Best day trips from London: 25 easy escapes from the city

Easy day trips from London, with the inside track on what to do and where to eat

14 October 2025

Best day trips from London 25 easy escapes from the city

As much as we adore the chaos of the city, the best day trips from London offer the respite we crave when the hustle and bustle get too much. Our capital is teeming with cultural highlights, such as world-class exhibitions. The restaurant scene is exceptional and ever-evolving, with the neon lights of the bars and clubs overseen by leading mixologists who encourage us to let our hair down as DJs do their thing. But, sometimes, a quick scoot out of the Big Smoke is just what we need. When workloads and life schedules permit, we’ll opt for a weekend break in one of the UK’s most resplendent regions, or check into a fabulous holiday home for a digital detox of sorts. However, such outings take planning and cost considerably more than booking a return day trip (in advance, for significant savings) and leaving London behind for a day-long escape.

There are the big-hitters that’ll have friends and families uniting in large numbers for a taste of the fresh sea air, such as Brighton with its extravagant pier and historic lanes littered with independent art galleries and chic boutiques. Or Margate – a meeting place for old friends in recent years, thanks to an emerging arts scene and a host of fantastic new restaurants. Thanks to regular connections from numerous London train stations, Kent is a failsafe option for Londoners craving an escape. Seek out Dickensian gems in Broadstairs, feel the sand between your toes on Ramsgate’s sprawling main beach or go under the radar in Deal’s gem-packed second-hand stores and olde-worlde pubs.

There are the chocolate-box villages of Surrey, so close that they’re an increasingly attractive option for commuters who fall for the rolling hills, country pubs and hiking trails less than an hour from the office. There’s a lot to be said for venturing further afield, too, whether it’s swigging flat whites and stomping around Clifton in Bristol and heading into the surrounding Somerset hills, or picnicking under speckled sunlight in the New Forest. Whatever you seek from a stop-break in your busy schedule, these are our favourite day trips in London, packed with recommendations in each spot.

Here are more ideas for exploring outside of London:

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1. 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.
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2. Windsor, Berkshire
The best day trip from London for: Royal buffs
How to get there from London: The train from London Waterloo takes 55 minutes
Most 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.
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3. 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 minutes
Romans, 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.
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4. 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 hour
Canterbury 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.

