Lady’s 7 Weekend Getaways from London

Sometimes the best thing about London is how easy it is to get away. Don’t get me wrong—I love this city. But when I want to travel it’s incredibly convenient to do so. With train stations galore and roads leading all over Britain, weekend getaways from London are easy.

Weekend Getaways from London

There are 7 lovely weekend trips from London I recommend. All of them are within a couple hours’ drive or train ride from London (with one notable exception, but it’s a fun one).

From country escapes to beach trips, there’s no shortage of options for a great escape from the UK capital. There’s a lot more about them in 52 Great British Weekends, too. You can get it here.

1. Chipping Campden Weekend Getaways

Chipping Campden is one of my favorite villages in the Cotswolds. Full of the region’s signature beauty and storybook atmosphere, it’s a great base for exploring the area on a weekend getaway from London.

On one trip I fell in love with Chipping Campden‘s golden stone houses and had a great stay at the Cotswold House Hotel and Spa.

I used the town as a jumping-off point for visiting Broadway, Bretforton, and National Trust properties in the Cotswolds like Hidcote Manor Garden and The Fleece Inn. It’s still one of my favorite country breaks near London.

2. New Forest Weekend Getaways

Out in Hampshire, the New Forest is one of my favorite weekend getaways from London. It’s beautiful at any time of year, but it really comes alive in autumn with the bright foliage of the season.

Long walks and cozy fires are imperative, and I always make sure to keep an eye out for the famous New Forest ponies when I’m visiting. Great hotels and cottages mean it’s easy to want to extend a weekend getaway indefinitely.

3. Rye and Camber Sands Weekend Getaways

Rye makes a great day trip from London, but the surrounding area means it’s worth a full weekend. The town itself is by far the prettiest I’ve seen in the UK. Its Tudor-style facades and cobbled streets are straight out of a fairy tale.

But nearby Camber Sands is also worth a visit. It’s one of my favorite beaches in England, not least for its wide pebbled stretches and dunes.

The combination of Rye and Camber Sands makes for a great East Sussex weekend getaway from London. There are lots of great hotels and cottages here, too.

4. West Sussex Weekend Getaways

West Sussex is another great place to spend a couple days. I can never believe how close it is to the capital and how worthy it is of a weekend getaway from London. From West Sussex walks to pretty towns, it has it all.

I particularly like the South Downs Way, Charlton, and Petworth, a chocolate-box town full of pretty streets and shops. Petworth is home to great hotels and cottages, too.

The town is also home to the impressive Petworth House, a 17th-century stately home with an amazing art collection and grounds designed by landscape architect Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown.

5. Faversham Weekend Getaways

Kent is one of my favorite places to travel in England, not least for its gardens, castles, and vineyards. From the oysters in Whitstable to the grounds at Hever Castle, I could spend weeks here.

But if I only had time for a weekend getaway from London, I would stay in Faversham. Easily accessible from London and located near many of the county’s highlights, it’s also a beautiful destination in its own right.

With pretty streets, great shops, and heritage hotels like The Sun Inn, Faversham is a great place for weekend trips from London by train or car.

6. Brecon Beacons Weekend Getaways

I can’t get enough of Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales. I’ve visited many times, and each time I’ve gained a greater appreciation of its wealth of walking trails and lovely towns and villages.

From hiking Pen y Fan to indulging at the Abergavenny Food Festival, the area has something for all the weekend breaks in Wales you can imagine.

There’s a good selection of accommodation in the area, too, so you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to places to stay for the weekend.

7. St Ives Weekend Getaways

Out in Cornwall, St Ives isn’t exactly next door to the UK capital. But the overnight train from London to St Ives makes it an easy weekend trip.

I took the sleeper train to St Ives once and loved having the whole beach to myself when I arrived at sunrise.

Even when the rest of the world awoke I enjoyed exploring the town, soaking up its artistic atmosphere, and eating on the waterfront. There’s a lot to do in St Ives in a weekend.

There are a lot of great places to stay, too. St Ives is packed with lovely hotels and cottages, so it’s easy to find somewhere to rest your head during your travels.

More Weekend Getaways from London

These 7 trips should keep you busy for a while, but if you need more weekend getaways from London, see my 16 best weekend trips in the UK post. And if you only have a day, head over to my day trips from London post.

What are your favorite weekend getaways from London?

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