See our Beyond London section for further inspiration for trips out of London for a day, a weekend, or longer.
Exciting things to do close to the capital in June 2024, all easily accessible in a day trip.
LAVENDER FARMS: The lavender may not be in full bloom until the end of the month, but these popping purple farms and fields near London open to the public in June. Absorb the aromas, snap some photos and stock up on bunches of lavender and farm shop goodies. (Hertfordshire/Hampshire/Kent)
ESSEX BOOK FESTIVAL: A staggering 100+ events make up the Essex Book Festival, which takes place at venues across the county throughout June, and celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Participants include Lionel Shriver, Sarah Perry, Helen Lederer, Alan Johnson, Ruby Wax and writing duo Nicci French. 31 May-30 June(Essex)
STEAM SHOW: The Hertfordshire Steam Engine Preservation Society hosts the Hertfordshire Steam & Country Show, showcasing the history of steam power in the agriculture and haulage industries. See old steam engines and vintage vehicles on display and in action, among a funfair, stalls and food and drink traders. 1-2 June (Hertfordshire)
MALDON MUD RACE: Visitors come from afar as Italy and Germany to the Essex coast for the Maldon Mud Race, an event which sees 300 competitors getting grubby in a 450m run (/crawl), through the low tide mud from one bank of the River Blackwater to the other and back again. The quickest participants can do it in about four minutes, but there's a whole day of events and fun surrounding the race itself. 2 June (Essex)
MIDSUMMER FAIR: 200 stalls selling home and garden products, fashion items, gifts, and food and drink come to the quaint Hole Park Gardens for the Wealden Times Midsummer Fair. There's live music among the marquees, and your ticket includes access to the rest of the gardens too. We recommend the cakes in the Coach House Tea Rooms on site. 6-8 June (Kent)
MEDWAY FOOD AND DRINK FEST: Rochester Castle Gardens, on the bank of the River Medway, is the place to head for the Medway Food and Drink Festival. Local, regional, national and international products are celebrated and sold, and there are children's rides, live entertainment, pop-up bars and a cooking stage. Have a gander at our guide to visiting Rochester for other things to see and do in the area. 7-9 June (Kent)
SCULPTURE TRAIL: The Surrey Sculpture Society marks its 30th anniversary with its first ever sculpture trail at Claremont Landscape Gardens. Follow the fully accessible trail around the serpentine lake and surrounding areas, admiring the artworks as you go. All works are for sale. 8 June-14 July (Surrey)
BRIGHTON COMIC CON: It's time for East Sussex to dig out its best costume for Brighton Comic Con and Gaming Festival. Taking place at the Brighton Racecourse on the outskirts of the city, it features a cosplay competition, gaming zone, photo props... and roaming Daleks. 22 June (East Sussex)
HOME FRONT: Kent's Hever Castle is best-known for its Tudor links, but it's the 1940s that's being recreated here this month. The Home Front weekend involves swing dancing in a tea dance tent, and displays of military vehicles. Spiffing. 22-23 June (Kent)
GARDEN FESTIVAL: Taking place in a heritage-listed garden, the Borde Hill Garden Festival brings together 40+ stalls selling planters, garden furniture, accessories, and rare and unusual plants from national specialist nurseries. There's also live music on the lawn, garden tours, horticultural advice, street food and a programme of talks. 22-23 June (West Sussex)
DOG SHOW: If you're always pointing out good doggos in the street, get to Windsor where more than 10,000 of the very best pooches gather for the Windsor Championship Dog Show. Think Crufts, minus Clare Balding. See 200 breeds competing to be crowned champion in various classes, browse dog themed stalls, and get advice on caring for your own four-legged friend. 27-30 June (Berkshire)
PYO FLOWERS: If you love fresh flowers brightening up your home, why not pick your own: Blooming Green near Maidstone is a flower farm that lets the public in once a week to pluck blooms from the field, for £25 per container. We visited in June 2018. From 29 June until October (Kent)
VINTAGE FAIR: Kent's Chiddingstone Castle — worth a visit in its own right — hosts a Summer Vintage Fair, bringing together dozens of stalls hawking vintage fashion, furniture, textiles, jewellery, homewares and more. There's also live entertainment including music and dancing, and refreshment stalls too. Don't forget to visit the neighbouring historic Chiddingstone Village while you're there. 30 June (Kent)
