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London is an amazing city with lots of attractions. You can spend years in this city and still not run out of fun places to visit. However, if you’re a big adventurer, there comes a time when you feel the need to see other areas. Before you begin exploring other parts of the United Kingdom, start with locations that are just 1-hour drive from London.
If you live in or around London and you don’t want to spend too many hours travelling, we have compiled a list of interesting places that you can see. These locations are fun, and the best part is that it takes only an hour or even less to get there.
Table Of Contents
10 Best Places To See 1-Hour Drive From London
If you’re looking for fun things to do within an hour’s drive of London, consider the following locations.
1. Brighton: 58 Minutes
Brighton is a coastal city on the southern coast of the UK that keeps growing in popularity. This great city has several attractions that you can look forward to, but most people come here to enjoy the beachfront.
Brighton is also full of beautiful, unusual architecture, such as the iconic Brighton Pavillion. Additionally, the city unveiled the Brighton i360 in 2016. This is the tallest moving tower in the world, providing fantastic views of the surrounding area.
Brighton has a thriving nightlife and lots of festivals.
It takes only 58 minutes to get to Brighton if you board a train at London Victoria Station. By car you need about an hour and half.
2. Box Hill: 43 Minutes
Box Hill is a summit of the North Downs known for its great scenic walks and stunning views. You may have come across this location as it features in the toughest section of the London Olympics 2012 cycling road race.
Box Hill provides a mix of open woodland and chalk downland, making it an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Dogs and other pets are welcome at Box Hill.
Catch a train from Clapham Junction and arrive at Box Hill in 43 minutes. You will also arrive in approximately one hour if you go by road.
3. Hitchin Lavender Farm: 34 Minutes
Hitchin Lavender Farm is the place to be if you enjoy seeing sunflowers and lavender fields in peak season. This lavender farm is just a short distance from the Big Smoke and stretches over around 25 miles of lavender row.
The farm also offers some spectacular views over Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, and you also get to enjoy amazing walks in the surrounding area.
From St Pancras International, take a train to Hitchin. This should take about 34 minutes. Then board a taxi to the farm. You can also go by road and arrive in one hour.
4. Hever Castle: 45 Minutes
Take a trip to the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. Hever Castle is one of the UK’s oldest castles, dating back over 700 years.
The castle features a host of exciting attractions, including a water maze and a boating lake. You also get to explore the landscaped gardens and galleries.
Driving from central London to Hever takes just an hour and 15 minutes, but you can arrive in 45 minutes if you take a train from London Bridge.
Tip: Always carry a camera along so you can take amazing pictures.
5. Leeds Castle: 1 Hour
Don’t let the name confuse you. Leeds Castle isn’t actually in Leeds but in Kent. This 900-year-old castle is called ‘the loveliest castle in the world’ and gives an unforgettable experience for anyone who visits it.
Some interesting things to look forward to include the maze, falconry and adventure golf. You can even enjoy some afternoon tea in the castle dining room.
To get to Leeds Castle, board a train from London Victoria to Bearsted. Then take the shuttle bus. A drive takes just a bit over an hour too.
6: Colchester: 45 Minutes
Located in the county of Essex is Colchester, a town with a lot of history. As Britain’s oldest recorded town and former capital city, a visit to this location is worth adding to your bucket list.
Colchester is home to one of Britain’s most renowned zoos, and its museums hold artefacts up to 2,500 years old.
You can board a train from London’s Liverpool Street Station and arrive in Colchester within 45 minutes. A drive from the London Borough of Newham to Colchester takes 1 hour and 15 minutes.
7. Cambridge: 47 Minutes
If you’re a young professional or student looking to explore a bubbling city centre in the summer months, make your way to Cambridge. Cambridge offers a similar atmosphere to Oxford but is much less crowded.
Tip: Take a guided tour of King’s College Chapel at Cambridge University.
Cambridge is known for its stunning architecture and contemporary art. Some of the key places to check out include the Fitzwilliam Museum, Arts Theater and Cambridge Market.
A train from Kings Cross station to Cambridge takes 47 minutes. You can take the A1 route if you’re travelling by road.
8. Oxford: 1 Hour
Oxford, known as the city of dreaming spires, is popular for its vast number of university buildings spread over a large area, and it is one of the most architecturally stunning cities in the whole of the UK.
Explore the Oxford University grounds and see where Harry Potter was filmed. You also get to pay visits to its rivers and the popular Ashmolean and Pitt Rivers museums.
Take the First Great Western train from London Paddington Station and arrive at Oxford in approximately one hour. Alternatively, you can go by road, taking the A40 route.
9. Folkestone: 57 Minutes
Folkestone is a historic county in Kent with breathtaking beauty and creative communities. This small, historic town offers plenty to discover, no matter your interest or budget.
Start your exploration in the town centre before heading out to the narrow, cobbled streets of the Creative Quarter. Here, you’ll find numerous art galleries sitting alongside independent shops and cafes.
Tip: If you have some time, explore Canterbury, a historic city that is a short ride away from Folkestone.
Sea lovers can stop by the sandy beaches. However, if you’re more of a park person, a visit to Lower Leas Coastal Park would be preferable.
A train from St Pancras International to Folkestone takes 57 minutes, but going by car may take double the time.
10. Lewes: 1 Hour
Just over an hour away from London Waterloo train station, you have one of the UK’s best-kept secrets. Lewes in the South Downs National Park, East Sussex, is popular for being the site of the historic Battle of Lewes.
Over the years, this small town has developed and features multiple attractions, making it a great place to spend your summer holidays. Due to the town’s hilly topography, there are numerous amazing viewpoints across the streets.
You’ll also get to explore castles, gardens and several historic buildings. If you’re travelling from London to Lewes by car, expect to spend about two hours on the road.
SDVH offers MPVs for hire, so you can share the fun of attractions around London with friends and family. Contact us today to hire one of our vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Cities Are 1 Hour Away From London?
Cities that are 1 hour away from London include Brighton, Cambridge, Oxford, Southampton and Portsmouth. Cambridge and Brighton are the closest cities to London as both of them are about 50 miles (80.4 km) away from the capital city by road. However, it might take longer to reach these cities, depending on your mode of transportation and traffic.
What Is The Best Day Trip From London?
The best day trip from London is Brighton. This coastal city offers lots of attractions for people of all ages. You get to enjoy everything from beautiful architecture, such as the Royal Pavilion, to stunning beaches and scenery. Other great day trips from London include Oxford, Colchester and Box Hill.
Where Else To Travel From London?
Where else to travel from London depends on what you intend to see. There are several great places that you can explore, including cities such as Oxford, Brighton and Cambridge. Other great attractions that are only a short distance from London include Chiltern Hills, Box Hill and Hitchin Lavender Farm.
Where Is An Hour From London By Train?
There are numerous places that are an hour from London by train, but some of the most popular ones include Folkestone, Colchester, Box Hill, Hitchin Farm and Cambridge. However, the exact travel time from London by train depends on the train station you’re boarding from and the type of train.
Conclusion
You don’t have to travel a long distance if you want to explore other attractions in the UK outside of the capital city. There are several amazing cities and towns with lots of activities for people of all ages within or about 1-hour drive from London. So pack your bags and get to exploring!
