Whether you’re after a coastal jaunt or a country retreat, here are the best trips from London we’re planning right now
This story was originally featured on https://www.timeout.com/london/travel/the-best-day-trips-from-london
We know that London is the best city in the world. But like any metropolis, it can also get a bit much sometimes. Occasionally, what you want isn’t to drink cocktails in a trendy bar after seeing the hottest Gen Z bedroom popstar at the Islington Assembly Hall, but a little peace and quiet, actually. Enter: the weekend getaway, invented by the Victorians (probably), there’s a reason why Londoners have been taking sojourns to the seaside on sunny bank holidays since the 1800s.
Together, we’ve come up with a cracking list of our favourite day trip destinations near London. There’s something for everyone here, from historic cities and cute villages to sandy beaches and rolling countryside. We’ve included some recommendations for ace restaurants, quaint little pubs, and our favourite things to do at each destination on the list – all of which are close enough to the city that you can get there and back in one sweet day.
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Dreamy day trips from London
1. Whitstable
Photograph: CBCK/Shutterstock.com
The secret might be well and truly out about Whitstable, but this fab little seaside town is far from overhyped. Grab brunch at Farm & Harper, fish and chips at Ossie’s and a glorious pint of craft at the Twelve Taps, and treat yourself to a dozen oysters to go at Wheelers Oyster Bar on the high street. Once you’ve walked the length of the beach and admired the beach huts, settle in at the famous pub-on-the-beach Old Neptune for a pint and wait for sunset to fall. Plus, Whitstable is so near, you’ll be back home before you know it – as long as you don’t get too caught up in all its loveliness and miss the last train.
How far? 50 miles
Get there One hour 15 minutes from St Pancras International, around two hours by car.Ella DoyleGuides Editor
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2. St Leonards-on-Sea
There’s a reason so many Londoners moved to St Leonards-On-Sea during lockdown – it’s a cracking day out from the Big Smoke for beachside drinks and a tonne of great food spots. Head to food market Heist (basically a much nicer version of Boxpark) for orange wine and street food, then sink pints at Goat Ledge, a vibey, colourful shack right on the beach. If you fancy splashing out a little, book dinner at the fabulously old-school St Clement’s for white tablecloths and delicious seafood. Plus you’ve got easy access to the rest of Hastings for its Old Town, pier and the Norman castle ruins.
How far? 58 miles
How to get there: A one hour 18 minute train from London Charing CrossElla DoyleGuides Editor
3. Rye
The antique shops and higgledy-piggledy cobbled lanes of Rye make it feel like a little slice of the Cotswolds on the coast. After you’ve satisfactorily browsed around the accurately named Tiny Book Store, treat yourself to a seafood lunch surrounded by lobster pots at Globe Inn Marsh, followed by Sussex real ale or a glass of local wine at The George. The Chapel Down vineyard is just up the road and well worth a visit if you want to know the ins and outs of wine-making – or simply enjoy a tipple with their signature wine tasting. Ten minutes away, you’ll find the pillowy dunes of Camber Sands – the perfect place to roll your trousers up and take a splash through the shallows, take a kite for a spin or just park your towel, stretch out and relax.
How far? 79 miles.
Get there One hour 10 minutes by train from St Pancras International (with a change at Ashford); around two hours by car.
4. Oxford
Whether you’ve been to Oxford or not, you’ll have heard of its reputation. Oxford has history, food, humour – and it’s got some of the most beautiful colleges, museums and pubs on the planet.
So, if you want to soak up the views then Oxford in the place to be. Grab a tea and cake at The Grand Café; meander round the shops of the Covered Market; take a punt down the river; eat at Gee’s; or have a drink at The King’s Arms, where countless illustrious thinkers have put the world to rights over the years. Who knows what you’ll come up with?
How far? 59.7 miles
Get there Get a 50mins train from London Paddington Ralph Jones Contributing Writer, Oxford
5. Brighton
With its pebble beach, wall-to-wall live music venues and buzzing LGBTQ+ scene, there’s nowhere better for topping up your Vitamin Sea levels than Brighton. Start your day by dodging seagulls on the Palace Pier, then shop up a storm in the Lanes, which are a haven of independent boutiques, record stores and vegan eateries. After, treat yourself to a couple of pints in the Brighton Beer Dispensary, which champions small Sussex breweries like the Hand Brew Co.
