Weekend Breaks from London 1: Surrey, Sussex and Windsor

Surrey and Sussex

Although dammed by the phrase ‘commuter belt’, Surrey has some delightful spots and some great places to take the family. Sussex is stunning in parts, and is full of interesting little towns and great places to walk. Birdworld should be on any itinerary, Chessington World of Adventures & Zoo and Thorpe Park have rides galore, and there’s a great array of farms to visit.

Attractions: Birdworld, Chessington, Thorpe Park, the Bluebell Line, Painshill Park, Bocketts Farm Park and, Fishers Farm

Getting There: 1hr from car to Farnham, 50mins by train to Farnham from London Waterloo.

Stay: Shoelands House in Farnham, Surrey (01483 810213), High Edser in Cranleigh, Surrey, or Redford Cottage in Midhurst, Sussex (01428 741242).


Windsor

Windsor is a wonderful and rewarding place to visit – a million other people will be there sharing it with you, but if you stay overnight you’ll see it in a whole new light. The Castle is the highlight of any visit, but if you come for a weekend you can totally indulge your children, with trips to Legoland and Go Ape! too. Go for a picnic in Cookham Dean or any of the other lovely villages surrounding Windsor, or treat yourselves to a meal at the Fat Duck.

Attractions: Windsor Castle, Windsor Great Park, Legoland, Go Ape

Distance: less than 1hr by car to Windsor, or 50mins by train to Windsor from London Waterloo

Stay: Red Roofs at Oldfield or Monkey Island Hotel in Bray-on-Thames