Our travel team’s favourite day trips in the South East as UK to hit 21C – from pubs with a view to quiet beaches
IT’S getting hot in here, or at least it is in the UK.
With weather set to hit highs of 21 degrees this week, we’re on hand with our recommendations for where to head in the South East of the UK to make the most of the sunshine.
Walpole Bay, Margate
I may be biased (having lived there for two years) but one of the best places to head to when the UK warms up is Margate.
Walpole Bay lido is one of the biggest in Europe, yet often overlooked by tourists who stay at the main sandy beach.
But the huge pool is not only a safe swimming spot, but is often a favourite of locals, so expect good vibes (and often a pop-up sauna nearby to dry off in!).
Otherwise head back to the seafront to watch the sunset from one of the many bars and restaurants spilling out onto the seafront, such as the seafood-serving Dory’s or Little Swift for a cocktail.
Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor
Brighton Palace Pier
I’m lucky enough to have relatives, which means I know all the local haunts. But nothing screams summer time – even if it’s just for a day – more than a visit to Brighton Palace Pier.
The 125-year-old pier is a kaleidoscope of colours from its rainbow sign to its line-up of fairground rides.
Head into the Dome Arcade for peak seaside vibes. It’s home to over 50 arcade games, some of which I’ll happily raid my piggy bank for.
It costs £2 to enter the pier – although the small admission fee is worth it for the views alone.
Hope Brotherton, Travel Reporter
Peckham, London
Some may disagree but I love being in the capital city when it comes to good weather.
And one of my favourite places to go is Peckham, because of its famous rooftop. I’ve spent many a sunny day at the Bussey building, a rooftop on top of a car park.
It serves amazing pizzas and beers and has fantastic music playing as well. When the sun goes down, make sure to grab a film at Peckhamplex with £5.99 tickets all day, or Four Quarters, a retro arcade bar.
Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor
St James Park, London
I also love heading into the city on a hot day. Having lived in the countryside for years, I find the idea of London really exciting.
But in saying that, you can’t take the countryside out of the girl and I do find myself drawn to green spaces, like St James’s Park.
Found right in the heart of the city, the sprawling park has lots of places to sunbathe as well as a beautiful pond with pelicans and swans bobbing past.
It’s also a mid-point for my friends and I, so when we go to the city for a meet-up, this is where we tend to head to first.
It’s a great place to relax, and a great pit stop during a London day trip too, it’s a stone’s throw away from Trafalgar Square, the Strand and Soho.
Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter
Hampstead Heath, London
A few years ago it felt like everyone and their cat was ‘wild swimming’ in lakes, rivers and streams across the UK.
If, like me, you don’t enjoy the idea of venturing out into a secluded spot in the countryside for a dip in the water, then the Swimming Ponds at Hampstead Heath are a great option – especially with the weather set to soar.
Hampstead Heath has a choice of three ponds where visitors can swim, a mixed, a ladies and a mens.
Personally, I have only ever swam in the ladies pond. Despite being quite secluded, there are lifeguards on duty, which is reassuring.
While there aren’t any changing rooms, there are toilets and outdoor showers, which I think adds to its charm. Be sure to take a picnic.
The Ladies’ Pond is closed for maintenance works until April 4 – although the Mixed Pond is open for ladies swimming only. Pay-as-you-go swimming costs just under £5 per person.
Hope Brotherton, Travel Reporter
St Albans pub crawl
The second the sunshine hits, I’m grabbing some pals and heading straight for a pub garden to soak up those rays with an icy beer in hand. Luckily for me, I have some of the best pubs in the UK right on my door step.
The historic city of St Albans claims to have more pubs per square mile than any other city or town in the UK, so you’ll never have to worry about not finding a seat. Here’s my pick of the best for when the sun is shining.
Ye Olde Fighting Cocks
Top of my list, purely for its enviable location, is Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, sat right at the edge of leafy and historic Verulamium park
Keep your ears peeled and you’ll be able to hear the sound of the flowing River Ver winding its way through the parkland.
Aside from its beautiful location, the pub itself is great for large groups of sun worshippers thanks to ample outdoor space and large picnic benches
Mad Squirrel Tap
Get there early to grab a seat in the courtyard garden and soak up prime views of the extravagant cathedral while you swig.
This place really is a beer lover’s paradise, thanks to the plethora of well-known brews (as well as quirkier ones) on tap.
Depending on what day of the week you visit, once the sun goes down you’ll be able to enjoy live music on top of pub quizzes and live sports games on the TV.
The Peahen
This may not have the old fashioned, higgledy-piggledy charm of some other St Albans gems, but what The Peahen does have is space. Plus, when it comes to drinks, you can pick up all the classic sunshine favourites: aperol spritzes, crisp rosés and ales on tap.
The crowd tends to be livelier and come evening the place transforms into a bit of a party spot with music blaring. Outdoors there are sun-trap corners for those wanting to catch a tan, while those who prefer a bit of shade can shelter underneath gazebos.
The Boot
Okay, this doesn’t really have a garden as such but it does have a great outdoor space. The Boot is slap bang in the centre of town, on the cobblestone high street, and scattered outside, fully immersed in the action, are several picnic tables.
It’s a great spot for people watching and you may even be lucky enough to catch a few local musicians busking underneath the famous clock tower, opposite the pub.
