The best day trips from London

One thing I love more than flying abroad is a day trip. Waking up early, getting ready and driving or catching the train to just about anywhere makes me excited. There are so many exciting things to do in London and one of them is a day trip. As a self-professed experienced wanderer, I have narrowed down the best day trips from London. I am the typical explorer at heart; always wanting to go somewhere, to see something new, to marvel in yet another historic building.

When I lived in London, we explored a lot of what was possible for day trips. As much as I loved the city life, I always enjoyed discovering new places. It was probably how I realised I loved the British countryside, villages and coastal towns. One thing the UK is blessed with is how different its cities, towns and villages are. This list will point out the ones you can reach by train as well and the ones I recommend by car.

1. London to Bath

Bath is one of those cities that gives me absolute joy. It is known for its roman built baths and sits on the River Avon. It was popular as the spa town in the Georgian era and since 1987, the entire city has been a world heritage site. A walk around is a feast for your eyes; especially if you love Georgian architecture, roman archaeological sites, literary references, and pretty streets.

Of course, you cannot mention Bath without talking about how many period movies have been filmed here. More recently, Bridgerton gave everyone a buzz and most of it was filmed in Bath. There is also a famous tour of Jane Austen as she lived there from 1801 to 1806. 

Things to see in Bath:

The Royal Crescent which was 2nd place in Google Street View’s “Britain’s Most Picturesque Streets”. Check out Pultney Weir, Prior Park and Royal Victoria Park.

Popular Movies shot in Bath: The Duchess, Les Misérables, Persuasion (1995, 2007& 2022 versions), Vanity Fair etc

How to get from London to Bath: Train from London Paddington to Bath Spa is around 1hr 14mins.

RELATED BATH GUIDES:

BATH, ENGLAND: 1 DAY ITINERARY

20 PICTURES TO INSPIRE YOU TO VISIT BATH ENGLAND

THE ROYAL CRESCENT HOTEL AND SPA, BATH

BRIDGERTON LOCATIONS IN BATH THAT I VISITED

2. London to Oxford

Oxford is a typical example of a historic university city. As the city that is home to one of the best and oldest universities in the world, University of Oxford, it is a must visit. The university has borne a lot of politicians and a lot of its architecture date back to anglo-saxon era. This makes it a popular location for filming and if you are a fan of Harry Potter, there are filming locations to explore. There is also a well-known lamp post which is said to have inspired CS Lewis “Chronicles of Narnia”

Things to see in Oxford:

The Colleges, St Mary the Virgin Church, Radcliffe Observatory and Oxford University Press.

How to get from London to Oxford: The train from London Paddington to Oxford is around 54 mins

RELATED OXFORD GUIDE: Oxford, England: 1 day Itinerary

3. London to Cambridge

Don’t tell anyone but Cambridge is possibly my favourite of the university cities. This makes it one of the best day trips from London. Shhhhh! Don’t tell Oxford. I just love it so much that I have done 3 day trips, a weekend stay and even taken my sister on a day trip as well.

The university was founded in 1209 and Cambridge is home to the most amount of Nobel laureate winners. It is where some of my favourite British actors like Eddie Redmayne and Emma Thompson studied. Scientists like Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Alan Turing and Stephen Hawking were Cambridge grads too. There is a lot to see and do in Cambridge from punting on the River Cam to brunch at Fitzbillies.

Things to see in Cambridge:

Parker’s Piece, The Mathematical Bridge, Corpus Clock and The Round Church.

How to get from London to Cambridge: London King’s Cross to Cambridge via train is about 48mins. There are trains from London Liverpool street as well.

RELATED CAMBRIDGE GUIDES:

6 WAYS TO EXPLORE CAMBRIDGE

WHERE TO STAY IN CAMBRIDGE: GONVILLE HOTEL

4. London to Windsor

Who wouldn’t want to visit where Meghan and Harry got married? Must be bad vibes lol. Long before that Royal Wedding, Windsor has been one of the most popular day trips from London. The main reason for visiting Windsor is to see the castle. It is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. The interesting thing is that it is still a royal household and is open to the public. 

What to do in Windsor:

Start with St George’s Chapel which is one of the best examples of gothic architecture. That is the main highlight of Windsor and between the castle and gardens, you can spend the whole day there.

How to get to Windsor: The Train from London to Windsor is about 30 mins from London Paddington station

5. London to Stonehenge

Visiting Stonehenge is one of the best day trips from London. It is also quite popular with school trips as it is one of the last standing prehistoric monuments in the world. General admission tickets are sold and it is important to remember that only a few people are allowed to the inner circle. This is one experience you have to book in advance. 

How to get to Stonehenge from London: The train from London Waterloo is about an hour and a half to Salisbury. Then there are hourly Stonehenge shuttles from the station to the stones.

My top tip: Stonehenge is a must see but the downside is that it is just a location to see the stones and that’s it. So I recommend a combination with another location. A lot of tours will include it with Bath, Oxford and even Windsor. However, for something a bit more special, head to Salisbury instead. 

