18 Finest Day Trips From London

Looking to flee the town and discover some day journeys from London? You’re in luck – London is surrounded by unimaginable day journey locations.

In only a brief drive or experience on public transport, you’ll find your self in entrance of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or sitting on a rollercoaster in a theme park. Whether you need the countryside, seaside, villages or the prospect to expertise one other metropolis’s highlights, you’ll have loads of decisions. If you may have a day to spare, why not put it to good use?

Top Day Trips from London

We’ve already coated the perfect 3-day itinerary when visiting London, and also you’ll discover loads of info on things to do and where to stay in Londoy. But when you’ve ridden the London Eye, toured Westminster, visited the Natural History Museum, and shopped in Camden Market, a day journey to flee the town is simply what’s wanted. These are the perfect day journeys from London.

1. Windsor

Whether you drive or take the prepare, Windsor is simply an hour from London. The picturesque city is among the finest day journeys from London and is well accessible with loads of issues to do. Make certain to ebook your ticket entry prematurely for Windsor Castle. You can purchase tickets online, there may be straightforward cancellation as much as 24 hours prematurely for a full refund.

Visitors can tour the State Apartments in Windsor Castle – a royal residence of the British Royal Family. Purchasing entrance to Windsor Castle additionally allows you to discover St George’s Chapel, the place Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had been married. The entire of Windsor Estate is filled with British historical past, and Windsor Castle itself is acknowledged because the oldest and largest inhabited fort on the earth. If you’re keen on the Royal Family and are intrigued by its historical past, Windsor Castle is a good day trip.

Visiting London as a household? Consider spending time at Legoland Windsor Resort. There is a lot to maintain you entertained, from Lego-themed thrill rides to mannequin cityscapes. To save strolling round Windsor, you may additionally need to consider a hop-on hop-off bus tour. You’ll move eleven totally different vacationer sights and have a free audio information to introduce you to Windsor when you’re on the transfer.

• 50 minutes from London – Make one of the crucial widespread day journeys from London hassel free on this highly rated tour from London through coach the place you’ll go to the historic city of Windsor and go to Windsor Castle at your personal tempo. Read extra: How to Visit Windsor Castle.

2. Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon is one other favorite day journeys from London. A small medieval market city on the River Avon, it’s largely often called the birthplace of William Shakespeare.

Shakespeare requires little introduction. The playwright is broadly hailed as certainly one of Britain’s most well-known writers, and his performs are nonetheless being acted and tailored right now. You should cease by Shakespeare’s Birthplace, a museum devoted to preserving Shakespeare’s childhood dwelling and displaying uncommon, private artifacts. Get your tickets in advance here.

We additionally counsel strolling up the highway to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. With this ticket from Get Your Guide, you get entry to Shakespeare’s household dwelling, Anne Hathaway’s dwelling, and the {couples}’ shared home.

Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway at 18 years previous, and he would have made the identical stroll to her household dwelling all through their courtship. Parts of the cottage are over 500-years-old, and 13 generations have lived there – with the ultimate resident William Baker shifting out in 1911.

Driving and taking the prepare to Stratford-upon-Avon from London takes an analogous time. However, on public transport, be ready to modify strains just a few instances as there is no such thing as a direct route. When taking the prepare, you’ll depart from Paddington Station.

• 2 hours from London – on the lookout for a day journey from London that features most of the high issues to see and do? Book this highly rated tour that takes you to Stratford, Stonehenge, Bath and the Cotswolds

3. Leeds Castle, Broomfield Maidstone

Located on the boundary of the Kent Downs, Broomfield is a brief stroll away from rolling hills and dramatic landscapes. However, there are sufficient sights to entice you to remain put. For a village, Broomfield has rather a lot happening.

Broomfield is most well-known for Leeds Castle, which was inbuilt 1119 as a Norman stronghold. Since, the fort has performed royal residence to the medieval Queen Eleanor of Castile, Henry VIII, and lots of extra key historic figures. Leeds Castle can also be in exceptional situation, and you’ll tour your entire fort – exploring medieval-styled rooms and strolling manicured fort gardens.

The Leeds Castle grounds take up a lot of Broomfield, and also you’ll discover a number of different sights belonging to the fort. You can go to The Dog Collar Museum, Bird of Prey Center, and The Maze & Underground Grotto. Leeds Castle is among the finest day journeys from London if you need plenty of diversified leisure in a single location.

• 1 hour and 25 minutes from London – Purchase your Leeds Castle admission tickets in advance with straightforward cancellation inside 24 hours of expertise.