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5. 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 minutes
Seaside 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.
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6. 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 minutes
Neolithic 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.
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7. 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 minutes
While there’s been plenty of activity in this corner of the south east over millennia, the British obsession with Broadstairs really boomed in the Victorian era. By the end of the first quarter of the 19th century, a new generation of steamboats guaranteed Londoners a taste of sea air within a matter of hours, not days, opening up the possibility of a coastal escape – for the upper and middle classes, at least. So fashionable was the seaside town that Queen Victoria left the sweltering capital for its breezy calm several times over the course of a decade. However, it’s Charles Dickens’ legacy that runs through much of the town, with many visitors incorporating a visit to the Dickens House Museum on the seafront into leisurely itineraries. Step inside and uncover the author’s long connection with Broadstairs in the cottage that provided inspiration for the home of Betsey Trotwood, scanning artefacts including handwritten letters and items owned by Dickens. Meanwhile, Bleak House, which overlooks the English Channel’s crashing waves on the clifftop, is where he is said to have penned the novel of the same name – the book came first, mind. The small Kentish town continues to be a family-favourite, full of old-fashioned charm offset by a fresh energy that’s best experienced in August as Folk Week takes over bandstands and pop-ups. Amble along Viking Bay, the town’s sweeping crescent of sand framed by chalk cliffs and candy-coloured beach huts, watching over coffee and sweet treats as residents enter the water come rain or shine. New galleries and independent shops hint at a creative resurgence, while the gift shops aren’t to be scoffed at, shelves lined with handmade trinkets and mementoes to take home as a reminder of a sunny day beside the sea.
If you decide to stay over: For a stay with a view, opt for a sea-facing bedroom or suite at the Royal Albion Hotel, right in the heart of the action and a quick lift ride or staircase’s reach from the sand. A short walk away from town, there’s The Yarrow, where staycationers settle into some of the cosiest rooms in town before feasting on Kent’s best produce in the restaurant.
Rebecca Douglas
8. 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 Reserve
Think 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 Mitchell
9. 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 minutes
Bath 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: A stay at The Pig Near Bath feels like taking over your own country pile – a Bridgerton-esque escape that warrants mourning as cars drift out of the driveway. A few dozen beautifully appointed bedrooms are dotted across the main house and barn – the garden rooms are among our favourites. Closer to the action, there’s The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, which takes pride of place at the centre of the city’s Royal Crescent; sip Champagne in the spa garden, unwind in the lengthy relaxation pool, and make the most of the proximity by asking the staff for the tastiest addresses in town.
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10. 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 minutes
With 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.
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11. 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 minutes
With 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 Cathcart
12. 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 minutes
Just an hour and a half away from the chaos of the capital, you’ll find the sleepy seaside haven of Deal. While Broadstairs offers Victorian charm and literary heritage, and Margate offers a buzzy Old Town beloved by younger staycationers, Deal, by comparison, feels like a seafront secret that in-the-know day-trippers daren’t whisper. Wedged between Dover and Ramsgate, this town offers Georgian elegance, creative flair, and a salt-washed calm that collectively make it one of the best day trips from London. Start your day along Beach Street, feeling the salty breeze brush off the English Channel onto pastel townhouses. Pick up coffee from Popup Cafe, or, should you arrive early enough to initiate a food tour of the locale, stick around for classic brunch dishes, such as the sourdough brunch sandwich packed with garlic mushrooms, halloumi, and harissa. Clutch a steaming flat white and watch as dog walkers make the most of the morning serenity, waggy golden retrievers aplenty bopping down the promenade from first light.
An amble down Deal Pier is worth an extension to the exploration, but don’t expect the retro entertainment or rides offered in places like Brighton or Blackpool. The last remaining fully intact leisure pier in Kent is the third iteration and opened in 1957; gaze upon Kent’s coast from the end or settle into Deal Pier Kitchen at the end for lunch with ocean vistas. Lunch could also mean pints and fish tacos at The Rose – a former pub turned effortlessly stylish boutique hotel – or a plate of local crab at 81 Beach Street. Once satiated, it’s time to explore Deal Castle, the English Heritage site built during the reign of Henry VIII. If you fancy extending a visit, join history buffs on a castle-hopping journey from Deal to Walmer.
If you decide to stay over: A landmark of Deal’s High Street for more than 200 years, the Rose is the place to stay for sumptuous seaside stays with character. The restaurant’s offerings – think British classics and fresh seafood – make it the perfect spot to finish a stomp around the town, even for those with a return ticket. The Pelican Rooms, a series of spaces for indulgent spa treatments, sends staycationers on their way back feeling particularly well-rested and rejuvenated. Alternatively, Jubilee Cottage is one of the cosiest places to stay and enjoy all that the surrounding region has to offer.

