7 summer day trips from London

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Written By Hannah Kroes

As a teacher, summer is my prime time for exploring London and the UK. London can become insufferable in the heat, so here are my favourite quirky day trips from London to charming heritage sites around the South. I am devoted to my National Trust membership and National Art Pass, and make constant use of them. All of the following day trips will be free for members of at least one of these schemes. These are the best summer day trips from London for culture lovers.

Brighton

1 hour from London Victoria by train

Brighton Pavilion free with National Art Pass

Brighton Pavilion on sunny day with blue sea beneath

Brighton is an easy day trip from London via train. It has it all: the sea, the entertainment of the Pier, lots of independent shops and of course arts & heritage sites. My favourite thing in Brighton is the famous Pavilion. Read more about my day at Brighton Pavilion here.

Getting to Brighton from London is quick and convenient. The most popular option is to take a train from London Victoria, London Bridge, or St Pancras International. The journey typically takes around 1 hour, and ticket prices range from £10 to £20 for an off-peak return ticket.

Facade of Brighton Pavilion

Hambleden Village and Greys Court

c. 1 hour from SW London by car

Greys Court free with National Trust pass

Hollyhocks line pathway to cottage in Hambleden, England

Hambleden is a gorgeous little village full of hollyhocks worth a quick visit to while on the way to National Trust Greys Court. Greys Court is a charming house with a variety of styles on the interior and has a picturesque garden with old medieval structures on the property. The house is one of my favourite National Trust properties when it comes to interior design.

Sign for Hambleden Village Hall framed by greenery and flowers
Flint cottage in Hambleden England
Hambleden cottage brick and tudor with hollyhocks
Wood panelled bedroom with floral wallpaper and plaster moulding above at Greys Court National Trust
Retro vintage kitchen at Greys Court National Trust with pink table and chairs
Pink sitting room at National Trust Greys Court with old fashioned portrait and plasterwork ceiling
Apples growing in National Trust Grays Court garden with medieval tower in background
Lush pink hydrangeas against old wall with pointed arch at Grays Court National Trust

Hinton Ampner

c. 1 hour 20 minutes from SW London by car

Free with National Trust pass

Pink dahlia garden framing National Trust house Hinton Ampner

Hinton Ampner is another glorious National Trust property that features a lush pink garden in the summer featuring my favourite flower, dahlias. It is near Winchester so could be combined for a quaint day out.

Hinton Ampner National Trust house with lily pond in front
lush summer flowers in kitchen garden at hinton ampner national trust
Picturesque english cottage on edge of national trust hinton ampner property
Spray of pink and white flowers growing on brick steps of national trust hinton ampner house
hinton ampner church framed by yellow and purple flowers in the garden

Lewes and Charleston House

c. 1 hour 30 minutes from SW London by car | 1 hour to Lewes via train from Clapham Junction

Charleston House free with National Art Pass

Interior of Charleston House sitting room with hand painted fireplace and eclectic decor in Bloomsbury style

Lewes is a charming Sussex town known for antique and vintage shops which are a delight to explore on the high street. Charleston House is nearby, and is one of my all-time favourite places I have ever visited. It was the home of Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant and every surface is ornamented with Bloomsbury-style painting. This is my kind of maximalism and is endlessly inspiring for me. Read more about Charleston here.

view of white cottages with blue door and climbing roses in lewes sussex
interior sitting room of charleston house sussex bloomsbury style
garden of charleston house sussex with pond lined with handpainted tiles

Nymans

c. 1 hour 15 minutes from SW London by car

Free with National Trust pass

Summer borders in Nymans garden in full bloom and colour on a summer evening

Nymans is a National Trust property in Sussex which is close to my heart because my husband and I were married here in 2018. I am clearly biased, but the garden is magical. Even better, they do late openings on summer evenings which is when the light in the garden is at its best.

colourful garden borders at nymans national trust sussex
Golden sunlight on the ruin house at nymans national trust sussex
orange flowers blooming in front of the italian loggia nymans national trust sussex
view over the sussex countryside at nymans national trust
golden hour at nymans garden with fairytale tower

Polesden Lacey

c. 45 minutes from SW London by car

Free with National Trust pass

Brick wall and gate with climbing white roses at Polesden Lacey National Trust

Polesden Lacey is a charming National Trust property well known for its rose garden. It also has a charming interior filled with significant artworks and a large parkland to wander around.

Polesden Lacey porch with colonnade climbing white roses
rose garden at polesden lacey
view of green parkland beyond polesden lacey house
pink climbing roses at polesden lacey
Scalloped roof cottage with climbing ivy and roses at polesden lacey

Scotney Castle

c. 1 hour 30 minutes from SW London by car

Free with National Trust pass

View of the ruins of Scotney Castle Kent National Trust

Scotney Castle is an incredible location. There is a late 19th C manor house at the top of the property, but its jewel is the old medieval moated castle on the grounds. It’s a pretty special and unique location.

scotney castle gate with blue flowers in foreground
turret of the castle tower at scotney kent
view of countryside and scotney castle in the distance
Hannah Kroes
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