Easily the best thing about London is that there’s always stuff to do – a good thing, too, or we’d need new jobs! If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t believe there’s a world beyond Zone 4, then you may feel there’s no reason to leave (“What’s even outside the M25? Do they even have Vietnamese food out there?”).
Well, it’s good to escape the London bubble every once in a while. And that’s doubly true in autumn, because the colours are brighter and the air is definitely cleaner. With that in mind, we’ve picked out some great ways to escape the capital with these autumn day trips.
1. The New Forest
This picturesque part of England has been drawing visitors since 1079, when William the Conqueror rocked up and proclaimed it his ‘new hunting forest’. Almost a thousand years later, the name has stuck, as have the forest laws he put in place. Since you won’t be herding pigs (unless you really want to), we’ve found some other stuff to do.
The best way to see the woodland is by cycling or even better, horseback riding, given how many ponies roam through the forest. Whilst the ancient forests are the main draw, particularly with the autumn colours about, there are also quaint villages to look at. Perhaps the best is Buckler’s Hard, a historic shipbuilding village where Admiral Nelson’s fleet was built. You might even say this village is a major reason why he has such a nice view of Whitehall.
Southampton lies on the doorstep of the New Forest, and since it’s only an hour and a half from Paddington to Southampton Central, you can conquer this trip in a day!
2. Canterbury
Just like Chaucer’s pilgrims before you, London to Canterbury is a route you should follow this autumn. You’re unlikely to encounter knights or pardoners nowadays, but the city nonetheless is an intriguing mix of medieval and modern. As it was for the Wife of Bath & co, the big attraction is the stunning Canterbury Cathedral, one of England’s best-loved buildings.
Their archbishop is kind of a big deal too… Aside from the holy pursuits, you can have a rollicking good time punting down the Great Stour, or perhaps taking in a matinee at the Marlowe Theatre. All this, and you can still make it home for cocktails in the capital. Sorted.
The journey from St Pancras to Canterbury West is less than an hour, but since there are few tale-telling pilgrims on Southeastern Rail these days, you may want to bring a book.
3. The South Downs
The ferociously beautiful South Downs are just over an hour away from the centre of London, and well worth a visit. Amongst the prettiest sights to see here is the town of Arundel, which boasts an impressive Norman castle. To feel like you’ve stepped back in time, wander the gardens and watch the castle knights put on a combat and weapons demonstration.
For something a little more active, try walking or cycling along the South Downs Way. It’s a hundred miles long, however, so maybe don’t try to do it all in a day. If all this nature and solitude is way too much for a Londoner to stomach, then Brighton is only a short train ride away, offering arcades, piers, and a nightlife that feels almost like London. Almost.
You can reach Arundel in an hour and twenty minutes from Victoria, and the same amount of time will see you from Blackfriars to Brighton.
4. Great Yarmouth & The Norfolk Broads
As autumn day trips go, this one is a little further away, but catch an early train and you’ll have a cracking day. Great Yarmouth’s Pleasure Beach draws over a million visitors a year. Surely that silenced the doubters who said it had Norfolk in chance… They’ve also got strong links to British history, with the Wellington Pier being one of the highlights. If you don’t fancy any of these, you can head into the countryside to find the Norfolk Broads. Commandeer a vessel if you’ve got a couple of hours to spare, and you’ll feel just like the Admiral as you sail the waters of East Anglia. Ahoy there!
A three-hour train journey from Liverpool Street will get you to Great Yarmouth, and you’re free to launch your naval campaign from there.
5. Bath
The debate over whether it’s pronounced ‘Baff’ or ‘Barth’ (it’s ‘Barth’, take it from a former local) will never end, but whatever you call it, Bath still makes for a lovely day trip. Easily the biggest attraction is the Roman baths, which give the town its highly unimaginative name.
Once you’ve learnt about Roman Britain, you can take a dip in the waters to relax and let that knowledge sink in. Other highlights include Bath Abbey and The American Museum of Britain, which is the only museum of Americana outside of the US. Before you leave, munch down a Sally Lunn bun, which is an indescribable marriage of cake and bread. They count former Bath resident Jane Austen amongst their fans, so they’ve clearly done something right!
You’ve got Brunel to thank for this one, as his railway will get you from Paddington to Bath Spa in an hour and twenty minutes. Bravo Isambard!
6. The Cotswolds
Next up on our list of autumn day trips is another venture out west, to the picture-perfect Cotswolds. Covering parts of five counties, this place also happens to be criminally beautiful and stuffed full of chocolate-box villages. The trio of Stow on the Wold, Moreton-in-Marsh, and Bourton-on-the-Water are not only tongue twisters, but they’re three of the most beautiful little places in England.
Here, perfect autumn day trips are made of a walk through the village, a pub lunch, and then a stop at the local sweet shop. However, for a real gem, head south to Castle Combe, which is perhaps the most beautiful of the lot in autumn, and makes regular appearances in TV and films for that very reason.
