Days Out in Southern England

The Lockdown is finally over (yay!) and the Summer is finally here. Most years this would be the time where I would be on my travels around Europe, be that eating pizza in Italy or drinking cocktails in the Canaries. Alas, this year has been quite different and so my focus has been on getting the most out of our local area. Jack and I have lived in South Oxfordshire for most of our lives and we have spent many summers exploring and soaking up this area of natural beauty.

I thought that I would share some of my best experiences with you so that on a sunny weekend you can plan some top days out in Southern England.

Walks in the Countryside

Nothing quite says Summer like a good long walk in the English countryside. We are lucky enough to have the countryside right on our doorstep and connecting with nature, both in the garden and in the surrounding fields, deeply helped us during the darkest days of Lockdown. Even if you live in the city, there are plenty of nearby places that you can visit very easily. One of my favourite walks in Southern England is the Thames Path, which regularly forms a structure of days out with my parents. We have now walked the entire length of the Thames Path and have been able to see some absolutely beautiful scenery along the way. If you live in London, or indeed anywhere by the Thames, why not set yourself a challenge and complete it this Summer? Another nearby walking challenge would be the Ridgeway National Trail in the Chilterns.

There are also more famous walking ventures within Southern England. One of my all-time favourites is a hike in the New Forest National Park, where you will be able to immerse yourself into a world of wildlife. I have been lucky enough to have seen red deer, cuckoos and owls on my visits in the past. You could also combine this with trips to nearby quiet villages such as the witching village (yes really) of Burley or the scenic village of Lyndhurst, complete with their own Ferrari dealership for those petrol-heads within the family. Another great trip is to explore the secretive Exmoor. Last October, Jack and I decided to have a big road trip of this area and one of my best memories of 2019 is tucking into fish and chips on top of a cliff on Exmoor, surrounded by the heather and singing seabirds.

Lastly, no guide to walking would be complete without a shout-out to the Great British coastline that lines Southern England. There are so many different places to list, ranging from Cornwall to Dover. That being said, Saint Michael’s Mount in Cornwall has to be a top-contender. The thrill of crossing the causeway during low tide is exhilarating and the smell of the Cornish seaside is enough to make anybody want a second visit. Plus, there are added benefits of being able to shamelessly scoff as many pasties as you wish whilst you are in the area; it would be rude not to.

Gardens

Southern England is a hotspot for country gardens just waiting for you to discover them. Obviously, I have to mention the National Trust who offer a huge variety of days out in Southern England and give you some cultural insights too. Some of my favourite National Trust properties in our area include Greys Court, a stone-throw away from Henley-on-Thames, which actually served as the backdrop for a Downton Abbey episode or two. The famous Cliveden House also is not too far away.

Both of these places have superb gardens that you can really take your time in exploring, making them perfect for days out. The National Trust operates all over the country and has a variety of different gardens and locations to choose from, ranging from classical Tudor Gardens to more modern and vibrant designs. If you’re anything like me, gardening has become a big part of my life with this newfound time that I have, meaning that a trip to a well-kept garden is both more inspiring and enjoyable than it was before Lockdown.

Of course, not all gardens are located within National Trust properties and you can find some excellent ones elsewhere. Some of the best ones can be found at zoos and safari parks, with Marwell Zoo, Cotswold Wildlife Park and Longleat Safari Park boasting some of the most splendid collections of plants and animals. These fabulous destinations provide a ready-made top day out for all the family and Jack and I will certainly be visiting some of these throughout the summer. Another simple idea would be to head over to your local garden centre and just take your time browsing. Many of these places have their own gardens where you can stroll around and end the day by having a picnic.

Historical Sites

Obviously, with the current situation many obvious contenders for this may seem an unlikely option, however fear not, many staple historical sites are back up and running. One of my favourite day trips as a child was to Arundel Castle, which is a great day out for anybody interested in Medieval history. Other castles in the South of England, such as Carisbrooke or Rochester are also reopen and, provided you book in advance, are a great alternative to Arundel.

If you wanted to stay away from people but still have the castle experience, the South of England has you covered. About half and hour from us is Wallingford Castle which, according to my resident historian Jack, was quite a big deal back in the day. This place is a great example of a castle garden, where you can soak in the historic importance all whilst you are able to enjoy the (hopefully) sunny weather.

History doesn’t always have to come in the form of castles and in the past year we have made some great trips to some other historical destinations. It goes without saying that Stonehenge is a great day out and gives you a glimpse into Britain’s mysterious past. Other alternatives include famous battlefields, such as Hastings or Edington which, whilst not as obvious as a castle, give you a chance to step back in time and could serve as a base for exploring a specific area.

Other Suggestions

Days out in Southern England need not be the norm and the possibilities are literally endless. The south coast boasts some of the best surfing waters in Europe and it is never too late to learn! You could also mix this in with a camping trip in Devon or Cornwall and spend some time in the great outdoors. You could also try other watersports such as kayaking or paddle boarding, both of which offer a fantastic alternative to being abroad. Other ideas for an adventurous day include exploring the treetops of Go-Ape or gliding across nature at the Eden Project.

Coronavirus has completely changed our lives this year. As I sit here writing this blog post, I should actually be enjoying pizza and wine somewhere around Lake Garda, but instead I am in my house during a very miserable day. This year we all need to get out there and enjoy our local attractions to make up for any lost adventures. Who knows, the new ones that we make may be even better than what we originally planned.

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I really hope you enjoyed reading my post and I’d love to hear any thoughts or suggestions that you might have so that I can add them to my post. How have you spent your summer this year? Have you also taken the opportunity to explore your own local area or country? Do let me know in the comments below!

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Love Victoria X