wielding outdoorsy types
How to get there from London: The train from London Victoria takes 1 hour to East Grinstead (a 15-minute drive from Forest Row).AA Milne famously wrote the stories of Winnie the Pooh while living just north of Ashdown Forest. Known as 100 Acre Wood in Pooh’s world, the forest is home to the spellbinding stories and is an enchanting place to stretch your legs for a day, easily accessible via East Grinstead station. Stretches of open heathland give way to leafy walkways and carpets of bluebells in spring, where the woods teem with wildlife (spot fallow deer, badgers and the odd friendly pheasant – no honey-eating bears, though), and the only noise is birdsong. You can even visit Pooh Bridge (for a game of Poohsticks, naturally), but be warned, it’s a prominent tourist spot. Pooh was a big fan of having ‘a little smackerel of something’, and nearby village Forest Row – Java and Jazz serves huge hot chocolate cakes and crispy-crusted pizza. For proper pub food, the cosy Hatch Inn (one of our favourite country pubs near London) is known for roasts with all the trimmings and offers plenty of dog-patting opportunities. If you’re not in a hurry to get home, head to Linton’s car park – locally known as ‘the viewpoint’ – for sunset.
If you decide to stay over: Gravetye Manor is a classic English Elizabethan country house and one of our favourite weekend breaks in the UK.
Getty Images21. Dungeness, Kent
The best day trip from London for: nature enthusiasts
How to get there from London: The drive to Romney Marsh via the A20 and M20 takes 2 hours.Arriving in Dungeness from London feels a little like stepping out of a Tardis into a different time zone, where a recent apocalypse has left the landscape barren, the wildlife overrun, the buildings flattened, and the population dramatically compromised (in fact, the Dungeness Power Station appeared in Doctor Who in 1971). Unofficially known as ‘Britain’s only desert’, Dungeness has a unique environment – single-storey buildings appear to have been swallowed by the shingle and plants let loose with little regard for human-imposed order. The beach resembles a mass shipwreck; abandoned fishing boats, crumbling shacks, winches and forgotten tractors coated in decades of rust sit, untouched, unmoved and as mysterious as a Russell T Davies plot. There’s not a whole lot to do here – but there’s so much to see, and so much to pique your curiosity that you’ll spend the journey back Googling the area. Kids will love the sheer strangeness of it all, and it’s impossible to resist the childlike urge to climb and run and play. Few places so close to London feel like such an adventure; the journey can take less than two hours and, if you time it right, you can order the catch of the day for lunch from roadside hut the Snack Shack, which does the freshest fish, lobster rolls and ice-cold cans of San Pellegrino.
If you decide to stay over: You’ll have to venture out of Dungeness – try The Rose in Deal, a grown-up bolthole splashed with bold colours and covetable vintage finds.
Getty Images22. Surrey
The best day trip from London for: switching off
How to get there from London: The train from London Waterloo to Dorking takes 50 minutes.Surrey’s proximity to London makes the journey a breeze – and it’s an especially astute pick if you’re likely to be coming with a car full of little ones. At Henry VIII’s home Hampton Court Palace, there are family-friendly events such as beast quests and ghost tours, as well as the famous giant hedge maze, where adventurous kids can lead the troops. In winter, an ice rink is set against the historic backdrop of the palace, a building whose grandiose architecture is shaped by both the Tudor and Baroque periods. If you’re escaping the city (and the kids), however, check in at Grayshott Health Spa, a traditional country home with cutting-edge treatments. Surrounded by 47 acres of flowering gardens, it’s a peaceful place to step back and take stock. Connect with nature at Kew, too, where the Royal Botanic Gardens are open to the public all year round. The winter light show is particularly mesmerising, when the sun starts to sink earlier and earlier. Be sure to take cash for mince pies and mulled wine as you wander through the grounds. Having been awarded a Michelin star, Steve Drake’s restaurant Sorrel in Dorking (a market town with chocolate-box charm) is currently the county’s hottest restaurant with the most exciting ‘discovery menu’.
If you decide to stay over: Surrey is home to some of the best spas near London, such as Grayshott, where the Manor House rooms offer faded charm.
Getty Images23. Hastings and St Leonards
The best day trip from London for: old-school seaside charm
How to get there from London: The fast train from London St Pancras International takes 1 hour 32 minutes with a change at Ashford InternationalThere’s almost too much to fit into a one-day visit to Hastings, especially if you want to pop over to the neighbouring town of St Leonards. Over the last few years, these two East Sussex enclaves have become a popular bolthole for burnt-out Londoners looking for a bohemian seaside escape. To see what all the fuss is about, head straight to explore Hasting’s quaint Old Town, a picturesque maze of streets sandwiched between two dramatic cliffs. Pedestrianised scenic George Street is where most of the action happens, with a thrum of cafés, shops and pubs, but it’s worth wandering the surrounding streets too. Seek out AG Hendy & Co on the High Street for well-curated vintage homewares and stop into The Crown for cosy pub grub made with excellent local produce. If you’re up for a wander, get the funicular up and walk along to the cliff to Fairlight Glen, a beautiful secluded beach where clothing is optional. Or if that sounds a bit much, stay in the Old Town and explore the dramatic black fisherman’s huts on Rock-A-Nore beach where there’s Hastings Contemporary art gallery, a tiny shipwreck museum, fresh seafood stalls and a very cute miniature railway. Next up, take the 40-minute amble along the beach past the pier to St Leonards and stop off for food at the fabulous seafront café, Goat Ledge. It’s worth the trip for their crispy panko fish baps and katsu curry sauce chips alone. Nearby, there are great independent shops selling everything from candles to kimonos on Norman Road and King’s Road where you can easily spend a few hours happily browsing and café hopping before settling into dinner at Michelin-recommended pub The Royal. Sonya Barber
If you decide to stay over: Book into The Old Rectory, a bijou b&b in Hasting’s Old Town with treatment rooms and a walled garden.
