Search results
Jun 12, 2023 · The 21 Best Day Trips From London. There are dozens of dreamy one-day escapes from the English capital—here's our guide to them. By Condé Nast Traveller and Anna Prendergast. June 12,...
Our definitive guide to the best day trips from London, from seaside towns to rural adventures. Perfect for anyone wanting a break from the capital
- Oxford ✅ Drive: 1.5 hours. Train: 1 hour. Famous for its prestigious university, Oxford offers beautiful architecture, museums, and the Bodleian Library.
- Cambridge ✅ Drive: 1.5 hours. Train: 50 minutes. Another charming, ancient university town with punting on the River Cam and the stunning King’s College Chapel.
- Brighton ✅ Drive: 2 hours. Train: 1 hour. A vibrant seaside town with a pier, the Royal Pavilion, and quirky shopping lanes. If you want a day trip from London by train that takes you to the beach, Brighton is the way to go!
- York ✅ Drive: 4 hours. Train: 2.5 hours. A historic city with a rich Viking and Roman heritage. While it’s possible to visit in a day, you may may feel rushed as there’s lots to see here!
- Windsor Castle
- Stonehenge
- Bath
- Oxford
- Cotswolds
- Stratford-Upon-Avon
- Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour
- Hampton Court Palace
- Brighton & Seven Sisters
- Cambridge
If you visit just one place outside of London city, make it Windsor Castle! Located just 20 miles (32 km) from the city center, a day trip to Windsor is a must on any London bucket list! The spectacular Windsor Castle is one of the queen’s official residences and has been home to the royal family for 900 years! Kings and queens have been buried her...
Stonehengeis one of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments and another extremely popular destination for London day trips. Built almost 5000 years ago by farmers in the Neolithic period, this is a spiritual and architectural wonder that many people consider an absolute must-see in the UK! Historians still debate its original purpose, althoug...
Bath is one of the most beautiful cities in the UKand the most popular town that you can easily visit as a day trip from London. This picturesque historic city is filled with stunning examples of honey-colored Georgian architecture and some of the most photographed buildings in the world. Perhaps the most famous feature of this UNESCO World Heritag...
One of the UK’s most famous university towns, Oxfordis also a place that you can easily visit as a day trip from London. Oxford Universitywas established in the 12th century and is one of the oldest universities in the world. The university is composed of 38 separate college buildings, whose architecture inspired the poet Matthew Arnold to name it ...
The scenic traditional towns and stone villages of the Cotswoldsis one of the most popular London day trips for those who want to experience the true English countryside. This area is so picturesque! Below, you can find an overview of the most beautiful places not to miss. Minster Lovell village is the home of Minster Lovell Hall and Dovecote, whic...
Stratford-upon-Avon is a small medieval market town and also a very popular place to see near London. The birthplace of William Shakespeareis probably at the top of most people’s must-see lists and the main reason to visit here. The timber-framed house on Henley Street is where Shakespeare not only spent part of his childhood but also the first 5 y...
Fans of Harry Potter – and even those who have yet to experience the wizardly wonder of the movies – will enjoy a visit to the fascinating Warner Bros. studio near London. It’s one of the most popular day tours from London (after Windsor Castle), and a must if visiting London with kids. Here, you can see firsthand some of the amazing sets used in t...
Hampton Court Palace, one of the Tudor Palaces, was the former royal residence of King Henry VIII. In addition to Windsor, this is another really nice place to visit near London, especially if you are a fan of royal history. Hampton Court is a huge, impressive baroque-style palace located at the River Thames and surrounded by stunning gardens and p...
If you are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of London and see some of the stunning nature of England, then definitely consider a day trip to the white cliffs of Seven Sisters and South Downs. At the same time, you can also visit one of the UK’s nicest coastal cities – Brighton. Brighton is worth a trip in its own right, with all the little p...
Less than an hour by train from London, Cambridgeis another beautiful town to visit for a day. Just as Oxford, it’s probably best known for its centuries-old University, and this beautiful town has lots of well-preserved historic buildings. But this medieval city is also a student town and has a very nice, relaxed atmosphere. Don’t miss the King’s ...
- Luke Abrahams
- Whitstable, Kent. Ask any Londoner and they’ll tell often tell you the charming seaside town of Whitstable is at the top of their city escape list. Quintessentially British, Whitstable is famed throughout England for its multicolored North Sea-facing beach huts and restaurants that plate up fresh lobsters.
- Margate, Kent. Margate has had a major makeover over the years, thanks to an arty renaissance spearheaded by celebrities and artists such as Tracey Emin.
- Cliveden House, Berkshire. Over its long, illustrious history, Cliveden has been a retreat for royals (Meghan, Duchess of Sussex stayed here on the eve of her wedding, and it played host to the scandalous Profumo affair back in the 1960s).
- Rye, Sussex. Instagrammers from across the globe descend upon Rye to snap photos of its cutesy, cobbled lanes and mishmash of Diagon Alley wannabe antique shops and bookstores.
Mar 12, 2024 · Since London is a world unto itself, it’s only natural that many travelers never look beyond the confines of the city limits for a fulfilling trip. Beaches, cathedrals, pony-filled forests, Harry Potter–esque buildings and more: you can see a whole lot of England on these top day trips from London.
Nov 10, 2022 · Fabulous Welshcakes (opposite the castle) is our top pick for the best. Train departs from: London Paddington. Average journey time: 1 hour 50 minutes. Hassle-free option: Take a day trip tour from London. Guildford
