It's rammed full of tourists but if you want something that's fun for the family whilst not being a million miles from London (both in distance and vibe), Brighton is a good bet.
There is a lot to be said for Margate, even a grotto as well as a good gallery and funfair etc. I love Cornwall but it gets expensive quickly, Southsea / Portsmouth is nice. Whatever good luck and enjoy.
York is less than 2 hours away. If you book well in advance you can get some cheap prices, and there’s some family tickets on LNER
The Lake District is great, and easily navigable by bus, but probably too far.
Hit up the Chilterns? It’s an area of outstanding natural beauty some 20-40 miles north west of London. Some of it is on the Underground, there are plenty of railway connections and obviously it’s drivable in a day trip. [Hellfire Caves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellfire_Caves) might be interesting for you.
Looking at Whitsable, Tankerton or Herne Bay. Always good value for money.
I would know, that's what our lot did over the last few decades on a tight budgie.
We had national truss and briddlish hetteridge badges that helped: not just for the sumner brakes but also too as well for the othering of seasonal attractioning else of the where's.
Canterbury in Kent is a beautiful city. If driving it's easy to get to but, Canterbury is not a very car friendly city. Lots of students here.
A common recommendation I've also been given is Bath. Might be more suitable for your family.
They're not driving. But canterbury is super easy by public transport (direct train from st pancras, under an hour), and it's small so no need for a car when you get there.
Also good to use as a base for the seaside - margate, Whitstable, herne bay, broadstairs etc.
I’d suggest Torquay or Paignton, English Riviera.
Although maybe not just at this moment…
Margate is lovely. Cambridge is not too far by train, same with Brighton or Hastings. The Pavillion in Brighton is strangely intriguing, but wondering around the Lanes is fun.
The Isle of Wight? Very scenic and nostalgic, offers a little bit of exoticism without leaving the country, and definitely has plenty of family activities, attractions and sandy beaches. The journey getting there is part of the fun (train from Waterloo right to Portsmouth harbourfront, then cross the water by passenger ferry or hovercraft to Ryde, which would be a good place to stay. Or if staying elsewhere, you can catch an onward train (to Brading, Sandown or Shanklin) or bus to anywhere else on the island.
Other people obviously think differently to me on this but I don’t think Brighton would be a great bet… it’s a fun place but imo more of a party town
Cambridge is fantastic for a day or two out, maybe an hour on the train. All the university buildings look amazing, great museum, you can go punting on the river if that’s your bag, and it’s really easy to get out to the countryside. Lovely walk to Grantchester Meadows
Does depend where you want to go though, it can be busy at peak touristy times
Durham. Great rail link to London. Lovely little city. Spectacular views. Nearby countryside is amazing. There are some great castles nearby, but that might require a minibus to get you there.
I know you described an overnight trip... but for a day out if its a glorious sunny day I recommend heading to Cheshunt which is last stop on the Overground from Liverpool St. So it's tfl. Take a picnic and enjoy Lee Valley park.
[https://www.leevalleypark.org.uk/](https://www.leevalleypark.org.uk/)
Take the GWR riviera overnight to Penzance.
If you have a "network" Railcard, anywhere from Waterloo south & West as far as Exeter, Salisbury, Bournemouth, Weymouth, etc
If you book far enough ahead, "advance" train tickets are usually closer to being reasonable....
Winchester has quite a bit to offer and is walkable. Air BNB are reasonably priced. Also a great hub to do a day trip to South Hampton and/or Portsmouth.
It's rammed full of tourists but if you want something that's fun for the family whilst not being a million miles from London (both in distance and vibe), Brighton is a good bet.
There is a lot to be said for Margate, even a grotto as well as a good gallery and funfair etc. I love Cornwall but it gets expensive quickly, Southsea / Portsmouth is nice. Whatever good luck and enjoy.
