The best day trips within an hour from London

It’s no wonder plenty of Londoners seem to be upping sticks for Southend-on-Sea at the moment. The Essex commuter town might just have everything you need for a quick escape from the capital. There are craft breweries, posh food shops and dozens of artisan bakeries, so there’s plenty to keep you busy eating and drinking your way around (our top pick is Osborne Bros, a small spot in converted stables serving up a perfect seafood menu).

And then, of course, there’s the sea. Seven miles of glorious coastline offer a proper escape from London, with rock pool lagoons to paddle around in, a handful of boardsports schools, and picture-perfect pastel-coloured beach huts that will make a lovely addition to your Instagram grid. Finish it off with a beer at Ye Olde Smack, and you’ve got yourself the ideal day out at the seaside. 

How do I get there? It is a 51-minute train to London Liverpool Street.

Time Out tip: If you're a thrill seeker, take a ride on one of the roller coasters on the seafront. 

How do I get there? Train from London Liverpool Street

Time Out tip: The local Mercury Theatre has a great theatre programme. Check out what's on while you're there.

If you're in the market for a historical day trip, Canterbury might just have everything you're looking for. Any trip to Chaucer's town should start with the spectacular cathedral, where Archbishop Thomas Becket was martyred. But, there are plenty of more modern options too: Canterbury has a collection of little boutiques, a good food scene and plenty of half-timbered pubs to sip some pints in. No wonder pilgrims have been coming here for over 1000 years? 

How do I get here? The quick train from St Pancras takes 54 minutes.

Time Out tip: Take a pit stop at The Old Buttermarket which is both the name of the pub and the busy square it stands on. It is the perfect place to spend a few sunny hours.

If you can cope with sharing your space with undergraduates who walk and talk and cycle in long studenty streams, term time is as good a time as any to visit the prettiest city close to London. Cambridge's side roads and alleyways are lined with curious one-off shops, the museums and galleries are second to none and King’s College Chapel is breathtaking.

How do I get there? Hop, skip and jump from King’s Cross train station to Cambridge in 47 minutes.

Time Out tip? The one postcard experience you have to try is punting. Not too confident on the water? You can hire a chauffeured punt to prevent any accidents and minimise the chances of running into any of those picturesque bridges.

You meet all types on the train to Brighton. Not just London commuters who have escaped the city to live somewhere with fresh air, but gig-goers who insist the music scene is just better there, and beach bums on their way for a day of sun, sea and sand. Brighton is big enough to accommodate any passion, but small enough to explore when you’re in search of fun. Go for lunch on the Marina and an afternoon of Riviera-style boutique shopping, with a bag of chips on the promenade at the end.

How do I get there? Train from Victoria to Brighton from 54 mins or from London Bridge to Brighton from 60 minutes.

Time Out tip: Head to the Lanes – a brick-paved collection of narrow streets lined with independent shops selling toys, crystals, vintage clothes, jewellery and more – or get cultured at the city’s local art galleries.

Fancy a day living the village life? Lewes in East Sussex is a laidback retreat with antique shops and local ales to enjoy, surrounded by farmland and the perfect place to start an exploration in the South Downs National Park. Walk the Glynde route, taking in Mount Caburn hill fort, the Elizabethan mansion Glynde Place and views over the stunning Ouse Valley.

How do I get there? Trains from Victoria to Lewes take as little as 60 minutes.

Time Out tip? Bonfire Night is when Lewes gets really lit. The town is famous for its fiery celebration, with the streets filled with burning crosses, controversial Guys and marching bands.

Oxford has just about everything. Steeped in history and academia, it is where many big thinkers spent long hours coming up with their groundbreaking ideas. Now, future great minds hide away studying in the colleges. But, Oxford is much more than a student town. Here, you can visit art galleries, drink to your heart’s content in riverside pubs and feast on Tibetan food. 

How do I get there? A 56 minute journey on a fast train from London Paddington.

Time Out tip? No trip to Oxford is complete without a river cruise. You'll catch a glimose of the bucolic English countryside, which just so happened to inspire ‘Alice in Wonderland’ by the way.

Ah Windsor. The perfect place for a royal day trip. It might be a little tourist-heavy but with all the lush, green surroundings, it is pretty obvious why they all flock here. Check out Windsor Castle (of course) and go take a stroll through Windsor Great Park, a vast and beautiful expanse of ancient woodland, gardens, and deer parkland. 

How do I get there? It takes 28 minutes from London Paddington.

Time Out tip: For the best view of the castle, walk the Long Walk, a stunning tree-lined avenue that stretches all the way from the Copper Horse statue to the castle gates. Pack a picnic, if you want to make the most of it.

Home to just 15,000 people, Marlow has become increasingly popular with London daytrippers in recent years: whether that be beacuse of its Instagram-worthy streets, riverside pubs or gorgeous walks. It is also something of a foodie paradise, with a string of TV chefs opening restaurant after restaurant. 

How do I get there? Trains from London Charing Cross take 53 minutes.

Time Out tip? The Hand & Flowers is the only pub in the UK with two Michelin stars, and it also has beds so you can drink yourself merry. 

Head out of the town centre down to the narrow old streets of the Creative Quarter near the harbour, where art galleries sit alongside cafés and independent shops. If you want to roll up your trousers and dip your toes in the sea, Folkestone also has one of the closest sandy beaches to London (there’s a pebbly one, too) and boasts the landscaped Lower Leas Coastal Park. Perfect for a midweek day off, but busy in the summer holidays.

How do I get there? Train from St Pancras International to Folkestone in 57 minutes.

Time Out tip? Pay a visit to the Folkestone White Horse, a 90-metre hill figure etched into the side of Cheriton Hill. It was designed by local artist Charlie Newington and has been a resident on the hill since 2003.