Find out about some great ways to get away from London for the day so you can take a breath and rejuvenate your mind and body.
Around 60% of people who live in London felt found working there stressful before Covid-19. Now, that amount has increased to 7 in 10 Londoners, who feel even more stressed working in this bustling city. The good thing is, that whilst London can be very stressful, it also provides exceptional access to escape its concrete scenes when you need to. Cycle routes, trains, a great road system – they can all take you away to somewhere different for the day, so you can recharge before returning back to the vibrancy of the city.
If you feel like you want to get away from London for the day, and you want some inspiration, here are 10 ways to escape the noise of London for a day:
1. Camber Sands
Camber Sands is accessible from London in around 90 minutes, which is trains to Rye in 60 minutes, and then a bus to the beachfront from the station which is around half an hour depending on the time of year you visit.
One of the big draws of Camber Sands is the castle, which is about a half hour walk from the train station, and it is free to explore from the outside. There are also tours you can book onto that enable you to explore the interior, for a fee.
There is also a large watersports centre in Rye, which is a lot of fun for those who are more adventurous. Or, you can enjoy the beach itself, and an amble around the town for a bite to eat and a look around the shops.
2. The Cotswolds
If you want a truly English chocolate box area to explore, then The Cotswolds is the location for you, and takes about an hour and forty minutes on the train to Moreton-In-Marsh. Fans of the movie ‘The Holiday’ will absolutely love exploring the stunning villages and natural beauty of the area, complete with stone cottages galore. Best enjoyed in winter for that true Christmas card magic.
3. Stonehenge
Stonehenge is an amazing day trip from London, where you get to grips with a mysterious past in an area that is anything but bustling and busy. It really is a true escape from the capital.
It does take a couple of hours in the car, but if you set off early, the time flies by quickly, and some of the scenery is beautiful. On site you can explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the stone circle, as well as the on site Neolithic houses. Some people like to also include a visit to Avebury henge which has a uniquely interesting history that is just as impressive, if not less well known, than Stonehenge.
4. Oxford
Oxford is a popular day trip from London because the city has so much to offer in a relatively small area. Museums, churches, colleges, restaurants, pubs, nature – Oxford has it all. Even better, it takes just an hour or so on the train.
5. Margate
If you are a bit of a foodie you will love a day out to Margate. It was not seen as a very cool place to visit a few years ago, but has now grown trendy again because it has such a buzzing food and drink scene. You can enjoy incredible food and drink here, and make your entire day trip centre around that without doing much else. However, there is the beach, the sea front and many shops to enjoy too, and you can get there in just two and a half hours, so you won’t be rushing when you get there either.
6. Chilham
Chilham is incredibly charming, with beautiful timber-framed houses galore, and cutesy tea shops and gift shops to explore around every corner. It takes about 90 minutes to get there by train, and is often combined with a trip to Canterbury as well, which is only 20 minutes from Chilham on the train.
7. Bath
Bath is a stunning location that is known for its Roman baths and beautiful English market town. If you want to, you can spend a day enjoying spas and relaxation here, but there is a lot more to enjoy too. The River Avon is there to enjoy, along with various walks through the area to enjoy the architecture. You can get to Bath in less than two hours from London, so you have lots of time to enjoy the area once you arrive.
8. Dover
The White Cliffs Of Dover are stunning and will make you feel worlds away from London when you visit. In around two hours on the train you can enjoy this iconic coastline, which also has all kinds of cool history to learn about and see, including Dover Castle.
9. Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is one of the most popular day trips for people to enjoy from London. It is iconic, huge and has a lot of history to enjoy and take in. It takes about half an hour to sixty minutes to get there, and is a good option if you don’t want to travel for a long time.
10. Paris
That’s right, you can go on a day trip from London to Paris. Is it a long day? Yes. But it is absolutely worth it for such a memorable adventure. You would enjoy your time on the Eurostar and get to Paris in a couple of hours, enabling you to explore the stunning French city without rushing. You could focus on iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, or explore hidden gems like the charming Pere Lachaise Cemetery, or the interesting Jewish sector, home to the best Falafel you’ll ever have. It’s a bit of a boujee day out from London, but it certainly is an escape if you want to go all out.
Where will you explore as you escape the bustling chaos of London for a day? From the iconic history of Stonehenge, to the bourgeoisie of Paris, you can enjoy a breather from London in 24 hours before you head back to the capital fresh with new memories made.