10 of the best staycations under 1 hour from London

London might be the place where everything's happening (parties! Movie premieres! Countless Pret a Mangers!), but it's also great to get out of the Big Smoke once in a while. To that end, nothing says 'escape' like weekend trips that remind us of how stunning Britain's coast and country really are.

While the Lake District and Scottish Highlands immediately spring to mind, there are locations closer to town offering natural scenery, fresh air and plenty of space to breathe.

So we've picked a few of the best places for weekend breaks from London that will take less than an hour to reach by car or train.

So, grab your weekend bag and head for the hills (or beach, or riverbanks) to these beautiful staycation spots for a weekend away from London...