Six dazzling day trips within an hour from London

A commuter town in Hertfordshire might seem an unlikely escape, but Hitchin Lavender Farm is a stunning place to run away to. In the flowering season from mid-June, you can pick your own blooms, and in August, there are outdoor cinema screenings at dusk. Check the website for summer music events, too. Who needs Provence when you can come here without having to dig around for your passport?

How do I get there?
Glide all the way to Hitchin from King’s Cross station in just 30 minutes.

And if I only do one thing?
Try to get there in the warmer months when the farm is open for visits (this year, it plans to open its doors in early summer – keep an eye on the website for a specific date). 

Depending on your point of reference, you might know Box Hill from a Jane Austen novel, or perhaps you remember it as the toughest section of the London 2012 cycling road race. Regardless, this National Trust estate boasts spectacular views across Surrey, wonderful walks, and, for history buffs, the chance to explore the exterior of an old fort from the 1890s.

How do I get there?
Head to Clapham Junction Overground to catch a train to Box Hill in 43 minutes.

And if I only do one thing?
Take a stroll among the butterflies and orchids with a picnic (and a few pre-mixed cans of gin and tonic).

If you can cope with sharing your space with undergraduates who walk and talk and cycle in long studenty streams, term time is as good a time as any to visit the prettiest city close to London. Cambridge's side roads and alleyways are lined with curious one-off shops, the museums and galleries are second to none and King’s College Chapel is breathtaking.

How do I get there?
Hop, skip and jump from King’s Cross train station to Cambridge in 47 minutes.

And if I only do one thing?
The one postcard experience you have to try is punting. Not too confident on the water? You can hire a chauffeured punt to prevent any accidents and minimise the chances of running into any of those picturesque bridges.

You meet all types on the train to Brighton. Not just London commuters who have escaped the city to live somewhere with fresh air, but gig-goers who insist the music scene is just better there, and beach bums on their way for a day of sun, sea and sand. Brighton is big enough to accommodate any passion, but small enough to explore when you’re in search of fun. Go for lunch on the Marina and an afternoon of Riviera-style boutique shopping, with a bag of chips on the promenade at the end.

How do I get there?
Train from Victoria to Brighton from 54 mins or from London Bridge to Brighton from 60 minutes.

And if I only do one thing?
Head to the Lanes – a brick-paved collection of narrow streets lined with independent shops selling toys, crystals, vintage clothes, jewellery and more – or get cultured at the city’s local art galleries.

Head out of the town centre down to the narrow old streets of the Creative Quarter near the harbour, where art galleries sit alongside cafés and independent shops. If you want to roll up your trousers and dip your toes in the sea, Folkestone also has one of the closest sandy beaches to London (there’s a pebbly one, too) and boasts the landscaped Lower Leas Coastal Park. Perfect for a midweek day off, but busy in the summer holidays.

How do I get there?
Train from St Pancras International to Folkestone in 57 minutes.

And if I only do one thing?
Pay a visit to the Folkestone White Horse, a 90-metre hill figure etched into the side of Cheriton Hill. It was designed by local artist Charlie Newington and has been a resident on the hill since 2003.

Fancy a day living the village life? Lewes in East Sussex is a laidback retreat with antique shops and local ales to enjoy, surrounded by farmland and the perfect place to start an exploration in the South Downs National Park. Walk the Glynde route, taking in Mount Caburn hill fort, the Elizabethan mansion Glynde Place and views over the stunning Ouse Valley.

How do I get there? 
Trains from Victoria to Lewes take as little as 60 minutes.

If I only do one thing?
Bonfire Night (pictured) is when Lewes gets really lit. The town is famous for its fiery celebration, with the streets filled with burning crosses, controversial Guys and marching bands.