You don’t have to drive a car to be able to take a day trip out from south east London this summer - but instead the world is your oyster when you travel by train.
With school summer holidays in full swing and the weather heating up, you might be looking for a little escape.
Whether you fancy a day at the seaside, a ride on a vintage steam train or a chance to explore some local history, there’s something that everyone can enjoy on this list.
Here’s our top picks:
Walk among wild deer in Sevenoaks
Packed with history and of course deer, Knole in Sevenoaks makes for a great family day out for picnicking, walking with the dogs and sightseeing.
Now owned by the National Trust, this 600-year-old estate boats a whopping 1,000 acres of land to explore along with an orangery, showroom, stately home and tower if you fancy some indoor exploration too.
Outside you can enjoy woodland walks and views of the Kent countryside, which you can either explore yourself or take one of the marked trails taking up to 75 minutes.
Knole is easily accessible from Sevenoaks station by shuttle bus or by a 20-minute walk up the high-street, which hosts a huge array of shops and eateries if you fancy exploring the high street afterwards.
Hop aboard a vintage steam train in Tunbridge Wells
Just a 45-minute train ride away from London Bridge you’ll find Tunbridge Wells, which is home to Spa Valley Railway, one of England’s surviving heritage railway lines still in operation.
Starting at Old Tunbridge West Station, visitors can hop aboard one of the steam-engine pulled carriages dating back to the 1940s for a train ride through the Spa Valley landscape.
You can either stay aboard or opt for a rover ticket where you can hop off at the three stations on the route - Eridge, Groomsbridge and High Rocks - if you fancy exploring the quaint villages or stopping for a drink at one of the local pubs.
Back at Tunbridge Wells you’ll also find a museum featuring a collection of train memorabilia, locomotives and models to explore, to find out more about the railway and its role from when it was built in the 19th century.
Tickets to board the train for their regular journeys start at £15 for adults, £14 for seniors and £8 for children, or a family ticket for two children and two adults for £38.
Dogs are also welcome at no extra cost, provided they remain on leads during the train ride.
Wander round the chocolate box village of Eynsford
If you’re looking for a quaint English village to explore, Eynsford is just an 18-minute train ride away from Bromley South and makes for an idyllic day spent in the Kent countryside with plenty of nearby attractions.
The village with its wooden houses, cottages, village pubs and a ford famously appeared in The Larkins TV series.
After a walk through the village, stop by the nearby attractions Lullingstone Roman Villa and Lullingstone Castle to explore some of Eynsford’s history.
There are also some scenic walks you can take, including a walk up to the iconic sight of Eynsford Viaduct.
If you get peckish, you can stop off at The Plough Inn if you’re looking for a cosy pub serving Mediterranean food.
Admire the beautiful scenery at Canterbury
With its scenic punting spots, historic houses and famous cathedral, Canterbury is a perfect spot for anyone with a love for history photography.
The town famously appeared in Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and has long since been known for its links to pilgrims who travelled to the Cathedral.
A visit to the town wouldn’t be complete without stepping into the historic cathedral dating back over 1,400 years to 597 AD.
But if that’s not enough history for you, take a walk to the Weavers House, a 16th century building-turned-pub serving pies and Sunday roasts.
Book lovers must stop by the Catching Lives bookshop – a 17th century building which has become skewed over time and today is somewhat of an Instagram hotspot.
Canterbury is also famous for its punts, and you can take a punt from Westgate Gardens, where you’ll have a chance to relax and enjoy the scenery and see many of Canterbury’s famous landmarks from the water.
Spend a day by the sea at Broadstairs
Our list wouldn’t be complete without a day trip to the seaside, and Broadstairs is the perfect seaside town for beautiful beaches, nostalgia and local history.
Just a 90-minute train ride from Bromley South, Broadstairs is a small coastal Kent town known for its links to Charles Dickens, along with Joss Bay and Stone Bay, two Blue Flag beaches within walking distance of the town.
Visitors interested to learn more about the author can visit Dickens House Museum, which was the cottage that inspired the home of Betsey Trotwood in David Copperfield, with a collection of items that belonged to Dickens.
A day at the beach wouldn’t be complete without an ice cream, and Broadstairs has the perfect spot at Morelli's Gelato, an ice cream parlour dating back to 1932 offering vintage themed décor and a range of sundaes and desserts to choose from.
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