How far? A little over 50 miles
Get there One hour by train from Victoria, Blackfriars or London Bridge; around two hours by car.
6. Deal
Though it might not get shouted about the way Margate and Whitstable do, Deal ticks all the day-trip boxes with its quaint rows of Georgian houses, unique boutiques and well-loved Saturday market. Kick things off at Deal Castle (built by Henry VIII as part of an ambitious chain of coastal forts), then treat yourself to lunch at 81 Beach Street or Victuals & Co. Parisian-style bottle shop Le Pinardier is great for stocking up on gluggable goodies, and make sure you stop by gallery-cum-homewares boutique Taylor-Jones & Son, where Delilah the sheepdog will welcome you with open paws.
How far? Just over 80 miles
Get there One hour 20 minutes by train from St Pancras International; around two hours by car.
7. Canterbury
In Chaucer’s day, this was where people came for a big old religious knees-up. Today, Canterbury is a little more sedate, but its large student population means you can still find a rowdy edge to the city. Kick things off with a leisurely stroll down the King’s Mile, home to boutiques aplenty. Lunchwise, you’re spoilt for choice, from bento boxes at Tamago or pizza straight from the oven at indoor farmers’ market The Goods Shed. Round off your very own Canterbury tale with a visit to the Beaney House of Art and Knowledge, which features one of the world’s most important collections of cow paintings and a mummified Egyptian cat.
How far? 61 miles
Get there One hour by train from St Pancras International; around one hour 30 minutes by car.
8. Bath
A glorious water-themed day awaits you in the city of Bath. Start as you mean to go on with a tour of the Romans baths (sadly, no paddling allowed in our modern day) before making a splash in the Thermae Bath Spa – the rooftop pool has stunning views of the city. Once you’ve dried off, make like Jane Austen and stroll along the Royal Crescent. Peckish? Sally Lunn’s teahouse is home to the Sally Lunn Bun, a kind of sweet brioche bap – for a Bath spin on the cream tea, order one toasted and spread with strawberry jam and clotted cream.
How far? 115 miles
Get there One hour 30 minutes by train from Paddington; two hours 30 minutes by car.
9. Box Hill
Biking to green and pleasant Surrey is a wheely nice way to spend a Sunday (sorry) – plus, Box Hill was part of the 2012 Olympic road-cycling route. Start in Richmond Park and pedal down past Hampton Court – it should take you about two hours. After a 1.6 mile climb and some hairpin bends (easier than it sounds!), you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the North Downs from the top of Box Hill. Grab a slice of cake from the National Trust café, and save space for lunch at The Tree, which serves homemade pies and crumbles. Your last stop is Box Hill and Westhumble station, where you can load your bikes on to a train back to Waterloo. Whew!
How far? 30 miles
Get there Two hours by bike (obviously). Plan the route carefully before you set out, and take a map and a puncture repair kit, plus water and snacks.
10. Cambridge
Quieter, smaller and (whisper it) prettier than Oxford, Cambridge has plenty to keep you entertained. A visit to the Fitzwilliam Museum is a fine way to start your trip, followed by a bite at Fitzbillies. Make sure to buy a box of the sticky chelsea buns to take home. Spend a couple of hours wandering around the colleges and King’s Chapel before taking to the river for a spot of punting: you can opt to man your boat yourself (be warned: it’s harder than it looks) or get a behatted expert to guide you. Come teatime, head for Grantchester and feast on scones in The Orchard Tea Gardens, just like poet Rupert Brooke.
How far? 64 miles
Get there 45 minutes by train from King’s Cross; one hour ten minutes from Liverpool Street; around two hours by car.
11. Stratford-upon-Avon
As a born-and-bred Midlander, I’ve spent many Saturdays traipsing around Stratford-upon-Avon’s lovely streets. With its half-timbered houses and canalside pubs, Stratford’s got just enough of the small-town charm you’re craving on an escape from the Big Smoke, but unlike a small town, there’s actually loads to see and do.
