Day Trippin' from London & Flyin' Premium with Virgin
Hey Travelers,
Katy's currently enjoying her post-convention break on Vancouver Island, so I'm here to put you in a spooky October mood.
It's "haunted hotel" season! Regardless of your stance on paranormal evidence, it's really interesting how a good ghost story can have visitors lining up for a sleepless night. The Stanley Hotel in Colorado is a perfect example – it's where Stephen King had the dream that inspired The Shining, and since then, it's become a hotbed for paranormal investigation. Rooms for the night of October 31st currently start at $711!
I've actually stayed in a supposedly haunted hotel myself, the Hotel Normandie in Los Angeles. I can't say I experienced any unusual activity (at least, nothing you wouldn't normally experience in LA at night) but I can see how the vintage setting could have you looking over your shoulder.
Have you ever stayed in a hotel with a reputation for hauntings? Did you see any weird shadows, hear any strange noises? Did you wake up from a nightmare, ready to pen the next great horror novel?
Stay spooky,
Olivia - Sub-Editor of the Detour
The Very Best London Day Trips
By Larissa
Larissa is an Aussie expat from Sydney who only sometimes misses the beach. Currently based in London, she’s now working on ticking as many European cities off her travel list as possible. When she's not busy checking for brunch spots in her next destination, she's helping the team deliver all those juicy Flights straight to your inbox.
So, we’re a travel club. Even when you’re in one of the best cities in the world (in my not-so-humble, very biased opinion), we’re going to inspire you to get out and see the world.
Below, I’ve compiled a list of some of the most worthwhile day trips from London that give you a real feel for the different parts of Southeast England – from Surrey to Hampshire to Kent and beyond, with the help of my friends in the Jack’s Flight Club Facebook Travel Community. We’ll journey through cathedral towns, seaside spots, and national parks. I’ve organised these from most to least popular, so hopefully there’s at least one place here that you haven’t considered.
Oh, and all of these are within 2 hours of London, giving you a full day to explore before you need to hop on the train back.
Bath
I’m starting in almost the most obvious place I could (outside of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter) – Bath! The whole town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, after all. I could wax lyrical about its Roman heritage, its Georgian architecture, and its connection to a very famous author, but it’s likely you know all that already.
My advice is to head there during the Jane Austen festival, which falls in September. The place comes alive with Regency costumes, balls, and a stunning parade through the centre of town. So you get all the benefits of being there as an Austen fan, on steroids.
Of course, many tours combine Bath and nearby Stonehenge in one (very long) day, so it’s possible to knock off both at once. I’m always a little skeptical of full-day tours where the organisers try to hit too many sites in one day, because I prefer to travel at my own speed. But they are good if you don’t have a car and just want to tick off the greatest hits.
How to get from London to Bath: 1 hr 15 mins train from Paddington station (with GWR)
Bristol
It almost feels shameful to put Bristol on a list like this, because it’s a city that you should take the time to explore in its own right. But one of our Jack’s Facebook Community members, Emma, shared what they love about Bristol, and so I wanted to include it:
“A cultural melting pot with an incredible food scene. Alongside its fascinating history of pirates, slavery, shipping and more, Bristol adapts and doesn’t shy aware from its sometimes cruel heritage. It’s a city of innovators, passionate people and green spaces that local communities will always flight for. Uni students come from all over the world to study here, and I moved from London myself to live here. A country city in comparison to London but much more accessible with all the joys of independent cafes, art installations and festivals throughout the year.”
So, it’s a place the locals are passionate about. Some of the best of those art installations and festivals include:
- Wake the Tiger
- Spike Island
- Street Art Trail – you can thank Banksy for Bristol’s booming street art scene, with some really colourful and iconic works by local artists.
- Bristol Light Festival (February)
- Bristol Pride (July)
- Bristol International Balloon Fiesta (August)
Bristol will give you a similar vibe as London, but on a smaller scale and with its own rich and unique history. Definitely worth a visit!
How to get from London to Bristol: 1 hr 30 mins train from Paddington stations (with GWR)
Brighton
I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with Brighton. On one hand, I love that it’s extremely easily accessible from London – one train and you’re at the beach. It’s a quintessential seaside town, so you get all the good stuff that comes with that: the pier, the carnival attractions, the fish and chips, the alleyways of shops to peruse, the iconic colourful bathing boxes, and the beach itself (which is a pebble beach, but I can’t hold that against Brighton – it comes with the territory). On a hot summer’s day, I’d much rather be there than in London.
On the other hand, everyone else in London feels the same way. It’s cursed by the things that make it great. Its accessibility means thousands of Londoners descend on sunny weekends, ramming The Lanes, crowding the pier, and making it hard to find a few pebbles for yourself.
So, is it worth a visit? Yes! Just go on a weekday. Or during winter if you’re happy to skip the swim – all the shops and restaurants will still be open, but you’ll more likely have them to yourself. Also worth mentioning is that Brighton and surrounding areas are unofficially considered the LGBTQI+ capital of the UK, and they have an arts and cultural scene that rivals any other in the country. If you do go, my favourite fish and chips spot is RYBKA, some of the best I’ve ever had.
How to get from London to Brighton: 1 hr 20 mins train from St Pancras International, or 1 hr 15 mins from London Bridge (with Thameslink)
Bourton-on-the-Water
A place I’ve never been to, but will likely be on your list if you’re going to the Cotswolds. While Moreton-in-Marsh is the easiest village to visit by public transport (the train will take you straight there), Bourton-on-the-Water is one of the most popular. It’s called the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds,’ if that gives you any indication of its appeal. It even comes highly recommended by Jack’s Flight Club Facebook Community member Carolyn.
