Looking for the best cheap getaways from London? You’re in luck – the capital is exceptionally well-connected, making a budget-friendly break all too easy. Here’s our pick of the best.
We get it – sometimes you just need to get out of the city.
Luckily, there are so many cheap weekend getaways from London, and most are just a direct train ride away. From cool beachside spots to charming cities with long and illustrious histories (ahem, we’re looking at you, Oxford).
North, east, south or west – you can go in any direction and find somewhere new and exciting to explore. Here are some of the very best cheap London weekend breaks.
Cheap Weekend Getaways From London
Oxford
Oxford – the City of Dreaming Spires – is one of England’s most iconic cities, with its captivating 12th-century architecture and 38 colleges.
Home to the prestigious University of Oxford, the city boasts stunning architecture, picturesque streets and numerous museums and galleries. Oxford is unique, big enough to have plenty to do, and small enough to explore on weekends.
What should you do? Visit the Ashmolean Museum, the world’s first university museum, which houses an impressive collection of art and archaeology and stroll through the beautiful University of Oxford Botanic Garden.
We also recommend taking a guided walking tour of the city, discovering the Oxford University Museum of Natural History or casually browsing the historic Covered Market for local crafts, food and souvenirs. Swinging by Ben’s Cookies while you’re there is non-negotiable in our eyes.
How to get there
Take the Oxford Tube coach service from London Victoria Station, which takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes. You can also get to Oxford from Marylebone station, which takes just 60 minutes on fast services.
Suggested Stay: Malmaison Oxford
Stratford-upon-Avon
The birthplace of William Shakespeare, this charming market town is steeped in romance – ideal for a steamy weekend escape. It’s beautiful, too, with deeply historic streets and old English charm.
There’s plenty to see and do – visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, or take a leisurely walk along the picturesque River Avon.
Pack a picnic and pull up on the grass; there’s often live music and craft markets in the summer months. Not to mention that this is also very wallet-friendly.
How to get there
From London Marylebone, take a train to Stratford-upon-Avon. The journey takes around 2 hours.
Suggested Stay: Baraset Barn Hotel
Brighton
Brighton is one of our favourite day trips from London, but extending your stay across a weekend is relatively cheap. This city offers a diverse blend of bohemian culture, independent shops and energetic nightlife – it’s totally unique.
Explore the exotic Royal Pavilion, a former royal residence with opulent Indian and Chinese-themed decor and design, or take a stroll along the iconic Brighton Palace Pier and enjoy the amusements, rides and arcade games.
Annual events like the Brighton Festival (late May) and Brighton Fringe (May to June) bring together visual arts, music and comedy in a diverse celebration of culture. Make sure you discover Brighton’s street art, independent shops and cafes in the coveted North Laine and The Lanes neighbourhoods.
And you can’t visit Brighton without spending some time on the infamous Brighton Beach – if you’re feeling brave you can try water sports like kayaking and windsurfing (or, how about a jetski ride?) to get your blood pumping.
How to get there:
Board a direct train from London Victoria Station or London Bridge Station to Brighton. The journey takes around an hour.
Suggested Stay: Blok 74
Margate
Margate has had a resurgence and become one of the trendiest seaside towns on the Kent coast.
We love to see it – Margate became pretty rundown after the war but has since revived with its restored amusement park, Dreamland, thriving arts scene and sandy beaches.
Spend a day at Dreamland Margate, a vintage amusement park that has been lovingly restored to its former glory with rides, arcades, a roller disco and art exhibits. Or, explore the Turner Contemporary, a modern art gallery showcasing the work of local and international artists.
A must-visit is the Shell Grotto, a mysterious subterranean passageway adorned with intricate shell mosaics – no one knows who created it.
How to get there
Take a direct train from London St Pancras International or London Victoria Station to Margate. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Suggested Stay: Walpole Bay Hotel
Rye
Rye is another fabulous weekend break from London that won’t break the bank. This picturesque medieval seaside town in East Sussex is known for its cobbled streets, half-timbered houses and charming tea rooms.
Visit the Rye Castle Museum to learn about the town’s past, explore Lamb House, a National Trust property, or stroll through the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve to enjoy the stunning coastal scenery and birdwatching.
And, when hunger strikes, wind down at the very popular Mermaid Inn, a pub that dates back to the 12th century.
How to get there
Take a train from St Pancras International, London Bridge or London Charing Cross to Ashford International. Then, change to a train to Rye. The total journey time is around 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Suggested Stay: The Lookout
Windsor
Windsor, in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, is world-famous thanks to the iconic Windsor Castle, the world’s oldest and largest inhabited castle.
But the famous castle isn’t all Windsor has to boast, you can take a leisurely stroll along the Long Walk, a tree-lined avenue stretching from Windsor Castle to the Copper Horse statue, or explore the vast Windsor Great Park, with beautiful gardens and woodlands.
Discover the art of brewing at the Windsor and Eton Brewery to learn about the brewing process and sample a selection of award-winning beers. Oh, and Legoland is next door if you’re looking for a family day out that promises thrills.
How to get there
Board a direct train from London Paddington Station or London Waterloo Station to Windsor & Eton Central or Windsor & Eton Riverside. The journey takes a snappy 30 to 60 minutes.
Suggested Stay: Macdonald Windsor
Canterbury
Home to Canterbury Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Canterbury is a true medieval town with Roman heritage, too.
Visit the ruins of St Augustine’s Abbey and the Roman Museum for a historical experience, enjoy the beautiful Westgate Gardens, or take a scenic river tour on the River Stour.
Canterbury is yet another deeply historical town within arm’s reach of London with both scenery, history and an abundance of shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants to explore.
