Head out from London for a late-summer loop: a mid-morning train to Box Hill & Westhumble, climb the Zig Zag to picnic on the National Trust viewpoint, then descend through vines for a guided tasting on Denbies’ terrace. Book ahead and bring sturdy shoes.

One long day takes you from St Pancras to Dover’s medieval keep, through evocative WWII tunnels and out onto the wind-swept White Cliffs. Sensible shoes, tide checks and a light daypack turn this fast-train trip into a restorative coastal escape.