Fancy getting out of London for a day, but not sure where to head? Here are some very good reasons to (temporarily) leave London in August 2025, and make the most of these summer days (and the last bank holiday weekend before Christmas!).
See our Beyond London section for further inspiration for trips out of London for a day, a weekend or longer.
SUNFLOWERS: August heralds the start of sunflower season here in the UK. If you want to get a dose of the towering yellow flowers, and pluck some to take home, check out our picks of the best sunflower fields near London. Instagram at the ready...
FLOWER SHOW: Specialist nurseries and gardening suppliers, including many RHS Chelsea gold medal winners, pitch up at RHS Hyde Hall near Chelmsford for its annual flower show. As well as shopping, there are horticultural and cookery talks and demos, and a chance to ask RHS experts your gardening questions. 30 July-3 August (Essex)
TOY MUSEUM: Launching with a teddy bears' picnic event on 31 July, the Toy Museum at Penshurst Place reopens after a refurb, split into four new zones: Dolls & Bears; Games & Pastimes; Building Blocks; and World of Imagination. Among the items on display are Georgian doll 'Moggie', a Victorian peep‑show, and the century‑old teddy 'Old Ted', all of which were restored by a specialist while the museum was closed. From 31 July (Kent)
FLOATPLANE: A newly restored Short Scion Floatplane — built in Rochester in 1937 — goes on display in its hometown, in an exhibition at Rochester Cathedral. It also looks at Medway's pivotal role in aviation history, particularly the Shorts Brothers Ltd company, which was founded nearby. Find other things to see and do in Rochester to help you make a day of it. 1-31 August (Kent)
BRIGHTON PRIDE: If you thought London went big for Pride, wait until you see Brighton's. The Pride Parade is the centrepiece of Pride Weekend, but there are also various smaller festivals, performances and parties taking place across Brighton & Hove. Mariah Carey, Fatboy Slim, Sugababes and Will Young are among the headliners at Pride on the Park in the city's Preston Park. 2-3 August (East Sussex)
BEAULIEU SUPERCAR WEEKEND: Start your engines! New Forest museum Beaulieu holds a supercar weekend. Think Porsche, Jaguar, Ferrari, Lotus and Lamborghini models on display, and in some cases, taking part in demo runs. 2-3 August (Hampshire)
ANNE BOLEYN MUSICAL: Hever Castle, childhood home of Henry VIII's second wife, Anne Boleyn, is the apt venue for the world premiere of new outdoor production, Anne Boleyn: The Musical. Taking place in a new, purpose-built theatre in Hever's grounds, the show tells Boleyn's life story, from childhood at Hever to the royal courts of Flanders and France, and her marriage to Henry. 2-30 August (Kent)
NORWICH CASTLE KEEP: The long-awaited reopening of the keep at Norwich Castle happens on 7 August, inviting the public inside to see it as it would have been when it was first built as a Norman royal palace 900 years ago. Almost 1,000 medieval objects are on display in the new Gallery of Medieval Life, in partnership with the British Museum. You can reach Norwich in around 1 hour 45 minutes on a direct train from Liverpool Street. From 7 August
1950s FESTIVAL: Head to Sandwich for the Kent '50s Festival in a medieval town square, featuring classic cars, live music, dancing, food and drink stalls, and an exhibition of photographs and memorabilia which belonged to rock 'n' roll musician Eddie Cochran. In previous years, the festival took place on just a single day, but it's been so popular, it's grown to three days. 8-10 August (Kent)
GREAT COMP SUMMER SHOW: The little-known Great Comp Garden is worth a visit anytime in the summer, but it's extra special in the middle of August when the Great Comp Summer Show is in full flow. Green-fingered visitors can browse and buy plants from a range of nurseries, and there are also art and craft stalls and live jazz music. 9-10 August (Kent)
MOTORS BY THE MOAT: Another treat for petrol heads, Motors by the Moat pulls up at Leeds Castle, included in your admission ticket. Wander among models including Aston Martin DB11, Lamborghini Huracan, McLaren GT, Lotus Esprit, Chevrolet Corvette and Jaguar E Types; watch stunt demos including a motorbike show; and try out an F1 racing simulator. 9-10 August (Kent)
BRIGHTON COFFEE FESTIVAL: Get your caffeine dose with an added waft of sea air at the Brighton Coffee Festival, which celebrates the artisan coffee scene in Sussex. Taste samples from a variety of brands, watch latte art and tasting demos, and chat to experts from the coffee industry, before stocking up on supplies and equipment to up your home coffee game. While you're in town check out these unusual things to do in Brighton. 9-10 August (East Sussex)
EASTBOURNE AIR SHOW: Bagsy your spot on the beach early to watch the Eastbourne Air Show displays in the skies above, featuring military and civilian flying teams. Wing walkers, a heritage Spitfire, the Red Arrows and RAF Typhoon are all expected to make an appearance this year. Down on the ground, meet members of the Army and RAF, ride flight simulators, and browse the many stalls, including a military exhibition.14-17 August (East Sussex)
IMBERBUS 2025: Honestly, if we only left London once this year, it'd probably be for Imberbus. Sure, you have to travel a bit further than for most of the other things on this list, but once you get there you can spend the day riding vintage Routemasters across Salisbury Plain via a deserted village. Double-decker delight. 16 August (Wiltshire)
