London is such an unimaginable metropolis however generally, it’s simply good to get away from the large smoke to discover extra of our gorgeous 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 automobile entails a lot additional trouble (the largest one being the place to truly park it). This meant we by no means purchased a automobile in London.
This appears effective sufficient (the tube is fairly good) till it’s good to make that large IKEA journey… or once you’re trying to escape the 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 personal automobile. This was a direct win for us. You see, one Zipcar eliminates the necessity for 13 privately owned automobiles as a number of individuals can share one automobile. Plus, they’ve a fleet of snazzy electrical automobiles you may share, too.
Better of all, you may 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 once we go to.
Even reserving is a breeze, too. First, you select your kind of journey (Roundtrip or Flex), choose an accessible automobile within the location most handy to you (they’re normally about 10-minute stroll away) within the Zipcar app. Then, voila, you’re all set!
You don’t even want a key to unlock your automobile, both. You really open the automobile throughout the Zipcar app and hop inside. It’s so simple as that. No stress, simply numerous alternatives to journey and discover some model spanking new locations on the open highway.
Truthfully, that is the place Zipcar actually comes into its personal. It simply means you may go to locations that will in any other case have been out of attain and far tougher to go to, particularly after they’re not linked by public transport.
Reality be advised 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 a bit 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 £Eight an hour (or £74 a day) and might enhance barely relying on the automobile you select. Additionally, Flex one-way automobiles are £14/hour or £72/day.
To be trustworthy, their website has a fairly informative table on this and can in all probability find yourself detailing it higher than me. Ha!
Only one factor to be careful is that in the event you drive greater than 60 miles in a day there’s a 25p/mile cost for every mile, however they do embrace gas, insurance coverage and so on which makes it actually easy in order that 25p is definitely fairly respectable.
How lengthy does it take to get authorised for Zipcar: It’s worthwhile to apply to change into a member to drive a Zipcar however that’s all fairly fast to get authorised. It could actually take as much as 48 hours however ours arrived a lot sooner. Oh yeah, and Zipcar provides three membership plans, you may be part of totally free 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 a number of the best day journeys from London. Every has their very own appeal and are completely simple to go to for a day journey 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 one in every of your day journeys from London. That is very true in the event 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 automobile and traipse across the city’s most beautiful cobbled streets. After all, you’ve acquired to walk via Mermaid Avenue that’s a like a chocolate-box city of quaintness.
Plus, make sure you pop into Quay Antiques; it’s a rabbit warren of bookcases and cabinets that’s stuffed with classic treasures to purchase. Lastly, pop into Rye Pottery (within the Outdated Brewery) the place they’ve been making lovely ‘Sussex Pigs’ for over 200 years!
For us, we discovered it best to go to in a automobile, because it means you may pop across the wider area, too. You see, Rye is completely beautiful, however there’s additionally a couple of gems which might be a stone’s throw from the city itself. If it’s sunny, drive on right down to Camber Sands, it’s a white sandy-beach paradise on a heat summer time day and is so beautiful.
Oh yeah, and pop into the Horse and Cart Inn for a pint (yeah, you learn that accurately) of freshly-caught prawns which might be so yummy. It’s the proper stopping level in your drive again to London from Rye itself.
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 one in every of England’s most iconic properties to discover; Bodiam Citadel.
Courting again centuries, Bodiam Citadel was constructed to guard towards the French through the Hundred Years’ Battle (method again within the 14th Century). These days, there’s no invading French however the moat and chateau nonetheless exists and is completely simple to go to on a day journey from London.
Simply make sure you stroll across the moat and head contained in the citadel, too. It’s a fairly particular place to see.
3.) Wells
One of many smallest cities in England, Wells is a comparatively simple day journey from London. Not solely that, however it’s additionally price visiting if you wish to discover a a lot smaller tackle an English metropolis, too. In any case, London is colossal.
Taking about three hours to drive, it’s the form of journey you’re taking that lasts an entire day (however it’s completely price 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 will be seen from nearly any avenue within the metropolis. It’s so imposing and towers over Wells itself.
