Today I want to bring you my list of country breaks near London you’ll love. There are a lot of great places to travel in and around the English countryside. Whether you enjoy long walks, pretty villages, or scenic drives, there are country getaways near London that will fit your style. If you’re looking for your next great escape from the city, my list will help you find the perfect destination for you. I’ve included a map, too.
Country Breaks Near London
My guide to country breaks near London includes a variety of trips in the UK. Whether you’re looking for country weekend breaks near London, countryside retreats near London, or the best country spa hotels near London, there’s an ideal one for you.
From the home counties to places further afield, these getaways will take you to some of the best places to visit in the UK. With idyllic scenery and peaceful surroundings, they showcase Britain’s finest offerings.
I’ve visited all the places on my list (many of them more than once), and I can personally vouch for how good they are. There are a lot more ideas in the book 52 Great British Weekends, too. You can get it on Amazon here.
1. Country Break in the Cotswolds
I’ll start my list of country breaks near London with the Cotswolds. When it comes to scenery, it’s hard to beat this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Just 2 hours from London by car, it’s a great place to get away from the city.
With quintessential villages, bucolic landscapes, and picture-pretty towns, it’s one of the most popular rural weekend escapes from London.
Whether you drive or travel to the Cotswolds without a car, there’s plenty to do and see on a short break.
From walking through villages like Painswick and Upper Slaughter to visiting National Trust properties in the Cotswolds, there’s a variety of ways to spend your time here.
If you like getting outdoors, there are great Cotswolds walks you can take in places like Moreton-in-Marsh and Burford. They’re ideal ways to get to know the area on foot.
If you’re traveling in a specific season, my spring weekend in the Cotswolds, autumn weekend in the Cotswolds, and winter weekend in the Cotswolds blog posts can help. My interactive Cotswolds map is a useful resource, too.
If you want to take this trip, you can book a hotel in the Cotswolds here. There are lots of beautiful places to stay in the area, including country spa hotels.
2. Country Break in Kent
Kent comes next on my list of the best country breaks near London. Out in the southeast of England, this county is bursting with places to escape to for a couple days (or longer!). Whether you travel by train or car, there are a lot of options.
From oyster-laden Whitstable to hipster Margate, pretty Deal, postcard-perfect Rochester, beachfront Broadstairs, underrated Folkestone, harborside Ramsgate, castle-topped Dover, and cathedral-graced Canterbury, there are lots of pretty towns and small cities to discover.
Add to that stately homes like Knole in Sevenoaks and historic fortresses like Scotney Castle, and there’s a wide variety of places to visit in Kent. You can take great country walks in the county, too.
You can even go wine, cider, and beer tasting in Kent. It’s the perfect way to discover the area through its famous English drinks. There are lots of wineries, cider producers, and breweries in the county, so you have a good deal of choice.
If you want to take this trip, you can book a hotel in Kent here. I’ve stayed at The Bay Tree in Broadstairs, The Relish in Folkestone, and The Sun Inn in Faversham, and I recommend them all.
3. Country Break in West Sussex
West Sussex is another of the best country breaks near London. This county in southern England is an easy trip from the city and an ideal place to escape from the UK capital for a quick adventure or relaxing getaway.
There are plenty of options when it comes to West Sussex weekend breaks. I particularly like the South Downs National Park, the Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and Arundel, which has an amazing castle.
Petworth, a chocolate-box town full of cobbled streets and pretty shops, is also fun to visit. The town is home to the impressive Petworth House, a 17th-century stately home near London.
Petworth House has an amazing art collection and grounds designed by renowned 18th-century landscape architect Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown.
There are lots of fun West Sussex walks you can do in the area as well. From Knepp Castle Estate to Cissbury Ring and West Chiltington, you have good options to choose from.
Then there are the wineries, many of which welcome visitors. From Tinwood Estate to Kinsbrook Vineyard, I’ve enjoyed tours and tastings at a number of them over the years. New ones are popping up all the time, too.
If you want to take this trip, you can book a hotel in West Sussex here. From hotels to B&Bs, guesthouses, and country house hotels, there are lots of good places to stay in the county.
4. Country Break in Hampshire
Hampshire is another of the best country breaks near London. This county is brimming with everything from idyllic villages to scenic landscapes, colorful lavender fields, and peaceful woodland areas.
There’s no shortage of places in Hampshire for country escapes near London. If villages are your thing, places like East Meon are hard to beat. The traditional thatched-roof cottages here are straight out of a fairy tale.
If you enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, the South Downs National Park and the New Forest are perfect places to travel. The latter has great hotels and restaurants like The Pig in Brockenhurst.
You can even visit Jane Austen’s house here. It’s located in the village of Chawton and it’s one of the best Jane Austen sites in England. You can see her bedroom and personal effects like her writing table inside.
If you want to get away to Hampshire, you can book a hotel here. I’ve stayed at The Greyhound on The Test Hotel in Stockbridge and I love its stylish country atmosphere. You can book a room here.
5. Country Break in Rye
Rye is next on my list of country breaks near London. Out in East Sussex, this jewel of a town is full of cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, idyllic cottages, and haunted inns.
