London is such an unbelievable metropolis however typically, it’s simply good to get away from the large smoke to discover extra of our beautiful nation. In any case, there are such a lot of day journeys from London that actually showcase how lovely England is.
Like so many different Londoners, proudly owning a automotive includes a lot further problem (the largest one being the place to truly park it). This meant we by no means purchased a automotive in London.
This appears high-quality sufficient (the tube is fairly good) till it’s essential make that huge IKEA journey… or if you’re trying to escape town for a day journey (or longer).
Cue, Zipcar!
Now we’re no strangers to Zipcar however we’d by no means correctly used it earlier than and it’s simply good. It’s much less ‘car-rental’ and extra ‘car-sharing’ which off the bat is much more environmentally pleasant than having your individual automotive. This was an instantaneous win for us. You see, one Zipcar eliminates the necessity for 13 privately owned vehicles as a number of individuals can share one automotive. Plus, they’ve a fleet of snazzy electrical vehicles you possibly can share, too.
Better of all, you possibly can organise your Zipcar for as lengthy, or as little, time as you want it. It’s completely versatile and provides you the liberty to actually journey by yourself phrases. This can be a large promoting level for us as we all the time wish to keep longer in locations after we go to.
Even reserving is a breeze, too. First, you select your kind of journey (Roundtrip or Flex), and choose an out there automotive within the location most handy to you (they’re often a few 10-minute stroll away) within the Zipcar app. Then, voila, you’re all set!
You don’t even want a key to unlock your automotive, both. You truly open the automotive throughout the Zipcar app and hop inside. It’s so simple as that. No stress, simply a number of alternatives to journey and discover some brand-spanking new locations on the open highway.
Truthfully, that is the place Zipcar actually comes into its personal. It simply means you possibly can go to locations that might in any other case have been out of attain and far more durable to go to, particularly after they’re not related by public transport.
Reality be informed earlier than we headed out in our Zipcar I had a heap of burning questions I wanted to know; the primary being the associated fee. So, to save lots of you just a little time, I assumed I’d point out some tidbits of information that I discovered helpful;
How a lot is it to hire a Zipcar: Zipcars begin from £8 an hour (or £74 a day) and may enhance barely relying on the automotive you select. Additionally, Flex one-way vehicles are £14/hour or £72/day.
To be sincere, their website has a reasonably informative table on this and can most likely find yourself detailing it higher than me. Ha!
Only one factor to be careful for is that in case you drive greater than 60 miles in a day there’s a 25p/mile cost for every mile, however they do embody gas, insurance coverage and so on which makes it actually easy in order that 25p is definitely fairly first rate.
How lengthy does it take to get permitted for Zipcar: You might want to apply to grow to be a member to drive a Zipcar however that’s all fairly fast to get permitted. It could possibly take as much as 48 hours however ours arrived a lot quicker. Oh yeah, and Zipcar provides three membership plans, you possibly can be a part of at no cost or pay both £6 or £12/month, and also you get this again in driving credit score.
With all of that mentioned, take a gander at among the best possible day journeys from London. Every has its personal attraction and is completely straightforward to go to for a day journey from London… and even longer.
1.) Rye
Nestled simply shy of the English Channel, Rye is well one of many prettiest little cities to go to within the south of England. Plus, it’s very easy to go to considered one of your day journeys from London.
That is very true in case you’ve sorted out a Zipcar (like we did) for the day because it gave us a lot freedom to journey at our personal tempo.
As soon as right here, park up your automotive and traipse across the city’s most beautiful cobbled streets. After all, you’ve acquired to walk by way of Mermaid Avenue that’s like a chocolate-box city of quaintness.
Plus, be sure you pop into Quay Antiques; it’s a rabbit warren of bookcases and cabinets which might be stuffed with classic treasures to purchase. Lastly, pop into Rye Pottery (within the Previous Brewery) the place they’ve been making cute ‘Sussex Pigs’ for over 200 years!
For us, we discovered it best to go to in a automotive, because it means you possibly can pop across the wider area, too.
You see, Rye is completely beautiful, however there are additionally a couple of gems which might be a stone’s throw from the city itself. If it’s sunny, drive on all the way down to Camber Sands, it’s a white sandy-beach paradise on a heat summer season day and is so pretty.
Oh yeah, and pop into the Horse and Cart Inn for a pint (yeah, you learn that appropriately) of freshly-caught prawns which might be so yummy. It’s the right stopping level in your drive again to London from Rye itself.
Read more: Best beaches near London to visit
2.) Bodiam
One other gem throughout the Sussex countryside, Bodiam has fairly an iconic spot you actually shouldn’t miss when on a day journey from London. You see, nestled within the rolling hills is considered one of England’s most iconic properties to discover; Bodiam Citadel.
Courting again centuries, Bodiam Citadel was constructed to guard in opposition to the French through the Hundred Years’ Warfare (means again within the 14th Century). These days, there are not any invading French however the moat and chateau nonetheless exist and are completely straightforward to go to on a day journey from London.
Simply be sure you stroll across the moat and head contained in the fortress, too. It’s a reasonably particular place to see.
Read more: Best tours to book in London
3.) Wells
One of many smallest cities in England, Wells is a comparatively straightforward day journey from London. Not solely that, nevertheless it’s additionally value visiting if you wish to discover a a lot smaller tackle an English city, too. In any case, London is colossal.
Taking about three hours to drive, it’s the sort of journey you are taking that lasts a complete day (nevertheless it’s completely value it).
That being mentioned, it’s additionally very easy to tag Wells onto a wider highway journey to incorporate the Cotswolds and the beautiful Roman metropolis of Bathtub, too.
After parking up, take a wander straight to Wells Cathedral. It’s the tallest constructing within the metropolis and might be seen from virtually any road within the metropolis. It’s so imposing and towers over Wells itself.
