If the COVID-19 pandemic has proved anything, it's that the classic staycation is very much alive and kicking. For Londoners feeling stuck in the shadow of Big Ben and The Gherkin, there are plenty of homegrown destinations that can replace those sun-splashed Greek beaches and tapas-scented rivieras on the Costa del Sol.
You'll find oodles of them within easy striking distance by car or train of the Big Smoke. Cue this list of enticing weekend getaways from the English capital, which offers up everything from Victorian relics in The North to salt-washed oyster towns further south.
1. Whitstable – 61 mi away
Spilling down to the shingle beaches of the Thames Estuary less than two hours' drive from London, Whitstable offers a breath of fresh air on the north Kent coast. It's been on the map since Roman times, when the tangy taste of the local oysters caught the attention of centurions. These days, those delicacies are served up in acclaimed fish restaurants, which mingle with vintage ateliers and proud English tearooms in the backstreets.
2. Manchester – 211 mi away
The self-proclaimed capital of The North is unquestionably one of the most alluring cities in England. Influential doesn't quite do it justice: Manchester lays claim to the Industrial Revolution, British Socialism, Brit Pop – the list goes on! More than that, it's a buzzy metropolis that artfully fuses the old and the new. Just check out the 19th-century factory houses of the Northern Quarter. They're now smoky jazz bars and rollicking rock pubs!
3. Canterbury – 62 mi away
Centred on a UNESCO-tagged cathedral, Canterbury is a swirl of narrow alleys and cobbled lanes, half-timbered medieval homes and ancient pathways laid out more than 1,500 years ago. Head here from London to transport yourself into the enthralling history of England. Tales of Thomas Becket and consecrated kings await between the Gothic spires and buttresses. And there's more, because Canterbury also boasts hearty taverns, craft-beer pubs, and a youthful student population that know how to party!
4. Stratford-upon-Avon – 102 mi away
The hallowed birthplace of William Shakespeare lies a mere 102 miles from the traffic-clogged lanes of London. Literary buffs can mosey down to the quaint cottage where the bard was born back in 1564. They can also enjoy the acclaimed performances of the Royal Shakespeare Company – be sure to book ahead though! On top of that come the leafy walks of the River Avon Trail, lovely medieval Midlands architecture, and the living-history exhibits of Tudor World.
5. Nottingham – 128 mi away
It's just under three hours' driving up the M1 from London to Nottingham, which occupies the geographical heart of England. You'll probably know the town for its most famous resident: Robin Hood. That swashbuckling outlaw is celebrated at Nottingham Castle and amid the beautiful oaks of Sherwood Forest Country Park. Elsewhere, the city boasts the oldest pub in the country, the hipster Lace Market (gastropubs galore!), and a student-fuelled nightlife scene. Nice.
6. Sheffield – 168 mi away
Sheffield was once England's smoke-belching, industrious Steel City. The big factories have since disappeared, but a creative pizzazz has helped to rejuvenate the redbrick depots into intriguing museums about Yorkshire and the Industrial Revolution. A weekend break here could whisk you to the fountain-spurting Peace Gardens and out to theatre-ringed Tudor Square, or you could use Sheffield as a base to explore the wonderful fells of the Peak District.
7. Chester – 198 mi away
With more than 2,000 years of history to its back and a charming setting on the winding River Dee, Chester is a doozy of a weekend break spot from London. Even the drive there will take you across the bucolic heart of England, through the soft Chiltern Hills and the Cotswolds. Once you arrive, it's all about spying out Roman ruins and hopping boutiques in the postcard-worthy medieval old town.
8. Winchester – 68 mi away
Handsome and proud, Winchester lifts above the rolling South Downs with its elegant Norman cathedral and chipped-stone gateways from the Middle Ages. History oozes from every pore of the town, telling legends of King Arthur and age-old Saxon monarchs alike. Throw in summer art fairs, farmer's markets and the buzzy retail precincts of Upper High Street and you've got one fine weekend destination that's under two hours from the Big Smoke by road.
9. York – 209 mi away
At 209 miles adrift of the English capital, York might require over four hours at the wheel or two hours on a train, but boy is it worth it! Hailed as the best-preserved medieval town in the country, this one's a chocolate box of cobblestone streets and half-timbered taverns. You're sure to be enchanted by the fairy-tale Shambles district, and wowed by the vaulted ceilings and Gothic turrets of beautiful York Minster. There are also famed pubs with crackling fires to warm the bones once you're done.
10. Norwich – 118 mi away
Rolling out between the 11th-century turrets of Norwich Cathedral and the stout walls of Norman-era Norwich Castle, the handsome county town of Norfolk showcases the riches of its medieval wool boom with pride. But it's no simple museum piece. Bumping student bars offer creative brunches and cocktails on the weekends. There are visual arts centres and football stadiums that roar when there's a game on. Oh, and the beautiful Norfolk Broads – long, winding waterways dotted with windmills – are just on the doorstep.
From ancient Roman settlements to laid-back seaside escapes, there are all sorts of tempting weekend getaways on offer from London. Whatever's tickled your fancy, be sure to consult Eddy Travels, the AI travel assistant, for info on the best hotels, apartment rentals, hostels and more.