| Exciting ways to escape London for the day
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. So every once in a while here at Londonist HQ, we like to venture beyond the capital's borders to seek out quirky, quaint, and quick-to-reach places that make for perfect day trips from London. Here are a few of our favourites...
Bit of a culture fiend? You might've already ticked most of London's museums off your bucket list, but we bet you haven't visited all of these wonderfully niche options, dotted around the Home Counties. Prefer a countryside ramble? Try one of our lakeside walks, or follow a brand new route linking Woolwich to the coast of Kent. Love history? From castles to caves and grottos, we've got you covered.
On top of all that, we've now compiled a handy map of all our favourite day trip recommendations, split into themes like "seaside", "quaint village", or "days out in nature". Whether you're planning a holiday in London and fancy seeing a bit more of southern England during your trip, or you're a Londoner looking to escape the hustle and bustle, this is a great place to start. Hit the big blue button to get inspired.
Image: Essex's Mersea Island, one of our many day trip recommendations l Shutterstock | 
