27 April 2026
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London is a city in constant motion, brimming with famous landmarks, world-class museums and endless entertainment. But if you’re craving a change of scenery or a break from the bustling streets, you don’t have to travel far. Just beyond London’s borders lies a treasure trove of charming towns, historic sites and breathtaking landscapes waiting to be explored. And leaving the capital doesn’t mean skimping on great food: across these five destinations you’ll find MICHELIN-Star splendour, affordable eats and neighbourhood haunts.
1. Bath: Modern Dining in Ancient Surroundings
Bath's appeal lies in its harmonious medley of Roman ingenuity, Georgian refinement and a dining scene stacked with quality, all just an 80-minute train ride from Paddington Station. The city's renowned thermal waters have drawn visitors for millennia, and today The Roman Baths are a testament to ancient engineering prowess. When it comes to culinary prowess, look no further than The Olive Tree, the city’s MICHELIN-Star restaurant, where Chef Chris Cleghorn offers up deceptively simple, skilfully crafted dishes – his chocolate and olive oil dessert is a knockout.Elsewhere, look out for Robun, where traditional Japanese Yakiniku takes centre stage and an innovative version of afternoon tea swaps sandwiches for sushi and scones for bao buns. Meanwhile, those not afraid to eat their greens should head for Oak. This friendly restaurant showcases largely plant-based cuisine in a refreshingly unpretentious setting. The kitchen's commitment to fresh, garden-sourced ingredients results in satisfying dishes that are straightforward yet full of flavour. Finally, if you’re a wine lover, pop into Beckford Bottle Shop for a terrific choice of vintages and well-priced sharing plates.
In between meals, make sure to visit Bath Abbey, whose fan-vaulted ceiling is a masterpiece of medieval craftsmanship, and explore the world of Bath’s most famous resident at The Jane Austen Centre. If you want to turn your day trip into a weekend break, Bath is a particularly good choice as it’s home to five MICHELIN-Key hotels.
2. Brighton and Hove: Where City Spots Meet Neighbourhood Haunts
Brighton pulses with energy, a seaside city that's equal parts quirky and cool. About an hour from London’s Victoria by train, its bracing sea air offers an escape from the capital's hustle and bustle, while its humming city centre ensures you don’t have to leave the buzz behind completely. After losing yourself in The Lanes, Brighton's maze-like shopping quarter, stop for lunch at Burnt Orange, where the jasmine-scented patio sets the stage for sharing plates featuring local, seasonal ingredients.Alternatively, opt for the team’s sister restaurant Tutto, where a roll-call of classic Italian dishes really hits the spot, or even Embers, whose commitment to cooking over fire yields deliciously smoky results. Once you’re refreshed, don’t miss The Royal Pavilion, an Indian-influenced palace that seems to have emerged from a dream. Commissioned over two centuries ago by King George IV, this architectural wonder captivates visitors with its opulent interiors and meticulously restored gardens.
If you’re done with city vibes, head to neighbouring Hove, Brighton’s more residential little sister that harbours just as much culinary quality. Maré by Rafael Cagali is the area’s only MICHELIN-Star restaurant, combining a neighbourhood atmosphere with thrillingly original cooking drawing on flavours from Brazil, Italy and beyond. Palmito also brings international influences to the table, while Wild Flor has the kind of welcoming local feel that will have you searching for houses in the area.
3. Bristol: A Buzzy Big City to Rival London
Bristol, often overlooked in favour of its prettier neighbour Bath, is a magnificent city of contrasts just 90 minutes from Paddington Station. Its historic architecture rubs shoulders with a thoroughly modern creative spirit and a dining scene that feels decidedly of the moment – come here for the same vibrant buzz as London but on a smaller scale and within easier reach of the countryside.On-trend foodies should head straight to Wapping Wharf, where repurposed shipping containers now host a trio of restaurants all awarded a Bib Gourmand for their brilliant value cooking. Root is all about making vegetables the star; RAGÙ brims with the fresh taste of authentic Italian cuisine; and BOX-E sees a small team delivering big flavours. Out in the Redland suburb you’ll find another culinary cluster all on one road: discover Korean sharing plates at Dongnae; delightfully moreish Italian goodness at Little Hollows Pasta; and, just next-door, farm-to-table cuisine at its best at MICHELIN-Starred Wilsons. Elsewhere, don’t miss another Star at neighbourhood spot Bulrush.
