Four excursions from London

Tennis was invented in 1874 in Wimbledon, a wealthy suburb of London that can be reached in 40 minutes via the London Underground’s District Line. Its historic center, perched on a hill and known as The Village, exudes a very gentleman-farmer atmosphere: an old mill, a large park, old pubs where the local beer Young's* flows, country clubs, croquet lawns, and golf courses... Here and there, massive Victorian or Georgian houses look like castles, such as Southside House (which can be visited) or West Side House, which was home to Spencer Gore, Wimbledon’s first champion in 1877. Between walks, the tennis stadium is a must-see. Visitors are greeted by a statue of Fred Perry, the British champion who won the tournament three times in the 1930s, before exploring behind the scenes: the locker rooms, the press room, several courts, and an interactive museum. From René Lacoste's jacket to Björn Borg's shorts, including tournament trophies, tennis will hold no more secrets for you!

*Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, consume in moderation.

Gothic towers and domes, cloisters and dining halls... Just an hour from London by train from Paddington Station, this second excursion takes you to a city that is home to the oldest Anglo-Saxon university. Every year, 23,000 students prepare for their futures at 38 colleges, some of which are open to visitors. After class, they head to pubs and restaurants. Here, everything is older, bigger, and more scholarly—like the Bodleian Library, with its large mullioned windows and sculpted ribbed ceiling, or the art and archaeology museum housed in a neoclassical building. Another must-see: Christ Church, the most famous of Oxford's colleges. Its grand staircase with a ceiling decorated with rosettes and its medieval hall with chic woodwork, where dinners are held, were used as the setting for Harry Potter and inspired Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in Wonderland. The surrounding lush countryside matches the grandeur, dotted with peaceful villages and majestic castles like Blenheim Palace. A Unesco World Heritage site, this English Versailles is where Winston Churchill was born.

On the other side of the Channel, the English coast has nothing to envy to our Normandy! Between quaint charm and a quirky vibe, between refined tea-time and wild parties, Brighton reflects an English society that loves to embrace contradictions. This third suggested excursion is just an hour from London's Victoria Station. From its glory days in the 19th century—when the extravagant King George IV made it a fashionable destination—the coastal town has preserved its flamboyant Royal Pavilion, resembling a giant cake with Indian, Arabic, and Chinese influences, and its nostalgic pier illuminated by 13,000 bulbs, which juts over the sea and hosts a funfair. Today, however, it’s the town’s electric—and sometimes eccentric—vibe that draws London’s hipsters and bohemians to Brighton. They mingle with international students perfecting their English and families enjoying the delights of the beach. They also flock to the Lanes, a maze of narrow streets lined with pubs, vintage shops, and antique stores. It’s hard to resist the whirlwind of activity!

With its meridian used as the basis for calculating time zones, Greenwich has earned worldwide fame. To reach this southeast London neighborhood and straddle the imaginary line, you can take the Underground (Jubilee Line) or, for more fun, follow the course of the Thames on a river bus (Uber Boat by Thames Clippers). After passing the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf's business district, the monuments of Greenwich invite you to set sail: the Royal Observatory, the Cutty Sark (a tea-trading sailing ship), and the National Maritime Museum. The visit is sure to whet your appetite. At Greenwich Market, fish and chips pair well with browsing stands offering artisanal souvenirs. The neighborhood is also an opportunity to get a bird's-eye view of London, either from Greenwich Park or on the roof of the O2 Arena. Built to ring in the year 2000, the former Millennium Dome has been repurposed as a concert venue and tourist attraction. You can climb it (with safety ropes!) or simply enjoy its restaurants and duty-free shops.

What are your other ideas for excursions from London?

How to get there? With easyJet, which connect Montpellier to London-Gatwick Airport.