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
Looking to book your next staycation? Don’t forget to
book your travel
insurance with us.