The Bard, of course, is the big draw here, and Shakespeare’s house, his wife Anne Hathaway’s cottage and the RSC’s famous theatre are all must-sees. If you think Stratford is just a Tudor Disneyland, a visit will make you think again. Take a boat tour of the canal basin to learn more about the West Midlands waterways, refresh yourselves in the Grade II-listed Old Thatch Tavern and stop for a scoop of Eton mess ice cream at Hooray’s British Gelato Kitchen.
How far? 104 miles
Get there Two hours 15 minutes by train from Marylebone; around two hours by car. Grace BeardTravel Editor
12. The New Forest
A trip to the New Forest is about as close as you can get to going on safari without buying a plane ticket. As you make your way down dappled lanes and across the heather-covered heath, you’ll catch sight of the region’s famous ponies, which have grazed there for thousands of years, plus free-ranging Highland cattle and pigs hoovering up fallen acorns. Don’t fancy being stuck in the car all day? Hire a two-seater electric Twizzy buggy to explore in, or book a beginners’ hack at one of the stables. Don’t forget to make time for a proper ploughman’s lunch at the Royal Oak in Fritham.
How far? 90 miles
Get there One hour 30 minutes by train from Waterloo to Brockenhurst; around two hours by car. Just remember that animals, not drivers, have right of way here.
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13. Margate
The Kent coastal town of Margate is awash with cold-brew coffee and craft beer, with enough salty charm to help you weather gusty sea winds. Start at the Turner Contemporary gallery, then mosey over to retro theme park and roller-disco Dreamland. Once your head has stopped spinning from the waltzer, head to Angela’s for a lunch of fresh, sustainable seafood. Spend the rest of the afternoon shopping: snap up stunning vintage pieces in Breuer & Dawson, and seaweed-based skincare at Haeckels.
How far? 76 miles
Get there One hour 25 minutes by train from St Pancras International; around two hours by car.
14. Dungeness
Photograph: James Manning for Time Out
Dungeness’s shingly, shipwreck-dotted beach is so spookily empty that it’s been described as Britain’s only desert (though the Met Office refuses to technically recognise it as such, the party poopers). Its (disused) nuclear power station and looming pair of lighthouses make for a beautifully eerie landscape, combined with the motley mix of weathered shacks, beached fishing boats and sleek, modernist bungalows.
But despite all that emptiness, there’s a surprising amount to do here. You could catch the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch steam train down the coast, and hop off in Dungeness for a walk and a pint at the lonely Britannia Inn. Grab a freshly-caught lunch at the famous Snack Shack: specialities include lobster or crab rolls and smoked cod chowder. And check out the galleries and open houses showcasing the work of the (surprisingly) many artists who have moved down here, including the shingle garden of the experimental filmmaker Derek Jarman, whose yellow-windowed Prospect Cottage is a major landmark here. Book in advance for a 40-minute tour inside.
If you’ve got time, head over to RSPB Dungeness nature reserve for a chance to glimpse glossy ibises and marsh harriers – plus the huge concrete ‘sound mirrors’, pre-radar experiments from WW1 that were designed to listen out for planes. (Look out on the RSPB site for news of the rare open days when you can get up close.) Finish off your day with dinner at the Pilot Inn; I’m willing to back the quality of their famous fish and chips, which were the thing that brought Derek Jarman here in the first place.
How far? 86 miles
Get there One hour by train from St Pancras International to Folkestone, with a one-hour 30-minute bus ride to Dungeness. Or take a bus or taxi from Folkestone to Hythe station to board the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway. Alternatively, Dungeness is around two hours from London by car.James ManningContent Director, EMEA
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15. Lewes
Photograph: Graham King / Shutterstock
Save for November, when its infamous Bonfire Night celebrations roll around, the historic market town of Lewes often gets overlooked by day trippers in favour of the nearby coastal destinations, but there’s loads to do here. Start the day off with a visit to its medieval castle – where a steep climb to the top of the Keep is rewarded with lovely views over the Sussex countryside – before heading to Cliffe High Street to browse its charming indie shops.