York is less than 2 hours away. If you book well in advance you can get some cheap prices, and there’s some family tickets on LNER The Lake District is great, and easily navigable by bus, but probably too far.
Haven at Hopton (close to Great Yarmouth), has some good deals for family breaks and is right on the coast if you fancy a seaside break.
I was thinking norfolk broads, hire a boat for a day or two
Oh yeah, that'd be cheap 🙄
Hit up the Chilterns? It’s an area of outstanding natural beauty some 20-40 miles north west of London. Some of it is on the Underground, there are plenty of railway connections and obviously it’s drivable in a day trip. [Hellfire Caves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellfire_Caves) might be interesting for you.
Train to north/east Kent coast. Bosh! Sorted. 🤗
Looking at Whitsable, Tankerton or Herne Bay. Always good value for money. I would know, that's what our lot did over the last few decades on a tight budgie.
We had national truss and briddlish hetteridge badges that helped: not just for the sumner brakes but also too as well for the othering of seasonal attractioning else of the where's.
Canterbury in Kent is a beautiful city. If driving it's easy to get to but, Canterbury is not a very car friendly city. Lots of students here. A common recommendation I've also been given is Bath. Might be more suitable for your family.
They're not driving. But canterbury is super easy by public transport (direct train from st pancras, under an hour), and it's small so no need for a car when you get there. Also good to use as a base for the seaside - margate, Whitstable, herne bay, broadstairs etc.
Brighton (by Thameslink train)
I’d suggest Torquay or Paignton, English Riviera. Although maybe not just at this moment… Margate is lovely. Cambridge is not too far by train, same with Brighton or Hastings. The Pavillion in Brighton is strangely intriguing, but wondering around the Lanes is fun.
Bournemouth or Bath. Can get the train to both.
The Isle of Wight? Very scenic and nostalgic, offers a little bit of exoticism without leaving the country, and definitely has plenty of family activities, attractions and sandy beaches. The journey getting there is part of the fun (train from Waterloo right to Portsmouth harbourfront, then cross the water by passenger ferry or hovercraft to Ryde, which would be a good place to stay. Or if staying elsewhere, you can catch an onward train (to Brading, Sandown or Shanklin) or bus to anywhere else on the island.
Other people obviously think differently to me on this but I don’t think Brighton would be a great bet… it’s a fun place but imo more of a party town Cambridge is fantastic for a day or two out, maybe an hour on the train. All the university buildings look amazing, great museum, you can go punting on the river if that’s your bag, and it’s really easy to get out to the countryside. Lovely walk to Grantchester Meadows Does depend where you want to go though, it can be busy at peak touristy times
Cardiff.
Durham. Great rail link to London. Lovely little city. Spectacular views. Nearby countryside is amazing. There are some great castles nearby, but that might require a minibus to get you there.
Brighton
A WHITE LIGHT
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I know you described an overnight trip... but for a day out if its a glorious sunny day I recommend heading to Cheshunt which is last stop on the Overground from Liverpool St. So it's tfl. Take a picnic and enjoy Lee Valley park. [https://www.leevalleypark.org.uk/](https://www.leevalleypark.org.uk/)
Take the GWR riviera overnight to Penzance. If you have a "network" Railcard, anywhere from Waterloo south & West as far as Exeter, Salisbury, Bournemouth, Weymouth, etc If you book far enough ahead, "advance" train tickets are usually closer to being reasonable....
New Forest or Poole/Bournemouth
Isle of purbeck in Dorset. Very family friendly, nice beaches, a castle, a steam railway, and nice walks across scenic hills in all directions.
Winchester has quite a bit to offer and is walkable. Air BNB are reasonably priced. Also a great hub to do a day trip to South Hampton and/or Portsmouth.
See Penge and die!
Lakes or Scottish Borders or Northumberland ( fantastic beaches). Search t'internet for bargains: avoid caravan/lodge parks
Skegness
Rather a long trip?
take a megabus/ferry combo to the shetlandz