6 places to visit near London that are a 1-hour drive away

London is one of the world’s most visited cities and few places can compete with it for things to do. 

But sometimes a break from the fast pace of city life is welcome. Knowing places to visit around London can help you escape to nearby landscapes and market towns. To help you recharge, we’ve picked out six places to visit near London that can be reached by a 1-hour car drive.

This designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty extends across a quarter of the county of Surrey, from Farnham in the west to Oxted in the east. 

Its diverse landscape with densely wooded hills, colourful wildflowers and rare chalk grasslands feels a world away from England’s bustling capital. 

If you’ve only got a day to explore, drive south out of London on the A3, then turn off onto the A24 to take you into the heart of Surrey. 

Head to the beauty spot, Box Hill, to enjoy magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. After which, you can visit the famous Stepping Stones at its base.  From here, wine enthusiasts can drive to the nearby award-winning Denbies Wine Estate. If you’re more of a history buff, you can head to the charming National Trust property Polesden Lacey – the former weekend party house of Edwardian socialite Dame Margaret Greville.

Farnham is another one of the great places to visit near London, as it’s relatively easy to drive to. The town is well signposted off the M3 and A3, and traffic allowing, you’ll be able to get there in around an hour. 

Being home to a 12th-century castle and Britain’s first Cistercian monastery – Waverley Abbey, be assured that this town has a rich history.

It also has evidence of Stone Age, Roman and Saxon dwellings. It’s been a thriving marketplace since the Middle Ages, so plan a visit around its monthly Farmers’ Market which typically occurs on the fourth Sunday of the month.

Chiltern Hills is another Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and can be found to the northwest of London. 

Set off on the A40 and the M40 and you’ll soon be surrounded by beautiful green countryside, picturesque villages and a collection of country estates. 

One of these includes Hughenden Manor, which was once home to former Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. 

The market town of Tring has enough to keep you entertained for a day on its own. Amble down the high street before arriving at the Natural History Museum at Tring which has over 4,000 specimens. 

You could also plan a stroll around Tring Park for butterfly and wildlife spotting before peeping into the impressive, medieval St Peter and St Paul Church.

Head north out of London on the M1 to the pretty cathedral city of St Albans, one of the places to visit near London. Here, you’ll find culture, history and a range of quality eateries and pubs. 

One of the first things you’ll notice as you arrive is the majestic St Albans Cathedral, the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in Britain. 

Inside, you’ll find the Shrine of St Alban, Britain’s first Christian martyr, as well as a series of medieval wall paintings and the longest nave in England. 

Other attractions include the city’s Clock Tower, the only surviving medieval belfry in England. You’ll also be able to walk to the traditional street market, which is held on Wednesday and Saturday.  If you’d like more places to visit outside London, drive north out of St Albans on the A1(M) to Knebworth. Here, you’ll find the eponymously named Knebworth House, a grand building with domes, turrets and gargoyles, as well as sprawling gardens with a maze.

If you take a 1-hour drive from London on the M4, you’ll find Windsor – home to the world’s largest occupied castle. One of King Charles III’s official residences, at Windsor Castle you can book a tour and imagine yourself as a royal. 

You can watch the Changing of the Guard and wander around St George’s Chapel where Prince Harry married Meghan Markle. 

Explore the vast, 4,800-acre Windsor Great Park while you’re here for a dose of greenery. To get to the park, you can undertake a five-mile drive out of town to one of its car parks.

Located where the A21 and A26 meet, Royal Tunbridge Wells is a historic town that’s one of the best places to visit near London. 

Until 1909, it was known simply as Tunbridge Wells but was given a regal title by King Edward VII in recognition of its popularity with royal and other well-to-do visitors. 

Its iron-rich and orange-coloured natural spring – known as the Chalybeate Spring – was believed to cure all manner of ailments and it's still an attraction today. 

If you're looking for even more places to go near London, take a 20-minute walk to the Grade-II-listed Dunorlan Park. Here, you can picnic or simply watch the boats bobbing out on the lake.