Day trips out of London for foreign visitor

[TheGander]

My cousin is visiting from France next week and I have run out of inspiration. He likes art, history, nature, music. Over the years we have done Oxford, Rye, Canterbury, Chichester. Is there anywhere similar we could go ? I don’t have a car but could hire one for the day.

Have you done places closer such as Hampton Court for example or Leeds Castle? You can be in York in 2 hours on the fast train.

Brighton is great for the Pavilion. Whitstable is good for the food. I know you haven’t said they are a foodie but they’re French.

Arundel, Cambridge

Windsor. You could visit the castle, Eton and wander down the river. You've got Runnymede close by where there's lots of nice walks and memorials to Magna Carta.

Windsor Castle and Bath can be done easily by public transport. Stonehenge can be done on an organised coach trip.

Thanks guys. Windsor might be an option, also Cambridge. I know he has visited Hampton court and really liked it. Any other ideas welcome!

If you fancied something different you could do Stonehenge. Lovely walk round the stones, Sunday lunch in a cosy country pub with a fire.

My dream day trip from London would be to Charleston House- home/studio of artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant. There is a sister gallery in Lewes so the day could be completed by a wander around the antique shops.

Another vote for Arundel. Lovely historic place, great castle. Easy to get to on the train. Could combine with a visit to WWT Arundel to add nature to history.

We did Charleston House last time@MrsMaude! Went down a treat. I love that place. DH and I went to the Lewes CH museum this summer, lovely and really quiet when we were there.
Im thinking Arundel might be a good choice, have seen it from the train on the way to Southampton, the castle looks amazing.

Bath?

Eltham Palace is a gem too. Maybe a search of National Trust and English Heritage sites will open up options?

Bath is a possibility. Eltham palace a great idea, as it has both Art Deco and historic Elizabethan elements.

Where's your starting point

Cambridge for sure.

If you're visiting Eltham palace you could also visit Hornimans Museum, Downey House and maybe Leeds Castle. Stongehenge is really busy and not a fun walk to the stones if it rains, Salisbury is a lovely town with a cathedral.

South London.

Bath, Winchester, Salisbury, Blenheim Palace

New Forest

Colchester

Second Windsor and Arundel, but also Hatfield House if you haven’t already done that.

Portsmouth historic dockyard?

Portsmouth is an hour and half by train from Waterloo.
The Dockyard is fantastic and next to the station ( which is on the water). HMS Victory, Mary Rose etc plus whatever naval ships are in. Gunwharf Quays is the other side of the station for outlet shopping with sea views and lots of restaurants.

Hahaa great mind! @Wowzel

Train to Richmond and a lovely walk along the Thames Path to Ham House if up for a walk (stop at the Petersham Nursery cafe)

Greenwich. Cutty Sark, Maritime Museum, Royal Naval College, walk up the hill to the Observatory and Date Line with great views over London