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Places to Visit near London

The New Forest is an unenclosed pasture area of northern England that is renowned for its forest trails, native ponies, and heathland. It is the hotspot for many interesting outdoor activities such as paddle boarding, horse riding, and hiking.

The New Forest National Park is the prime attraction of this area where you can have a picnic with your family, or you can witness deers, tigers, rhinoceroses, and wild buffalo in the region. You should also visit the Hearst castle that is an artillery fortress designed by Henry XIII.

Apart from that, Exbury Gardens is the ideal weekend getaways from London for a family day out, and you can even have an Exbury steam railway ride here.

Distance from London: 69 mi.

Best Time: May to September.

How To Reach: You can board a train from Waterloo that will drop you at The New Forest in 90 minutes.

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Known throughout the world for its unparalleled educational magnificence, the town of Oxford is a global educational hub. It is considered to be one of the best places to visit near London due to its historical buildings and covered markets.

One such amazing place that you must visit here is the Christ Church Cathedral that exudes excellent architecture and beauty. Oxford Castle is another major attraction here that gives you a chance to have a 360 degrees view of London.

You should also visit the Sheldonian Theatre, which houses the Museum of the History of Science. It has a splendid collection of ancient art and antiquities, Greek and Roman pottery, classical sculpture, Far Eastern art, and jewelry.

While here, you should also consider going shopping in Cornmarket Street, which is pedestrian-friendly and sells a range of items. Among many branded shops and departmental stores, this street also has the historic Golden Cross arcade which is well-known for its jewelry and craft shops.

Distance from London: 56.1 mi.

Best Time: August and September, May & July.

How To Reach: Board a train from Paddington Station to Oxford. It will take sixty minutes to reach Oxford from London.

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Regarded as one of the best places to visit around London, the city of Brighton has some outstanding attractions and monuments. A must-visit attraction is the Brighton Palace Pier, a perfect example of a Victorian pleasure pier. You can have traditional seaside fun here while enjoying the rides and the delicious street food.

Another great attraction over here is the Royal Pavilion, which was the home of Prince Regent. This pavilion is one of the most exotic and stunning architecture in the British Isles. During your trip to Brighton, you should also visit the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, which includes fashion & style, design & fine art and exciting interactive exhibitions.

Distance from London: 56.4 mi.

Best Time: May to September.

How To Reach: Board a bus from Victoria Coach Station to Brighton.

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Located in the county of Kent, Canterbury is one of the heritage cities of Britain that has retained its old-world charm as well as modern glitz. It houses the Canterbury Cathedral that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is famous for being the murder site of Archbishop Thomas Becket.

You should also visit the Beaney House of Art and Knowledge, which has a facility-part museum, an art gallery, and even a library. It displays a collection of paintings, prints, engravings, European ceramics, Anglo-Saxon jewelry, and Asian porcelain. Canterbury Castle is another major attraction here where you can discover the historical treasures of Canterbury.

Distance from London: 60.8 mi.

Best Time: May & September.

How To Reach: South Eastern train runs regular service from St Pancras, Charing Cross and London Victoria.

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Known to be a rival of the Oxford University, Cambridge is claimed to have one of the most preserved historic buildings in England. The King's College Chapel is the most famous attraction over here that is renowned for its 12-bay perpendicular-style interior and incredible architecture.

Besides that, the Mathematical Bridge is the major highlight of the city as it has been built without any nails solely relying on the calculative structuring.

You should also visit the  Cambridge University Botanical Garden stretching across 40 acres in Cambridge. This garden boasts of having more than 8,000 plant species from across the world. Another must-visit place is the Fitzwilliam Museum, which is an architectural masterpiece. It displays collections of Egyptian antiquities, illuminated manuscripts,  potteries of English, China, Greek, and Roman origins.

Distance from London: 64.0 mi.

Best Time: June & July.

How To Reach: ThamesLink Runway and The Great Northern Runway runs the fastest train to Cambridge.

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Winchester functioned as a former cultural and political capital of England until the 13th century. It is home to some of the best places to visit around London, such as the Winchester museum, which is one of Europe's largest cathedrals.

Another such attraction is the Highclere Castle: Aka Downton Abbey that was featured in the English TV series of the same name. The Castle includes a spectacular gothic saloon, a library with 5,650 rare books and historic portraits.

Another popular attraction over here is the Hospital of St. Cross, which is England's oldest almshouse. It features the 15th-century Hall of the Brothers, a kitchen, and a chapel.

