Pebble beach in Brighton, a popular seaside escape from London
Destination Guide🇪🇺 United Kingdom

Weekend Getaways from London

Escape the hustle and bustle of London with these top weekend getaways, including Brighton, Oxford, Cambridge, Bath, and Canterbury.

Staff Writer

August 16, 2026 · 3 min read

Key takeaways

  • London is an incredible city with a wealth of things to see and do.
  • Brighton is a vibrant, colourful city located just an hour south of London by train.
  • Cambridge is another historic university city that makes for a great weekend getaway from London.
  • Walking distance from Brighton station to the seafront: 10 minutes.
  • Opening hours for Brighton Pier: 10am-10pm daily.

London is an incredible city with a wealth of things to see and do. But sometimes, even the most dedicated Londoners need a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. If you're looking for a quick escape, there are plenty of great weekend getaways from London to choose from. Here are a few of our favourites.

Pebble beach in Brighton, a popular seaside escape from London
Brighton beach

Brighton

Brighton is a vibrant, colourful city located just an hour south of London by train. It's a popular destination for Londoners looking for a quick seaside escape, and it's easy to see why. Brighton is known for its pebble beaches, colourful houses, and independent shops and restaurants. Some worth the trip attractions in Brighton include the Royal Pavilion, Brighton Pier, and the Sea Life Brighton aquarium. And be sure to check out the city's many vintage shops and record stores for a taste of Brighton's bohemian vibe.

  • Train ticket price: £10-£20
  • Walking distance from Brighton station to the seafront: 10 minutes
  • Opening hours for Brighton Pier: 10am-10pm daily

Oxford

If you're looking for a culture-filled weekend getaway from London, look no further than Oxford. This historic city is home to the prestigious University of Oxford, as well as a number of other museums, galleries, and theatres. Some worth the trip attractions in Oxford include the Ashmolean Museum, the Bodleian Library, and the Sheldonian Theatre. And be sure to take a stroll through the city's charming cobbled streets, which are lined with beautiful architecture and independent shops and cafes.

  • Train ticket price: £10-£30
  • Walking distance from Oxford station to the city centre: 10 minutes
  • Opening hours for the Ashmolean Museum: 10am-5pm Tuesday-Sunday
Historic architecture at Oxford University, a cultural weekend getaway from London
Oxford University

Cambridge

Cambridge is another historic university city that makes for a great weekend getaway from London. Like Oxford, Cambridge is home to a number of museums, galleries, and theatres, as well as the famous University of Cambridge. Some worth the trip attractions in Cambridge include the Fitzwilliam Museum, the King's College Chapel, and the Cambridge University Botanic Garden. And be sure to take a punt on the River Cam for a unique perspective on the city's beautiful architecture.

  • Train ticket price: £10-£30
  • Walking distance from Cambridge station to the city centre: 10 minutes
  • Opening hours for the Fitzwilliam Museum: 10am-5pm Tuesday-Sunday

Bath

Bath is a beautiful, historic city located in the west of England. It's famous for its Roman baths, which are a worth the trip attraction for any visitor to the city. But there's more to Bath than just its ancient ruins. The city is also home to a number of other museums, galleries, and theatres, as well as beautiful Georgian architecture and picturesque parks and gardens. Some worth the trip attractions in Bath include the Roman Baths, the Bath Abbey, and the Holburne Museum.

  • Train ticket price: £20-£40
  • Walking distance from Bath station to the city centre: 10 minutes
  • Opening hours for the Roman Baths: 9:30am-5:30pm daily

What flights LON to TLL actually cost

Prices below are live fares from Aviasales. We may earn a commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you.

The cheapest return found right now is €87 with Ryanair, departing 11 Sept 2026 (2h 45m each way). See current fares.

Cheapest dates to fly

DeparturePriceAirlineStops
11 Sept 2026€87RyanairDirectCheck
4 Dec 2026€108AL1 stopCheck
15 Dec 2026€140W41 stopCheck
28 Dec 2026€187SAS1 stopCheck
27 Aug 2026€188Ryanair2 stopCheck

Live fares, checked 16 Aug 2026. Prices change daily.

Booking in Tallinn: where to look

We may earn a commission from the links below, at no extra cost to you. We only list services we would use ourselves.

  • Tiqets — Instant mobile tickets for museums and landmarks
  • Klook — Attraction tickets and passes, strong in Asia
  • KKday — Local experiences and day tours
  • Welcome Pickups — Fixed-price airport transfer, driver waits for you

Canterbury

Canterbury is a historic city located in the southeast of England. It's best known as the site of the Canterbury Cathedral, which is a worth the trip attraction for any visitor to the city. But there's more to Canterbury than just its religious history. The city is also home to a number of other museums, galleries, and theatres, as well as beautiful medieval streets and a lively student population. Some worth the trip attractions in Canterbury include the Canterbury Cathedral, the Canterbury Roman Museum, and the St. Augustine's Abbey.

  • Train ticket price: £20-£40
  • Walking distance from Canterbury station to the city centre: 10 minutes
  • Opening hours for the Canterbury Cathedral: 9am-5pm Monday-Saturday, 12:30pm-2:30pm Sunday

These are just a few of the many great weekend getaways from London. Whether you're looking for a culture-filled city break or a relaxing seaside escape, there's a wide range within easy reach of the capital. So why not plan your next weekend getaway today?

Punting on the River Cam, a unique way to see the beautiful architecture of Cambridge
Punting on the River Cam in Cambridge

Frequently asked questions

How far is Brighton from London?

Brighton is just an hour south of London by train, making it a popular destination for Londoners looking for a quick seaside escape.

What is there to do in Oxford?

Oxford is home to the prestigious University of Oxford, as well as a number of other museums, galleries, and theatres. Take a stroll through the city's charming cobbled streets for a taste of its rich history and culture.

What is the best way to see Cambridge?

Take a punt on the River Cam for a unique perspective on Cambridge's beautiful architecture. The city is also home to the famous University of Cambridge, as well as a number of museums, galleries, and theatres.

What are the worth seeing attractions in Bath?

Bath is famous for its Roman baths, but don't miss the city's other museums, galleries, and theatres, as well as its beautiful Georgian architecture and picturesque parks and gardens.

What is the history of Canterbury?

Canterbury is a historic city located in the southeast of England, best known as the site of the Canterbury Cathedral. The city also has a lively student population and a number of other museums, galleries, and theatres.