How to get there
Direct trains from London St Pancras International, London Victoria, or London Charing Cross to Canterbury West or Canterbury East take around 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Suggested Stay: The Victoria
Whitstable
Whitstable is a charming coastal town in Kent, famous for its oysters and picturesque harbour.
With its quaint streets, independent shops and seafood restaurants, Whitstable is a relatively unspoiled classic southern coastal town.
Visit the Whitstable Harbour and watch fishing boats bring in their daily catch, or browse the harbour market stalls and explore the lovely Whitstable Castle and Gardens with beautiful grounds. They host various events throughout the year, such as fairs and themed markets.
If you’re a seafood fan, join an oyster-tasting tour to sample the town’s world-famous oysters and learn about their fascinating history.
How to get there
Board a direct train from London St Pancras International, London Victoria Station, or London Cannon Street Station to Whitstable. The journey takes around 1 hour 20 minutes.
Suggested Stay: Whitstable Fisherman’s Huts
Bournemouth
Easily one of Britain’s favourite staycation destinations, Bournemouth Beach ranks among the top 25 beaches in the world. The water quality is excellent, too, and it gets reasonably warm in summer – for the UK, anyway.
Soak up the sun on Bournemouth’s award-winning sandy beaches, such as Alum Chine Beach, Durley Chine Beach and Boscombe Beach, with watersports and stunning coastal views.
Next to the beach, you can stroll through the beautiful Bournemouth Gardens, a Victorian park stretching from the town centre to the coast, featuring perfectly manicured gardens and walking trails.
Visit the Oceanarium, an aquarium with spectacular marine life, including sharks, turtles and stingrays, or enjoy a fun day out at Adventure Wonderland, an awesome amusement park.
How to get there
Board a direct train from London Waterloo Station to Bournemouth Station. The journey takes approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.
Suggested Stay: Riviera Hotel
Bath
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Bath is famous for its well-preserved Georgian architecture, world-renowned Roman Baths and the beautiful Bath Abbey. Joining a walking tour is one of the best ways to discover the city’s ancient past.
Stroll along the Royal Crescent, a row of 30 terraced houses that form a sweeping crescent shape, visit the Jane Austen Centre, or relax in the Thermae Bath Spa, which uses the city’s natural thermal waters.
How to get there
From London Paddington, take a direct train to Bath Spa. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Suggested Stay: Z Hotel
Salisbury
Salisbury, a historic cathedral city in the county of Wiltshire, is located in the south of England and is famous for its rich history, stunning architecture and picturesque countryside.
You’ll spot the enormous spire of the iconic Salisbury Cathedral from miles away, constructed in the 13th century and home to the Magna Carta, one of the most important documents in English history.
For more history and culture, visit Old Sarum, the original site of Salisbury, featuring the ruins of a royal castle, a Norman cathedral and an Iron Age hillfort.
If you can, visit the nearby World Heritage Site of Stonehenge, one of the most famous prehistoric monuments – and about as different from London’s modern architecture as you’ll get anywhere in the world.
How to get there
Board a direct train from London Waterloo Station to Salisbury Station. The journey takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Suggested Stay: The Merchant’s House
Godalming
For cheap weekend breaks from London, beautiful Surrey is just next door. South of Guildford, Godalming, a picturesque market town, is nestled in the heart of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The Surrey Hills are stunning, and Godalming is the perfect base to explore this leafy part of England which is remarkably close to London. Learn about the town’s history and heritage at the charming Godalming Museum and stroll through the beautiful Winkworth Arboretum, a National Trust site featuring a diverse collection of rare trees and shrubs.
For outdoor activities, explore the River Wey Navigations, a picturesque waterway with scenic towpaths. Perfect for cycling as it’s relatively flat.
Godalming is treasured by residents – it’s probably one of the last remaining rural commuter towns. It strikes a near-perfect balance between London and rural South England.
How to get there
Board a direct train from London Waterloo Station to Godalming Station. The journey takes approximately 40 to 50 minutes.
Suggested Stay: The Drummond
Cambridge
Known for its prestigious university and architecture, Cambridge offers a mix of history, culture and natural beauty courtesy of The Fens.
Go punting on the River Cam, visit the magnificent King’s College Chapel, explore the Fitzwilliam Museum or wander through the Cambridge University Botanic Garden.
How to get there
Direct trains from London King’s Cross or London Liverpool Street to Cambridge take around 45 minutes to 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Suggested Stay: University Arms
St Albans
St Albans, an ancient city in Hertfordshire, is located just north of London and boasts a rich history dating back to the Roman era.
Visit the magnificent St Albans Cathedral or discover the city’s Roman heritage at the Verulamium Museum, which showcases a collection of artefacts and mosaics from Roman Britain.
If you’re looking for a woodland escape, enjoy a leisurely walk through the beautiful Hertfordshire Heartwood Forest.
St Albans is also a winner for foodies. Despite being so tiny, St Albans and the surrounding areas feature three restaurants that have (or have had) Michelin Stars: Thompsons, The Silver Cup and Alford Arms. Swing by one, or all, to check out their delicious grub.
How to get there
Board a direct train from London St Pancras International or London Blackfriars Station to St Albans City Station. The journey takes just 25 to 40 minutes.
Suggested Stay: Samuel Ryder Hotel
Practical Tips for Exploring the Best Weekend Breaks From London
- For cheap weekend getaways, London is blessed with excellent train connections. All of these destinations can be reached by train in less than 2 hours, or even just 30 minutes or so in some cases.
- The south coast, particularly Margate and Bournemouth, is pretty touristy in summer. It gets busy, and accommodation is booked up quickly. For cheap weekend breaks near London, head off-peak in spring or autumn, where the weather can still be lovely.
- Pretty much all of these locations are surrounded by lush countryside, perfect for totally escaping the built-up city environment.