Salisbury has so much to offer; like the cathedral that has Britain’s tallest spire which has medieval architecture.

Looking for somewhere even more special than Salisbury? London to Avebury perhaps?

Did you know that Avebury has its own stone circle? Avebury henge and its stone circles are from the neolithic period and they predate Stonehenge. What is even more special is that it is free to explore all year round. 

So which is better? Stonehenge or Avebury?

I think Stonehenge feels more organised; however, the fact that Avebury predates Stonehenge just makes it a little bit more special to me. It is also easier to visit Stonehenge via train from London. Avebury is easier with a car so that makes Stonehenge more accessible than Avebury.

6. London to Blenheim palace

Blenheim has always fascinated me and I think it is one of those grand palaces that attract day trippers because it looks like the idyllic English country house. It has been used in numerous film productions from Harry Potter to Bridgerton’s Queen Charlotte. It is such a fairytale location and is perfect for a day trip from London. I love that the ticket allows you to explore the property at length and you are advised to pre-book tickets.

It is worth checking the website for special events at Blenheim Palace as the calendar is usually packed with events. Blenheim is a lovely family friendly day out; suitable for all ages of explorers.

How to get to Blenheim Palace from London: Trains from London Marylebone to Oxford Parkway or Paddington to Oxford; then the Bus 7, Bus 233 or Bus S3. If driving, parking is included in the entrance fee and there is a free shuttle bus to the Palace from the main car park.

Note that although Blenheim is in Oxfordshire, I have specifically given it its own recognition. A day trip to Oxford should focus on the historic university city to get the best out of the day. In the same way a day trip to Blenheim Palace should focus on Blenheim and all it has to offer. Again this is only a suggestion coming from my love for a slower paced travel. 

7. London to Canterbury

I have separated Canterbury from all of Kent (even though it is in Kent) because it deserves its own recommendation. Canterbury is one of the historic cities in England and one of the most beautiful places I have been to. 

There is Westgate Gardens which looks like you have stepped into a fairytale location. There is a big playground as you walk further into the park. We enjoyed a mini picnic just by the lake as we watched the ducks and swans swim by. Punting is also a popular activity in Canterbury. Book tickets through Canterbury Punting Company or Westgate punts.

What to do in Canterbury:

Canterbury Cathedral is a must as it’s as historic as it is gorgeous. Catching Lives bookshop in the quirkiest building you will find. It is located in Sir John Boys house and has been standing since the 17th century. See Westgate Towers and the Old Weavers house that has been in existence since AD1500.

How to get to Canterbury from London: The fastest train from London to Canterbury West is from St Pancras International from 54 mins.

8. London to Winchester

I’m sure you are wondering why Winchester? Hear me out. That place caught me by surprise and now I recommend it to everyone.

We spent a weekend in a cabin in Winchester’s countryside and ended up checking out the city itself on the last day. When I found out it was only an hour from London, I knew it was one to add to this list. Winchester is one of the most historic cities in England. It is home to the UK’s oldest public school which still uses its original building to date.

What to do in Winchester:

Visit Winchester Cathedral, the largest gothic cathedral in Europe built in 1079. You will find Jane Austen’s memorial in the north aisle of the nave with a memorial honouring her. Other things to see are Wolvesey Castle dating back to 1110, Winchester City Mill and Winchester Military Quarter.

How to get to Winchester from London: London to Winchester by train is best from London Waterloo station and is from 56 mins.

RELATED WINCHESTER TRAVEL GUIDE: An unplanned day trip to Winchester

9. London to Rye

Rye might just be one of the best-preserved historic towns in the country. This one is a cheat recommendation because I lowkey think Rye deserves a weekend. However, it can definitely be done in 1 day. Rye is the English coastal town in East Sussex. It is famous for its medieval buildings, cobblestone streets and independent shops. Rye has the most interesting and fascinating history seeing that it was once the pirate port of the country. 

What to do in Rye:

Mermaid street which is one of the most photographed streets in England. It is where Mermaid Inn sits and other interesting cottages. Visit the Landgate which was constructed in 1329 to guard the old town, it still stands today. Ypres Tower aka Rye castle from the 13th century that was also the town’s prison, court house and morgue at different points. See St Mary’s Church and Tower built in the 12th century. 

If you have time, head to Cambersands beach on a summer day. It is only 10 mins from Rye so it is a must visit if ever in Rye.

How to get to Rye from London: London to Rye St Pancras station is about 1hr 10 mins. Rye station is just a 5 mins walk from the centre.

RELATED RYE TRAVEL GUIDE: 48 hours in Rye, East Sussex

10. London to Bicester Village

Bicester Village is one of the best day trips from London. Although it is a pretty shopping experience, it also has a lot of lovely restaurants and cafes to eat in. It is the best place in the UK to buy discounted designer goods; which makes it popular and can get busy on weekends. For the best day, go very early in the morning; especially on a weekday and you will have it mostly to yourself. 

