Thanks to its surfeit of laid-back seafood restaurants, the spectacular Turner Contemporary https://www.turnercontemporary.org/ art gallery (supported by British artist Tracey Emin) and Dreamland https://www.dreamland.co.uk/ retro-style theme park, this kitsch seaside locale is the place to head on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Ride the rollercoaster, stop off in one of the cafes and soak up the blissful summer rays. Getting there: Trains from St Pancras and London Victoria stations take around 90 minutes and two hours, respectively, from £20 ($36) return nationalrail.co.uk

Steeped in history, this internationally renowned city welcomes flocks of visitors to its famous university grounds. With ancient pubs dating as far back to 1242 (The Bear Inn), Oxford is a place of history and allure. Expect beautiful architecture, an array of museums, restaurants, markets, cafes and independent shops, an enormous library (the Bodleian Libraries), and breathtaking venues hosting festivals and live concerts. There’s more than enough to do to make a day of it. Getting there: Trains from London Paddington Station take one hour, from £29 ($52) return nationalrail.co.uk

Smaller than Oxford, Cambridge’s honey-stone colleges are just as striking, with many set against the beautiful backdrop of the River Cam, where swarms of tourists and (sometimes slightly inebriated) students take to the water each summer for a bit of clumsy punting. The best way to explore is by bike – Cambridge is the most cycle-friendly city in the south, with cycle paths aplenty and bikes chained up against almost every iron fence in the city – and you’ll find plenty of places to hire them. There are some great gastropubs and independent eateries for foodies, too. Getting there: Trains from King’s Cross and London Liverpool Street stations take around 50 minutes and one hour 20 minutes, respectively, from £27.50 ($50) return nationalrail.co.uk

With cool hotels, quirky cafes, a boho arts scene and one of England’s biggest, brightest festivals, https://brightonfestival.org/ this eccentric seaside city is one of the best places to venture for a change of scenery. Whether you’re after gourmet grub, live music or beachfront yoga, Brighton has everything you could ever wish for, and plenty more. The beach area is always buzzing with live music and street performers swarming up and down the promenade, while crowds spill out from the beachfront bars as they sip on sundowners in the balmy afternoon sun. Getting there: Trains from London Bridge, Victoria and St Pancras stations take around one hour and one hour 20 minutes, respectively, from £12.20 ($22) nationalrail.co.uk

One of the most idyllic rural spots in the UK, the Cotswolds is home to some of the country’s prettiest towns and villages – complete with stone houses, thatched cottages and sweeping countryside views. You’ll find striking landscapes that will leave you breathless and a plethora of old pubs to hole up in after a brisk afternoon walk. Play at being a country dweller, for the day at least. Hotspots to visit? Moreton-in-Marsh, Chipping Norton and Kingham. Getting there: Trains from London Paddington Station to Moreton-in-Marsh take around 90 minutes, from £41.30 ($74) return nationalrail.co.uk

A hub of culture and creativity, Bristol is known for its diverse, offbeat character. You’ll find a wealth of cool hangouts, community-run cafes and music venues dotted around – not to mention the graffiti-covered streets left behind by the city’s notorious street artist Banksy. Bursting with culture, Bristol is full of fabulous quirks and with a great food and drink scene to boot. Getting there: Trains from London Paddington Station take around one hour 40 minutes, from £59.50 ($107) return nationalrail.co.uk

Just half an hour from London, Windsor’s charming riverside setting makes for a glorious afternoon getaway. As well as the famous Eton College https://www.etoncollege.com/ and historic castle https://www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/windsorcastle – an official residence of Queen Elizabeth II – you can take a quiet stroll along the banks of the River Thames, or in one of the many gorgeous parks in the area. Old Windsor is just 10 minutes by taxi, where you’ll find endless stretches of beautiful green landscapes, though the buzzing city centre, full of expensive boutiques, grand cafes and bustling restaurants, is enough to keep you occupied if you’re just visiting for the day. Getting there: Trains from London Paddington Station take 30 minutes, from £11.70 ($21) return nationalrail.co.uk

Famed for its stunning seven-mile (11km) strip of soft, golden sands and sparkling seas, Bournemouth is one of the most appealing coastal spots in the South of England. During the day, crowds flock to bask in the sun, but Bournemouth really comes alive at night with late-night clubs, live music venues and plenty of cool restaurants and slick cocktail bars providing refuge for travellers. Be warned: after a couple of glasses you might be tempted to miss the last train back to London. Getting there: Trains from London Waterloo Station take a little under two hours, from £46.90 ($84) return nationalrail.co.uk