UK Holiday Destinations near London

London, the heart of England is a hub for excitement, thrills and entertainment. Whether you’re living in London and looking for a staycation holiday nearby or interested in a day trip to London on your holiday, here are the best UK holiday destinations near London.

Whitstable, Kent

The pebbled beach paradise, Whitstable is renowned for its annual oyster festival, charming beach huts and quaint town centre. Whatever time of year you choose to visit, you’re always guaranteed the same level of charm that attracts so many visitors to the seaside location.

Wander down to Harbour Street and browse the series of boutique shops, grab some chips at the harbour or spend your afternoons in the beautiful grounds of Whitstable Castle. From beaches to countryside, there’s plenty to keep you entertained.

Distance to London: 1hr 50 mins by car and 1h 30 mins by train  

The Cotswolds

For an Instagram worthy staycation, The Cotswolds needs to be at the top of your list. Picturesque villages, colourful homes and astounding areas of countryside to explore, the level of beauty is like something from a postcard.

Whether you’re looking to visit the wide selection of National Trust properties and learn more about British history or thinking of renting a villa with a pool and countryside views on your doorstep, The Cotswolds has something for everyone’s taste. You’ll return home with lungs full of country air and a belly full of the finest English delicacies.

Distance to London: 2 hours by car and 2 hr and 30 mins by train  

Bristol, Avon

A millennial paradise, Bristol is a former city centre port and now has become a cultural hub for all walks of life. Bristol has more than first meets the eye and whether you’re looking to party for the weekend, dabble into a poetry night, experience the scenery of the Clifton Suspension Bridge or tour the harbour area, there’s plenty to keep you entertained.

Weekend staycations couldn’t get better in Bristol with an interesting art scene to explore and enough countryside to keep you busy on those Sunday strolls.

Distance to London: 2hr 30 by car and 1hr 40 by train  

Rye, Sussex

Rye is a quaint town in Sussex and the ideal getaway for a quiet weekend staycation. If you’re more of a foodie and roamer, this town will be right down your alley.

Known for its cobbled streets, the Medieval town has streets of charming shops to browse, many restaurants to fill you up with wholesome grub and Camber Sands only a short distance away for a beach trip. There are museums to the Lamb House to get your history fix, a beautiful nature reserve and enough photo opportunities, you’ll be sure to make your online friends jealous of your trip.

Distance to London: 2hr by car and 1hr by train  

Canterbury, Kent

Home to the famous Canterbury Cathedral and set in the heart of Kent, Canterbury is a hub for entertainment, nightlife, theatre, shopping and all things food. A weekend in Canterbury can offer you plenty of fun and opportunity to potter into medieval history.

Canterbury offers a wide spectrum of things to get up to and is only around a half hour drive from the beach, giving you a city and beach experience, all wrapped into one weekend (or week trip.) There’s everything from punting along the river, picnics in Westgate Gardens to visiting the wide selection of churches, museums and getting your shop on. The entertainment in Canterbury pulls into the night with bars coming to life and a buzz with the student scene singing out their hearts with a cocktail in hand.

Distance to London: 1hr 40 by car and 55 mins by train  

Brighton, East Sussex

Brighton, the East Sussex city is renowned for its pier, dreamy pebbled beach, shopping scene and electrifying nightlife. It’s one of those cities that doesn’t really need a timeline to visit as there’s always more and more to explore with every visit.

Whether you’re interested in jumping into the versatile food scene, picking up some unique homeware in the boutique shops, spending the day lolling on the beach or using all your 2ps at the arcade, followed by a night dancing away, Brighton really has it all. And, the best part, with a gorgeous beach, it has all the elements of a bustling city with the calm appeal of the sea.

Distance to London: 1hr 50 mins by car and 1h train  

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

Known as the University City and for punting on the river, Cambridge has a unique appeal to it like no other.

History enthusiasts, Cambridge is the city for you with its medieval churches, colleges and selection of great museums to visit. You can learn as you explore, and experience the absolute architectural dream that is the city of Cambridge. Get your camera at the ready as you visit the Bridge of Sighs, and put your art hat on for Kettle’s Yard. The sights are endless and are guaranteed to fill your soul with true city joy.

Distance to London: 1hr 30 by car and 1hr 5 by train  

Margate, Kent

If a staycation holiday is what you’re looking for, the coastal town of Margate has your back. The upcoming town is a hub of hipster bars, family-run restaurants, arcades and the famous Dreamland. Dreamland is open for everyone with a large selection of rides and seasonal events held throughout the year from outdoor cinemas to concerts.

Margate is home to the Turner Contemporary art gallery and the Shell Grotto too, which are two top things to add to your agenda and learn more about the town’s history. The seaside town is located in Thanet and only a short distance away from many other beaches including Viking Bay, Botany Bay, Westbrook Beach and Waypole Bay. For a combination of beach fun, buzzing nightlife and thrilling attractions, Margate is the place to be this summer.

Distance to London: 1hr 55 by car and 1hr 30 by train  

Liverpool, Lancashire

Home of the Beatles and all thing entertainment, Liverpool is famous for having one of the best nights out in all of England. Located up north, it may be far from London but the trip will be worthwhile once you see what the city has in store.

From roaming around its top sights, watching a game at Liverpool’s football club to learning everything about the Beatles, there’s a lot to fill your boots with. And, after a day of learning and fun, the city brightens up even more at night. Put your best party dress on and head over on a bar crawl as you visit the wild and exciting environment that is Liverpool’s nightlife.

Distance to London: 4hr by car and 2hr 15 by train  

Bath, Somerset

Bridgerton fans, Bath may now be the city to add to your ‘staycation ideas’ list. With many of the scenes filmed in the historical city of Bath, you can get your series fix by roaming around the gorgeous Georgian architecture.

Bath is famous in its own right, away from the Bridgerton fandom. Renowned for its Roman Baths, there are plenty things to get up to in the city, whether it’s on a weekend away or week-long trip. The Baths are the top port of call on your visit, but there’s also the Royal Crescent and plenty of other stunning buildings to feast your eyes over; the parks, abbeys, and museum scene are not to be missed.

Distance to London: 2hr 30 by car and 1hr 30 by train  

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