20 day trips from London to escape the city (updated 2025)

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.

Dungeness’s shingly, shipwreck-dotted beach takes on an even more otherworldly feel in winter, when the biting wind and low, grey skies 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 against the winter light, while the weathered shacks, beached fishing boats, and sleek modernist bungalows feel quieter and more dramatic than in summer.

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.

And during the winter months, the city really comes into its own. Check out the Christmas markets on Broad Street or drive a little way out of the city to Blenheim Palace which has a magical light show. It might be a little cold to punt down the river, but head to The King's Arms for a drink instead. After all, It is 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 Christmas you can catch Tom Wells' new adaptation of the BFG by Roald Dahl here. In December, the Christmas markets, with over 200 stalls of food, crafts and gifts busy the streets. Add to that some carol singing and lines of twinkling lights and this Tudor Disneyland is transformed into the ideal winter wonderland. You can warm up 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. 

A glorious, wintery water-themed day awaits you in the city of Bath. Begin with a tour of the Roman Baths (sadly, still no paddling allowed) before warming up 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 dusted in winter sparkle. 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 for a spot of ice skating and stop off at the Christmas markets in the city centre before you head home.

How far? 115 miles

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

Quieter, smaller and (whisper it) prettier than Oxford, Cambridge is magical at Christmas. Start your visit at the Fitzwilliam Museum, then warm 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, decked with twinkling lights and festive decorations, before braving the river for a spot of winter 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 by the fire at The Orchard Tea Gardens, just like poet Rupert Brooke – with a mulled wine in hand.

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 a day full of winter charms. 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 warming up with lunch (Michelin-tipped bistro Dill is a great choice), embark on the Lewes Beer Mile – four stops of hearty ales and wintery cheer 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.

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. 

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. 

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.