Eight perfect day trips out of London to take this summer

Best for: Becoming one with nature 
Distance by car: 1 hour 35 minutes

Let’s face it: doing the two-metre socially distancing dance around locals in your local London park hardly counts as a relaxing nature experience. Head down to this epic National Park and discover woodland, heath, shoreland and – an absolute New Forest must – the thousands of freely grazing ponies. Before you go, check the New Forest website for the regularly updated list of which parts of the park are open (many of them already are) and which sections are temporarily closed due to social distancing regulations. 

Best for: Soaking up history 
Distance by car: 1 hour 30 minutes

If you’ve never walked through the cobbled streets of the ‘City of Dreaming Spires’ then you’re in for a treat. Ancient Oxford is encircled by green countryside and is the perfect size for a day of exploration. Even during lockdown, there’s incredible architecture to swoon over, and charming gift shops to visit. 

Best for: A seaside jaunt 
Distance by car: 2 hours

When the weather gets hot, head to the now-trendy Kent town of Margate, home to a heavenly slice of sandy beach presided over by the impressive Turner Contemporary building and the newly renovated retro theme park Dreamland. There are plenty of super-cute cafes and shops, too.

Best for: Quaint village vibes 
Distance by car: 2 hours, 10 minutes 

This beautiful East Sussex village has everything you need in a day trip: tiny winding cobbled streets (look up to the wonky half-timbered houses and rust-coloured rooftops), medieval pubs and quirky shops. For an extra dose of relaxation, head out into Rye Nature Reserve and the nearby Camber Sands: a beach to rival those in countries further south. 

Best for: A royally good time 
Distance by car: 1 hour 30 minutes 

Before you hit this royal spa town in Kent, take the short drive to Scotney Castle: a fairytale-esque moated castle that is worth the visit even if you don’t step inside. Then, head to the Pantiles (the historic heart of Tunbridge Wells) and get a feel for the town’s Georgian heyday through colonnaded walkways. There are great outdoor drinking opportunities here – just saying.

Best for: More than your typical seaside town
Distance by car: 2 hours 10 minutes

This elegant seaside town on the Essex coast is perfect for a sunny day. It’s also the ideal place for a summer selfie, what with its tree-lined avenues, grand Esplanade and colourful Victorian-style beach huts. Of course, it’s not so fancy that you can’t get some takeaway fish’n’chips to eat on the sand.

Best for: Thames-side walks
Distance by car: 1 hour

You might know this Georgian market town as the home of The Hand & Flower: the first UK gastropub with two Michelin stars. But that’s not the only reason to visit this town. Its riverside walk is about as lovely as they get, with the Chiltern Hills in the background and the famous suspension bridge, which joins the counties of Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.

Best for: Castle-marvelling 
Distance by car: 2 hours

Arundel Castle is famous for its beautifully preserved eleventh-century castle – and you’ll realise why when you approach its imposing facade. It’s closed for the time being, but you can view it from afar, then explore the beautiful market town where cute antique shops abound. Make sure you leave time to walk along the river Arun.

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