Often flight, train, and cruise departure times can be at inconvenient times of day, resulting in overnight stays away from home prior to setting off on your holiday. But rather than just seeing a hotel room, why not just start your vacation before you leave the country and make the most of your extra stopover?
Here are a few ideas of how to enjoy your pre-travel departure cities!
London Heathrow
Image Credit: Draco2008
- Tire out the kids before the flight with a day at a theme park. Thorpe Park is just 7 miles from Heathrow, and Legoland Windsor Resort is about 12 miles away.
- Explore some British history by visiting the site of the sealing of the Magna Carta in 1215; the National Trust runs the site at Runnymede, 6 miles from the departure gates.
- Enjoy some fresh air and nature before starting a long-haul flight, with a trip to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, just 7 miles from the airport.
London Gatwick
Image Credit: Andrew Skudder
- Enjoy one of the latest cinematic releases at the 4DX Cineworld screen in Crawley, stimulating all five senses in synchronicity with the action on screen.
- Visit ‘The Hawth’ in Crawley to enjoy one of the many theatrical, comedic, or musical events in their schedule.
- Embrace the history of flight at the Gatwick Aviation Museum, where the timeline from post-war to Cold War is demonstrated through aircraft design.
London Luton
Image Credit: James Sealey
- Visit the Stockwood Discovery Centre, with its beautiful gardens, award-winning display of carriages, various exhibitions, and children’s playground.
- Venture to the ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, home to more than 2500 animals. You can even spend the night there with a stay at the Lookout Lodge to find out what the neighbours get up to!
- Wear your legs out before the flight at the Orbital Trampoline Park. Not only are there trampolines, but there are features like Ninja Warrior, Gladiator Beams, and a 5 Lane Foam Pit.
London Stansted
Image Credit: J a s o n B o l d e r o
- Children (old and young at heart) would enjoy a visit to The House on the Hill Toy Museum in Stansted, which holds over 70,000 individual toys. The collection displays Victorian toys all the way through to 1980s games. Look out for the dinosaurs on your approach!
- Mountfitchet Castle and Norman Village of 1066, also in Stansted, is an open-air museum allowing visitors to travel back in time. This heritage entertainment complex makes for an exciting day out for all the family.
- Stretch your legs in the National Trust’s Hatfield Forest, and look out for the population of fallow and muntjac deer as you enjoy the natural surroundings.
London St Pancras
Image Credit: Florencia Lewis
- Have your photograph taken at Platform 9 ¾, recreating the magical Harry Potter moment of pushing the luggage trolley through the barrier at King’s Cross station.
- Explore the British Library, just a short walk from the station. The Treasures of the British Library exhibition showcases everything from the Magna Carta to Shakespeare and The Beatles.
- Enjoy Granary Square - the fountains you can dip your toes into and control through the Granary Squirt app, the wide selection of fantastic café and restaurants, and regular seasonal exhibitions and events ranging from Fashion Week to big screen Wimbledon showings and food markets.
Southampton
Image Credit: Henry Burrows
- Relax at the Ocean Village waterfront, home to numerous restaurants and bars, as well as a Picturehouse cinema and modern luxury spa Harbour Hotel with its contemporary rooftop bar.
- Sample some of the best restaurants in the city, with their finest, locally sourced food offerings on Oxford Street. Oxford Brasserie and Grand Café should definitely be on your shortlist.
- Discover Southampton’s history by visiting the SeaCity Museum, which tells the story of the people, their lives, and connections with the Titanic and the sea. Just next door is the Southampton City Art Gallery which holds one of the finest collections in the south of England, including works by Monet, Renoir, Freud, and Turner - all just a short journey from the cruise or airport terminals.
Portsmouth
Image Credit: Glenn Merrett
- Take in the views before setting sail with a trip up the 170m Spinnaker Tower, at the centre of the waterfront Gunwharf Quays shopping outlet and restaurant hub.
- Visit the raised Mary Rose, the Tudor ship that sank in at the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour in 1545. Discover tales of her history and explore the decks as you walk around the galleries.
- Enjoy the beach at Southsea, and the attractions at Clarence Pier - all the fun of the seaside!
Dover
Image Credit: Alexey Komarov
- Before crossing the Channel, visit Dover’s medieval castle, founded in the 11th century. It’s known as the “Key to England” due to its defensive significance throughout history, and it’s also the largest castle in England.
- Climb aboard for a trip through railway history and a scenic journey through the pretty villages of Shepherdswell and Eythorne. The East Kent Railway, constructed between 1911 and 197 to serve the Kent Coalfield, now serves as an exciting family day out.
- Visit Fan Bay Deep Shelter, a National Trust-run tunnel complex constructed during WWII. Experience an incredible underground adventure of abandoned tunnels with an expert tour guide and look back in time to another world, hidden inside the White Cliffs of Dover.
Manchester
Image Credit: Daniel
- Enjoy a magical concoction of smoking cocktails at The Alchemist; perhaps a Rhubarb Sangria or a Black Magic will take your fancy? They also serve a great selection of sharing platters, burgers, and mains.
- Take a tour of Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, walking in the footsteps of favourite players and visiting a host of backstage areas.
- Explore Manchester with the kids on the Manchester Castlefield Spy Mission Treasure Trail. Starting at the Museum of Science and Industry, you’ll soak up the sights and scenery of the city as you solve clues to crack the code.
Title Image Credit: Alexey Komarov (Image Cropped)