Alongside the river, stone houses, and picturesque bridges, you’ll find a model village. There are traditional pubs, traditional tea rooms, and traditional alleys to wander down, as is the experience of the Cotswolds. Nice villages set in rolling green hills. It’s very, very cute, but from the research I’ve done, it might be better off to base yourself in Moreton-in-Marsh and then take advantage of the local bus service (or the on-demand Robin, I know – it's so quaint). Other villages that will give you a similar vibe, but with fewer people include:
- Lower and Upper Slaughter (what a name for such a beautiful part of the world)
- Naunton
- Painswick
How to get from London to Bourton-on-the-Water: 1 hr 25 min train from Paddington (with GWR) & 35 min bus
Canterbury
One from my personal list. I loved Canterbury – it hits everything you want from a cathedral city (read: a city that sprung up around a cathedral way back when, not the cheese). Canterbury’s cathedral is up there with the best in the country, being the historic seat of the head of the Church of England, which clearly counts for something (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for one). It’s also home to the oldest church in the English-speaking world, which is cool!
Outside the cathedral (it is really impressive), I was struck by the experience in Canterbury being quite similar to what you’d get out of a day in Oxford or Cambridge – namely, punting. These small riverboats provide a really nice tour, sailing past countless beautiful houses, stone bridges and well-manicured gardens. And the driver/guide will typically regale you with stories about the city and the many famous people who have passed through. Plus, theatre heads will appreciate the Marlowe connection, and literature heads the Canterbury Tales.
How to get from London to Canterbury: 1 hr train from St Pancras International (with Southeastern)
Jack's Honest Airline Review: Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy
By Katy
Katy is a seasoned budget traveller living in Scotland with her husband and two cats. She has already been to every country in the EU and is now working on grand plans to conquer the rest of the world. When she’s not writing up travel inspo for The Detour, she’s usually researching her next trip.
In January 2026, I had quite a busy schedule. I managed to commit myself to working at three travel expos, three weekends in a row, in three different cities. No big deal - if they had all been in the same country or even on the same continent.
Between shows in Manchester and London, England, I had to be in New York. That’s where Virgin Atlantic’s Premium cabin came in. Having read that they offered the best premium economy product out there, I figured this was surely the best way to ensure that I arrived back in the UK as well-rested as possible. And so I booked, ready to find out whether premium economy was really so different from standard economy - and whether it was worth the extra cash. Here’s the result: my honest Virgin Atlantic premium economy review.
Flight & Aircraft Details
- VS26 - New York John F. Kennedy (JFK) to London Heathrow (LHR) on a Boeing 787-9
Boarding was smooth, and the futuristic purple lighting felt like entering into some kind of virtual reality simulator. It definitely set the tone for something more special than the average clinical, white-lit in-flight experience. Arriving at my seat certainly did feel a little more luxurious than in economy, too. To the uninitiated (me), it almost looked like a business class seat with a proper shell, wide armrests, and a footrest.
One specific bonus of the Premium cabin on the 787-9 vs. Virgin’s other aircraft is the 21” seat width for added bum-wiggling space. Their Airbuses generally only offer 18.5”, and those extra 2.5” can really make a difference when you’re trying to find a comfy position to spend 7 hours in.
The footrest is meant to help you stretch out, but I really couldn’t find a position in which it felt more comfortable than with no footrest. Once I reclined my chair all the way back, the angle just didn’t quite match up, and I felt like I had to fold my legs up just to use it.
General Facilities
When I arrived at my seat, I was greeted by a neat pile of handy items: a fluffy neck pillow, a fresh blanket, a menu detailing what was to come (see below), headphones, and a cute little amenity kit in a sort of red paper-textured bag with a zip.
The contents of the amenity kit were definitely more suited to a night flight - socks, an eye mask, earplugs, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a pen. But time zones are only theoretical in the air, so I’m sure other folks will have been looking to catch a few Zzzs while I was perusing movies and eating snacks.
Each seat also came with a USB charging port and a socket for both US and UK plugs.
Another bonus of premium economy was sharing toilets with the business class cabin as opposed to the economy cabin - fewer people means fewer opportunities for an unpleasant surprise.
Food and Drink
The main event.
Before taking off, we were treated to a pour of bubbly (in a proper glass) while we settled in and read through the treats to come.
First up was brunch, around an hour after taking off. The menu listed three options: a yoghurt and granola bowl, a bagel with cream cheese, egg and tomato filling, or an English muffin stuffed with turkey, egg and cheese. What it didn’t tell me was that I was getting the yoghurt and granola as well as one of the other options.
Having already set my mind on the everything bagel, I wasn’t too bothered about the rest, but I ended up being really glad to get it. The yoghurt came in a nice porcelain bowl with a good blob of fruit compote on top, while the granola was served in a separate packet to keep it fresh and crunchy. On the side, a bagel stuffed with a satisfying amount of cream cheese, tomato compote, and an egg, plus a glass of OJ.
Towards the end of the flight came “A bite later on.” Sounds snacky, but was in fact a proper delicious meal. I went for the Japanese-style Kakuni chicken with edamame rice, which came with a Caprese salad (my fave), a berry crumble and cheese and crackers.
All the important (or silly, or strange) news from around the web this month.
- We weren't the only ones flying over Vancouver this week – a Canadian astronaut shared his view of the city.
- Condé Nast revealed their list of the top ten friendliest cities in the world. Suddenly we've got cravings for vegemite and pasteis de nata...
- More changes at Southwest! Not content with shaking up baggage fees and route offerings, now the airline is overhauling their loyalty program, too.
- A 1960s photo of Disneyland went viral this week, with people online claiming one man in the crowd looks too modern and must be a time traveler.
- And finally, tips from a British etiquette expert on how to keep classy during your hotel stay. Surprisingly, there's one item he says you can always steal!