Looking for the best day trips from London? The capital of England is an incredible city filled with lots of wonderful things to do, but one of the best parts about this city is how close it is to so many other delightful and fascinating places. London’s proximity to so many remarkable cities, historical sites, country houses, and castles means there is a whole world right at your fingertips!
So if you’re wanting to get out of London for the day and see more of what the UK and beyond has to offer, then these 20 epic day trips from London are for you! So go ahead—take a look and start planning your next day trip now.
1. Bath
When looking for easy day trips from London, going to Bath is one of the most popular choices. Bath is a delightful city and an excellent place to visit, especially for those who love architecture and history or for those who love Jane Austen.
On your day trip to Bath from London, you should definitely explore the Roman Baths either independently or with a guided tour. These Roman Baths are what gives the city of Bath its name, and a visit here will expose you to some of the longstanding history and traditions of Bath throughout the ages!
If you’re a literary fan, you may also enjoy visiting the Jane Austen Centre while you are here. And if you’re interested in the fashionable society side of Bath (particularly during Jane Austen’s lifetime), then a visit to the Assembly Rooms is definitely in order. These rooms are completely decadent, and across the years have played host to many famous figures including both Charles Dickens and Jane Austen. It’s a treat to get to view these rooms as they stand today!
But beyond the activities and attractions of Bath, this is also just a lovely place to stroll and enjoy the outdoor park areas and the stunning architecture. However, if you’re looking for something a little more special and exciting, taking a hot air balloon ride over Bath is an unforgettable experience and the geometrical architecture and layout of Bath is a treat to see from above!
Taking a trip here for the day is a perfect idea, and in fact this is one of the best day trips from London by train with a journey time of just under 1.5 hours. If you would rather visit Bath hassle-free with a day tour from London, then you also have a few options such as this Bath and Stonhenge tour or this Bath, Stonehenge, and Windsor Castle tour. Whatever method you choose for your visit, your time in this charming city will be a day trip from London you will never forget!
2. Stonehenge
As far as interesting day trips from London go, you can’t go wrong with a visit to perhaps the most famous prehistoric monument in the world—Stonehenge! This ring of stones has held people’s fascination for generations, so while you’re in London you won’t want to pass up the chance to see it for yourself!
Your visit to Stonehenge will not only allow you to see this ring of stones in person, but will also enhance your appreciation for those working to discover all about this iconic monument. Stopping by the visitor center exhibition here will help you learn more about the current beliefs regarding this monument, as well as allowing you to see nearly 300 archaeological treasures that have been uncovered here at Stonehenge!
If you plan to visit Stonehenge on a 1 day trip outside London, then you’ll find it is best to visit this monument either by car or with a tour (taking the train adds a lot of extra and unnecessary travel time that can be avoided by going there with a car or tour). If you plan to visit on your own, be sure to pre-book your admission ticket to ensure you have a time slot for the day and time you are visiting.
Or if you decide to visit Stonehenge from London by tour, you can choose between various day tour options that usually include at least one other location on the trip. Here are three of the most popular choices:
- Stonehenge and Bath Day Tour from London
- Stonehenge, Bath, and Windsor Castle Day Tour from London
- Stonehenge and Avebury Day Tour from London
Whether you choose to travel on your own by car to Stonehenge or decide to join with a tour, visiting this prehistoric monument is something that I think everyone should do at least once in their life. This is a truly iconic and fascinating place, so when you’re looking for London day trip ideas you should definitely add this to your list!
3. Oxford
Of all the day trips out of London, Oxford is one of my very favorite. This may be partially because I did my graduate work here at the University of Oxford and loved living here, but it’s also because this is just a really remarkable city!
On your Oxford day trip from London, you’ll be spoiled with choice for things to do and see here. You may wish to take a self-guided walking tour or a guided walking tour of the city to get acclimated with your surroundings and learn more about Oxford’s history, but after this there are a few other activities you definitely won’t want to miss!
One of the things you definitely need to do while you’re here is visit at least one of the famous Oxford University colleges. There are many to choose from, but I highly recommend Christ Church College (one of the most impressive architecturally, and also a Harry Potter filming location) or Magdalen College (a beautiful college and grounds made most famous to Americans by its association with C.S. Lewis).
After visiting a few colleges, one other thing you definitely need to do on your day trip is view the city from above. It’s called the “dreaming spires of Oxford” for a reason, and going up the Sheldonian Theatre’s cupola or ascending the St. Mary Church tower will grant you stunning views over the city.
There are so many other amazing things to do in Oxford, so be sure to take a look at the possibilities and choose your favorites for your day trip here. If you’re anything like me, you’ll find yourself continually drawn back to this impressive city and may find yourself making many more side trips from London here in the future!
