10 day trips from London for an easy and fun break from the city

While London is a buzzing and vibrant capital, there's no denying it's lovely to escape to the country or the seaside for a bit of fresh air and farm-to-fork fare.

There's a host of beautiful day trips from London that you can take to get an easy and affordable break from the city; within an hour and a half, you could eating fresh lobster at a seaside shack in Whitstable, taking a punt along the river in Cambridge or Oxford, soaking up the glorious views and local food in The Cotswolds, or treating the kids to a trip to Legoland in Windsor or the Harry Potter studio tour.

There's also majestic palaces (we're looking at you, Blenheim), and jaw-dropping film locations (hello, Highclere Castle), all within easy reach.

We've rounded up the best day trips from London below for an easy, rejuvenating, fun and cultured break from the capital. Go on, book that day off...

The ideal spot for stressed-out city-folk to get some mood-boosting, fresh sea air... And a dozen or so oysters while you're at it. This pretty seaside town is all pastel beach huts and shops and seriously decent seafood. The thriving art scene offers a great way to get cultured; try a visit to the cool Fishlabs Gallery or Chappell Contemporary. Head to The Lobster Shack for the best of that aforementioned boat-to-bar seafood.

Getting there: One hour 20 minutes by train from London Victoria or one hour 10 minutes from St Pancras International; around one hour 40 minutes by car.

Is there anything prettier than driving through beautiful country lanes and chocolate-box villages with wild ponies roaming across your path? It's hard to beat as a day trip from London. Head to Sway, where you can step off the train and head for a nine-mile bike ride around Sway to Setthhorns Loop; head to Lymington for a spot of retail therapy and seaside walks; or discover Beaulieu, a village that dates back to the 13th century, and where you can enjoy a riverside picnic or visit the National Motor Museum.

Getting there: One hour 30 minutes by train from London Waterloo to Brockenhurst or next Sway; around two hours by car.

Combine culture club with all the fun of the fair at this seaside favourite that's certainly having a renaissance. Following the opening of the Turner Contemporary gallery in 2011, a cavalcade of cool coffee shops and bars selling craft beers and on-point food have popped up. Get your culture fix at the gallery, do some shopping at the vintage clothes and furniture shops (don't miss Cliff Terrace, the flagship store of cult natural skincare brand Haeckels, which creates beauty products using seaweed gathered on the nearby beach), and then ride the rollercoasters at Dreamland.

Getting there: One hour and 25 minutes by train from St Pancras.

Treat the kids or grandkids (and, let's be honest, yourself), to this completely magical tour of the Harry Potter studios, set literally just outside of London. Try Butter Beer, see the fantastic costumes and sets, and even 'fly' on a broomstick on magical day trip from London.

Getting there: The Studio Tour’s nearest railway station is Watford Junction and direct services arrive there from London Euston in 20 minutes.

This iconic British city is a beautiful setting for a day trip from London. Spend the morning punting on the River Cam before visiting the jaw-dropping buildings that make up Cambridge University as well as its botanic gardens. And, of course, you've got to have an afternoon tea while you're there; try cosy Fitzbillies, which has been around since the 1920s, and is a Cambridge institution.

Getting there: Around 50 minutes by train from King's Cross.

Seeing this cultured city is described as taking a trip to the "brains of a nation" by VisitBritain. Tour the hallowed halls of the university and follow the footsteps of Prime Minister and, of course, Harry Potter. Several scenes from the movies were shot here, and you can get a guided tour of Oxford University’s Bodleian Library – which will be familiar to fans as Hogwarts Library. Enjoy a hop-on, hop-off bus tour for a pleasant way to take in the city's sights, and don't miss a punt along the river or a visit to the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology.

Getting there: Around an hour and a half's drive or an hour on the train from London Paddington.

The limestone hills and picture-postcard villages of The Cotswolds are quintessentially English and utterly charming. A favourite of celebrities (the royals and the Beckhams own homes here), and with the arrival of upscale hotel Soho Farmhouse it's elevated its foodie scene; don't miss a visit to Daylesford's organic farm shop and cafe for lunch. Explore villages with boutique shops and honey-hued stone – Castle Combe, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Broadway are all fantastic. There's also country walks a-plenty in this large Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Getting there: Cirencester is thought of as the capital of the Cotswolds, and is one hour and 20 minutes from London Paddington.

Blenheim Palace is a truly unforgettable day trip from London; from its stunning Baroque architecture to its extraordinary parkland and gardens, this exquisite palace is home to the 12th Duke of Marlborough, and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Discover its sumptuous and vast interiors, and see if you recognise it from films like Spectre. It's set very close to The Cotswolds, so you could always pop there for dinner afterwards.

Getting there: It's a one and a half hour drive north west of London, but you can also get the train from London Marylebone to Oxford Parkway and jump on the bus to Woodstock/Blenheim.

Steeped in pageantry and royal history, Windsor makes a delightful day trip from London. As well as the main attraction of Windsor Castle – one of the Queen's official royal residences and the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world – you can also tour Eton College, where Prince William and Harry went to school. The lively town is surrounded by beautiful countryside and boasts a beautiful riverside location. And when the kids get bored? Simply head to Legoland Windsor for some fun.

Getting there: It's just half an hour by train from London Paddington.

If you're a Downton Abbey fan (that's everybody, then), you'll recognise this facade instantly. You can take a tour of this magnificent Victorian house and discover the real-life story of the Carnarvon family who've lived here since the 1700, as well as seeing where some of your favourite scenes from Downton Abbey were filmed. But you don't need to be a fan to appreciate Highclere Castle, with its numerous art collections, and a stroll through the gardens being a must.

Getting there: A one and a half hour drive from London.

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