If you love to get out and about but don’t want to spend a fortune on a holiday abroad during a cost-of-living crisis, the good news is that there are plenty of trips you can do in a day – starting and ending in the big smoke.

Here are our top picks if you’re ready to get out and explore.

beach chairs on Brighton Beach

Deckchairs on the pebbled Brighton Beach

  1. Brighton

First on the list is Brighton! With an old-school-style pier and vibrant independent shops lining the cobbled streets, it’s not hard to see why Brighton is so popular. Back in the 18th Century, the rich and famous descended to the seaside resort for convalescing on the coast, with the health benefits of the sea air and swimming in the ocean for the therapeutic health-giving sea water.

In 1783, George IV (then just the Prince Regent) visited on advice of his doctor to clear his gout, and stayed with his fun-loving uncle Prince Henry (the Duke of Cumberland) and the pair shared a love of fine cuisine, gambling and drinking. They lodged in Grove House, overlooking a fashionable promenade, built out over the years to it’s current unique Indo-Islamic exterior architectural style as the Royal Pavilion (main image).

Brighton continues to draw attention from visitors from London, helped by it’s easy direct journey by train. While the Brighton wheel has now gone, there is the i360 observation tower, Pier, and marina. Most visitors tend to wander the many shops of the South Lanes and North Laines, or discovered the secret Twittens unique to Sussex (that’s the narrow passages between buildings.

Whether strolling along the pier with a lobster roll in your hand is your thing or you prefer to sample the lively nightlife, you won’t be short of things to do in this colourful city. And to make it even better? You can hop on a train for Brighton and be there in an hour direct from Victoria.

the Great Stour river running through old timbered houses in Canterbury Kent

The picturesque Great Stour river running through old timbered houses in Canterbury, Kent,

  1. Canterbury

In the lovely county of Kent, Canterbury is a prehistoric settlement which was extremely popular with the Romans. Home to one of the UK’s most spectacular cathedrals, people travel for miles to get a glimpse of the ancient architecture.

If that’s not your thing, it’s worth a trip even just to stroll along the colourful banks of the River Stour (above) which are picture postcard beautiful.

You can get there direct from Kings Cross St Pancras (quickest at around 1 hour), Charing Cross or Victoria.

Stonehenge

Stonehenge was given to the people of England with express direction to never charge more than a shilling (5 pence). It costs £23

  1. Stonehenge

If you’ve not been yet, it’s time to hop on a train to Stonehenge! While its original purpose is debated, it’s thought that Stonehenge is a burial monument, a meeting place or a druid temple dating back to 3100 BC.

Capturing the minds and hearts of scholars and mystics, it’s well worth booking a trip to go marvel at the ring of standing stones, tie it in with Salisbury Cathedral to make a day of it.

My favourite story is that in 1914, Sir Edmund Antrobus was killed in WW1 and the site went up for auction with other lots from his estate. It’s said that Cecil Chubb was sent by his wife to buy chairs, and ended up buying Stonehenge on impulse and desire for it to be owned by a local. in 1918 he gifted it to the nation with express condition that the “entrance fee should not exceed one shilling” (5 pence). Today it will cost £23 to get in, although you can walk the path that goes alongside it from free.

It’s about 2 hours by train from Waterloo to Salisbury, with a change needed.

Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill

  1. Oxford

Perhaps most famous for its University that’s ranked number one in the world, Oxford has far more to offer than just extensive libraries. Combining world-class museums, idyllic waterways, expansive parks and an incredible arts and music scene, the city of dreaming spires is famous for a reason. There is a Harry Potter tour, Oxford Castle and Prison, Carfax Tower and all the many University buildings and grounds.

A bit further out to the North is the stunning Blenheim Palace, most famous for being the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.

You can get a direct train to Oxford from Paddington, usually taking under an hour.

Bath UK Pulteney Bridge and the River Avon

Pulteney Bridge over the River Avon in Bath

  1. Bath

Last but by no means least is the city of Bath, which perhaps surprisingly as in the West Country only takes 1 hr 20 minutes direct from Paddington. This beautiful city in Somerset is well-documented with Jane Austen being one of the most famous residents of the city. With buttery-hued buildings housing independent shops, eateries and boutiques, you’ll be able to spend hours immersing yourself in everything this gorgeous city has to offer.

And once you’ve had enough of walking? Head to the ancient thermal springs at the Thermae Bath Spa where you can wallow in natural thermal waters before drying off feeling fresh and rejuvenated.

Final thoughts…

One of the benefits of living in London is the fantastic rail links and the opportunities this opens up for you to see the rest of the country. Whether you put your walking boots on and head to Stonehenge or spend time exploring another city’s shopping, nightlife and culture, you can’t go far wrong with a trip to the above five locations.