Five nostalgic day trips within a 90-minute drive of south east London

If you ever feel like taking a trip down memory lane or enjoying an activity from bygone times there are plenty of things to do in driving distance of south east London.

From climbing aboard a vintage steam train to taking a punt on the river, here are five nostalgic things to do within 90 minutes of south east London.

Take a ride on a vintage steam train at Tunbridge Wells

Vintage train enthusiasts can take a ride on the Spa Valley Railway, a vintage steam train ride spanning 5 miles across the Kent countryside.

Starting at Tunbridge Wells West station guests can take a ride in a vintage train carriage, disembarking at Eridge Station, Groomsbridge Station or High Rocks Station, each offering scenic walks and local attractions.

Why not get off at Groomsbridge Station to visit the nearby Groomsbridge Place, or take a walk through Eridge Rocks Nature Reserve or the Wlldwood Vineyard near Eridge Station.

All day fares cost £15 for an adult, £14 for a senior and £8 for a child, meaning you can hop on and hop off if you want to explore the different stops on the route before your return.

Dogs are also welcome aboard the trains, making this a great activity for all the family.

You can reach Tunbridge Wells by car in under 60 minutes or by train from Orpington in 30 minutes.

Eat Winnie the Pooh toast at Pooh Corner in Hartfield

Pooh's Corner Hartfield (Image: Pooh's Corner)

Fans of Winnie the Pooh can take a nostalgic trip to the village of Hartfield in East Sussex, which was the former home of Winnie the Pooh author A.A. Milne.

Located in the village is Pooh Corner, formerly known as Sackville Cottage when it was first built in 1703. It's now a cosy café, museum and shop for all things Winnie the Pooh.

Guests can enjoy a selection of sweet and savoury treats from their menu, including their TikTok-famous “Winnie the Pooh Toast” as well as milkshakes, toasties, cakes and hot drinks.

You can also book for Afternoon Tea at £27.50 per person.

It’s a very popular location so do expect a wait for a table, but in the meantime you can always browse the museum, which contains Winnie the Pooh memorabilia, artwork and manuscripts, and shop for gifts in the gift shop.

The village is situated near Ashdown Forest, which is well known for being the inspiration for the 100 Acre Wood in the books.

Be sure to visit the famous Pooh Sticks Bridge, which is believed to be the bridge where Milne and his son Christopher Milne first played the game.

See the Oast Houses at Kent Life

Kent Life is known as one of the few remaining places in the UK where hops are still grown, harvested, dried and packed in oast houses, something that was considered one of the big annual events in the agricultural calendar.

Located in Maidstone, a 40-minute drive from south east London, Kent Life is a farm and museum offering fun for all the family.

There’s plenty of things to see and do, from the vintage village with houses recreated to look as they would have done in old times, to a farmyard and nature trail, outdoor garden spaces and owl displays.

Tickets cost £10 for an adult, £10 for a child and £36 for a family ticket.

Pick your own produce at Meopham Pick Your Own

Many people will probably remember visiting a pick your own farm as a child and nothing says nostalgia like a visit to one.

Meopham Pick Your Own near Dartford is a 30-minute drive from south east London and is a great place to visit for a lot of the year.

Open every Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 4pm, Meopham Pick Your Own grows a range of seasonal produce, from strawberries to pumpkins.

Entry to the farm is free and there is also a tearoom on site selling hot and cold drinks, snacks and cakes if you get peckish.

Take an idyllic punt at Canterbury

Canterbury in Kent has a number of popular attractions to visit, from its famous Cathedral to its old shops and eating stops.

But if you fancy a quieter afternoon in this historic town, you can take a punt with Westgate Punts to see beautiful views of the Kentish countryside by water, starting from Westgate Gardens.

On your trip you’ll spot local wildlife, while passing underneath willow trees and a Victorian railway bridge.

The boat travels at a leisurely pace up the River Stour, making it a great time to enjoy a picnic as you enjoy scenic views that will make you feel like Ratty from Wind in the Willows.

A short 35-minute trip costs £16 for an adult or £8 for a child and each boat can fit a maximum of three people.