4. Harry Potter Studio Tour

Leavesden might look like a wierd place for a day tour to Hogwarts. It is a small, built-up space sandwiched between the M25 and M1 – someplace you’d probably drive by with out realizing you need to cease. However, Harry Potter followers be aware down this location.

Leavesden is dwelling to the Warner Bros Harry Potter Studio Tour, London. You can soar on the Hogwarts Express, stroll down Diagon Alley, sit within the Great Hall, and even pattern butterbeer. You’ll go to loads of Harry Potter filming places on a studio tour, as all eight movies had been filmed and produced right here.

All Harry Potter followers ought to take a studio tour as soon as of their lifetime. The behind-the-scenes expertise makes it one of the crucial thrilling London day journeys.

To prevent planning transport, you can book tours that include a transfer from London by Get Your Guide. Alternatively, to get to the Warner Bros Studio with out reserving a switch, you may take public transport or drive.

Public transport takes round 45 minutes, and there’s a prepare from London to Watford adopted by a ten-minute bus experience to achieve the studio. Driving takes round an hour, relying on site visitors.

5. Canterbury

Are you eager to expertise extra of medieval British historical past? Canterbury is a famend cathedral metropolis and has been a Christian pilgrimage web site for over 800 years.

The metropolis impressed Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, which stays one of the crucial well-known examples of medieval British literature. Canterbury can also be the resting place of Thomas Becket, the murdered Archbishop.

You can nonetheless spot medieval structure within the metropolis middle, and Canterbury is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its preserved historic structure. Canterbury Cathedral sits within the metropolis’s middle and is a continuing backdrop within the skyline as you discover and store on the central streets. The cathedral is over 1,400 years previous – so it’s secure to say it has plenty of tales. Canterbury Cathedral is price paying entrance for and we’d additionally suggest buying a Canterbury walking tour, which can offer you extra tales, historical past, and data on the significance of the town.

Canterbury is accessible by automobile. You may also use public transport, with direct trains operating from London Victoria Station. You can compare car rental companies and prices here.

• 1 hour and half-hour from London – Book this highly rated tour to discover the historic metropolis of Canterbury. This guided strolling tour takes you thru Canterbury Cathedral, the timber homes, the Marlowe Theater and the Buttermarket.

6. Woodstock

Woodstock is among the finest day journeys from London and, whereas it’s a cute market city in its personal proper, is finest for individuals who need to go to Blenheim Palace. Get your tickets in advance here with straightforward cancellation.

Blenheim Palace is seventeenth century property with a stately nation mansion and intensive manicured gardens. The palace has an energetic social calendar, internet hosting the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, Blenheim Triathlon, Food Festival, Flower Show, and many live shows all year long. Blenheim Palace is clearly the place to go for an entertaining day journey.

Even with no occasions, the palace is price a go to to Woodstock. It was additionally the birthplace of Winston Churchill, who was the grandson of the seventh Duke of the Blenheim Palace. You can take a tour of Blenheim Palace to find extra about Winston’s household historical past and the story of the property. Don’t neglect to cease for the Winston Churchill Premier Afternoon Tea. The Afternoon Tea consists of specialty teas, gentle truffles, scones, and savory snacks.

• 1 hour and 50 minutes from London – You can take public transport or drive to Woodstock, though we’d suggest driving as it’s extra easy. You may also buy a private tour to Blenheim that features transfers from London.

7. Oxford

Not removed from Woodstock, Oxford is a well-liked addition to most lists of day journeys from London. Oxford seems like a quiet college city, regardless of its metropolis standing. To chill out and absorb historical past, environment, artwork, and structure, you need to go to Oxford.

Oxford University is among the oldest within the UK and is revered worldwide. You can simply incorporate visiting the college, as its campus buildings are unfold all around the metropolis. Get Your Guide affords quite a few strolling tour choices, together with campus tours and Harry Potter filming location tours. Christ Church College is especially spectacular and is dwelling to a collection of Old Master work and the Oxford Cathedral. Christ Church is open to the general public, so it’s price stopping by to take heed to a choir efficiency or recognize the artwork.

The Ashmolean Museum belongs to Oxford University however can also be open for public use. The museum was based in 1683 and is devoted to artwork and archeology – famously housing a number of Egyptian mummies.

Once you’ve completed visiting all that Oxford University affords, select an impartial espresso store to sit down and people-watch earlier than heading again to London. Luckily, London isn’t far-off.

In below an hour, you may attain Oxford on a direct prepare from London’s Paddington Station. Driving takes a bit of longer however entails a scenic drive by the Chiltern Hills AONB, so we’ll go away the choice to you.