In between all this food, absorb the best Bristol has to offer. Clifton Suspension Bridge is Isambard Kingdom Brunel's masterpiece of engineering that spans the Avon Gorge; Clifton Village is a beautiful Georgian shopping quarter filled with stylish outlets; and SS Great Britain offers a taste of 1840s maritime life. As you head back to London, you’ll be reflecting on a day spent in a city that’s as vibrant and vital as you will find – a place with both a rich history and a thoroughly modern outlook.
4. Margate: The Irresistible Taste of Nostalgia and the Seaside
The journey to Margate from London is a breeze: a sea breeze, if you will. With direct trains departing from St. Pancras International and whisking you to this delightful coastal town in as little as 90 minutes, the song of the sea is well within your grasp. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted by a thriving dining scene to sit alongside the energetic seaside atmosphere and colourful beach huts.When you’re by the water, it makes sense to feast on the best local seafood – and Angela’s is the place for that. Here, the day's catch is transformed into delectable dishes, showcasing the bounty of the Kent coast alongside seasonal vegetables. If you fancy your day-trip lunch with more of an Italian accent, Bottega Caruso ticks all the boxes. It’s run with palpable pride and offers comforting plates of rustic Italian goodness. Sargasso is another great option, a Bib Gourmand-awarded wine bar and restaurant on the seafront, providing generously priced small plates and panoramic bay views that will make London feel like a distant memory.
As you stroll along the shoreline after lunch, the salty sea air mingles with the sweet scent of candy floss. If you’re now ready for something more thrilling than sunbathing, head for the Dreamland amusement park. Those after more cultural pursuits can make their way to Turner Contemporary, a free-to-visit gallery inspired by the works of J.M.W. Turner, offering a rotating selection of world-class exhibitions. The Old Kent Market is also worth a trip, housed in a striking scarlet former cinema and offering local crafts, food stalls and impromptu piano performances.
5. Cambridge: For Food with a Side Order of History
Cambridge is a city renowned the world over for its centuries-old university. Nestled along the banks of the River Cam, the city itself offers historic charm, glorious greenery and marvellous architecture – and all that with top-class restaurants to boot. London has its fair sure of historic buildings, but its restaurants don’t quite offer a ringside seat to history like Cambridge’s do. Plus, it’s all just a 45-minute train ride from London's King's Cross.Chief among the culinary draws is Midsummer House, a Two-MICHELIN-Star spot where Chef Daniel Clifford’s creative cuisine takes centre stage. The more playful and eye-catching elements of his cooking are never at the expense of flavour, with top-notch ingredients underpinning the dishes. For more MICHELIN-Star dining, Restaurant Twenty-Two serves technically skilled dishes in a Victorian townhouse. For something more relaxed, Mercado Central is where vibrant Spanish flavours come alive, while Fancett’s provides friendly service and a neighbourhood bistro vibe that will ensure you leave with a smile on your face.
When you’re not eating, make sure you soak up the city’s main attractions. Two university highlights are King’s College, whose ‘Chapel’ is closer to the size of a cathedral and is a wonderful example of perpendicular Gothic architecture, and Trinity College, home to The Wren Library and Isaac Newton's celebrated apple tree. As afternoon fades, glide along the Cam on a punt, taking in the lovely 'Backs' of the colleges.
One More Thing...
A final destination you can reach from London is the village of Wrecclesham in Surrey. Here, you will find the charmingly run restaurant Maison. Below, owners Ben Piette and Lornette Piette-Valentine show us inside an enchanting building that serves as both their home and their restaurant.Related Articles:
Written by MICHELIN Guide Contributor Aashna Gajra and UK Editor Andrew Young.
Hero Image: The Royal Pavilion in Brighton, one of the best destinations for a foodie day trip from London. © GoranQ/iStock