Bicester Village can be combined with Oxford; although I doubt you’ll have any more time or strength after an afternoon at Bicester village. 

There is a free car park for those driving but it fills up quite quickly. Instead, you can catch the train from London Marylebone to Bicester village. The ticket includes a shuttle from the train station directly to the village itself. 

11. London to Highclere

I thought long and hard before including this one but it is one of the best day trips from London. This is especially if you are a Downton Abbey fan. We recently spent the day at Highclere castle and it was one of the best days of my summer. We toured the castle, spent time on the grounds and had lunch in the onsite café. 

The castle is owned privately, and they offer tours mostly in the summer. So this is one where you have to be on the lookout as dates go very quickly. I suggest following their Instagram page as they alert the public when dates become available.

Top Tip: If you have more time, you can even head to Bampton which is where most of Downton Abbey was filmed. It is just over an hour from Highclere Castle. My recommendation would be to go to Highclere in the morning within the earliest time slot. By lunchtime, head to Bampton and walk around the charming village.

How to get to Highclere Castle from London: There is no direct train, so I recommend driving. However, you can get the train from London Paddington to Newbury station which is about 45 mins. Then get a taxi to Highclere castle.

12. London to Whitstable

Where are my seafood lovers? This one is for you. Whitstable is one of the best day trips from London for the foodies. It is where you will eat the freshest oysters the country has to offer. Whitstable is a beautiful town in Kent that used to be the port for pilgrims. It is also where native oysters have been harvested since roman times.

What to do in Whitstable:

It has a beach, Whitstable beach where you can go for a dip. In fact, where you must go for a dip. Make sure to check out the colourful beach huts too. Wheelers Oyster bar is the one to visit. I mean, it is the viral postcard photo of Whitstable if you have searched the seaside town on the internet. So it is only right that you have your taste of oysters there. There is a lobster shack as well; of course there is. It is a sea food town after all. 

To Note: Whitstable can be paired with a day trip to Canterbury as well. However, I think either can be done on its own.

How to get to Whitstable from London: By train, it is an hour 10 mins from London St Pancras.

13. London to Brighton

This is one of the most popular day trips from London because it takes you to the beach. However, Brighton is much more that just a beach town. There are lovely cafes, restaurants and it is generally a very vibey place to visit.

What to do in Brighton:

The beach is the no 1 shout. Brighton Pier is a lovely place and there is so much to see and do. Between the beach and the pier, your Brighton day out will fill up quickly. If you have any more time, check out the Royal Pavilion. This was the seaside “pleasure palace” for King George IV. Its architecture is fascinating, drawing inspo from 19th century Indian designs with its regency period gardens.

How to get to Brighton from London: The train is from London bridge and is just over an hour to Brighton.

RELATED BRIGHTON POST: A day out to Brighton’s Pier

Bonus – London to its “suburbs”: Kent, Essex, Surrey

I always group these 3 as the London commuter counties for those who work in London. Living in London can be expensive especially if you are buying a property. It is no surprise that a great number of London Professionals live in the commute trio of Kent, Essex and Surrey. I would know, I am one of them LOL. It does not mean that these places are cheap, they aren’t; but in comparison to London, you get a bit more for your money. They have great links into the city; therefore, perfect for a London day trip.

What to see in Kent:

Oh I have to send you to Scotney Castle, it’s the most magical National Trust place. Kent has some gorgeous castles and ruins so if you are a history lover, plan a day trip to Kent!

What to see in Essex:

Head to Audley End House and Gardens in Saffron Walden aka my favourite place in Essex. Then Colchester for Colchester castle, roman ruins and the famous Colchester zoo.

Did you know that Colchester is Britain’s 1st city?

What to see in Surrey:

Some of my favourite places are Hampton Court Palace and RHS Garden Wisley. Gorgeous grounds, gardens, and both are family friendly as well.

The best day trips from London: London to The Cotswolds?

I always get asked if visiting the Cotswolds is one of the best day trips from London. My answer is very unpopular because it is always no. I genuinely think the Cotswolds needs at least a weekend to fully enjoy it. The beauty of the Cotswolds is slow travel, hopping from village to village. It is also worth noting that taking the train from London to the Cotswolds can be tedious.

The ideas I have curated above are quite straightforward and can be done with kids; most can be done via train. So let’s leave the Cotswolds for a weekend trip from London instead.

More on the Cotswolds:

THE PRETTIEST VILLAGES IN THE COTSWOLDS THAT I VISITED

VISITING BOURTON ON THE WATER COTSWOLDS

BIBURY: THE PRETTIEST VILLAGE IN ENGLAND

A VISIT TO CIRENCESTER COTSWOLDS

The best day trips from London

My recommendations for the best day trips from London can be done solo, as a group or family with young kids. As a mum with a toddler, I absolutely love day trips because my daughter loves being outdoors. From my list, I’m sure it is obvious that I love historic and pretty locations. I am also partial to tv and fairytale locations as well. What can I say? It is the dreamer in me.

Bisous, Bugo x