• 1 hour and half-hour from London – This fun full day tour takes you from Oxford to the outside setting of Downton Abbey.

8. Eastbourne

Fancy a seaside break in your London go to? Eastbourne is among the finest coastal journeys from London. The city is a Victorian seaside resort with loads of issues to do and see.

History lovers ought to tour the Eastbourne Redoubt, a 200-year-old fortress used as a protection in opposition to Napoleon and all through the World Wars. While, for a traditional seaside expertise, head to the city middle to seek out the Eastbourne Pier. If you might be prepared to flee London, you’ll benefit from the vacation really feel of consuming fish and chips on an amusement pier.

Of course, Eastbourne can also be the closest main city to the Seven Sisters Cliffs. The Seven Sisters are a stretch of dramatic chalk cliffs that overlook the English Channel. The Seven Sisters Cliffs are one of the crucial famed pure sights in Southern England and positively warrant a go to. From Eastbourne, it’s only a fifteen-minute drive to the Seven Sisters Information Center – a great spot to get pleasure from a scenic viewpoint, ask for recommendation, and use the café amenities.

While you may take a tour from London on to the Seven Sisters, visiting independently will let you expertise Eastbourne as nicely. Direct trains run to Eastbourne from London Victoria Train Station. The direct prepare is quicker than driving, taking just one hour and half-hour. See car rental comparisons and prices here.

• 2 hours and 20 minutes from London – Book this highly rated full day tour that takes you to South Downs National Park to see the well-known white cliffs. During this small group tour from London, you’ll go to the chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters and uncover the Neolithic carving of the Longman of Wilmington.

9. Brighton

Brighton is cool – filled with impartial boutiques, jewellery retailers, and quirky cafes. The metropolis has an eclectic mixture of sights and structure, which makes it one of the crucial attention-grabbing day journeys from London. Brighton nearly shifts identification as you cross from avenue to avenue, so goal to take a stroll across the middle on foot. If you’d desire a extra leisurely possibility, you may all the time book a hop-on hop-off bus tour instead.

The promenade is all seaside cheesiness, with the Brighton Palace Pier, Upside Down House, pop-up meals stalls, and too many seagulls to depend. However, set again from the promenade within the metropolis middle, you’ll discover a maze of alleys stuffed with impartial retailers. ‘The Lanes’ had been constructed within the 1500s and are so slender in sections that you just’ll need to step into doorways to permit folks coming from the alternative technique to move. For a novel purchasing expertise, Brighton is certainly one of our greatest day journeys.

Of course, there may be additionally the Royal Pavilion to go to. The Royal Pavilion was a purpose-built palace for King George IV and is a grand mix of Indian and Chinese structure. You can take excursions of the palace inside to go to every elaborately embellished room. And, if you happen to get uninterested in the seaside on a sunny day, you may be a part of the crowds of locals that sunbathe within the Pavilion Gardens.

You can simply catch the prepare from London to Brighton. In reality, we’d suggest catching the prepare, as it’s faster and takes simply over an hour.

10. Molesey

Just in case you haven’t bought your fill of palaces close to London, Molesey is dwelling to probably the greatest. The city is cut up into two sections – East and West Molesey, and it’s in East Molesey that you just’ll discover Hampton Court Palace.

Hampton Court Palace was Henry VIII’s full-time royal residence and is now open for the general public to discover the remnants of the previous Tudor Court way of life. Entrance tickets can be bought in advance and it is suggested to go inside as the standard of the palace inside justifies the spend.

Architecturally, Hampton Court was revamped by the Stuarts, so not all the constructing displays its Tudor roots. It has additionally been ongoingly well-maintained to protect its heritage, which is nice because it means guests can discover totally useful rooms right now.

Once you’ve visited the palace, head to the Hampton Court Maze for some enjoyable outside leisure.

• 50 minutes from London – Molesey is the right Tudor day journey from London and is lower than an hour’s prepare experience from London Waterloo Station. If you would favor a switch from London, you may ebook a non-public tour reminiscent of this highly recommended tour.

11. Bath

Bath is well one of many prettiest day journeys from London. The metropolis middle has a novel aesthetic, with rows of Georgian terraces reduce from honey-colored ‘bath stone’. The most well-known row of homes is the Royal Crescent, which arcs round a stately public park in a semi-circle. And within the middle, Bath Abbey is one other instance of the town’s beautiful structure, with an attention grabbing Victorian Gothic design. You can simply go to these sights on a walking tour round Bath.