Paddington is your gateway to the West, as you can reach Cheltenham Spa in a shade over two hours, and strike out for the Cotswolds from there.
7. Box Hill
This one is slightly closer to home, making it slightly quicker to get to but no less beautiful. Box Hill is tucked away in the depths of the Surrey countryside and is the perfect spot for an autumnal wander. It’s the summit of the North Downs, offering some pretty spectacular views from the top and it is just 50 minutes from central London.
When it comes to things to do, walking is of course, a no-brainer – and there are plenty of trails to choose from. Box Hill is also known for its impressive plant and wildlife offering, with 38 different species of butterfly having been spotted there and 17 types of orchid. After you’ve walked, view-gazed, and wildlife-spotted to your heart’s content, head to local gastropub, The Stepping Stones, for some well-deserved pub grub before heading home.
The closest train station is Box Hill & Westhumble, which is a 50-minute direct train from London Waterloo.
8. Margate
Margate offers a delightful seaside escape, even as summer fades into autumn. This charming coastal town in Kent is a hub for art and vintage culture with seaside beauty.
If you’d like to check out some contemporary and historical art, then look no further than the Turner Gallery, which also boasts some tasty views out to the North Sea. Margate Main Sands and the old Dreamland theme park should also be high up your lists for an explore before a peek into the Old Town to check out the cafés and shop for trinkets. Finish it all off with another run on the arcade games and some fish and chips for a day trip done right.
Direct trains run from London St Pancras International, taking about 1 hour 30 minutes. By car, the journey is around 1 hour 45 minutes via the M2 and A299.
9. Oxford
Oxford needs no introduction, and while it is more than just the University, you can still start there to explore some of the historical colleges, from Christ Church to Trinity. Head along the cobblestone to view buildings that are hundreds of years old, such as the Radcliffe Camera, or climb the tower of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin to view Oxford from up high.
On a clear day, you can enjoy a brisk autumnal walk by the River Cherwell, before popping into an old pub to sip on an ale in the same quarters visited by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Eagle and Child. If it’s still light, you can then choose between checking out the Oxford Botanic Garden in its seasonal autumn colours or ordering another libation before the sun sets.
Trains run frequently from London Paddington or Marylebone stations, taking about 1 hour. By car, the journey is around 1 hour 30 minutes via the M40 motorway.
10. Rye
One look at Rye’s cobbled streets tells you exactly why it’s popular for a day-trip, especially in autumn when the medieval town glows in golden colour. Walking along the roads might feel like a fairytale, particularly when you get your long-awaited photo on Mermaid Street. If you like your literature, you can visit Lamb House, which has been the home of multiple writers, most famously Henry James and E. F. Benson.
You can then make a beeline for the St. Mary’s Church tower, which will provide a fine view out over the East Sussex town before you head over to a historic pub for a tankard. Camber Sands is just around the corner, too, meaning a stroll along the beach can be packed right into your day’s itinerary.
Trains run from London St Pancras International with a change at Ashford International, taking about 1 hour 10 minutes. By car, the journey is around 2 hours via the M20.
11. Winchester
Time to plump for the ancient capital of England, which offers a look into the country’s history with historic arhitecture that are primedto be viewed with an autumn lens. The obvious place to begin is Winchester Cathedral, which is among the top 40 biggest churhe buildings in Europe. It was built from 1079 to 1532, is the longest medieval cathedral in the world, and you can also visit the tomb of Jane Austen inside.
Once you’ve taken the history in, you can check out the Great Hall with the Westgate Museum, which houses the famous Round Table, linking to the legendary tale of King Arthur. Before it’s time for a bite to eat, you should squeeze in a stroll down the River Itchen to see it in the autumnal glow.
Direct trains run from London Waterloo, taking about 1 hour. By car, the journey is around 1 hour 30 minutes via the M3 motorway.
12. Stratford-upon-Avon
This one’s a real playground for literature lovers. William Shakespeare’s footprints are all around you as you walk around the Bard’s birthplace to soak in the sights of its Tudor buildings and river walks in beautiful colour. If you arrive late in the evening and are after a pub to hole up in, you can have a pint in The Garrick Inn, which is reputed to be the oldest pub in Stratford-upon-Avon.
If you’re out and about early, it’ll be time to fill your mind with Shakespeare. There are five houses you can visit in Stratford that relate to the playwright, including the Shakespeare’s Birthplace museum, a restored house that it is believed he spent his childhood years in. There’s also the cottage of his wife, Anne Hathaway, and the farm of his mother, Mary Arden, to look around on a visit to the picturesque town. Later on, you can walk by the beautiful River Avon before catching a performance at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre dedicated to the man himself.
Trains run from London Marylebone station, taking about 2 hours with a change at Leamington Spa. By car, the journey is around 2 hours via the M40 motorway.