SMOKE AND FIRE FESTIVAL: Celebrate the glory of barbecue cooking at Maldon Smoke & Fire Festival, where various food producers showcase new products and recipes, and you can watch the British Open BBQ Championships. Meanwhile, a plethora of street food traders keeps everyone fed, there are extreme chilli and hot wing eating challenges and fairground rides (best do that before you eat), with a mini cider and ale festival to wash it all down. 16-17 August (Essex)
CLACTON AIR SHOW: Another reason to cast your eyes to the skies this month, Clacton Airshow puts RAF planes, Red Arrows, Spitfires, Hurricanes and myriad other aircraft on show above the seafront across two days, with bonus twilight displays on Thursday evening, and an appearance from Red Bull air racer Mélanie Astles — Europe’s top female aerobatic pilot. This year, the show's being livestreamed for the first time. Find other things to see and do in Clacton while you're there. 21-22 August (Essex)
BURNHAM WEEK: The Essex coastal town of Burnham-on-Crouch hosts Burnham Week, a sailing regatta with events for national champions and beginner sailors alike. Even if you're not graced with sea legs, there's plenty of shore-based entertainment, not least watching the races out in the Thames Estuary. And there's a firework finale show on Saturday evening. 23-30 August (Essex)
CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW: Hundreds of classic and collectible vehicles, including saloons, sports, American, commercial, military and classic motorcycles, descend on the grounds of Knebworth House for the Classic Motor Show. Wander around static displays, or see the vehicles in action in the show arena, with parades throughout the day. There's children's entertainment too. 24-25 August (Hertfordshire)
FIREWORKS AND MONSTER TRUCKS: Legends of the monster truck world including Big Pete, Slingshot, and Grim Reaper go head-to-head at Abingdon Airfield, showing off stunts against a backdrop of pyrotechnics including daylight colour smoke fireworks. That's followed by a more traditional after-dark fireworks display, choreographed to a lively soundtrack. 30 August (Oxfordshire)
CUMBERLAND LODGE: At time of writing, there are still a few tickets left to the open day at Cumberland Lodge, a 17th-century building in Windsor Great Park, previously home to Princess Helena, daughter of Queen Victoria. It's normally off-limits to the public, but the open day includes a guided tour and afternoon tea. 30 August (Berkshire)
CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG: Oh, you, pretty Chitty Bang Bang! The fictional car's 60th anniversary is celebrated in a special display and trail at Mottisfont near Romsey in Hampshire. See original illustrations, new artworks and displays both inside and outside the National Trust house. Until September (outside)/November (inside the house.
BAYEAUX TAPESTRY TOURS: The Bayeux Tapestry is coming to the British Museum next year, its first time in the UK since its creation. But did you know that a painstakingly-detailed replica exists in this country, and it's on display in Reading Museum? Even better, tours of the 70m-long textile artwork are given each Saturday, giving you an excellent chance to swot up on the details before clapping eyes on the real deal. Every Saturday
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QUEEN'S READING ROOM: Literary festival The Queen's Reading Room, previously held at Hampton Court, moves to Chatsworth this year. It's further from London than other events in this article, but with names including Richard Osman, Celia Imrie and Jilly Cooper on the bill, it's worth heading up there for the weekend. 20 September (Derbyshire)
PAW PATROL: Parents, take note! Chessington World of Adventures on the London/Surrey border opens a new, Paw Patrol-themed hotel for October half term, ahead of a new Paw Patrol-themed area of the park next spring. From 24 October
CHRISTMAS LIGHT FESTIVALS: While you're out there having a lovely summer, we feel compelled to let you know that many winter light festival tickets are already on sale (don't shoot the messengers!). Already booking up are Christmas at Bedgebury (Kent), Windsor Great Park Illuminated (Berkshire), Christmas at Blenheim (Oxfordshire), Glow Wild at Wakehurst (West Sussex), and, new for 2025, Winter Lights at Brands Hatch (Kent).
Further ideas for trips from London
Need even more ideas for day or weekend trips out of London this summer, perhaps things to do with the kids in the summer holidays?
SEASIDE TRIPS: The coasts of Kent, Sussex and Essex are replete with seaside fun, from quaint coastal towns to cities by the sea, and an island that frequently gets cut off by the tide. Plus, there are plenty of sandy and pebbly beaches on which to lay your towel and brave a dip in the sea.
CASTLES: South-east England's proximity to the continent means that historically, many castles were built around these parts. Kent's offerings include the magnificent Leeds and Hever, both mentioned above, while Sussex is home to intriguing Herstmonceux and Hogwarts-esque Arundel. Meanwhile, Essex has a couple of real deals... and a castle which is a fake reconstruction.
GARDENS: Fancy a bucolic day out in the fresh air, strolling through a pretty garden? Our favourites include Riverhill near Sevenoaks (quite a climb, but so worth it for the views) and Beth Chatto near Colchester, a former wasteland that's been completely transformed.
