Excellent transport links from London’s many railway stations ensure that there is a very wide choice of day trips that can be taken from London. Close to south east London is Greenwich, which is home to the Cutty Sark, the famous tea clipper that is currently being restored, and the Greenwich observatory. It is possible to stand astride the Greenwich Meridian and have one foot in the eastern hemisphere and another in the western. Greenwich Park is massive and there are plans afoot to hold the three-day eventing equestrian competition in the park when the Olympics are hosted by London in the summer of 2012.Charing Cross is the true centre of London and all measurements to the capital are taken from there. Thirty minutes by train from Charing Cross station is the market town of Sevenoaks, once voted as the most pleasant town in which to live in England. At the top end of the town is Knoll House, which was home to the Sackville-West family and resides in one of the most stunning deer parks in the UK. If you are travelling by car, there are other historic houses to visit in the area including Penshurst Place and Hever Castle.Brighton on the south coast of England is easily accessible from London by train and is a richly interesting city. The Brighton Pavilion is a former royal residence that was built as a seaside retreat for the Prince Regent where he could enjoy his secret liaison with his long-time companion, Mrs Fitzherbert. Brighton has many wonderful Regency terraces, Palace Pier with its funfair, and the Theatre Royal. For visitors there are also The Lanes, a delightfully confusing set of lanes with charming shops and restaurants. Brighton is known as London by the sea and it certainly offers much to feast the eyes with the additional benefit of pure sea air. Other day trips from London include tours of the famous Pinewood Film studios to the west of the city or, for children, a trip to the miniature village in Beaconsfield.

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