London is a magnificent city — but Britain is much more than its capital. The problem is that too many visitors to the UK never leave London, flying into Heathrow, spending five days in the West End and Westminster, and flying home believing they have seen England. They have not — they have seen one extraordinary city on an island full of them, and some of the most beautiful countryside, coastline, and historic towns in Europe lie within a few hours of the capital. Britain is a small country — you can be in the Cotswolds in 90 minutes, the dreaming spires of Oxford in an hour, the Roman baths of Bath in 90 minutes, the wild landscapes of the Peak District in 2 hours, and the medieval streets of York in under 2 hours by train. Here is how to escape London and discover the Britain beyond.

Quick Facts: Beyond London

• 1. Bath and the Cotswolds (1.5h from London): The most beautiful city in England and the most beautiful countryside. See the Roman Baths and the Royal Crescent in Bath, then drive or take a tour through the Cotswolds villages — Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Castle Combe. The combination of Bath and the Cotswolds in a single day trip or an overnight stay is the most rewarding escape from London
• 2. Oxford (1h from London Paddington): The university city. Christ Church (Hogwarts’ Great Hall), the Bodleian Library, the Radcliffe Camera, and a punt on the Cherwell. Oxford is walkable and the centre is compact — a day is sufficient but an overnight stay allows you to experience the city after the day-trippers have left
• 3. York (under 2h from London King’s Cross): The medieval capital of the north. York Minster (the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe), the Shambles (the best-preserved medieval street in England — the inspiration for Diagon Alley), the city walls (the most complete circuit in England — you can walk the full 3.4 km), and the Jorvik Viking Centre. York rewards at least one night — the city is at its most magical after dark when the day-trippers have departed and the medieval streets are quiet
• 4. The Peak District and Derbyshire (2h from London): Britain’s first national park. The dramatic gritstone edges, the rolling green dales, the spa town of Buxton, and Chatsworth House — one of the greatest stately homes in England. A car is recommended, but the Hope Valley railway line from Sheffield to Manchester provides access to some of the best walking country
• 5. Brighton (1h from London Victoria): The classic seaside escape. The Royal Pavilion, the pier, the Lanes, and fish and chips on the pebbly beach. A day is sufficient but a summer weekend by the sea — the Brighton Festival in May, the Pride parade in August, the bustling North Laine — is a different kind of British experience

The Top 10 European Ski Resorts

Europe remains a key continent for ski enthusiasts, with a proliferation of resorts. It’s fair to say that new resorts are being opened at regular intervals, although the quality of those destinations can vary somewhat. I enjoy a variety of winter sports and have been fortunate enough to visit a number of leading resorts. Here […]