London, quite rightly, is where most people base themselves for a trip to the UK but there is lots more to see outside of the capital. It’s easy to find cheap car hire in the UK so you can soon be out exploring further afield.
Brighton
About 1.5 hours drive away; Brighton is the Londoner’s preferred seaside trip. It has nostalgia with the rides and amusements on the pier, stunning buildings such as Brighton Pavilion, great shopping in The Lanes and a long pebble beach for relaxing.
Canterbury
Also under 2 hours drive from London, this historic city has Canterbury Cathedral, a ruined castle and The Canterbury Tales attraction where you can find out about Chaucer’s medieval misadventures.
Leeds Castle
Not in the north of England in Yorkshire, but actually south, in Kent, Leeds Castle is near to Maidstone and is set on two islands in extensive parkland. Tickets are valid for a year so you can return as many times as you like.
Cambridge
This famous university town is never short of visitors. The university architecture is beautiful and one of the most well-known buildings is King’s College Chapel which took nearly 100 years to build. Go punting and see the Bridge of Sighs at St John’s College too.
Oxford
Home to England’s oldest university, Oxford has lots of things to entertain a visitor. Bodleian Library and the Ashmolean Museum are must-sees, and Christ Church College is perfect for Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland fans. Accessed through the Natural History Museum, Pitt Rivers is also worth seeing.
St Albans
This historic city deserves to get more recognition as it’s easily reached from London and has a rich history from its Roman ruins to its stunning cathedral. There’s also a street market on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Windsor
Windsor Castle is one of H.M. The Queen’s homes so therefore understandably attracts many to the town. You can tour the State Apartments, St George’s Chapel and see Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House. The town is also worth dedicating some time to as it’s positioned on the River Thames and is a great place to shop or dine.
Epping Forest
On the edge of east London, Epping Forest is an ancient woodland and was once one of King Henry VIII’s hunting grounds. The Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge was completed by his daughter, Queen Elizabeth I, and is sometimes open to the public. The forest is 12 miles long and is perfect for long walks or even horse riding.
Colchester
As it is England’s oldest recorded town, Colchester is steeped in history. There is a Roman wall and the Balkerne Gate which is the largest surviving Roman gateway in Britain. Next to it is The Hole in the Wall pub which was extended in 1843 and a hole was made in the Roman wall so you now know how it got its name. There’s also Colchester Castle to visit and look out for the 17th century bullet holes on the half-timbered houses on North Station Road.
Bristol
Often overlooked for its neighbour Bath, British has a vibrant maritime history and a cool street art scene as the home of Banksy. SS Great Britain is fun to explore and Clifton is a pretty neighbourhood of boutiques and pubs.
Anna Williams is based in the north of England and loves exploring the UK. She has visited many other countries but knows her heart belongs to the British Isles so is on an endless quest to see it all in a lifetime.
