If you were to fly to Ireland, for example, a good part of a day would be taken up getting to an airport, checking in an hour or more ahead of flight time, flying, and then disembarking, collecting luggage, and taking a bus or the DART into central Dublin, for example. It’s not impossible—- just that, in the very short time that you’ll have, you’ll spend so much of it on travel time.
There are lots of destinations that are close enough to London to make easy day trips, or perhaps an overnight trip: Bath, Oxford or Cambridge, Salisbury, Canterbury are just a few that come to mind, and can easily be reached by train in roughly an hour.

I took the train from London to Bath (approx. 1 1/3 hours) the trains run frequently, and stayed in Bath for two days which was great. Speant the first day in the city, and the second day took a day trip out to Stonehenge, Avebury, Cotwsold and Lacock. Took the train to Oxford from Bath (less than an hour) and spent two days there, if you go to Oxford, check out Creations theatre, outdoor amplitheatre right now they’re playing Romeo and Juliet, I saw it opening night and it was fantastic.

If you like Shakespeare, Stratford-upon-Avon is a good side trip.

If you’re into science (especially biology), a trip to Darwin’s house is actually a lot of fun. The house and tour are nice, but the grounds are really great.

If you want fine buildings, I suggest either Oxford or Cambridge and Ely. Good countryside is a bit further but you could get to the Cotswolds or the Derbyshire Dales fairly easily.
Much as I love Scotland, you don’t have time to do it or ireland any sort of justice. The most scenic parts of Wales would take a bit long too.

Try South Devon. Easy transport links from London… train, bus or even flights Gatwick-Plymouth.
At this time of year, it’s possible to get a holiday flat or caravan (trailer) for around £120 per week and that will sleep up to 6!

Just enter ‘South Devon Holiday Accomodation’ on your browser for 100s of links.

Try Kingsbridge and the South Hams for a taste of Old England (minimal twee factor), also the training sites for the US forces Normandy Landings. (Slapton and Torcross area).

Dartmouth for the river and yachts, Torbay for the quintessential Britsh seaside experience. Plymouth for the departure site of one of the first package tours to the US. Dartmoor for wild and rugged hill country. Chudleigh with a 12th century pub, (former recruitment centre for the Crusades). Exeter and its superb cathedral.

Stunning scenery, mild climate thanks to the Gulf Stream, great beaches, all this and the magic kingdom of Cornwall just a hop away, over the Tamar Bridge. They even have palm trees.

Awesome posts guys! Thanks and keep ‘em coming!

i wouldn’t spend more than 3 days in london.
i took a day trip from london to bath, lalock (sp?) and stonehenge

stonehenge is totally missable – just a pile of rocks
bath seemed nice but i only got to spend 3 hours there – half of it touring the roman baths
the little village in the cotswold lalock was also not impressive

happy travels (london is a stinky place if you are a canuck – makes toronto look soooo clean – which we all know TO is not)

WOW ^ what a pessimist you are renagel.

The questions wasn’t about what you hated. It was about what you liked.

I’ve heard lots of good things about Bath, York, and Sailisbury which is near stonehenge. I hope you find something that you like!

Although I feel that Renagel’s post may be slightly ‘tounge in cheek’, I have to agree that IMO, Stonehenge can be something of an anti-climax, especially on a cold wet day. (The site is bleak and exposed). But..get to thinking how those huge stones were dressed, errected, and (some) brought hundreds of miles by a wheelless society; then things jump into perspective.

Nearby Salisbury has an incomparable cathedral, many other interesting buildings and a mideval market place.

Lacock village is used as a film-set for many period ‘costume dramas’. I think that ‘Pride and Prejudice was shot there, amongst many others. It has an ancient pub, The George, which still has the original dog turned spit roasting machine in place. 1 mile away is Lacock Abbey where Fox Talbot processed some of the world’s first photographs. BTW Lacock is not in the Cotswolds, but just a few miles to the East of Bath.

Bath is World Heritage City. There is much more than the baths to see. Try the splendid surroundings of the Pump Room, for hot chocolate and bath buns, served by uniformed waiters to the accompaniment of the ‘Pump Room Trio. Or just wander around the elegant Georgian squares and terraces. Millions of visitors can’t be wrong.

I used to work organising tours in this region, and although I now live in Greece, I still spend 3 or 4 months there most years.

They also filmed lots of the Harry Potter series at Lacock. Not that I….care, or anything…. hehe.

I went to Stonehenge on a miserable day, it was raining and windy and I couldn’t have cared less, I’m so glad I went. I don’t think it’s really fair to complain about Stonehenge by saying it’s just a pile of rocks. I mean, you’ve seen pictures… what were you expecting? Disneyland?

Postive attitude while travelling = better experiences and memories.