Photo credit: Mermaid Street, Rye © Rolf E. Staerk/Shutterstock.com
If you’re in London on a longer stay, you may wish to explore beyond the capital, too. Here’s our list of recommended destinations including what you may like to see and do when you get there:
Bath (2 hours by train)
Bath (in the West of England), with its beautiful Georgian architecture and thermal springs, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and a Great Spa Town of Europe in 2021. Attractions include the Roman Baths, Royal Crescent, The Jane Austen Centre, Bridgerton filming locations and Sally Lunn’s historic eating house.
Brighton (1.25 hours by train)
Brighton is a picturesque seaside town set on the south coast. Its most famous building is the magnificent Royal Pavilion, built in 1787 for King George IV. Other attractions include the vintage shops along The Lanes, Devil’s Dyke, the Toy and Model Museum, Volk’s Electric Railway and of course, the beach!
Cambridge (1.5 hours by train)
The historic university town of Cambridge is set in the East of England. Attractions include King’s College Chapel, the Scott Polar Research Institute, the Fitzwilliam Museum, Kettle’s Yard art gallery, the historic Eagle public house and punting on the Cam.
Cardiff (2.5 hours by train)
Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, is set in Glamorgan in the south of the country. Attractions include Cardiff Castle, Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff Bay and Flat Holm Island.
Oxford (1.25 hours by train)
The beautiful town of Oxford is home to one of the world’s most important research universities. Attractions include the fascinating Ashmolean Museum, the University Museum of Natural History, the Museum of the History of Science and punting along the Cherwell.
Rye (2 hours by train)
Rye is a pretty little town on the East Sussex coast. It’s perfect for exploring independent and antique shops, Rye Pottery, Lamb House, the quintessential cobbled Mermaid Street and Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.
The New Forest (2 hours by train)
Perfect for a day exploring the countryside, The New Forest on the south coast is a great place to see a range of flora and fauna, and of course the wild New Forest ponies. Be sure to make a pub lunch stop to refuel!