London is one of my favourite cities in the world and will likely steal your heart too. However, if you have any more than three days in the city, take the opportunity to get out of London and see more of the United Kingdom. Here are the 10 best day trips from London to inspire your trip!
1. Bath, Windsor Castle & Stonehenge
A day visit to Bath, Windsor Castle & Stonehenge is the most popular day trip to take from London. Sure, it is a long day, but it is entirely worth it to pack so much into one day. Should you wish to spend more time in Bath and skip the others, this is also a really great day trip from London and can be done on your own by train (1.5 hours one way).
2. Oxford, Blenheim Palace & Woodstock
One of the best day trips from London is to visit nearby Oxford University City. It is only a short 90minute trip, whether you take a bus or the train. If you make it out for a day visit, you’ll have plenty to fit in as there are a handful of free universities and some paid that cannot be missed (particularly Christ Church for Harry Potter fans!) If you allow time for a few hours to visit Blenheim Palace just 20 minutes up the road by bus, be sure to take the time to also drop into Woodstock, a small town right next door. Buses are frequent (usually every 20 minutes) and inexpensive (6 pounds return Oxford-Blenheim Palace).
3. Paris by Eurostar
It is also entirely possible to leave England and visit another country entirely! Paris is just a little over 2 hours away by Eurostar, making it another one of London’s most popular day trips. Sure, this isn’t anywhere near long enough in Paris (you’ll need 3-4 days to see and do everything), but if its your only chance don’t miss it!
4. The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds are slightly less known to international visitors, but Brits will be quick to tell you just how beautiful they are! Because you really need a car to get around the Cotswolds and see all the different little villages, the best way to visit this area is to catch an early train from London and book a full-day tour of the Cotswolds in advance, including morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea. This is hands down one of the best day trips from London if you’re looking for a more quintessential British experience.
5. Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour
If you’re a Harry Potter fan or a poor ol’ muggle that has been dragged along with one, then you absolutely must make your way out to the studio tour. It is only a short drive out of the city and well worth your while. In fact, you will be able to learn absolutely everything about the Harry Potter films and how they were made. Its the ultimate experience for fans of the films and is just a short drive outside of London (book the Warner Bros bus to play it safe).
6. Cambridge University Town
While Oxford was the first university town, Cambridge is equally if not more beautiful (depending who you ask, of course, the inter-college rivalry is well and truly alive!) Cambridge is, like Oxford, a 1.5-hour drive from London with many buses and trains departing frequently.
7. Downton Abbey Locations
For fans of the hit tv series Downton Abbey, you’ll be delighted to learn there are Downton Abbey day tours departing London to fulfil your love for the show. The tours are often a full day to partake in, but this can be a really fun way to get out of the city.
8. Brighton & Brighton Beach
In just under an hour by train, you can reach the blissful beachy town of Brighton, a favourite for visitors to London and Londoners themselves! It is a large thriving city with much to offer visitors but is also home to many locals, unlike other popular beach towns that exist only for tourism. A day in Brighton is best enjoyed in summer as the winter can be quite cold and grey (not unlike London though!)
9. Edinburgh & Edinburgh Castle
Fancy seeing a bit more of the UK beyond England!? If you don’t mind a quick flight (just over an hour) in the morning and back again at the end of the day, then there’s one city that flies still somewhat under the radar in the UK but is SO worth visiting it isn’t even describable. That’s Edinburgh, pictured above.
10. Bristol
If cities are your thing and you’re interested in seeing another city in England, then head over to Bristol as this is just 2 hours by train or to drive. Bristol is also another popular city to visit combined with Bath, as the two are a mere 30 minutes drive away from one another.
Plan your visit to London:
Day trips from London in summer
These are the best day trips from London in Summer
1. Durdle Door, Wareham
As one of the most famous stone arches in the entire world, Durdle Door is a beautiful location to visit and reachable in a day trip from London. The arch is located on the stunning Jurassic Coast, which can be reached in a 2.5 hour drive from London. Public transport is possible, but quite a long day. So if you plan on taking the train, you might be better off visiting as part of a longer journey – perhaps a long weekend!