Other must-visit places are Winchester City Mill, Winchester's Military Museums, Marwell Zoo, and Winchester City Museum.

Distance from London: 67.8 mi.

Best Time: May to June.

How To Reach: Take a train from Waterloo to Winchester.

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If you're looking for one of the best places to visit around London, then St Albans should be your topmost choice. It is a vibrant city located in the northern belt of London known for its centuries-old medieval cathedrals and scenic parks. Verulamium Park is one of the beautiful spaces in St Albans that houses an ornamental lake, and you can witness here the remains of ancient Roman walls.

If you wish to trace the rich history of this city, then the Verulamium Museum should be your ideal stopover. It has displays of gold coins, mosaic structures, and second-century Roman theater.

Distance from London: 69 mi.

Best Time: May to September.

How To Reach: You can take a flight from Gatwick and Luton airport. Both these airports are linked directly to London.

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This is a small fishing town with sandy beaches and an impressive collection of cafes, shops, and restaurants. Due to its old-world charm and impressive landscape, it is considered to be one of the best places to visit around London.

Mersea Island Vineyard is a popular destination here that is known for producing local and traditional wines, while also offering an enthralling view of lush greenery of nature. Get a glimpse of the history of Mersea Island by visiting the Mersea museum that houses the oldest sculptures and archeological relics.

Distance from London: 69 mi.

Best Time: May to September.

How To Reach: You can catch a train from Liverpool Street to Colchester train station. From here you can board a taxi to Mersea Island.

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One of the beautiful and charming villages in South East England, Rye, is a haven for nature lovers. This adorable fairy-tale town has medieval cafes and inns, winding streets and quirky shops. It houses the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve that is spread in around 1,000-acres and has over 4,000 species of animals.

Another attraction is the Rye Castle Museum and Ypres Tower, which has two sites, East Street and The Ypres Tower. The East Street site includes collections of the museum and is the best place to know about the rich history of Rye.

You should also visit the Parish Church of St. Mary, Rye, which houses magnificent stonework and exquisite stained-glass windows. Another must-visit site is the Mermaid Street, lined with crooked timber houses and quirky cafes. It is considered to be one of the most photographed streets in Rye.

Distance from London: 76.7 mi.

Best Time: June to October.

How To Reach: No direct train runs from London to Rye. You can however board a train from St Pancras.

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Portsmouth is one of the most famous places to visit near London that serves as the base of the Royal Navy and contains around two-third of the surface fleet of the UK. It houses some of the most popular ships such as the Tudor carrack Mary Rose, HMS Warrior and HMS Victory.

Further, the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard gives you a chance to discover the eight hundred-year-old maritime histories of the town. You can also visit the Blue Reef Aquarium to witness the diverse species of aquatic animals housed here.

Distance from London: 74.8 mi.

Best Time: March to November & January to February.

How To Reach: Board a train from Waterloo to portsmouth.

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The stark landscape and the otherworldly beauty of Dungeness make it one of the best places to visit near London. It boasts of having the largest shingle beach in Europe where you can enjoy sunbathing, and you can also relish the seafood at the cafes and beachside shacks located here.

Also, the RSPB Nature Reserve is an absolute paradise for the wildlife watchers as you can witness here a dazzling variety of migratory as well as domestic birdlife. Another major attraction that you must visit here is the Pilot Inn that is known for serving the best chips and traditional seafood.

Distance from London: 77.8 mi.

Best Time: March to May.

How To Reach: Board a train from St Pancras to Ashford International. Board a taxi from Ashford to Dungeness.

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Surrounded by sandy beaches, fishing villages, and family attractions, Chichester is one of the most popular weekend getaways from London. West Wittering Beach is one of the prime attractions of Chichester that has been awarded the Blue Flag for its cleanliness. It is a sandy and long beach where you can enjoy sunbathing and boating.

Chichester Cathedral is also an important attraction that is the sacred church of the Holy Trinity and is the seat of Bishop of Chichester. Also, the city center is the main shopping arena of Chichester, where you can buy a variety of elite brands.

Distance from London: 80.8 mi.

Best Time: June to Early September.

How To Reach: You can board a train from Victoria to Waterloo station.

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Well known as an elegant spa town since Roman times, Bath is built for relaxation and pleasure. This is one of the best weekend getaways from London where you can have an aromatic spa or Roman Baths to relieve your senses.

