Oxford

Avoid the traffic and stroll through Oxford’s streets on foot; find flowering meadows, stride out along the Thames or ride a bus to Blenheim Palace.

Perth

Explore Scotland's historic capital, stroll beside the River Tay and take a scenic bus trip out of town.

Coastliner buses

From York to the Yorkshire coast across miles of purple heather. No wonder the Coastliner was recently voted Britain’s most scenic bus ride.

RHS Garden Wisley

Flagship garden of the RHS and one of the great gardens of the world

Car-free offer: 25% discount on entry with train/bus ticket or bike

Brockhole

Lake District visitor centre, with lots outdoor activities including watersports and free adventure playground

Car-free offer: 10% off in Brockhole shop with bus ticket. Free Bike Boat ticket when you hire a bike at Brockhole.

Leeds

Catch a water taxi to the docks and the Royal Armouries, take a hike on wild Ilkley Moor or stroll round lovely Harlow Carr gardens.

National Botanic Garden of Wales

An amazing collection of more than 8,000 plant varieties, set in beautiful Welsh countryside, including the iconic Great Glasshouse

Car-free offer: 50% off by train, bus or bike (based on full adult price)

Cambridge

Cycle downriver to Grantchester, catch a train to see Shepreth’s red pandas or hop on the bus to visit bird-haunted lakes at Fen Drayton.

Summer adventures

Birds, animals, castles, gardens and boat trips … Here are six summery escapes in reach of London that will make a day trip into an adventure.

Westonbirt The National Arboretum

Experience around 2500 different species of trees from all over the world

Car-free offer: 30% off entry with valid train or bus ticket, or bike

Malton

Yorkshire’s self-styled "food capital", has some idyllic trips to offer: take a bus into the wooded wolds for a picnic or a boat round Castle Howard’s Great Lake from a vine-fringed tearoom veranda.

Hatfield

Elizabeth I’s childhood home, intricate gardens, miles of parkland, shops and cafes – all two minutes from the railway station ... and more beyond.

Snowdrops without a car

They herald the end of winter, forming beautiful carpets in woods and gardens. Here are ten different places where seeing snowdrops doesn’t need to involve a car.

Castle Howard

A magnificent historic house, near York, with ornate interiors and artworks, set in 100 acres of parkland and landscaped gardens

Car-free offer: 20% off entry when you show bus ticket*

Scampston Hall & Gardens

A stunning contemporary walled garden, nestled within the grounds of regency-style Scampston Hall

Car-free offer: 30% off entry with valid train or bus ticket, or bike

Chatsworth

Home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, Chatsworth is a family home, a working farm and a living landscape.

Car-free offer: £4 off entry with train/bus ticket or bike for: 'House, garden and farmyard ticket', 'House and garden ticket' or 'Christmas ticket'**