However, Bath is most popularly identified for its Roman Baths. The Roman Baths are one of the crucial spectacular heritage websites within the UK and had been as soon as a non secular spa for Britain’s Roman settlers. People would come to wash and worship the goddess Minerva – making their method round a system of specialised rooms that you may nonetheless go to. The Roman Baths use thermally heated water from a pure spring, and when you can’t swim in it right now, the inexperienced pool makes a surprisingly fairly image.

Plus, if you happen to do fancy swimming in thermal water, you may ebook an expertise on the Thermae Spa subsequent door. The spa makes use of the identical sizzling spring however treats the water with chemical compounds to make it secure (and pleasurable) to swim in.

As far as day journeys from London go, Bath is the most effective if you need a spa expertise or to find extra about Roman historical past in Britain. It is best to get the prepare to Bath direct from Paddington Station. The prepare journey takes an hour and 20 minutes – an hour faster than driving.

• 2 hours and 35 minutes from London – Film buffs will love this Bath Bridgerton Tour prematurely to go to 10 of the filming places used on Netflix’s Bridgerton.

12. Cambridge

Like Oxford, Cambridge is beautiful and has a scholar and mental enchantment. The University of Cambridge is among the finest on the earth, and Cambridge is certainly an elite college metropolis. You can count on a cultured, laidback vibe, punting boats on the River Cam, college students finding out within the cafes, and fixed picnickers on the town greenspaces. Cambridge has a romantic, nearly poetic environment – sociable however reserved.

When visiting Cambridge, ensure to go to the University grounds and buildings. King’s College Chapel is an effective spot to start out. The chapel is of Gothic design and options a stupendous fan-vaulted ceiling, which is a textbook Gothic function. There are additionally stained glass home windows with fascinating photographs to admire. While these with information of structure will significantly benefit from the chapel, any customer will recognize its magnificence. You can buy excursions of the campus that embody entry to the chapel, like this tour on Get Your Guide.

Like lots of our metropolis day journeys from London, Cambridge is simpler to entry by prepare than a automobile. You can attain Cambridge from Kings Cross Station in 50 minutes on the prepare, whereas it takes 2 hours to drive. Cambridge could be very walkable, so we advise ditching the automobile and selecting to journey by prepare as a substitute.

• 2 hours from London – Book this London to Cambridge and Oxford Universities tour. This tour consists of two of the most effective day journeys from London beginning with Oxford to see the place the likes of Lewis Carroll, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien walked the halls and the place scenes from Harry Potter had been filmed. It’s then on to Cambridge to go to Kings College and the halls the place Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton and Monty Python alumni honed their inventive expertise. Details here

13. Bognor Regis

Bognor Regis isn’t essentially the most well-known day journey from London. In reality, extra native Londoners enterprise to Bognor than London vacationers.

Bognor Regis is a small seaside city and a unbelievable different to busier coastal areas like Brighton. Bognor skips over the cheesiness of most British seaside resorts. You received’t discover a theme park or amusement pier, however you will see that plenty of parks and lengthy stretches of sandy seashores.

Literature followers may also pay a go to to Blake’s Cottage, the place the novel Romantic poet resided for a interval of his life. Blake famously wrote in a letter that the world was ‘idyllic’, and we will’t assist however agree with him.

Bognor is a good day journey from London for anybody wanting to flee crowds and structured tourism. You can attain Bognor Regis by prepare in slightly below 2 hours, or by automobile in 2 hours and 20 minutes – a call that we’ll go away as much as you.

• 2 hours and 20 minutes from London

14. Box Hill

Remember the Surrey Hills AONB that we talked about? Well, Box Hill is true within the middle of it. It is a mildly difficult 224m hill and simply certainly one of our most scenic London day journeys on the checklist.

We extremely suggest making the journey to climb Box Hill. Reaching the summit takes between two to a few hours, with the return stroll taking roughly six hours. You’ll be rewarded with views over the Surrey Downs on the summit, so ensure to pack a picnic to savor the second.

If you neglect, although, don’t fear. East of the hill, there’s a pretty village, additionally named Box Hill. Here, you may tuck right into a hearty British meal on the native gastropub or head for a espresso on the village café.

It is feasible to go to by catching the prepare. However, the station is a little bit of a stroll from the hill, and the trains solely run as soon as an hour. We’d counsel driving as a substitute when visiting Box Hill as a day journey from London.

• 1 hour and 20 minutes from London

15. York

York will be the most bold of our day journeys from London. It is a stupendous medieval metropolis situated within the North of England, that means that you just’ll journey a good distance to achieve it.

