5 lovely places for a weekend escape within 2 hours of London

Autumn is now well underway and many Londoners are thinking about booking a last-minute escape from the city.

If a trip abroad isn’t your bag, you needn’t worry because there are plenty of gorgeous places for a staycation, just a short journey from the capital.

From cute and cosy country escapes, to stunning seaside views, there is something for every Londoner.

Leading Staycation site Holiday Cottages has created a helpful guide sharing some wonderful places for a staycation within two hours (there or thereabouts) from London.

Below you will find a list of places to visit and some recommendations of things to do upon your arrival.

We’ve included how to get there, where to eat, and what to see!

Book your staycation on holidaycottages.co.uk

Weekend escapes within two hours of London

1. Whitstable, Kent

Travel time from London by car: 1 hour 45 minutes via M2

Travel time from London Victoria Station via train: 1 hour 40 minutes

Kent’s coastline is peppered with beautiful towns, and Whitstable is among the best. Famed for its oysters and symphony of acclaimed restaurants, this fishing town is tailor-made for those wishing to escape the giant concrete metropolis, with its pastel-painted shopfronts and spectacular shingle shore.

Walk along the beachfront, spotting the WWII sea forts across the waves and seals in the harbour, and head towards Wheelers Oyster Bar, renowned for its candy pink shopfront. Serving oysters and daily-changing specials, this town favourite has over 1,000 four and five star reviews on TripAdvisor and has quickly gained traction on social media too, including TikTok, where one video of the parlour has amassed more than 274K views.

If oysters aren’t your bag, grab a pint and some delicious pub grub at The Old Neptune or indulge in afternoon tea followed by a leisurely stroll around the well-kept gardens at Whitstable Castle.

2. Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

Travel time from London by car: 2 hours via A12

Travel time from London St Pancras station via train: 1 hour 50 minutes

Boasting gorgeous golden sands, paddle-friendly waters, and amusements galore, Clacton-on-Sea is the hallmark of a classic British seaside getaway – so what better time to go than out of season to make the most of it all?

One for the thrill-seekers, Clacton Pier is the largest pleasure pier in Europe, with hair-raising rides, an arcade, ten pin bowling, and adventure golf. On Tripadvisor, one happy visitor wrote: “Had the best day ever with my family”, while another said: “We visited Clacton Pier and had the most amazing time.”

For a spot of peace and quiet, make your way to the top of the cliff to the west of the pier, where you can marvel at the coastal views from the beautifully manicured gardens. Worried about wet weather? Escape the rain by slipping into the seaside West Cliff Theatre to catch the latest musical, comedic, or spellbinding performance.

3. Maidstone, Kent

Travel time from London by car: 1 hour 25 minutes via A2

Travel time from London Euston station by via train: 1 hour 10 minutes

At the heart of the Garden of England, Maidstone is home to breathtaking landscapes and majestic buildings. Follow in the footsteps of aristocracy at Leeds Castle, whose opulent rooms reveal stories of six English Queens, an Anglo-American heiress, and one-time resident Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII’s first wife.

Outdoors, the enchanting 500-acre parkland features a hedge maze, adrenaline-fuelled treetop walkways, and a mesmerising falconry display.

In the town centre, the 14th-century Archbishop’s Palace is a hidden gem overlooking the River Medway. Here, you can hop on the Kentish Lady for a scenic cruise through the Maidstone Millenium River Park to Kent Life, a working farm where heritage and family fun sit side by side.

Alternatively, cycle or walk the brand-new 10km route through the park, spotting wildlife along the way. At the end of a busy day, head to The Market House pub for a bite to eat accompanied by live music. Awarded Travellers’ Choice 2023 on TripAdvisor, this independent eatery is a hit amongst locals and tourists alike, with Google searches for ‘Market House Maidstone’ increasing by a staggering 190% in the last 30 days alone.

4. Abingdon-on-Thames, Oxfordshire

Travel time from London by car: 1 hour 45 minutes via M4

Travel time from London St Pancras Stion via train: 1 hour 45 minutes

 An out-of-season staycation in Abingdon gives a real feeling of escape with its wealth of architecture, historical treasures, and independent boutiques. Step back in time at the Pendon Museum, rated the second-best thing to do in Abingdon on TripAdvisor, and admire the idyllic rural landscapes of the 1920s and 30s in miniature model form.

History buffs will also love the Abingdon County Hall Museum, a Grade I listed building with a striking façade, where tourists can delve deeper into the town’s heritage.

In a review of their holidaycottages.co.uk stay near Abingdon, one holidaymaker commented: “This is the perfect location for a peaceful stay in a green space that feels away from it all while being so close to Oxford.”

A fairytale of spires and cobbled streets, Oxford is a short 20-minute drive away. Rent a river boat to enjoy the same views that inspired Lewis Carol’s Alice in Wonderland, then head to The Vaults & Garden Café, a gorgeous 14th-century building where they serve afternoon tea with scones slathered in clotted cream and seasonal homemade jam.

For a fun family day out, @shawnthefoodsheep recommends the Pitt Rivers Museum – packed with bizarre artifacts and stories - in their TikTok video that has gained almost 190K views.

5. Hastings, Sussex

Travel time from London by car: 2 hours 20 minutes via A21

Travel time from London St Pancras Station via train: 1 hour 35 minutes

 Named alongside Kent as the UK’s number one up-and-coming staycation spot by holidaycottages.co.uk, no matter the time of year, Sussex is packed with treasures and delights, from fairytale castles to spectacular countryside.

On the southeast coast, set between hills that reach to the sea, Hastings has had something of a rebirth with a colourful café scene and unique double-decker promenade. Spend days along the seafront, stopping at the arcades and funfair, before making your way to Goat’s Ledge, one of the town’s new breeds of hip eateries.

This brightly painted beach shack, with bookable huts for dinner, is somewhat of a local legend and has racked up over 1,000 four and five-star Google reviews. One impressed visitor wrote: “We came here for lunch and absolutely loved the food…If you’re in Hastings please come here. IT’S A MUST!!”

Take advantage of Hastings’s fierce beauty with a trip to Old Roar Gill, a wooded valley home to a host of rare flowers and birds, including flycatchers, grey wagtails, and kingfishers.