It’s one of the prettiest towns in England and one of my favorite weekend trips from London by train.
There are a lot of fun things to do in Rye. From climbing the church’s bell tower to visiting the former home of writer Henry James and exploring the picture-perfect streets, this town has a lot to offer for a 2-night break in the UK.
Rye is also an easy walk from Camber Castle, a historic fortress with connections to Henry VIII. It’s one of my favorite castles near London. And that’s to say nothing of its proximity to Camber Sands, one of the best beaches in East Sussex.
If you want to take this short break from London, you can book a hotel in Rye here. If you want something unique, the Mermaid Inn is rumored to be haunted. You can book a room here.
6. Country Break in North Norfolk
North Norfolk is one of the best country breaks from London by car. Whether you love stately homes, shopping, pubs, or beaches, there’s something in this part of the county for you.
From Burnham Market to Wells-next-the-Sea, there’s no shortage of places to stay for a weekend in Norfolk. Add to that famous stretches of sand like Holkham Beach, and this area of England has a lot going for it.
If you want to take this short break from the UK capital, you can book accommodation here. I’ve stayed at a number of hotels in North Norfolk, and my top pick is The Hoste. You can book a room here.
7. Country Break in Brecon Beacons National Park
Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales is another of my favorite countryside weekend breaks near London. It’s ideal if you love nature.
I’ve traveled to this part of Britain many times, and on every trip I’ve gained a greater appreciation of its abundance of walking trails, waterfalls, and pretty towns and villages.
From climbing Pen y Fan to eating my heart out at the Abergavenny Food Festival, the area has impressed me with the variety of weekend breaks in Wales on offer.
If you’re visiting the Brecon Beacons in a particular season, you can use my blog posts about a summer weekend in Wales and a winter weekend in Wales for specific travel tips.
If you want to go on this country getaway, you can book accommodation here. There’s a variety of options when it comes to places to stay, including B&Bs, hotels, and holiday cottages and homes.
8. Country Break in Surrey
Surrey is one of the closest country breaks from London. Depending where you’re starting and ending, it takes around an hour to drive here from the city (and less by train).
It’s quick and easy to get out and into the idyllic landscapes this part of England has to offer.
Once here, there’s a lot you can do. From exploring local towns to visiting a lavender field near London and going on country walks, the county offers a variety of activities.
The Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has everything from storybook landscapes to rambling paths. You can see the highlights on a country walk in Surrey.
There are great villages to visit, too. Shere is known for being a filming location for the movie The Holiday, and Peaslake is famous for mountain biking.
If you want to take this break, you can book a place to stay here. There are a lot of great options in the county, including pubs with rooms, converted priories, and charming inns.
9. Country Break in the Wye Valley
On the border of England and Wales, the Wye Valley is another great country break near London. The first organized tour in Britain took place here, leading to the area’s reputation as the birthplace of British tourism.
An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Wye Valley is home to pretty towns and bucolic countryside.
From shopping for antiques in the market town of Ross-on-Wye to exploring the ruins of Tintern Abbey in Monmouthshire, there’s a lot to do in this part of the UK.
If you like getting outdoors, Symonds Yat Rock is the perfect place to go for a walk and take in sweeping views over the River Wye. There are hiking trails through the Forest of Dean from Symonds Yat, too.
If you want to go on this country escape from London, you can book accommodation in the Wye Valley here. There are lots of great options for places to stay, including farmhouses, cottages, and Elizabethan manor houses.
10. Country Break in the Peak District
Next on my list of the best countryside breaks near London is the Peak District and Derbyshire. This area is not only full of natural beauty but also some of the most famous stately homes in Britain. It’s one of my favorite weekend getaways from London.
Chatsworth House is celebrated in its own right, and it’s also known for being a filming location for Pride & Prejudice and other movies set in England.
Other stately homes in the Peak District have been used as filming locations for movies adapted from Bronte sister novels. Towns like Matlock and Bakewell are lovely as well.
If you like hiking, the Peak District has you covered, too. There are lots of great walks and rambles you can do in Derbyshire.
If you want to take this break, you can book accommodation here. My top pick for a place to stay in the area is The Cow Dalbury. It’s a stylish place, and you can book a room here.
11. Country Break in Devon
Devon is another of the best country breaks from London. Down in the south of England, this county is known for its dramatic coastline and beautiful landscapes. It’s one of my favorite 3-day trips from London.
There are lots of exciting places to travel in Devon, from the seaside in Salcombe to the tower in Glastonbury. National Parks like Dartmoor, abbeys like Buckfast, and towns like Tavistock are lovely, too.
You can learn more in my blog post about a tour of Devon I took with a company called Rabbie’s. You can even book the tour I went on here. It’s a great way to get an overview of what the county and surrounding areas have to offer.
You can book accommodation in Devon here. There’s a range of places to stay in the area, including historic hotels, guesthouses, and inns.
Map of Country Breaks Near London
Best Country Breaks Near London
I hope you’ve liked my list of country breaks near London, and that it’s helped you discover new places to travel from the UK capital. There are a lot of amazing destinations within a short drive or train ride from the city. Happy exploring!
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