But is it worthwhile? Of course, it’s. Like Bath, York has plenty of Roman historical past – truly being based by the Romans, who constructed the unique metropolis partitions. York additionally has plenty of Viking historical past, which you’ll uncover extra about on the interactive JORVIK Center. If you need to go to plenty of York sights, it is likely to be worthwhile buying a York City Pass. However, the most effective half about York is a free go to to The Shambles.

The Shambles is a slender, cobbled purchasing avenue with overhanging 14th-century buildings. It is among the oldest recorded streets in Europe, and William the Conqueror immediately referenced it in his 1066 Doomsday Book.

York is a good day journey from London for a style of Northern England. While a 4-hour drive, York is accessible by prepare from Kings Cross Station in simply 2 hours and 20 minutes. So go away the automobile behind and soar on a prepare!

16. Stonehenge

Stonehenge is among the hottest day journeys from London. The Neolithic rock formation is a captivating British thriller and a valued World Heritage Site.

You can go to Stonehenge on one of many many bus excursions that depart from central London or set up your personal journey. This bus tour option is especially respected do you have to want to go to Stonehenge as a part of a tour from London.

If you go to independently by public transport, you’ll catch a prepare from Waterloo Station to Salisbury Train Station, then take a shuttle bus to Stonehenge. It is a simple 2-hour and 20-minute route if you happen to drive.

• 2 hours and 20 minutes from London – This extremely rated day tour consists of not solely Stonehenge however different widespread day journeys from London stops together with Bath, the Cotswalds, and Stratford Upon the Avon.

17. Bourton-on-the-Water

The Cotswolds are beautiful however too massive an space to squeeze into an impartial day journey. If you aren’t going to take a guided tour from London, we suggest that you just slender down your go to to Bourton-on-the-Water.

Bourton-on-the-Water is a picturesque village and a well-liked introduction to the sweetness and laidback way of life in The Cotswolds. The village is especially famed for its mannequin village, the place you channel your internal Gulliver as you stroll the waist-height rows of homes. Alternatively, have a stroll within the countryside earlier than grabbing lunch at one of many gastropubs overlooking the River Windrush.

Lower Slaughter is barely a half an hour stroll or 4-minute drive away too and is extremely rated as having one of the crucial stunning streets within the UK. We’d suggest permitting time to squeeze in a fast go to.

Bourton-on-the-Water is accessible by public transport in addition to automobile, though we’d suggest driving as public transport schedules might be restricted.

• 2 hours and 40 minutes from London – To actually go to the Cotswolds, book this full day tour from London. It features a full day exploring the inexperienced landscapes of the Cotswolds together with the medieval city of Burford, Bibury, which is commonly thought-about the prettiest village in England and Bourton-on-the-water – often known as ‘the Venice of the Cotswolds

18. Paris

Okay, perhaps York wasn’t so bold in spite of everything. But who says that it’s essential to take day excursions throughout the UK? Picture it: the Eiffel Tower, Parisian cafes, and wandering the Louvre – it feels like heaven, we all know.

If you haven’t been to Paris earlier than, we advise prioritizing visiting the principle sights. There are quite a few fast-track tickets that you may buy to maximise your time, together with for the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and Arc de Triomphe.

Paris is barely 2 hours and 20 minutes away from London whenever you use the Eurostar prepare. While it sounds barely unbelievable, it’s truly a simple day journey from London. Eurostar has meals and drinks accessible on board, too, so you may chill out and refresh earlier than exploring Paris.

Getting Around

London could also be well-connected by tubes, buses, and trains, however don’t be fooled. Once you attain the countryside areas round London, you’ll positively want a automobile. Check out automobile rental costs and comparisons at RentalCars.com

If you need to go to South Downs National Park, Surrey Hills, or the Cotswolds, we advise hiring a automobile in London. These areas have restricted public transport, and also you’ll save your self time (an essential day journey issue) by driving.

If you go to a close-by college city or metropolis, you received’t want a automobile. Instead, simply hop on one of many many connecting trains from certainly one of London’s prepare stations. Read: How to Get from London Airport to City Centre

Get Your Guide is a tour company we regularly use and it affords many day journeys from London that bundles a few of the hottest day excursions in a single place. We have really useful loads on this publish, however to refresh, you might need to take a look at these organized day journeys from London.

And these are a few of the high day excursions from London. There are so many locations round London to go to that it may well take days to see them. While these are all thought-about day excursions, we suggest giving most locations at the very least a day or two to actually discover. They are locations unto themselves.