8 Best Weekend Getaways From London

After exploring the vintage stores, arty boutiques, and a Brighton food tour of the Lanes, enjoy an evening spent bar crawling among the city’s lively pubs. A rejuvenating walk along the nearby South Downs and Seven Sisters chalk cliffs should be just the thing to puncture your hangover the day after. You can also explore Brighton as an easy day trip from London if you're limited on time.

Erudite Oxford, the City of the Dreaming Spires, is one of the world’s foremost university cities—but you don’t need to be a student to appreciate its charms.

Whatever your age and stage, it’s worth exploring Oxford University’s history-saturated grounds, including individual colleges and Bodleian Library and Ashmolean Museum, as well as Harry Potter-centric tours that reveal another side of the hallowed institution. And if the weather holds, a picnic followed by a punting excursion is a must.

With its Roman-built city walls, its magnificent (and UNESCO-listed) cathedral, and its Chaucerian associations, Canterbury is suffused with historical and literary significance. But this charming town near London is often unfairly overlooked by international travelers.

So, make a note to seek out Canterbury’s charms via a walking tour—from its winding shopping streets to its cutesy tearooms—and consider venturing into the surrounding countryside on a ramble—Kent is the “Garden of England,” after all.

This cathedral city is also an easy day trip from London if you're pressed for time. Just head to the train station, and you'll be there in less than an hour.

Related: 10 of the Top Day Trips From London

When you think “English countryside,” the image that springs to mind is probably one that’s exemplified by the Cotswolds—rolling green hills, ancient villages, thatched-roof cottages, and no shortage of sheep. So if you're looking for rest and relaxation on your London weekend escape, this quintessential English weekend retreat destination is the place to go.

The Cotswolds are an official Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for a reason, and the sizeable region’s many highlight hubs—including Cirencester, Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, Burford, and more—each offer their own charms.

Stratford-upon-Avon is inextricable from its native son. William Shakespeare was a former resident, and you can spend a whole weekend visiting the local landmarks that relate to his life, from a self-guided audio tour of Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Anne Hathaway’s House to Shakespeare’s New Place and Hall’s Croft.

Immerse yourself in Shakespear's houses and gardens before seeing the Bard’s works performed live by the Royal Shakespeare Company. It's a perfect short break near London, particularly if you're a theater and literature lover.

Just ask the folks who named the entire city a UNESCO World Heritage Site back in 1987: Bath’s charms are legion. Its highlights are both historical, such as its Roman baths, and the Georgian splendor of its Royal Crescent, and modern (Bridgerton is shot in the city), while the Thermae Bath Spa makes it possible to paddle in those storied thermal waters).

This hilly, honey-colored city rewards wandering, in other words, and a Bath walking tour offers an excellent introduction to your weekend excursion from London.

Related: 6 Bridgerton Filming Locations in England That You Can Actually Visit

Known for its pioneering live music scene, history of leftwing activism, street art (Banksy, perhaps the world’s most famous graffiti artist, is a native Bristolian), and university, Bristol is a hub of avant-garde intellectualism and artistic boundary-pushing. It takes just 1.5 hours by train to get here from London, which makes it one of the best city breaks.

In recent years, it’s also become a foodie destination, with highlights including the independent eateries at Wapping Wharf, as well as wine bars such as Marmo and craft breweries the likes of Wild Beer Co. and Lost and Grounded. Set off on a walking tour to take in its uniquely dynamic feel.

No, there are no dinosaurs stomping around the Jurassic Coast. This ruggedly beautiful (and UNESCO-listed) stretch of coastline in Devon and Dorset actually gets its name from the geological age of its rock formations and features.

To explore the 95-mile-long (153-kilometer-long) stretch of seafront, take a full-day tour of Bournemouth, lace up your sneakers for a walk along a coastal path, visit ancient ruins including Corfe Castle, admire the iconic Durdle Door, and bed in at local hubs such as Lyme Regis and Weymouth. It's a particularly romantic weekend trip from London.