2. Deal, Kent
A small town located in Kent, Deal would have to be one of the most idyllic small towns to escape to in summer. During the warmer months, the city springs to life in an abundance of colour – especially in terms of flowers in shopfronts! But there’s much more than meets the eye in this classic English seaside town. You can expect to find buzzy bars, castles and pretty pebble beaches here in Deal. And best of all, it is under 2 hours to drive to or 3 hours by train.
3. Box Hill, Surrey
Located just 30 kilometres from London is Box Hill, a beautiful summit that can easily be reached by train from London. This part of Surrey is particularly photogenic in the summer months, when the grass is green and the sun shines a light on the lakes. It is impossible picturesque, so be sure to pack your camera! Box Hill can be reached in under and hour by car or train from London.
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4. Oxford, Oxfordshire
If you ask me, there is never a bad season or time of year to visit Oxford in Oxfordshire. This university town has so much charm and character, that I’d recommend it year-round! In fact, we did include Oxford in our round up of the best day trips from London in winter, too! It will take just one hour to reach Oxford from London, and you can choose to drive, catch the train or a bus. Each are viable options and a great opportunity to soak up the English countryside en route.
5. The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds are another year-round destination I don’t think I could ever tire of. Whimsical and ethereal, there are so many great summer activities to enjoy in this region, from canoeing down a lake to perching yourself up in a cabin right on top of a lake – providing a private oasis! There are also many great towns to explore throughout the region, so the best way to enjoy the Cotswolds is to hire a car and enjoy the flexibility of getting around from town to town.
Read more: These are the best luxury hotels in the Cotswolds for a weekend away
6. Bath, Somerset
As the largest city in the county of Somerset and renowned the world over for being a wellness oasis, there’s so many reasons to jump on a train and visit Bath for a day visit from London. In summer especially, this city really comes to life. As Bath is full of relaxing day spas and healing waters, this is a great destination to visit if you are in need of a little R+R. Plus, the town itself is gorgeous to walk around, so you’ll want to allow plenty of time to explore the city on foot.
Related: Checking In to the Gainsborough, Bath
7. Windsor and Windsor Castle
If you haven’t yet visited Windsor and the renowned Windsor Castle, you’ll surely want to add this destination to your travel list. Windsor has long been one of the most visited day trip destinations outside of London, especially for royal enthusiasts. In the summer months, the city has an incredibly vibrant feel to it, with many shops selling all the royal souveniers and paraphernalia your heart desires!
8. Brighton
Brighton is perhaps the best day trip from London in summer. After all, it is the closest beach to London just 54 miles south! But if you’re making your way down to Brighton, you might be tempted to stay a few days, as there is so much on offer in this city. There are plenty of great bars and comedy clubs, as well as the beautiful Brighton pier to walk along at sunset
Day trips from London in winter
The best day trips from London in Winter
1. Rye, East Sussex
Reason to go: cobble lanes
Train time from London: roughly four hours
In the winter months, we all want to cozy up by a roaring fire, with a glass of wine (or a pint) in hand and a competitive game of backgammon at our disposal. Alas! Rye in East Sussex is the perfect location to experience all of the above. Whether you’re tucked up in a pub or walking your way around the cobbled streets, Rye is full of hidden treasures. Start with an ale at The George (High Street) before making your way down the street to pop in and out of cozy cafes, wine bars and the occasional boutique.
2. Canterbury, Kent
Reason to go: for a step back in time
Train time from London: one hour and 30 minutes
If it is history and a walk through time you are after, then look no further than Canterbury. This city has Medieval architecture on overdrive and if there’s anywhere you are going to feel as if you have stepped back in time, this is it. A city of churches and cathedrals, you can’t miss out on visiting the Canterbury Cathedral with its imposing bell tower, offering a great opportunity to get your bearings. From there, make your way through the centre of town and be sure to check out Blackwell’s Book Shop, followed up with a visit to Bramley’s cocktail bar in the early evening.
3. Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
Reason to go: cozy wine bars and tasty taverns
Train time from London: one hour
If it is wine bars with a cozy atmosphere you are after, then it should come at no surprise that you will find all that and more in the University town of Cambridge in Cambridgeshire. If you’re looking for a one stop shop, pull up a chair at The Wine Rooms Cambridge, where you’ll be spoiled for choice with a selection of wines from various regions. Nearby Cambridge wine merchants can help with a bottle for the road, while Parker’s Tavern is the perfect pit stop for dinner.
4. Oxford, Oxfordshire
Reason to go: for a magical time
Train time from London: one hour
If you prefer your university towns with a hint of Harry Potter flair, then you can’t miss the opportunity to visit Oxford on a day trip from London. Oxford is the first town I ever visited as a day trip from London and I can still say after a handful of visits under my belt, it is still my top pick. There are many reasons to visit during winter, including the charm and allure of the cozy countryside, matched with endless boutiques and university libraries to duck into and escape the cold.
5. Castle Comb, The Cotswolds
Reason to go: for wintry walks
Train time from London: two hours 30 minutes
There are simply too many charming towns and villages in the Cotswolds to visit them all, but as far as choosing just one for a day visit goes, you can’t go wrong in Castle Comb. This town might just be the most quaint of them all, with a cozy wintry walk on offer running alongside the Bybrook River. Think Downtown Abbey in present times, as this town has been used as a filming location for the hit show.
Read more: These are the best luxury hotels in the Cotswolds for a weekend away
6. Bath, Somerset
Reason to go: to warm up in a bathhouse
Train time from London: one hour and 20 minutes
If there’s one place in all of England you can count on to warm you up in winter, it is Bath. The city is quite literally named after the Roman era bathhouses of which you can still visit to this day, even though the original ones are not in use. But fear not! There are many public bathhouses you can visit, as well as some private oasis’ to be found in the city, such as the day spa at The Gainsborough hotel in the centre of town. Plus you will find endless cafes, wine bars, taverns and pubs to cozy up inside of and when you’re in need of something to do for date night (with someone else or just your fine self), make your way to Tivoli Cinema for one of the best film-watching experiences on the continent.
7. Windsor and Windsor Castle
Reason to go: for royal history and culture
Train time from London: around 30 minutes
Fancy a royal walk through history? You will find all that and more by making your way to Windsor, home to Windsor Castle and enough royal souvenier stores to have you leave feeling like a royal yourself. Stepping inside Windsor Castle is a great way to spend a day trip from London, learning the history of the House of Windsor.
8. Stratford, Warwickshire
Reason to go: inspiration good enough for Shakespeare
Train time from London: 2 hours
With romanticized Tudor architecture and enough history and heritage to have been the inspiration for William Shakespeare (or at least his birthplace), Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire is a fablous day trip from London. Theatre culture is alive and well in the town, making this a great place to enjoy slowing down during the day, with a festive evening at a local theatre show to see out the evening.
9. York, Yorkshire
Reason to go: over-indulge in York chocolate
Train time from London: 2 hours and 30 minutes
As the home of chocolate for England and the birthplace of Kit Kat, Smarties and many other internationally known chocolate brands, York is a sweet escape from London and great for a winter day trip. If you fancy indulging in the finer things in life, chocolate is on overdrive in this city. But there are many reasons to make a day trip to York during winter, including quaint streets to wander around, epic landscapes on the train journey there, cozy taverns and English pubs.
10. Hastings, East Sussex
Reason to go: great fish and chips
Train time from London: 1 hour and 40 minutes
As far as the best day trips from London in winter go, you might not first think of Hastings in East Sussex. But if you’re craving fish and chips in the dark of winter in London, you won’t find a better day trip or weekend road trip than making your way to Hastings. Enjoy!
Brooke is a Tasmanian-born writer and professional baker who started World of Wanderlust in 2013 and has since travelled to 86 countries. These days her guides focus on what she knows best: the bakeries, hotels and places worth crossing the world for.
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