Breadcrumbs [Home](/index%2ephp/) > [9 Great Day Trips To Escape London](/index%2ephp/markdownify/node/1373) ![9 Great Day Trips To Escape London ](https://media.slman.com/YbRaf9qhAkQi92NrB0Jz_jgQt1Q=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F08%2Fday-trips-thumb.jpg) 27 August 2019 # 9 Great Day Trips To Escape London With summer lingering on and school holidays in full swing, there's no better time to plan a day trip away from London. From the New Forest's sun-dappled cycling trails to Margate's quirky seaside, here, SL contributor Olivia Rawes reveals nine exciting day trips to escape the Big Smoke. ### Whitstable Boats bobbing on the waves, pastel-washed beach huts, atmospheric lanes – yes Whitstable’s lovely looking but the real reason to come here is to eat. The town is home some of the UK’s best seafood, a fact celebrated each summer with its oyster festival. Head to centuries-old [Wheeler’s](http://www.wheelersoysterbar.com/) or get your oysters cooked right in front of you at [The Forge](https://www.whitstablefishermanshuts.com/the-forge/). Top it all off with a drink and dose of salty air at the [Old Neptune](http://www.thepubonthebeach.co.uk/) – a charming white timber structure that’s one of the only pubs in the UK to be set right on a beach. **Getting there:** One hour 20 minutes by train from London Victoria or one hour 10 minutes from St Pancras International; around one hour 40 minutes by car. ### Rye Charming and compact, this East Sussex town is a delight to explore. Amongst the history-steeped Georgian and medieval buildings that grace its cobbled streets are flashes of newness: high-end interior shops, independent coffee shops and some fantastic eateries have all carved out a home here. Duck into a quirky bookshop, gorge on seafood at [The Ship Inn](http://theshipinnrye.com/), check out the nearby [Chapel Down Winery](https://www.chapeldown.com/) or just dig your toes in the sand – the rolling, sugary dunes of Camber Sands are only a ten-minute drive away. **Getting there:** One hour 10 minutes by train from London St Pancras International; around two hours 30 minutes by car. ### New Forest Trade in congested city streets for a rather different traffic issue: wild horses. These magnificent beasts with their windswept manes rule the roads here. Make peace with the leisurely pace and embrace what the New Forest does best: getting back to basics. Amble through sunlight-speckled woodland lanes, cycle across open pastures or explore the charming market towns that dot the area. Fallen under the New Forest’s spell? Luckily this is a great place to stay: soak your limbs at [The Lime Wood Hotel](https://www.limewoodhotel.co.uk/)’s spa or hunker down at the original [The Pig](https://www.thepighotel.com/brockenhurst/) hotel. **Getting there:** One hour 30 minutes by train from London Waterloo to Brockenhurst; around two hours by car. DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at .