If you live in the capital, you are probably rather keen on being somewhere other than a city right now. Fortunately, with lockdown restrictions being eased, those with cars can now move out of the built-up urban area and go on day trips.
And even though you can’t yet spend a night anywhere other than your home, there is a lot to see within just a couple of hours of the city. Here are our picks for road trip destinations within easy driving range of London.
Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is arguably the best England has to offer in regards to gorgeous scenery and picturesque villages.
While coronavirus-triggered restrictions will still be impacting some of the gorgeous market towns and village cafes, the likes of Chipping Campden, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Castle Combe will make you long for a life out of the big city.
Journey time (to Chipping Camden): 2 hour 10 minutes
Surrey Hills
With a great many lovely B-roads to drive, and just as many spectacular views and interesting places to stop, you could make several trips to the Surrey Hills area without re-tracing your previous steps.
A great little route to try on your first visit would be a run from Leatherhead to Brighton on the coast, via Five Oaks, Petersfield, Chichester and Littlehampton.
When you’re not driving, Gatton Park and Reigate Fort are well worth a look, as is the Frensham Common and its ponds, which host sandy beaches perfect for a sandcastle-heavy day trip for kids.
Journey time (to Leatherhead): 50 minutes
Devil’s Punch Bowl
This remarkable rim of a valley is a wonderful spot for those who want to go for a walk or a cycle. A main path around the perimeter of the bowl is one of many different routes that can be taken through this quiet, gorgeous slice of land.
If you ever holidayed on the south coast, or went down to the Isle of Wight for a summer’s weekend, you may feel like you’ve been to the Punch Bowl before. Chances are you have. The path at the top of the bowl used to be a part of the A3, until the Hindhead Tunnel was built, and the road was ripped up to return the landmark to its natural best.
Journey time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Henley-on-Thames
One of the closest of our suggestions, this small town in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has a feel that wouldn’t be out of place in the Cotswolds.
The town feels frozen in a time many decades previous, with quirky small shops and a generous selection of pubs to take in; there’s even an ‘Ale Trail’ route endorsed by the town’s website. The nearby Fairmile Vineyard also has public open days, if you prefer!
The parklands by the river are great for an afternoon picnic, too.
Journey time: 1 hour
New Forest
The New Forest is a place where each new turn on the road ushers in a new scene worthy of a picture or painting. Some of the roads make for very good driving too, though caution is advised owing to the woodland population of wild horses, donkeys, boars and more.
In addition to the serene countryside, towns such as Lyndhurst and Lymington offer plentiful options for a wonderful lunch. Of course, if you are a motoring fan, a trip to Beaulieu’s National Motor Museum is always advisable as well!
Journey time (to Lymington): 2 hours
