20 day trips from London to escape the city (updated 2026)

To quickly satisfy your craving for salty seaside air, book a ticket to Folkestone. The artsy town has one of the closest sandy beaches to London (there is a pebbly one, too). And in March this year, that sandy stretch became home to the UK’s biggest beach spa. The sprawling Sea Scrub Folkestone has two wood-fired saunas, a hot tub with a jacuzzi, two cold plunge pools, traditional bucket showers, a wellness cafe and an event space for yoga and moon ceremonies – everything you could possibly need to shake off the stresses of the city. Follow your unwinding sesh with a wander around the narrow old streets of Folkstone’s Creative Quarter where art galleries sit alongside indie cafés and shops, and end your day with a sturdy pub dinner and pints at the Radnor Arms.

How far: 72.5 miles

Get there: The train from St Pancras International gets you to Folkestone in 57 minutes.

A glorious, water-themed day awaits you in the city of Bath. Begin with a tour of the Roman Baths (sadly, still no paddling allowed) before soaking lazily at the Thermae Bath Spa. Once you’ve dried off, channel your inner Jane Austen with a stroll along the Royal Crescent, which looks enchanting when its golden stones glow in the summer light. Feeling peckish? Head to Sally Lunn’s teahouse for the famous Sally Lunn Bun – a sweet brioche bap perfect toasted with strawberry jam and clotted cream. Head to the Royal Victoria Park to enjoy the summery flower displays before you wend your way home and you might even spot a quintessential Bath sight: a hot air balloon launching up into the afternoon skies.

How far? 115 miles

Get there One hour 30 minutes by train from Paddington; two hours 30 minutes by car. 

Everyone seems to know someone who’s moving from London to Hastings and St Leonards (the two towns tumble into each other) right now, and it’s easy to understand why. This seaside spot has it all; chaotic folklore events, brilliant boozers, serious antiquing and excellent restaurants.

The Old Town is perhaps the most picturesque part of town, complete with legendary junk shop Robert’s Rummage, the family-owned boozer First In Last Out. Hungry? If you’re after something fancy, try the Sri Lankan-inspired and Michelin Guide approved Lury. The more casual Goat Ledge is a contemporary British beach cafe and seafood shack that also serves great bacon, halloumi and tofu baps alongside its almighty coastal views. Get fish and chips (you must) at old school chippy The Mermaid.

Want some culture? The Hastings Contemporary gallery hosts exhibitions from some of the world's leading modern artists, with a two-pronged retrospective this summer from 20th century dons Henry Moore and Lucian Freud. The Crypt is your go-to for underground and independent live music, and The Carlisle is Hasting’s resident rock bar.

Like really, really old stuff? Scamper around the ruins of Norman-era Hastings Castle overlooking all of Hastings. Like less old, old stuff? The Hastings Fishermen’s Museum will take you back to Victorian times. Try also the East Hill Cliff Railway, the UK’s steepest funicular, which dates back to 1902.

Time your visit with one of Hastings’ folklore adjacent events, such as the chaotic Jack in the Green festival on May Day bank holiday weekend, which sees a rowdy procession through the streets to the West Hill, as locals chase a giant Green Man to live folk sounds. Drinking is encouraged.

How far: 58 miles

How to get there: A one hour 18 minute train from London Charing Cross

Dungeness’s shingly, shipwreck-dotted beach has a distinctly otherworldly, with endless sands that make it feel like 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 cut a striking silhouette, while the weathered shacks, beached fishing boats, and sleek modernist bungalows exude a quiet drama.

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.

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.

Take a punt on a watery boat ride down one of this city's beautiful canals, or if you want to wet your lips not your feet, head to The King's Arms for a drink instead. After all, it's where countless illustrious thinkers have put the world to rights. Who knows what you'll come up with?

How far? 59.7 miles

Get there Get a 50mins train from London Paddington 

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; this summer you can see the bard's sun-soaked classic A Midsummer Night's Dream. Or relax in a riverside pub to finish off the perfect day.

How far? 104 miles

Get there Two hours 15 minutes by train from Marylebone; around two hours by car. 

Quieter, smaller and (whisper it) prettier than Oxford, Cambridge makes a magical day trip. Start your visit at the Fitzwilliam Museum, then fuel up with a bite at Fitzbillies – don’t forget a box of sticky Chelsea buns to take home. Wander through the colleges and King’s Chapel, before braving the river for a spot of punting. You can steer your own boat (be warned: it’s trickier than it looks) or let a behatted guide take the reins. Come teatime, escape to Grantchester and indulge in scones at The Orchard Tea Gardens, just like poet Rupert Brooke – under the spreading trees of its famous fruit trees.

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. 

Obviously Lewes is best in November, when its infamous Bonfire Night celebrations light up the skies. But this historic market town is a great choice for trippers wanting an active, outdoorsy summer day out. Start with a visit to its medieval castle, where a brisk climb to the top of the Keep rewards you with sweeping views of the Sussex countryside dusted with frost. Then head to Cliffe High Street to explore its cosy indie shops and pick up unique gifts.

Lewes has a long history of brewing, home to the 230-year-old Sussex institution Harvey’s as well as several modern craft breweries. After stopping for a summery lunch (Michelin-tipped bistro Dill is a great choice), embark on the Lewes Beer Mile – four stops of hearty ales before you make your way back to the train station. If you’re staying longer, wander the atmospheric ruins of the Cluniac priory, enjoy the seasonal displays at Southover Grange Gardens, or catch a match at Lewes FC’s historic 135-year-old ground, The Dripping Pan.

How far? 58 miles

Get there One hour by train from Victoria; two hours by car.

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.

On a sunny day, approaching Rochester over the River Medway by rail is a lovely thing. The town in Kent, known for its cobbled streets, independent shops and (obviously) its massive and well-preserved Norman castle, really has a vibe of its own. Helpfully, everything worth seeing (bar a laser tag arena called Battle Sector X) is located in the same small-ish area, so it’s easy to ‘do’ Rochester in a day. Sorry Rochester. But it’s true. Apart from the fabulous castle (complete with smell-o-vision sections and sky-high walkways), the town also boasts a nifty Huguenot museum, a beautifully restored Elizabethan manor (Restoration House) and a couple of cracking second-hand book shops and record stores. Pub fans meanwhile should make a bee line for the fantastically named Who'd Ha' Thought It.

How far: 32.5 miles

Get there: The train from St Pancras gets you there in just 39 minutes