The space inside is pokey, and there are no reservations so you’ll want to get there close to opening time if you want to secure a spot.
The Great Northern
If you’re struggling to find a spot with outdoor space, try The Great Northern. It’s a short walk from the city centre and a place that only locals know about, so crowds are less likely.
The outdoor space is a random mishmash of furniture and old beer kegs turned into tables. That’s a small patch of grass too with areas shaded by umbrellas for when you want to escape the heat.
Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor
Peacehaven, East Sussex
Of course, sea and sunshine are best enjoyed with a pint and there’s no better to sup one than the Smugglers Rest in Peacehaven in East Sussex.
Sitting atop the Telscombe Cliffs there are fabulous views out to sea from this very traditional boozer.
Formerly known as the Lifeboat Inn, as it funded the first local lifeboat, the place is a warren of old-school charm with beamed ceilings and a roaring brick fireplace.
There’s a good selection of beers as well as food served all day – classic pub grub from pies to steaks and burgers as well as their signature slow-cooked lamb shank.
For those looking to soak up the sunshine, there’s nothing better than a table on the terrace where you can then soak up the booze with some bar snacks.
The three-for-£12 offer includes warm scotch eggs, mini chorizo sausages and shredded crispy chicken.
Lisa Minot, Head of Travel
Hayling Island, Hampshire
Okay so technically not island hopping, but heading down south, I recently spent a day on Hayling Island.
It’s one of my best friend’s local beaches and she recently took me on a trip over to the island.
The stretch of beach is around five miles long and shingle, so best to take something to sit on. It’s also won awards for cleanliness and water quality so it’s a great place to swim (my friend’s words, not mine).
On a hot day, there are plenty of places to pick up an ice cream or cold drink like the Mad Hatters Tearoom, Inn on the Beach and Pebble Beach cafe.
Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter
Hush Heath Estate, Tonbridge
Sitting on Balfour’s enormous verandah on the Hush Heath Estate in the summer, with a glass of their rose wine, I easily feel like I could be
abroad.
With views over acres of vineyard and the rolling Weald of Kent
countryside beyond, it’s the perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon.
I’ve been to a number of Kent wineries in the last decade, but Balfour
is the one that I keep coming back to.
The wine is great and the food they sell alongside it is unfussy and
reasonably priced compared to many other English vineyards.
You can order sharing platters made up of a number of picky bits,
which works out much better value than their pizzas.
They also have a lovely walking route around the grounds, which takes you along the vines and the surrounding woods. It’s very family-friendly too.
It’s about an hour’s drive from London, or you can get to Marden
station in 50 minutes from London Bridge station and the winery
operates a shuttle bus from there on weekends.
Caroline McGuire, Head Of Travel (Digital)
Elmley Nature Reserve, Isle of Sheppey
There are few places that quite deserve the status ‘hidden gem’ more
than Elmley Nature Reserve.
The stunning 3,300-acres reserve on Sheppey island in North Kent is
less than an hour from London, but has the wide open spaces you’d more likely associate with anywhere but the South East of England.
On a very warm summer’s day, we took a long stroll and had a dip in
their own private beach.
Birdwatchers love it for its range of birds of prey and water birds,
but my four year old was particularly taken with the friendly chickens.
The kitchen serves up delicious food at a reasonable price from May to September, including pizzas, salads and puddings for a family of four for £70.
When darkness falls, the stargazing is incredible too.
Day visitors must book ahead at elmleynaturereserve.co.uk.
Caroline McGuire, Head Of Travel (Digital)
The World's 50 Best Beaches
The World's Best Beaches consulted more than 750 judges including travel journalists, influencers, and beach ambassadors to rank the beaches.
- Lucky Bay, Australia
- Source D’Argent, Seychelles
- Hidden, Philippines
- Whitehaven, Australia
- One Foot, Cook Islands
- Trunk, US Virgin Islands
- Honopu, Hawaii
- Reynisfjara Beach, Iceland
- Navagio Beach, Greece
- Balandra, Mexico
- Cala Goloritze, Italy
- Pipe Creek, Bahamas
- Pink, Indonesia
- Grace, Turks & Caicos
- Gardner, Ecuador
- Mcway, California
- Turquoise, Australia
- Le Morne, Mauritius
- Sancho, Brazil
- Seven Mile, Cayman Islands
- Lanikai, Hawaii
- Maya, Thailand
- Moro, Spain
- Kelingking, Indonesia
- Meads, Anguilla
- Flamenco, Puerto Rico
- Arena, Dominican Republic
- Little Hellfire, Australia
- Lazio, Seychelles
- Vaeroy, Norway
- Horseshoe, Bermuda
- Myrtos, Greece
- Hidden, Mexico
- Grand Anse, Grenada
- Xpu Ha, Mexico
- San Josef, Canada
- Matira, French Polynesia
- Capriccioli, Italy
- Pasjaca, Croatia
- Boulders, South Africa
- Salines, Martinique
- Champagne, Vanuatu
- Marinha, Portugal
- Balos, Greece
- Achmelvich, Scotland
- Kaputas, Turkey
- Radhangar, India
- Varadero, Cuba
- Piha, New Zealand
- Pink Sand, Bahamas