Afterwards, pop into the Greek Taverna that serves up a number of the freshest Greek dishes within the area. You’ll depart filled with the most effective Greek cheeses!
Learn extra: Finest cities in England to go to
4.) Windsor
Not too removed from London, Windsor is among the finest day journeys from London to go to by prepare. Although, in the event you fancy hopping in a automobile, you may simply tag together with a couple of different locations additional west (like Stonehenge), too.
Simply shy of Heathrow airport, it’s a completely beautiful place to cease, particularly if you wish to go to the royal household’s favorite hang-out, Windsor Citadel.
After popping into Windsor Citadel, take a stroll to close by Eton and wander the little streets and alleys which might be stuffed with impartial outlets and cute little tea homes that serve up freshly-baked scones with clotted cream and jam. Yum!
One factor to notice, it will possibly get fairly busy in Windsor, particularly on a weekend. Although, you may simply keep away from the crowds by heading throughout on a weekday morning. It’s a lot quieter then.
Learn extra: Issues to know to go to Windsor Citadel
5.) Arundel
Simply on the border of South Downs Nationwide Park, Arundel is house to one of the vital iconic and huge medieval castles in all of England. House to the Duke of Norfolk, you may really, head inside and discover the long-lasting staterooms and grounds.
Afterwards, pop into Parsons Desk that serves up a number of the finest seasonal and native dishes in all of Sussex. We had the most effective meals right here.
Lastly, in the event you fancy staying a bit longer within the space, verify into Amberley Citadel the place you’ll keep inside your very personal citadel suite. It’s so plush and the grounds are unimaginable.
6.) Cambridge
Round a 45-minute prepare journey from the centre of London, it’s simple to discover Cambridge on one in every of your day journeys from London.
As soon as right here, make sure you head inside King’s School Chapel and take a look at 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 in style little spot with locals and college students and a should when starvation beckons.
Learn extra: Finest issues 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, ensure to go to Norwich Cathedral and discover Norwich Market, too. Right here, you’ll discover the whole lot from thrift stalls to classic booksellers, all crammed into this beautiful and historic sq..
Oh, and in the event you’ve acquired a automobile, 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 a number of the finest fish and chips in all of England, pop into the Grosvenor Fish Bar.
Belief me, you gained’t be upset! Right here, they serve up a number of the freshest fish and chips (with lashings of vinegar) which might be simply too scrumptious to overlook. We liked them a lot that we ended up taking a second bag again to London with us!
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Norwich
8.) Bathtub
The outdated Roman metropolis of Bathtub has been round for nearly 2,000 years and has lengthy been identified for its scorching 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, comply with the riverside walkways across the metropolis and cease off at Sally Lunn’s for one in every of their unimaginable buns. Truthfully, they’re so scrumptious and topped off with numerous totally different toppings that you simply get to decide on. We went for cinnamon butter that was on one other scale of yummy.
Simply reached by automobile or prepare on a day journey from London, Bathtub is completely wonderful to go to and nicely price 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 an extended weekend and see the tiny villages of the Cotswolds and locations like Cheddar Gorge (that aren’t too distant by automobile, both).
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Bathtub
9.) Stonehenge
Now, Stonehenge is well probably the most well-known day journeys from London that you could take! Identified all over the world, it’s an iconic web site in England that’s finest visited by automobile (or through an organised tour).
Now, at any time when we go to Stonehenge, we all the time go round 1-hour earlier than closing time. Many of the bigger excursions and teams can have left by this level and it’s a lot quieter to wander round.
Not too removed from Salisbury, it’s additionally simple to associate a bit journey to see one of many Magna Cartas (within the cathedral itself).
10.) The Cotswolds
In all probability my favorite area to go to for fairly English villages, the Cotswolds has a appeal that you simply actually can’t miss. In actual fact, 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, make 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 appeal of their very own and while a day journey from London is wonderful, it’s nicely price exploring over a couple of days in the event you’ve acquired the time.
Oh yeah, and it’s price noting that the Cotswolds is finest explored in a automobile. This manner, you may drive between all of the little villages and cities which might be dotted all throughout the area.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do within the Cotswolds
14 Finest Locations In The Cotswolds You Ought to Go to
