Weekend Escapes from London
Weekend escapologists, look no further! We know that sometimes you just have to get away for a couple of nights and breathe in a bit of country air. We reckon two
hours is about the furthest you want to travel from London on a Friday afternoon, so grab the car keys or jump on a train, and head out to one of our specially selected weekend escapes. We've got some cosy boutique hotels, country pubs, relaxing B&Bs and chilled-out glamping spots that you can easily reach in time for Friday night dinner. Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and even Suffolk and Norfolk in East Anglia – they're all easy from London for a great weekend away. That's the Cool Place taken care of – the rest of the weekend is all yours; see also Cool Places and Rough Guides founder Martin Dunford's tips for places to visit within half an hour of the capital.
Best Weekend Escapes from London
A historic and beautifully renovated restaurant with rooms in the heart of Canterbury
The Corner House, 1 Dover Street, Canterbury, Kent CT1 3HD
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Kent
Holidays in Canterbury
This 14th century Surrey inn is one of England's oldest places to stay, yet boasts plenty of contemporary hospitality
The Crown Inn Chiddingfold, The Green, Petworth Road, Chiddingfold, Surrey GU8 4TX
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Surrey
Holidays in Haslemere
A traditional Buckinghamshire country house hotel with spa not far from the Thames in the Chilterns
Danesfield House, Henley Road, Marlow-On-Thames, Buckinghamshire SL7 2EY
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Buckinghamshire
Holidays in Marlow
Family-owned Suffolk country hotel that's packed full of facilities, including gym, spa, pool and two championship golf courses
Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa, Keepers Lane, Leavenheath, Near Ipswich, Suffolk CO6 4PZ
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Suffolk
Holidays in Ipswich
Beautiful, contemporary light-filled lodges overlooking the woods and golf course at the Stoke by Nayland Golf and Spa Hotel.
Apple Tree Lodges, Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Keepers Lane, Leavenheath, Near Ipswich, Suffolk CO6 4PZ
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Suffolk
Holidays in Ipswich
St Michaels Manor, Fishpool Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL3 4RY
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Hertfordshire
Holidays in St. Albans
This honey-stone Oxfordshire inn is a chic Cotswolds haven with 8 stylish rooms and superb food.
The Swan Inn, Ascott-under-Wychwood, Near Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire OX7 6AY
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Oxfordshire
Holidays in Chipping Norton
A charming 15th century coaching inn renowned for its food and boutique rooms – situated in a peaceful and picturesque part of Suffolk
The Bildeston Crown, 104 High St, Bildeston, Suffolk IP7 7EB
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Suffolk
Holidays in Lavenham
A lovely country-chic weekend escape, serving some of the best food in the West Midlands.
Hampton Manor, Shadowbrook Lane Hampton-in-Arden Solihull Warwickshire B92 0DQ
Holidays in West Midlands
Holidays in Birmingham
An elegant restaurant with rooms situated on a glorious Sussex estate.
Leonardslee House, Brighton Rd, Lower Beeding, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 6PP
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in West Sussex
Holidays in Horsham
This beautiful East Sussex vineyard has a restaurant with 10 swoon-worthy boutique rooms
Rathfinny Wine Estate, Alfriston, East Sussex BN26 5TU
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in East Sussex
Holidays in Alfriston
A proper country restaurant and pub, with four comfy guest rooms and superb field-to-fork cooking.
The Pointer, 27 Church Street, Brill, Buckinghamshire HP18 9RT
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Buckinghamshire
Holidays in Aylesbury
A perfect weekend escape for both work and play by the Thames.
The Swan at Streatley, Coppa Club, Streatley-On-Thames, Near Reading, Berkshire RG8 9HR
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Berkshire
Holidays in Reading
Worth a trip for the bar snacks alone, but this Sussex pub also has two luxury double bedrooms.
Richmond Arms, West Ashling, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 8EA
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in West Sussex
Holidays in Chichester
Stylish rooms above a riverside restaurant and bar by the Thames in Sonning
The Great House at Sonning, Coppa Club, The Great House, Thames Street, Sonning-on-Thames, Berkshire RG4 6UT
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Berkshire
Holidays in Reading
Modern rooms in a heritage building above a stylish Surrey restaurant and bar
The Georgian House at Haslemere, Coppa Club, Coppa at The Georgian, High Street, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 2JY
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Surrey
Holidays in Haslemere
Privately owned Northamptonshire country house hotel with a relaxed vibe, a good restaurant and spa
Rushton Hall, Desborough Rd, Rushton, Kettering, Northamptonshire NN14 1RR
Holidays in East Midlands
Holidays in Northamptonshire
Holidays in Kettering
A boutique Surrey gastropub with rooms just minutes from Weybridge station
Hand & Spear, Old Heath Road, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 8TX
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Surrey
Holidays in Weybridge
Country living at its best – two stunning B&B rooms with period touches in an historic Hampshire manor
Borough Court, Borough Court Road, Hartley Wintney, Hampshire RG27 8JA
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Hampshire
Holidays in Hartley Wintney
A boutique B&B perfectly located for seeing the best of Windsor.
Alma House, 56 Alma Rd Windsor Berkshire SL4 3HA
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Berkshire
Holidays in Windsor
Expect great service at The Cavalaire in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere – and a breakfast that is second to none.
The Cavalaire, 34 Upper Rock Gardens Brighton BN2 1QF
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in East Sussex
Holidays in Brighton
Two lovely rooms and a gypsy caravan by the sea – with optional pottery courses!
Vinegar Hill Pottery B&B, The Pottery, Vinegar Hill, Milford on Sea,Hampshire SO41 0RZ
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Hampshire
Holidays in Milford on Sea
This Northamptonshire luxury guest house is like staying in your very own country house hotel.
