Quaint English villages and towns to visit outside of London

The Cotswolds is a picturesque place that’s not too far from London. — VICKY PRINCE/Pixabay

London, of course, is a world-class destination, but one of the best things about the city is how easy it is to leave. Those who are visiting for longer than a week – or who live there – might have the urge to get away, whether it’s a reprieve from the traffic or the turmoil in Westminster.

If you’re looking for a day trip that comes without the chaos of airport delays or the dismal prospect of changing currency, here are seven of the best getaways from London. Some exude countryside charm, while others beckon as seaside escapes, but all are under three hours away by train or car, where you can have a pint in a pub and also toast the spot where the discovery of DNA was announced.