November
27
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A Decade of Escapes, Our Favourite London Getaways from the Last 10 Years
For ten years, Escape London has championed one mission, to help Londoners breathe again. In a city where the pulse never slows, the desire to unplug, exhale, and reconnect with something real has only grown stronger. Across the past decade, we’ve uncovered hideaways that soothe the senses, adventures that awaken the spirit, and weekend sanctuaries that feel worlds away, despite being only a train ride from Zone 1.
Here, in celebration of the journeys that shaped us, we revisit our most loved getaways, the ones readers returned to again and again.
The Cotswolds, Storybook Villages & Slow Living Serenity
When city life becomes too loud, the Cotswolds is the balm Londoners instinctively reach for. Honey stone cottages, artisan bakeries, antique shops, rolling hills stitched with dry stone walls, this is the spiritual home of slow living.
Our standout stay, boutique inns with roaring fireplaces, deep bathtubs, and breakfasts worth waking up early for. Each visit remains a reminder that sometimes the simplest pleasures are the rarest luxuries.
Margate & Whitstable, Seaside Cool Meets Creative Energy
Over the last decade, the Kent coast has undergone a renaissance, and Escape London readers were among the first to fall for it. Margate’s retro charm, independent galleries, and pastel sunsets offer nostalgia with a modern twist. Meanwhile, Whitstable remains an enduring favourite, famed for oysters, shingle beaches, and coastal wanderings that reset the mind.
These towns became our go to for quick, bohemian weekenders, art, sea air, and fish and chips by the water.
Cornwall, Wild Cliffs, Hidden Beaches & True Disconnection
Cornwall isn’t a getaway, it’s a revelation. Over the years, we’ve chased its Atlantic waves, explored its rugged cliffs, and fallen head over heels for fishing villages like St Ives and Mousehole.
This is where Londoners come to truly unplug, no signal, no rush, and no need for shoes. Just sea spray, cliff top walks, cold dips, and the full body calm that follows.
The Lake District, A Nature Lover’s Haven
The Lakes have held a special place in our hearts for the entire decade. Romantic landscapes, mirror still lakes, and peaks that challenge even the most seasoned hikers, this is the UK’s great outdoor masterpiece.
Whether readers came for sunrise paddles on Windermere or cosy evenings tucked away in stone cottages, the Lake District consistently delivered what Londoners needed most, space to breathe.
Scotland’s Highlands, Adventure, Solitude & Cinematic Beauty
When the capital’s chaos becomes overwhelming, the Highlands offer an escape like no other. Misty mountains, mirror like lochs, ancient castles, and panoramas that make you forget everything except the present moment.
Our decade long favourites, Glencoe for dramatic landscapes, Skye for mythic beauty, and hidden bothies for off grid dreamers. Scotland has taught us that not all escapes are gentle, some are thrilling, wild, and unforgettable.
New Forest, Woodland Magic & Wildlife Encounters
One of our earliest and most enduring getaway picks, the New Forest remains a reader favourite for its ancient woodlands, roaming ponies, cycling paths, and tranquil villages.
It’s the perfect retreat for those who want the restorative power of nature without travelling to the ends of the earth. Think forest lodges, woodland trails, pub lunches, and evenings under star spread skies.
Bath & Bristol, Culture, Comfort & Architectural Romance
Bath has charmed Escape London readers for a decade with its Georgian terraces, thermal waters, and boutique spa hotels that redefine indulgence. Meanwhile, Bristol’s creative energy, indie cafés, and colourful streets have made it a magnet for weekend explorers seeking a city escape with edge.
Together, the pair offer balance, history and hedonism, tranquillity and vibrancy.
Why These Escapes Endure
Across ten years, trends have shifted, new hotels have opened, and the world has changed, but Londoners’ need for restorative, meaningful getaways has not. Whether by train, car, or coach, these destinations have offered something priceless, a chance to step outside the city and feel, even briefly, like ourselves again.
And as we look toward the next decade of escapes, one thing is certain, the adventures are just beginning.
Heart London Magazine 