Ideas to escape London for a long-bank holiday weekend

Matias
4 days ago
5 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

From London to Kent: Farm, Sea and a Few Glasses of English Wine!

The first "proper" break of the year always feels different. Not just another weekend away as we had in January or a last-minute plan, but a much-needed pause after a stretch of hectic weeks where London quietly takes more out of you than you realise. And with the May bank holiday around the corner, it felt like the right moment to share this one.

We hadn’t had more than a long weekend away yet this year, and as the first bank holiday approached, coinciding with my partner’s birthday, it felt like the right moment to reset. Not a big trip, not something complicated, just a simple staycation done properly.

That familiar feeling came back, similar to the post I wrote last year about ideas for a seaside escape. Get out, not far, not ambitious, just far enough to change the pace. This time though, we weren’t chasing just a day by the sea. We wanted a bit of everything, coast and countryside, good food and proper downtime. A place where we could settle in rather than just rush through.

And looking back, this staycation (which was a birthday surprise), hit exactly the right notes: slow mornings, no to-do lists, nowhere we really had to be. Just letting the days unfold as they came.

From celebration to stillness

Before the calm, there was the noise, but the good kind though. The pre-trip actually began with my partner’s birthday celebration on the Good-Friday near Tamworth, just outside Birmingham. A proper celebratory gathering in a lovely estate, with friends coming in from different places, good food flowing, a bit of indulgence, and that sense of occasion you get once in a decade.

It was joyful, a little hectic, and exactly what it needed to be. That was the high before the exhale. Because after the big celebration, we shifted gears completely and began our retreat, which again, was a birthday surprise that had to live up to the expectations of being a retreat.

Kent, London’s quiet back garden

There’s a reason Kent is often called London’s back garden.

Less than two hours from the city, the landscape softens quickly. And think of rolling fields, vineyards that stretch further than you expect, and pockets of coastline that still feel a little wild. Also, it’s close enough to reach without overthinking it, but once you arrive, London fades faster than you’d imagine. And in low season, it’s even better as there’s fewer crowds, and that quiet feeling that you’ve somehow timed it just right. We were also lucky with the weather, which made everything feel even more generous.

The kind of place you don’t rush

We based ourselves in Peasmarsh, just a short drive from Rye. It’s not somewhere you stumble upon casually, it’s the kind of place you choose deliberately. Only about an hour and a half from London, yet it feels much further away in the ways that matter.

Our base was a small and beautifully refurbished farm cottage, one of those Airbnb that gets the balance more than right, rural, but with proper comfort and a sense of luxury. A kitchen you actually want to cook in, big windows letting in soft light, a fireplace, and interiors that feel considered without trying too hard.

All of that quietly invited us to slow down, and that’s exactly what we did.

Days shaped by little plans, appetite and great weather

It was only five days, but the rhythm came quickly and the weather clearly helped. Blue skies, crisp air, that early spring light that makes everything feel just a bit more alive.

Mornings started properly, coffee and a nice breakfast, and then deciding what the day might look like. Some days it was the coast mixed with other relaxing activities, just taking one step at a time.

A short drive took us into Rye, which never really needs much of an introduction. Cobbled streets, quiet corners, and that slightly frozen-in-time feeling, especially out of season. From there, it was an easy stretch to the beach where we enjoyed long walks, taking in all the sea air, and our dog happily setting the pace.

Another day, we made it to Dungeness. Wild, a little surreal which felt a bit like “The Last of Us”, somewhere between beauty and desolation. No polished charm, just open space, and a stillness that’s hard to describe. It won’t be for everyone, but for us, it was brilliant.

Wine, the English way

Wine was always part of the plan. This part of Kent has been quietly building something worth paying attention to, especially when it comes to sparkling wines. Still underrated, but that’s part of the appeal.

We visited three vineyards, each with its own pace.

Balfour Winery was our first stop, on the way to the cottage. Relaxed but well put together, with wide views and a menu that makes it easy to settle in.

Then Gusbourne Estate, which felt a touch more refined. Elegant wines, a bit more structured, and yes, a higher price tag, but you can see where it comes from.

And finally, Tillingham, which ended up being our favourite. More relaxed, more character, and just a bit more fun. I went for a solo lunch first, a light introduction that quickly set the tone for what was planned for dinner the day after. But Tillingham is more than just a winery. It’s a whole setup, accommodation, restaurant, bar, even a pizza space that looks amazing, which you can imagine it buzzing in summer. And of course, our dinner was exactly what we wanted. Seasonal plates, natural wines, nothing overthought but just very, very good food in a setting that makes you want to stay longer than planned.

If you’re nearby, it’s an easy recommendation. Even better if you’re within walking distance, like we were.

The in-between moments

Again, not much was planned, and that’s where the trip really found its rhythm.

A seafood shack in Rye, Rye Fishmarket & Seafood Bar, became a regular stop which was simple, fresh, and no fuss. We picked things up to cook but also stayed for a couple of casual lunches, at their pop-up restaurant. Good produce, a glass of local sparkling, and that easy coastal atmosphere but with great music.

Then there were the walks. Daily, unstructured, just the three of us wandering through woods and fields near the farm, taking a moment to realise that the only noise comes from the birds, animals and sea breeze. Coming from Dalston, that contrast hits you in a way you don’t expect.

And the evenings. Three dinners at home, time to watch the sky at night and realise there are stars up there. Also, having access to a great kitchen allowed for great cooking, using what we’d picked up during the day and opening a bottle from one of the vineyards. And in all honesty, there’s something unique about cooking in a place like that, surrounded by fields, that brings you back to basics. This taps into something familiar, that connection between food, place and time, and of course, a view over the fields.

Why this kind of escape works for a bank holiday weekend

What stayed with me wasn’t just the places, but the pace and space. There was no pressure to do everything and no need to chase a list. Just a balance between moving and pausing, between eating well and doing very little.

A farm stay that gives you comfort and a bit of luxury, without taking away the simplicity. The sea close enough when you need it. Vineyards around to keep things interesting, but never overwhelming.

And food, always within reach. Whether you cook it yourself or let someone else do it for you.

This was a reset without complication and maybe that’s the point of these simple escapes, not to go far, but to go just far enough to appreciate those little-great moments in life.

So, if you’re wondering how to make the most of the May bank holiday weekend, you probably don’t need to look much further than Kent.