Looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the capital but don’t have the annual leave left to get away for more than a couple of nights?

Luckily for Londoners, there are some easily accessible spots you can reach by train for under £50 for an off-peak open return*.

To help city dwellers find their perfect weekend escape, Sykes has shared their top properties in each location. From Kent’s stunning coastline to Surrey’s rolling hills, there’s something for everyone who’s looking for a quick escape from the big smoke.

To book a last-minute short break, visit www.sykescottages.co.uk or call 01244 617683.

Travel to Finchampstead from London Waterloo for just £32

The Old Diary – Finchampstead, Berkshire
Sleeps: Six
Price: Three nights from £803
URL: www.sykescottages.co.uk/cottage/Cotswolds-Oxfordshire-Ridge-Fm/The-Old-Dairy-1022098.html

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The Old Dairy is a contemporary barn conversion in Finchampstead, and £32 for an off-peak open return from London Waterloo will get you to Crowthorne Station, which is located nearby, in just an hour and 15 minutes.
 
The property is the ideal choice for a family or group of friends looking to spend time in the tranquil outdoors, with the Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve nearby, alongside opportunities for local fishing and boat hire.
 
After a relaxing day, guests can whip up a feast in the large ultra-modern kitchen before tucking in at the dining table with the garden as a backdrop

Try Surrey for £17.60 from London Blackfriars

Woodhill Cottage – Holmbury St Mary, Surrey
Sleeps: Nine
Price: Three nights from £877
URL: https://www.sykescottages.co.uk/cottage/Surrey-Sutton-Abinger/Woodhill-Cottage-18712.html

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Woodhill Cottage, a charming property with views over acres of woodland, is based in the heart of the Surrey Hills and travellers can buy an off-peak open return from just £17.60 to Gomshall Station, one of the area’s main stations, from London Blackfriars.
 
With five bedrooms to choose from, families and friends can gather for a memorable countryside reunion, enjoying the large garden and views during summer or the indoor open fire to curl up next to on colder evenings.
 
Whatever the season, the Surrey Hills is a magnet for cyclists and ramblers, with nearby attractions including Denbies Wine Estate, National Trust property Polesdon Lacey, and the Royal Horticultural Society gardens at Wisley.

Discover Essex for just £43 from London Liverpool Street
 
Bramley Cottage – St. Osyth, Essex
Sleeps: Four
Price: Three nights from £411
URL: https://www.sykescottages.co.uk/cottage/Essex-Daltes-Fm/Bramley-Cottage-1122487.html
 
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Bramley Cottage is set on a working farm on the outskirts of the charming village of St. Osyth in Essex and is accessible from London Liverpool Street via Clacton-On-Sea Station for just £43 for an off-peak open return.
 
Here, guests have the best of both worlds, with the property being situated within driving distance of the coast and south of the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
 
Closer to home in St. Osyth is Curve Water Sports, where thrill seekers can try their hand at wakeboarding, kayaking and paddleboarding. After working up an appetite, the town offers a variety of dining options, including Dukes Bistro.

Hop on the train to Sussex for £38 from London Victoria

Cliffe Cottage – Lewes, East Sussex
Sleeps: Six
Price: Three nights from £841
URL: https://www.sykescottages.co.uk/cottage/Sussex-Malling-Hill/Cliffe-Cottage-1096077.html
 
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Cliffe Cottage rests in the heart of Lewes in Sussex and travellers can enjoy an off-peak open return for just £38 from London Victoria to Lewes Station.
 
A two-bedroom terraced house with an abundance of character, the cottage is perfect for a small family or group of friends seeking a memorable getaway near the coast.
 
Lewes town centre is right on the doorstep, where history buffs can visit 16th-century Lewes Castle & Museum, Lewes Priory, Southover Grange Gardens and the former home of Henry VIII’s fourth wife, Anne of Cleves. After learning about the town’s fascinating history, head further into the South Downs National Park for scenic walks.

Ride the rail to Whitstable for £31.50 from London Victoria

Five Fishermans Wharf – Whitstable, Kent
Sleeps: Six
Price: Three nights from £477
URL: https://www.sykescottages.co.uk/cottage/Kent-Whitstable/4-Fishermans-Wharf-1038316.html
 
 

4 Fisherman’s Wharf is a contemporary three-story townhouse located in the town of Whitstable, also known as the ‘Pearl of Kent’, which is accessible from London Victoria for £31.50 for an off-peak open return to the local station.
  
Guests can make the most of the fresh coastal breeze with the property’s Juliet balcony and suntrap enclosed patio, before heading down to the beach to get involved in a range of water sports. 
 
Those looking to explore the history of the area can visit the town’s imposing castle and gardens which date back to the 1790s or enjoy the harbour market and mussel and lobster shacks, giving them a true taste of the seaside. 
 

Head to Royal Tunbridge Wells for £21.30 from London Charing Cross

Granary Cottage – Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Sleeps: Two
Price: Three nights from £533
URL: https://www.sykescottages.co.uk/cottage/Kent-Frant-Place/Granary-Cottage-988999.html
 

Situated just over an hour on the train from Charing Cross, holidaymakers can head to Granary Cottage in Tunbridge Wells for just £21.30 for an off-peak open return.

A charming barn conversion, the property boasts a contemporary open plan living room and an outside seating area for couples to enjoy a glass of fizz and some quality time together.
 
For a relaxing break, guests can enjoy the facilities at Knowle Grange Health Spa, including a heated swimming pool and gym at a preferential rate. Meanwhile, adventurers can join the nearby Wealden Trail and explore the countryside on foot or by bike.