Flore House, The Avenue, Flore, Northamptonshire NN7 4LZ
Holidays in East Midlands
Holidays in Northamptonshire
Holidays in Northampton
A restaurant with rooms in an unspoilt Essex seaside town
The Oyster Smack Inn, 112 Station Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex CM0 8HR
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Essex
Holidays in Burnham-on-Crouch
A terrific pub with rooms serving top-notch food and local ales bang in the centre of Rye.
The Standard Inn, The Mint, Rye, East Sussex TN31 7EN
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Holidays in East Sussex
Holidays in Rye
Central Colchester's best place to stay, with well-appointed rooms and an excellent restaurant
Greyfriars, High Street, Colchester, Essex CO1 1UG
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Essex
Holidays in Colchester
A cool and comfortable boutique hotel above a brilliant restaurant in – where else? – Bexhill-on-Sea!
The Driftwood, 40 Sackville Road, Bexhill, East Sussex TN39 3JE
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in East Sussex
Holidays in Bexhill on Sea
A characterful 17th-century boutique coaching inn nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds
The Old Stocks Inn, The Square, Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire GL54 1AF
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Gloucestershire
Holidays in Stow-on-the-Wold
A quintessential Kentish pub with superb food and stylish rooms.
The Duke William, The Street Ickham Canterbury Kent CT3 1QP
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Kent
Holidays in Canterbury
Boutique hotel with comfy, stylish rooms, good food and a great location in one of Suffolk's most popular villages
The Long Melford Swan, Long Melford, Suffolk CO10 9JQ
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Suffolk
Holidays in Long Melford
This Folkestone boutique B&B is full of personality, serves superb food and has views out to the English Channel
Rocksalt Rooms, 4-5 Fishmarket Folkestone Kent CT19 6AA
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Kent
Holidays in Folkestone
Treat yourself to a break by the sea at Southend at this slick boutique hotel and restaurant.
Seven Hotel, 7 Clifton Terrace Southend-on-Sea Essex SS1 1DT
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Essex
Holidays in Southend on Sea
A cosy and comfortable – yet thoroughly contemporary – old coaching inn, with luxurious rooms and great food.
The Bull Hotel, Market Place, Fairford, Gloucestershire GL7 4AA
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Gloucestershire
Tasty food and lovely rooms welcome you at this historic Oxfordshire village pub.
The Lion at Bicester, Wendlebury Road, Wendlebury, Bicester, Oxfordshire OX25 2PW
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Oxfordshire
Holidays in Bicester
Unique glamping in a beautiful location not far from Dover in the downlands of southeastern Kent
Greenhill Glamping, Greenhill Glamping, Alkham Court, Meggett Lane, South Alkham, Dover, Kent CT15 7DG
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Kent
Holidays in Dover
A family-friendly country house B&B in the heart of the Norfolk Broads, with spectacular grounds, a tennis court, and a heated swimming pool
The Old Rectory Catfield, The Old Rectory, Catfield, Norfolk, NR29 5DA
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Horning
This dream self-contained apartment in the South Downs comes close to being our ideal B&B.
The Jointure Studios, 11 South Street, Ditchling, Sussex BN6 8UQ
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in East Sussex
Holidays in Ditchling
It's hard to image imagine a more relaxing place for a couple to unwind this close to London.
The Cowshed, The Brew, Knowle Lane, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 8JN
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Surrey
Holidays in Guildford
A lakeside escape for two in the heart of East Sussex.
The Fisherman's Hut, Hastingford Fishery, Hastingford Lane, Hadlow Down, East Sussex TN22 4DY
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in East Sussex
Luxury private yurt glamping and shepherds hut on an organic farm in the heart of the Kent Downs AONB
Free Range Glamping, Bore Place, Bore Place Road, Chiddingstone, Edenbridge TN8 7AR
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Kent
Holidays in Sevenoaks
Welcoming, well-run woodland glamping in the heart of rural Suffolk.
West Stow Pods, West Stow Pods, Ingham Road, West Stow, Suffolk IP28 6EX
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Suffolk
Holidays in Bury St. Edmunds
Luxury yurt holidays on a small Sussex family farm
Graywood Canvas Cottages, Graywood Canvas Cottages, Graywood Farm, Graywood Lane, Graywood, East Hoathly, East Sussex BN8 6QT
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in East Sussex
Holidays in Uckfield
Adult only glamping lodges complete with a hot tubs, barbecues BBQs – and exquisite views of the Chilterns
The Chilterns View, Ewelme Down Farm, Ewelme, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 6PQ
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Oxfordshire
Holidays in Watlington
A family-friendly country cottage close to the North Norfolk coast
Field House Cottage, Moorgate Road, Hindringham, Fakenham, Norfolk NR21 0BT
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Fakenham
A modern take on a classic pub, focused on ‘sustainable British luxury’, with outstanding food and stylish rooms
The Loch & the Tyne, 10 Crimp Hill, Old Windsor, Berkshire SL4 2QY
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Berkshire
Holidays in Windsor
Just outside Lewes, this East Sussex glamping and camping site is a wonderful place to get back to nature.
Secret Campsite, Brickyard Farm, Town Littleworth, Cooksbridge, Lewes, East Sussex BN8 4TD
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in East Sussex
Holidays in Lewes
A rural idyll on the edge of the Cotswolds for couples or families, with lovely accommodation, wild swimming, tennis and more.
Brandiers Farm, Crossing Ln, Brandier, Malmesbury, Wiltshire SN16 9PZ
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Wiltshire
Holidays in Malmesbury
An eco-friendly shepherds hut based on a working farm near Beccles in Suffolk
Berry Farm, Berry Farm, Clarkes Lane, Ilketshall St Andrew, Norfolk NR34 8HR
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Suffolk
Holidays in Beccles