Getty Images24. Stratford-upon-Avon
The best day trip from London for: a Shakespearean adventure
How to get there from London: a little over 2 hours by train from London mainline stations; changes are often requiredThere are few places more charming than the medieval market town of Stratford-upon-Avon. It’s the birthplace and resting place of Shakespeare, and it’s easy to fall in love with the West Midlands spot during a jam-packed day trip from London.
Day trips from London to Stratford-upon-Avon, understandably, centre around the Bard. Start where the wordsmith’s journey began with an educational mooch around Shakespeare’s Birthplace, now a museum highlighting how his work continues to shape our lives today. From here, onto Anne Hathaway’s cottage. The family home of Anne Hathaway, William Shakespeare’s wife, is full of fascinating stories and historical finds, and passionate guides are on hand to delve into tales of the famous family that resided here for 13 generations. For the full experience, visit William’s resting place in Holy Trinity Church via Shakespeare's Schoolroom & Guildhall.
Literary associations aside, entertain young minds at the Mechanical Art and Design Museum, get tropical at the stunning Stratford Butterfly Farm, and sample a craft beer before the return journey home at The Garrick Pub Restaurant, which is purportedly the oldest boozer in the town.
In a town dating back almost 1,000 years, you’d expect to stumble across a spectral resident or two in the historical buildings. Check into one of the charming hotels during spooky season and embark on a ghost tour to hear about tales from a haunted tearoom and what some unlucky guests have experienced in one of the town centre’s four-star hotels.
If you decide to stay over: For a fittingly period stay, check into The White Swan. The property’s use as an inn dates back to the sixteenth century, and the walls hold all the charm of a Tudor property with trimmings suited to twenty-first-century travellers. Cosy by the fire after a hearty meal, and sink into four-poster beds before another day exploring Warwickshire’s attractions and natural beauty.
Jenny Zarins25. Great Garden Escape, The Newt in Somerset
The best day trip from London for: a VIP experience
How to get there: The train from London Paddington takes about 1 hour 25 minutesIf you’re not the planning type, The Newt in Somerset’s Great Garden Escape is a fun-filled pre-organised day trip that shows off the best of the British countryside and its charming traditions. With a jam-packed schedule starting at Paddington station, day trippers travel First Class with breakfast served on-board. On arrival, they’ll be given a tour of the gardens at The Newt, which have been landscaped over hundreds of years and are now home to wildlife including deer and newts – of course. There's even an opportunity to explore the grounds with experts, along with a dive into the history and traditions of Somerset. Plus, a stopover at the incredible Roman Villa Experience.
Lunch leads into a cyder tasting, made on-site using apples grown in local orchards, where you’ll undoubtedly be swayed into picking up a bottle or two to take home. When you’ve breathed in just enough country air, the train journey home serves up afternoon tea, depositing you back in the city just in time for sundowners. The whirlwind tour is the ideal tonic for shaking off burnout and reminding yourself of the beauty on your doorstep. Abigail Malbon
If you decide to stay over: Should you choose to forego the train ride home in favour of waking up somewhere new, The Newt is a Jane Austen dream, whether you choose a room in the Georgian house or the converted outbuildings, barns and stables. Bedrooms are simple and beautiful, with a focus on relaxation, but those with a view are truly exceptional. In the morning, wake up early and treat yourself to a swim in the spa pool as the sun comes up – you’ll return to London feeling like a new person.
Getty Images26. Clifton, Bristol
The best day trip from London for: packing a lot in
How to get there from London: The train from London Paddington takes about 1 hour 35 minutes.After hopping off the train at Bristol Temple Meads, take a stroll to Clifton – the city’s most beautiful leafy suburb. Quiet residential streets are lined with pretty Georgian townhouses, spots of greenery to wander through off the cobbled streets and an eclectic mix of independent cafés, restaurants and shops.
Start with a gander around Clifton Arcade in the heart of Clifton Village, where the 17 boutiques are filled with knick-knacks and intriguing antiques. It’s not a true shopping experience without a pit stop for coffee and cake – try one of Bristol’s top coffee spots, Spicer + Cole, or – for a 100-per-cent plant-based menu – refuel with a slice of rose and vanilla loaf and a superfood latte at East Village Café.
Pick up some fresh fruit and vegetables from the local greengrocers and head to Clifton Bridge for fabulous views across the River Avon. It's one of the oldest surviving iron suspension bridges in the world. Learn about its history at the Visitor Centre, stopping off for a pint of traditional Somerset cider at the White Lion by its side. Continue the historical tour by walking up to Clifton Observatory, which has a museum featuring a Victorian-era Camera Obscura and a mythical Giant’s Cave, alongside its own rooftop café serving up breathtaking views. And don’t miss out on a walk down Royal York Crescent – one of the most expensive streets in Bristol, which was also once reputed to be the longest terrace in Europe.
Next, spend time at Bristol Lido, a restored Victorian swimming bath from the 1800s surrounded by a spa and poolside bar for the ultimate in pampering. Round off the day with a cosy pub meal at The Albion, an Indian fine-dining experience at Nutmeg or a hearty pizza at Bosco around the corner on Whiteladies Road. Cordelia Aspinall
If you decide to stay over: Book a room at Number 38 boutique hotel for a peaceful stay overlooking the Clifton Downs, perfect for your morning stroll.