Fergusbrandon

It might sound impossible, but after a week in one of the many 4 star hotels London is home to, you might begin to get a touch of cabin fever. Of course, London is a beautiful city with infinite possibilities to fill your days – but it can also be very loud and very crowded. If you’re used to a quieter life, you might be craving a day in calmer surroundings. This is the perfect opportunity to take a day trip out of the city and see a different side to England. The great thing about this country is its small size: within an hour or two, you can be enjoying the peace of the countryside or experiencing a completely different city. London’s train stations and tour operators are on hand to take you anywhere you might like to go; just name your destination.

Bath: This beautiful southern city is named for its ancient Roman baths, still in use today. Two thousand years ago, the Romans found thermal springs here and built bath-houses as communal places of relaxation. Nowadays, the baths are a great tourist draw, and the city of Bath is also known for its attractive architecture and charming atmosphere. Relax in a café and try a Bath bun – a local dessert consisting of a sweet bread roll with a lump of sugar baked into the bottom and more sugar sprinkled on top. Wander through the markets and old-fashioned shops and enjoy the scenery outside of London, and then take the bus or train back to your hotel.

Stonehenge: This world-famous landmark dates back before the Romans, when the Ancient Britons ruled the UK. Researchers believe its purpose was to keep track of the sun and serve as a kind of calendar – but no one is sure exactly how the stones got there in the first place. This mysterious site is served by plenty of tour companies and now features a high-tech visitor’s centre full of interesting facts about the stones. Walk around them with a portable audio guide, or simply stand in the grassy field and appreciate the weight of history behind them.

Oxford: Almost as famous as London, this ancient city is known for its top-class university and beautiful buildings. Don’t confuse it with Oxford Street in London – they are two separate things! Conveniently, you can get to Oxford using the Oxford Tube: a coach service that leaves from a stop near Marble Arch, home to many of the best 4 star hotels London has to offer. An hour and a half will see you dropped off in the middle of Oxford, a short walk from the university’s most stunning buildings as well as the Botanical Gardens, which have been immortalised in literature for decades.

Hatfield House:  This marvellous Jacobean mansion is set in 1,000 acres of elegant parkland, and it’s just 20 minutes from central London. Take a train from King’s Cross and be amazed at how fast the city slips away. Hatfield’s main claim to fame is that Queen Elizabeth I grew up there in the 1600s, although her home at Hatfield Palace has now almost entirely vanished. You can still see the original Tudor Banqueting Hall before wandering through the park to visit the place where Elizabeth first learned she was going to become England’s Queen. Enjoy horse-and-carriage rides and take time out to smell the roses.

Runnymede: This place looms large in English history: it was the setting for the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215, which every English schoolchild learns was the basis for what would eventually become the Constitution. This is best experienced by taking a train from Waterloo and then hiking through Surrey. Have a rest and a cup of tea before walking across flowery meadows to the monument marking the place where King John signed the Magna Carta. This is another great spot for a picnic, with several other monuments nearby, before heading back to the comfort of the 4 star hotels London does best.