Something I’ve tried to do more of in recent years is get out of my normal routine, take my camera and see somewhere new at the weekend. I love travelling but you can get the holiday effect closer to home too and doing this makes for year round adventures.
I’ve shared posts on days out in Cambridge, as well as walking at Box Hill, but these are some more recent discoveries for day trips from London and Essex.
Folkestone
Just under 50 minutes on the train from Stratford International, Folkestone in Kent is an arty seaside town. The beach is stony but the water is clear and glassy, ideal for paddleboarding or swimming. I’d even go as far as to say the sea was warm! In the height of summer holidays there were only a few other people on the beach, it was such a treat to just lay in the sun and enjoy the sound of the waves on a mid-summer afternoon. The town itself is small but home to lots of local artists’ shops, which was nice to see.
Camber Sands
If you’re looking for a long stretch of sandy beach just over an hour away from London by train, Camber Sands on the East Sussex coast is your spot. Unlike Folkestone, it’s not exactly a hidden gem, so be prepared for crowds or arrive early. You can take the train from St Pancras International to Ashford International and then change for a train to Rye, from there it’s a short walk or bus journey to the sand dunes.
Burnham Beeches
Best reached by car, Burnham Beeches is a nature reserve in Buckinghamshire. The boardwalks through the woods, heather and marshland make you feel as if you’re much further away than the outskirts of London. You can take a 7.5km loop through the ancient woodland, passing ponds and fields with grazing cattle on the way.
Dunwich Heath
If you’re looking for moorlands without having to go as far as Yorkshire or Devon, you might be surprised to find them on the Suffolk coast. On the edge of Dunwich beach, a stretchy of shingle exposed coast which feels very wild and rugged, is rolling heathland that’s bright purple in late August. Dunwich Heath and beach is a National Trust area so there are well marked paths and walking routes to follow of varying lengths.
Where’s next? I’d love to know your favourite days out from London, or beyond!
