Fancy getting out of London for a day, but not sure where to head? Here are a few reasons to (temporarily) leave London in February 2026, including half term activities and Valentine’s Day celebrations.
See our Beyond London section for further inspiration for trips out of London for a day, a weekend or longer.
SNOWDROP WALKS: Hedingham Castle in Essex offers snowdrop walks on selected dates in February, opening the gardens and estate to allow you to see the delicate white flowers in bloom. Seek out other places to see snowdrops in and around London. 8 February-1 March (Essex)
CAPTURING A QUEEN: The magnificent Hever Castle reopens for the season with a brand new exhibition. Capturing A Queen: The Image of Anne Boleyn brings together the largest ever gathering of portraits believed to depict Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII, who grew up at Hever Castle. 11 February-January 2027 (Kent)
DARK SKIES FESTIVAL: Stargazing, storytelling, talks and walks are all part of the South Downs Dark Skies Festival, taking place in and around the South Downs National Park near Brighton — a designated International Dark Sky Reserve. If that gets your stars shooting, find out more about stargazing in and around London. 12-22 February (East Sussex)
ROYAL LENS: The town of Royal Tunbridge Wells is an apt setting for photography exhibition Life Through A Royal Lens. Previously on show at Hillsborough Castle, it’s the first travelling exhibition from Historic Royal Palaces, and showcases both official portraits and candid, behind-the-scenes moments of the Royal Family, from Queen Victoria through to today. See it at the town’s Amelia Scott Centre. FREE, 13 February-7 June (Kent)
VALENTINE’S STEAM TRAIN: Whisk your loved one away on a steam train. The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway on the Kent coast offers a steamy Valentine’s dinner. Board at New Romney and enjoy the ride to the End of the Line restaurant at Dungeness, where you’ll enjoy a four-course meal before catching the return train. 14 February (Kent)
MODEL VILLAGE REOPENS: The enchanting Bekonscot Model Village reopens following its winter closure, just in time for February half term. Wander among 1.5 acres of gardens and finely detailed model buildings set in the 1930s, including the world’s tiniest Tube station. From 14 February (Buckinghamshire)
SHAUN THE SHEEP: Wakehurst, sister property of Kew Gardens hosts a Shaun the Sheep augmented reality trail through its estate. Download the app and follow the trail, unlocking markers along the way, where you can complete tasks, meet Shaun and his friends, and capture photos and videos. Shaun the Sheep runs throughout February half term and into next month, aimed at three+ year-olds and their families. 14 February-1 March (West Sussex)
BLUEPRINTS OF POWER: 2026 is the tercentenary year of architect Sir John Vanbrugh, designer of Blenheim Palace, which celebrates with new exhibition Blueprints of Power. Immersive experiences combine with rare archive material to tell the story of how the flamboyant architect’s relationship with high society helped define an age. 14 February-10 April (Oxfordshire)
MAGNOLIAS IN BLOOM: Spring (hopefully) begins to blossom this month, including the magnolia collection at Borde Hill near Haywards Heath. Magnolias in Bloom is a chance to take a self-guided walk through a collection of 150 different varieties of the plant. Worth checking the website for this one, as flowering seasons have been erratic in recent years. 14 February-30 April (West Sussex)
FAVERSHAM LITERARY FESTIVAL: Joanne Harris, Jenni Eclair, Juno Dawson, Mark Billingham and Sir Ben Okri are on the line-up for Faversham Literary Festival, taking place across nine days at various venues around the town, including the Guildhall and Faversham Assembly Rooms. 20 February-1 March (Kent)
SCALLOP WEEK: Heading to the British seaside is perhaps an odd suggestion for February, but seafood fans should go to Sussex for Rye Bay Scallops Week. Various restaurants in and around the town are serving up special dishes to show off local scallops. Want to make a weekend of it? Here’s our guide to things to see and do in Rye. 21 February-1 March (East Sussex)
WINTER BEER FESTIVAL: The Chappel Beer Festival boasts over 70 cask ales, plus ciders and perries, and takes place at the Chappel Goods Shed — part of the East Anglian Railway Museum, which shares a location with Chappel & Wakes Colne Station. 26-28 February (Essex)