It is a gorgeous city dotted with exquisite architectural monuments and cobblestone streets. Nestled between Somerset and Mendip Hills, it is considered to be one of the best places to visit near London because of its honey-colored Georgian houses and beautiful gardens and parks.

Bath Abbey is also a popular site over here that is a Gothic cathedral with beautiful paintings and architecture. Furthermore, another popular attraction is Pulteney Bridge that is considered to be the departure point for various fun river excursions.

Distance from London: 114.6 mi.

Best Time: January to February.

How To Reach: Frequent trains run from Paddington station to London after every thirty minutes.

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Also known as the capital of castles in Wales, the city of Cardiff is known for its vibrant culture and stunning landscape. Among many places to visit around London, Cardiff should be an ideal stopover in your itinerary due to its beautiful castles and historic houses.

It houses the Cardiff Bay Barrage, which is located in a stunning maritime setting, perfect for a bike ride or a relaxing stroll. You should also pay a visit to the Albany Gallery and the Martin Tinney Gallery that depict some of the greatest art collections in the world.

Some other attractions that you must visit over here are Hensol Castle Distillery, St. John's Parish Church, and Forest Farm Country Park. For a calming experience after a busy day of touring, you should surely visit the chic Mermaid Quay to have a romantic dinner with your partner.

Distance from London: 150.6 mi.

Best Time: Early June to Late September.

How To Reach: 27 trains operate in a day from London to Cardiff. You can board any of the trains that will drop you at Cardiff in 2hrs and 28 mins.

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Manchester is one of the most lively and vibrant cities in London, throbbing with architectural splendours and creative spaces. It houses the most popular football club in the entire world known as the Manchester United Football Club.

Moreover, a paradise for the foodies, Manchester has a huge variety of street food markets as well as elegant cafes and restaurants. The city is also home to some of the oldest libraries, such as the Chetham's and John Rylands library that houses a collection of novels and books spanning across five millennia.

Distance from London: 208.4 mi.

Best Time: June and August.

How To Reach: Take a bus from Victoria bus station to Manchester.

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Guildford is a beautiful town located on the southern periphery of London. It is considered to be one of the best places to visit around London because it is home to historic cathedrals and castles that offer peace and tranquility like none other.

Apart from that, the city seems to be brimming with an array of pubs, restaurants, bars, and shopping venues as well. Moreover, the Odeon Cinema is a paradise for the film fanatics, and you can watch some of the best Hollywood movies over here.

If you're a shopping enthusiast, then Tunsgate Quarter should be your ideal spot as it is home to some of the branded stores such as Cath, Loaf, and Kidston.

Distance from London: 208.4 mi.

Best Time: June and August.

How To Reach: Direct buses don't run from London to Guildford. You can however board a bus from Victoria Coach Station and arrive at Friary Bus Station.

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Home of iconic music-band, The Beatles and Liverpool Football Club, the city of Liverpool, is one of the best places to visit near London. To start the tour of this city, you should visit the Merseyside Maritime Museum, which has an impressive collection of artifacts and sculptures.

Another such attraction is the Pier Head area of Liverpool, which houses the Three Graces,  the traditional trio of harbor buildings.

Moreover, the Museum of Liverpool celebrates the city's distinct history, geography, and culture with several displays. It houses various collections of decorative art and period costumes and other archaeological materials. Liverpool also has some of the best gardens and parks, such as the Sefton Park Palmhouse, that is lush with greenery and large varieties of flowers.

Distance from London: 220.5 mi.

Best Time: May to June.

How To Reach: Board a train from Euston station in London to Liverpool.

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The capital city of Northern Ireland, Belfast is the birthplace of the sunken ocean liner, RMS Titanic. To recall the legacy of the ship, the Titanic Quarter has been built, which pays tribute to Belfast's maritime history.

Another major attraction over here is the HMS Caroline museum, which houses one of the last surviving vessels to have witnessed service in both world wars. This floating museum also displays history related to WWI and WWII.

You should also visit St. Anne's Cathedral, which is a neo-Romanesque style of a basilica featuring a beautiful mosaic ceiling and elegant stained-glass windows. Other worthwhile visits in Belfast are the Grand Opera House, Crumlin Road Gaol, the Belfast Castle and the Belfast Zoo.

Distance from London: 470.0 mi.

Best Time: April to October.

How To Reach: Board a train from Euston station to Belfast. You can also take a car ferry from London that takes ten hours and four minutes to reach Belfast.

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