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13. 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.
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14. 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.
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15. 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.
East Sussex’s liveliest resort town is bestowed with the moniker ‘London-on-Sea’ for good reason. Easy to reach on a rail service from plenty of the capital’s stations, Victoria and Clapham Junction among them, it’s potentially the most popular day trip from London. As soon as the weather forecast declares an incoming heatwave, which is increasingly unbearable in the breeze-free capital, group chats come alive with messages declaring a determination to escape to Brighton’s cooler, seafront climes. While many of the day trip destinations on our list are indisputedly charming, things rarely change in the smaller towns and villages. That’s not the case here. Every visit warrants bookings in newly opened restaurants and bars, or overnight stays in the latest boutique hotel, where billowy beds are christened with fresh linen.
The city is effortlessly stylish and a little eccentric, where buskers tune guitars on street corners and the air is scented with freshly ground coffee and sea salt blowing off the English Channel. From the station, head straight for The Lanes, Brighton’s tangled web of cobbled alleyways. Glide along clothes rails in vintage stores, inspect antiques in higgledy-piggledy hideouts and celebrate the resurgence of vinyl in record stores that spill out beneath bunting-strung balconies. Get your brunch on – favourite spots include Lost in the Lanes and Billie's Cafe – before making a beeline for the sea, looking down on the rippling waters from the pier while spending spare change on arcade machines or receiving a tarot reading from the resident mystic. There’s more than enough here to warrant a weekend stay, spending afternoons soaking up the rays while dipping in and out of independent galleries and local attractions before slurping oysters and sipping Sussex’s finest sparkling wines in one of the many celebrated restaurants.
If you decide to stay over: No.124 by GuestHouse, Brighton, is one of the coolest addresses in town. Victorian and Georgian features collide in the thirty-two rooms and suites, the larger of which offer glittering sea views and balconies, while the Pearly Cow restaurant downstairs is one of the tastiest places in town. The Field Trip Spa is a more recent addition to the complex, where therapists use sustainably sourced oils and essences to douse aching muscles for an indulgent session amidst the action.
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16. 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.

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17. 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.
Just 55 minutes from London by train, the coastal town of Folkestone has attracted day trippers and staycationers for well over a century. It was a fashionable escape for worn-out Londoners throughout the 19th and mid-20th centuries, as evidenced by the Folkestone Harbour railway station. The station was unable to compete with modern railway lines and the Channel Tunnel, but rather than fall into complete disrepair, it’s now a charming reminder of the town’s history and a quirky walkway between the beach and the rest of the action. Pull into Folkestone Central by early morning and head straight for Steep Street Coffee House, a cosy hideout hidden between boutiques and artist residencies on the Old High Street. The small company has established itself as a community hub where friendly baristas execute excellent flat whites and plate the latest array of treats. The shelves are lined with books, both for browsing and for sale, and sustenance comes with a conscience – think Fairtrade tea, single-origin coffee and a pledge that no waste ends up in landfill. Unless itchy feet lead you in the direction of a nearby beach, picnic basket overflowing, and sweat beading on a particularly sweltering summer’s day, stay a while in the Old Town, dipping in and out of gift shops and boutiques. There’s Moda Emporium for colourful bric-a-brac, Bounce Vintage for trendy wardrobe overhauls and Thalassa for one-of-a-kind mementoes.
Aside from the pull of the seafront, Folkestone has emerged as a foodie destination in recent years. This is largely owed to Folkestone Harbour Arm, the town’s promenade that entertainers, artists and chefs have claimed as their own. Tuck into smash burgers from Cluck and Cow, savour seafood from Fish Shack and return home at the end of the day with sweet treats to share from Emily Charlotte Bakes. Aside from the street food stalls and seasonal pop-ups, it’s Rocksalt Restaurant that attracts gourmands for balmy evenings. The restaurant overlooks the calm harbour, where fishing boats bob gently in the Channel waters. Seafood is sourced from day boats working along the South Coast, while meat is chosen from local farms set in the rolling Kent countryside – things rarely get fresher than this.
If you decide to stay over: Make the most of a seaside break by gazing at the waves beyond from the comfort of Shoreline Folkestone’s four-bed beach house, perfectly equipped for families seeking a weekend of respite. Alternatively, check out this guest favourite Airbnb, which offers equally spectacular views of the English Channel and is just a short stroll from the Old Town action.
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18. 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).
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19. 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.
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20. 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.

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21. 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.
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22. 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: Where to start? There’s no shortage of sumptuous stays in these parts, from flashy, contemporary holiday rentals to regal, storied hotels. Among our favourites are Beaverbrook, a 19th-century country estate turned hotel that combines quintessential British finesse and modern hospitality. Cliveden House is another we’ve long adored. From the glitzy dining rooms to the fantastical spa with indoor and outdoor swimming pools that becomes one of the county’s hottest tickets when the sun’s beating down, you’ll find us checking in at any given opportunity.
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23. 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 International
There’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.
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24. 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 required
There 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.

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25. 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.