The Closest Village Getaways to London
Fancy getting out of London for the day, maybe for a weekend, or perhaps you’re even contemplating taking a month or so to work remotely from somewhere peaceful, but within commuting distance? There are some gorgeous, picturesque villages just an hour or so from the centre of London, just waiting to be explored! From historical villages in Wiltshire to a peaceful retreat on the Kent coastline, there’s something for everyone on our list of closest (and most picturesque) village getaways to London.
Beautiful villages near London by car
There are so many amazing villages near London that are only a short drive away. Below, we’ve shared some of our favourites that are all around or within a 2-hour car journey from Central London. These places are away from the hustle and bustle of the city and have lots of interesting history to learn about and see! The locations we’ll be covering are:
- Shere, Surrey
- Chilham, Kent
- Bibury, Gloucestershire
- Lavenham, Suffolk
- Lacock, Wiltshire
- Cookham, Berkshire
- Rye, East Sussex
- Wendens Ambo, Essex
1. Shere, Guildford, Surrey
Head to Shere, just around an hour and 15 minutes from London, for a peaceful village getaway. An easy drive south-west from Central London, taking the A3 and then A25, Shere is close enough even for a day trip, but believe us, when you get there, you’ll want to make a weekend of it!
Take a trip back through time to this gorgeous village just outside of Guildford, boasting picture-perfect cottages, a great taste of village life, and a 12th-century church! Head to Shere Museum to learn all about the area’s history, or head out of Shere to the nearby Holmbury Hill for stunning views of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty!
Visit the gorgeous 18th-century Leith Hill Tower, just a 20-minutes drive from Shere, for more great views, or check out Tillingbourne Waterfall, also nearby!
Shere is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the village of Essire, and features lots of Tudor houses and architecture. Shere was also a filming location for the popular movie ‘The Holiday’, so why not see if you can spot where scenes were shot?
2. Chilham, Canterbury, Kent
Take an hour and 45 minutes drive south-east out of Central London, for a fabulous village getaway to Chilham, in the heart of Kent. A popular TV and film location, due to the gorgeous Medieval buildings and Market Square. Chilham boasts a lot for visitors to do, take a wander around the village streets and marvel at the gorgeous timber-framed Medieval architecture, hiking in the surrounding Kent Downs Area of Natural Beauty.
Head just a 20-minute drive north-east to the gorgeous city of Canterbury - check out our recommendations of what to do on a day trip to Canterbury - definitely worth a visit for lovers of history and great cafés! Chilham is incredibly well-located for little afternoon trips out, take a short drive north-west to the gorgeous Georgian Belmont House, owned by the Harris family, for a wander around their manicured gardens in the (hopefully) sunshine!
3. Bibury, Gloucestershire
Drive 2 hours north-west of London for a great village getaway to Bibury in Gloucestershire — located in the heart of the gorgeous Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Bibury is a postcard village worth visiting, with quaint houses and quiet countryside walks. When there, make sure to wander down Arlington Row and take in the beauty of the riverside 14th-century stone cottages, which really typify the Cotswolds area.
Walk over the beautiful brick footbridges over the River Coln, visit the Bibury Trout Farm, for the chance to try out some fishing, play crazy golf, or have a memorable dinner at one of the area’s most popular and historic restaurants, The Swan. Head out of Bibury to the nearby (just a 10-minute drive) Lodge Park and Sherborne Park Estate, for a great afternoon out in nature.
4. Lavenham, Sudbury, Suffolk
Head in the opposite direction, a 2-hour and 25-minute drive north-east, to the village of Lavenham in Suffolk, to see timber-framed cottages galore. In the heart of the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Lavenham is perfectly located for afternoon trips out in nature and for stunning countryside views. This gorgeous village is home to more than 300 listed buildings, so take a trip back in time and wander past the quirky, colourful buildings.
Get fully immersed in local history by visiting the Little Hall Museum, housed in a cute orange Medieval building or have afternoon tea at the quaint local Lavenham Blue Vintage Tea Rooms. Head to the beautiful nearby Tudor manor house, Kentwell Hall, for quiet walks around walled gardens or fun, family-friendly events (such as history days, outside cinema screening, outdoor games and more).
5. Lacock, Wiltshire
Last, but definitely not least, why not have a getaway from London to the gorgeous Wiltshire village of Lacock? Around a 2 hours and 15 minutes drive west from Central London, an easy drive across the M4 and then the A350, this village makes for a great countryside getaway from the Big Smoke.
Fans of Harry Potter rejoice, Lacock is home to numerous settings featured in the films - from Lacock Abbey, the cloisters, which were used in the films as parts of Hogwarts School. Harry Potter’s parents’ house from the films can also be found in the village, as well as Horace Slughorn’s house, featured in the sixth film. After your Harry Potter tour of the village, make sure to check out the historic 14th-century pub, the George Inn, serving up tremendous British classics, and Coco Chemistry artisan chocolate shop across the road, for some souvenirs from your getaway!
6. Cookham, Berkshire
About an hour’s drive from Central London, Cookham is a delightful village near London, and is actually one of the closest on our list, making it great for a spontaneous trip! Cookham was also home to the famous artist, Sir Stanley Spencer, who was born there in 1891 and is known for work such as ‘Portrait of Patricia Preece’, ‘Cookham’, and ‘Self-Portrait’.
You could take a stroll along the Thames path and grab a bite to eat at the Ferry Cookham on the riverside, then settle down for the night at The Bel & Dragon — a 600-year-old coaching inn with beautiful bedrooms and exceptional cuisine.
7. Rye, East Sussex
Down near the south-east coast, you’ll find the small village of Rye. To drive, it’ll take around 2 hours from Central London, but you’ll feel like you’re stepping into another era. Think cobbled streets lined with houses, meandering down to the centre, medieval architecture, and the green countryside. It’s worth taking a look inside two historic inns here, including The Mermaid Inn, with cellars dating back to 1156, and the Old Bell Rye, which is a Grade II listed pub that’s been standing there since 1390.
The village is steeped in history too, starting as a fishing community and later being attacked by France regularly, and almost being destroyed by fire in the 1377 attacks, where the bells of St Mary’s Church were stolen. Not just that, but Rye was once a notorious smuggling port, importing and exporting goods like tea, wool, cloth, and more.
8. Wendens Ambo, Essex
Wendens Ambo is between 1 hour 30 minutes and 2 hours North East of Central London, if you are driving. Its name comes from the merger of two villages, Great and Little Wendens, in 1662, with “ambo” meaning “both” in Latin. Dotted around the village, you’ll see plenty of cottages with thatched roofs and brightly coloured exteriors, adding to that historical aesthetic. You could visit Audley End House, a grand country house that was once the site of a Benedictine monastery dissolved and granted to the Lord Chancellor Sir Thomas Audley in 1538 by Henry VIII. Queen Elizabeth I also stayed here during her ‘Summer Progress’ of 1578. Take the time to explore its gardens and incredible interior too, specifically the library and the Gothic chapel.
Hire a car from London today!
Whether you’re planning a last-minute trip or a longer countryside break, there are so many beautiful villages near London by car, and they’re not far away at all. All it takes is a little inspiration, and of course, the freedom to travel on your own schedule, which you can achieve with Hiyacar!
Ready to hit the road? You can rent a car with flexible hourly rates, borrow directly from local car owners, and even register and drive on the same day. We have plenty of vehicles available for rent in London. Every trip is fully insured and includes roadside assistance, so you can focus on enjoying the journey. If you have any questions or need help planning your trip, don’t hesitate to contact us — we’re always happy to help get you on your way.