Afterwards, pop into the Greek Taverna which serves up among the freshest Greek dishes within the area. You’ll go away filled with the perfect Greek cheeses!
Read more: Best things to do in Wells
4.) Windsor
Not too removed from London, Windsor is among the greatest day journeys from London to go to by prepare. Although, in case you fancy hopping in a automotive, you possibly can simply tag together with a couple of different locations additional west (like Stonehenge), too.
Simply shy of Heathrow airport, it’s a very beautiful place to cease, particularly if you wish to go to the royal household’s favorite hang-out, Windsor Castle.
After popping into Windsor Castle, take a stroll to close by Eton and wander the little streets and alleys which might be stuffed with unbiased outlets and cute little tea homes that serve up freshly-baked scones with clotted cream and jam. Yum!
One factor to notice, it may well get fairly busy in Windsor, particularly on a weekend. So, make sure that to book your Windsor Castle tickets prematurely.
Although, you possibly can simply keep away from the crowds by heading throughout on a weekday morning. It’s a lot quieter then.
Read more: Best things to do in Windsor
5.) Arundel
Simply on the border of South Downs National Park, Arundel is house to some of the iconic and huge medieval castles in all of England.
Residence to the Duke of Norfolk, you possibly can truly, head inside and discover the long-lasting staterooms and grounds.
Afterwards, pop into Parsons Desk which serves up among the greatest seasonal and native dishes in all of Sussex. We had the perfect meals right here.
Lastly, in case you fancy staying just a little longer within the space, examine into Amberley Castle the place you’ll keep inside your very personal fortress suite. It’s so plush and the grounds are unbelievable.
Read more: Best things to do in South Downs National Park
6.) Cambridge
Round a 45-minute prepare experience from the centre of London, it’s straightforward to discover Cambridge on considered one of your day journeys from London.
As soon as right here, be sure you head inside King’s Faculty Chapel and check out your hand at punting alongside the river itself. It’s a lot enjoyable and actually feels such as you’re in an ‘English Venice’.
Afterwards, head on over to Fitzbillies for a tasty brunch, too. It’s a extremely well-liked little spot with locals and college students and a should when starvation beckons.
After all, it’s important to book a guided punting tour of Cambridge, too. It’s a lot enjoyable and such a novel method to discover town with an knowledgeable.
Read more: Best things to do in Cambridge
7.) Norwich
Round a two-hour drive (and the identical by prepare) from the centre of London, the historic metropolis of Norwich is one beautiful metropolis to discover.
When you’ve arrived, make sure that to go to Norwich Cathedral and discover Norwich Market, too. Right here, you’ll discover every part from thrift stalls to classic booksellers, all crammed into this beautiful and historic sq..
Oh, and in case you’ve acquired a automotive, come out of the historic centre to go to the Sainsbury Centre for Visible Arts. It’s world-renowned and one of many first main buildings designed by Norman Foster.
Lastly, for among the greatest fish and chips in all of England, pop into the Grosvenor Fish Bar.
Belief me, you received’t be upset! Right here, they serve up among the freshest fish and chips (with lashings of vinegar) which might be simply too scrumptious to overlook.
We cherished them a lot that we ended up taking a second bag again to London with us!
Read more: Best things to do in Norwich
8.) Bathtub
The outdated Roman metropolis of Bath has been round for nearly 2,000 years and has lengthy been identified for its sizzling springs that attracted the Romans to construct the historic baths that also stand within the metropolis.
As soon as right here, take a tour of the Roman Baths, observe the riverside walkways across the metropolis and cease off at Sally Lunn’s for considered one of their unbelievable buns.
Truthfully, they’re so scrumptious and topped off with a number of totally different toppings that you just get to decide on.
We went for cinnamon butter which was on one other scale of yummy.
Simply reached by automotive or prepare on a day journey from London, Bathtub is completely superb to go to and nicely value together with as both a day journey or a wider journey of the area.
Personally, I’d advocate extending your day journey from London to a protracted weekend and seeing the tiny villages of the Cotswolds and locations like Cheddar Gorge (that aren’t too far-off by automotive, both).
Don’t overlook to take a look at the unbelievable excursions, under. This manner, you possibly can guide them earlier than you arrive in Bathtub and maximise your time when exploring.
Read more: Best things to do in Bath
9.) Stonehenge
Now, Stonehenge is well essentially the most well-known day journeys from London which you can take! Recognized all over the world, it’s an iconic website in England that’s greatest visited by automotive (or by way of an organised tour).
Now, each time we go to Stonehenge, we all the time go round 1-hour earlier than closing time. A lot of the bigger excursions and teams may have left by this level and it’s a lot quieter to wander round.
Simply be sure you book your Stonehenge entry tickets in advance. This manner, you’ll be assured entry.
Not too removed from Salisbury, it’s additionally straightforward to companion just a little journey to see one of many Magna Cartas (within the cathedral itself).
Book: Stonehenge entry tickets for your trip
10.) The Cotswolds
Most likely my favorite area to go to for fairly English villages, the Cotswolds has a attraction that you just actually can’t miss.
In truth, it sort of feels such as you’ve stepped centuries again in time in some locations, they’re simply so quaint.
When you’ve arrived, be sure you discover Burton-on-the-Water, go to the beautiful Bibury and cease off at Citadel Combe that’s proper within the south a part of the Cotswolds.
All have a attraction of their very own and while a day journey from London is superb, it’s nicely value exploring over a couple of days in case you’ve acquired the time.
Oh yeah, and it’s value noting that the Cotswolds is greatest explored in a automotive. This manner, you possibly can drive between all of the little villages and towns which might be dotted all throughout the area.
Read more: Best things to do in the Cotswolds
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