Lewes has a long history of brewing, and is home to both the 230-year-old Sussex institution Harvey’s and several modern craft breweries. Once you’ve lined your stomach with a bit of lunch (we’d opt for Michelin-tipped bistro Dill) head out on a crawl down the Lewes Beer Mile. Taking in four stops, it’s easily completed before you stumble back to the train station to head home. Sticking around a little longer? You could also wander round the ruins of the town’s Cluniac priory, admire the floral displays at Southover Grange Gardens, or take in a match at Lewes FC’s 135-year-old home grounds, The Dripping Pan.
How far? 58 miles
Get there One hour by train from Victoria; two hours by car.
16. Guildford
Harry Green
Guildford’s cathedral might star in cult bone-chiller ‘The Omen’, but that’s as spooky as this bucolic Surrey county town gets. If it’s sunny you can lounge beside the water at pretty Dapdune Wharf, or actually get in it at the Guildford Lido. Lunch on locally sourced nacho boxes at Burrito Loco, before checking out the 400-year-old Star Inn. Still thirsty? Hop on a train to tour the nearby Hogs Back Brewery.
How far? 31 miles
Get there 30 minutes by train from Waterloo; around one hour by car.
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17. Southend-on-Sea
Photograph: Shutterstock
For nostalgic seaside fun, you could do much worse than Southend. From amusement parks, fairground rides and the world’s longest pier (which even has a train running along it if walking the whole length isn’t your bag) to old-school chippies and retro ice-cream parlour Tomassi’s, the place has all the typical trappings of a vintage seaside town. On top of that, it boasts some ambitious eateries, like fine-dining joint Aurum and gastropub The Pipe of Port, plus a burgeoning creative scene spearheaded by Focal Point Gallery and the annual Village Green music and arts festival.
How far? 36 miles
Get there One hour 15 minutes by train from Fenchurch Street; two hours by car.
18. Chichester
Dinky, pastel-coloured Chichester looks like it’s built of macarons – but it’s more than just a pretty face. Start at the Norman-meets-Gothic cathedral before moving on to the Pallant House Gallery, home to brilliantly curated exhibitions, a first-class bookshop and a courtyard café that gives Rochelle Canteen a run for its money. Some of the best bits of Sussex are an easy drive (or, if you’re feeling full of beans, a slightly less easy bike ride) away, from the Goodwood Estate to West Dean Gardens and the gorgeous sandy beach at West Wittering.
How far? 80 miles
Get there One hour 30 minutes from Victoria; around two hours by car. Car is best, so you can really explore.
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19. Mersea Island
Photograph: Shutterstock
Attached to the mainland by a causeway that floods (and pub quizzers, take note: this is the UK’s most easterly inhabited island), Mersea feels properly remote at high tide. The big draw is The Company Shed, which serves seafood platters that pull in crowds from all over the country every weekend. It’s BYOB – bring your own bread – and they don’t take bookings, so get there before noon to beat the crowds and make sure you can feast on prawns, smoked fish, oysters and dressed crab. Speaking of which, catch-and-release crabbing is encouraged – there are specially marked areas near the water and shops selling the kit. Or you can book a boat trip around the bay.
How far? 69 miles
Get there One hour by train from Liverpool Street to Colchester, then a 45-minute bus to Mersea Island; around two hours by car. Don’t forget to check the tide timetable before you set off…
20. Southampton
A bustling coastal city that’s absolutely steeped in history, Southampton’s roots date back as far as the Stone Age. As well as a wealth of maritime heritage to discover, its first ever museum (the Tudor House) remains a top attraction, with gorgeous gardens and guided tours on offer. There’s plenty of modern-day action too, with a treasured football team, The Saints, and their fans bringing life to the city on match day. Situated only a 20-minute drive away from the New Forest, or a ferry-ride away from the Isle of Wight, there’s plenty more to discover nearby if you’re making a weekend of it.
How far? 69 miles
Get there One hour 15 minutes by train from Waterloo to Southampton Central; around two hours 45 minutes by car.