Days Out Near London for Families
FAMILY DAYS OUT NEAR LONDON
Day trips just a short drive away that will entertain the kids
If you’re looking for great ideas for family days out near London then have a look at our top picks. Get some fresh air and wear the kids out at one of these top destinations, filled with adventure and fun. Pack your bucket and spade and head to one of our glorious beaches. Hunt for history and discover some castles just a short drive from London. Go on safari and explore some of the incredible zoos or escape to the country for some nature and wildlife. Whatever you choose, have a great time.
12 Days out near London for families
FOR A PIECE OF HISTORY
Tick the boxes for a history lesson, fresh air and family time with one of the hugely impressive castles a stone’s throw away. Sussex is home to Bodiam Castle, Arundel Castle and Herstmonceux, and are the perfect places for wannabe knights. Still doable in a day is Bath. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is packed with history. You can explore the city’s Roman connections (the Roman Baths are now open) and wander along the river to the sweeping avenues of Georgian architecture.
BY THE SEASIDE
If you’re not heading off on holiday any time soon, a day trip to the beach is in order. Understandably, tourist boards don’t want a repeat of the overcrowding some beaches witnessed the minute lockdown was lifted and have useful tips for visitors on their websites. West Wittering (near Chichester) is the perfect escape for Londoners for a day trip (book parking in advance) with its vast stretch of perfect sand backed by dunes. Camber Sands (East Sussex) is another idyllic spot. Spend the day on the beach, then head to the historic town of Rye with its atmospheric cobbled streets.
ON SAFARI
A day out on safari or at the zoo is the perfect antidote to summer holiday boredom. Port Lympne Safari Park in Kent has an impressive selection of animals including black rhino, gorillas, giraffe, tigers, lions, leopards, and bears. Woburn Safari Park (Bedford) has a road safari so you can see the animals from your own car. There are lions, elephants and tigers. Marwell Zoo, near Winchester, has 140 species, including tigers, gibbons, penguins and snow leopards.
ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY
With its wild ponies, pretty villages and acres of woodland to explore, the New Forest is a gem of a location. Bring your bikes as there are miles of great cycle tracks, with many suitable for the family. One of the most popular is a quick two-mile route from the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu to the historic shipbuilding village of Buckler’s Hard. The Cotswolds is also a good destination for a day trip – set off early and book for an e-bike tour of the area. Pack a picnic and head up to Broadway Tower for far-reaching views.
*Details correct at the time of writing but do check websites for the latest, as well as any requirements to pre-book and possible restrictions on length of visit.