Read next: 23 Free Things to Do in Oxford
4. Canterbury
Any list of great day trips from London wouldn’t be complete without including Canterbury! This city is most famous, perhaps, for being an iconic pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages, so if you’re interested in making your own “pilgrimage” to this city today then start booking your travel now!
On your day trip to Canterbury from London, you’ll definitely want to see some of the top sights in the area–the most important of which is Canterbury Cathedral. Pilgrims and visitors have made their way here for hundreds of years, and now it is your turn to join in and visit this cathedral that is one of the oldest and most famous Christian buildings in England!
If it is your first time in Canterbury, you might find it helpful to take a guided walking tour to discover more about this city’s history and some of its most famous features before you move on to discovering the many other fun things to do in the area.
And if you remember that book called The Canterbury Tales from your literature classes…well, this is that Canterbury so you’ll obviously want to do some Chaucer-related activities while you’re visiting here. There’s a fun Chaucer statue in the city you can stop by, and if you feel up to visiting a touristy “museum” then you can also go to The Canterbury Tales Experience. This place claims to introduce you to the sights, sounds, and smells of medieval times on a tour of various famous scenes from Chaucer’s tales. It’s a little bit hokey and most definitely touristy, but at the same time Chaucer fans will likely find it to be a bit fun as well!
Taking the train to Canterbury is the quickest method of travel as you make this day trip outside London, but many visitors choose to visit with a tour group instead on a tour like this one that takes you to Canterbury and nearby famous destinations as well. You could also visit by car, although this adds extra time to your travel as opposed to simply taking the train.
But as such a popular destination for visitors across the last 800+ years, taking a one day trip from London to visit Canterbury is a fun experience as you add yourself to the lists of visitors who have come before. There’s a lot to enjoy in this gorgeous medieval city, so go ahead and visit it for yourself!
5. Stratford-upon-Avon
Another popular 1 day trip from London is Stratford-upon-Avon, a must-visit place for any literary fans! As the birthplace of William Shakespeare, this cute little town is a fun literary location but is also lovely to simply wander and soak up the atmosphere.
All the Tudor style houses here are so fun to see, and on your day trip you will likely want to see all the Shakespeare exhibits on offer as well as seeing a Shakespeare play performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Be sure to purchase a combined birthplace and family homes ticket if you want to see all the Shakespeare sights, as it is the most cost-effective option to experience all the places Shakespeare and his family members lived.
You’ll also want to stop by the Holy Trinity Church where Shakespeare is buried. It’s a cute church in its own right, and you can visit his grave inside the church where a little memorial is set up.
Stratford-upon-Avon makes a wonderful one day trip outside London, but it’s a little further away than many of the others at around 2.5 hours each way by train. If you prefer to visit with a group tour, there are several excellent options. Here are three you should consider:
- Stratford-upon-Avon and Cotswolds Day Tour from London
- Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford, and Warwick Castle Day Tour from London
- Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford, Cotswolds, and Warwick Castle Day Tour from London
Whether Stratford-upon-Avon is your only destination on your London day trip or combined with other locations, stopping by Shakespeare’s birthplace is a great way to learn more about this iconic English poet and playwright. The city may have its touristy moments, but on the whole it is a lovely and fun day trip and perfect for literature lovers!
6. Blenheim Palace
Of all the day trips London has to offer, Blenheim Palace is one of the best destinations if you are interested in viewing a beautiful English country house. This particular place is also brimming with fun historical stories, so it is definitely one of the best London day trips!
Of the many reasons to visit Blenheim, one of the top ones is that it is Sir Winston Churchill’s ancestral home. While visiting, you can wander through some engaging exhibits about Churchill’s life (beginning with his birth here at Blenheim) as well as learning about many other important figures across Blenheim’s history.
From stories about the first Duke of Marlborough who began the construction of the house to stories of Princess Diana’s, the Vanderbilt family’s, and others’ connection to Blenheim, you’ll find fascinating tales around every corner.
A trip to Blenheim Palace takes just under 2 hours from London, and to make your visit easy you can purchase Blenheim Palace tickets ahead of time. Or, if you prefer, you can visit Blenheim on a half-day tour from London. But however you choose to visit, this lavish estate is one day trip near London that will leave you in awe!
7. Brighton
Brighton is one of the closest and easiest London day trips by train, and if you’re considering visiting here then you have made a fantastic choice! This seaside resort city is filled to the brim with fun things to see and do.
Visiting Brighton Pier is an iconic activity, as this unusual pier is set up with various entertainments along the lines of fairground or amusement park rides. It’s an amusing stop for both adults and children, but after visiting the pier you may also enjoy taking a ride up to the top of the British Airways i360 Tower, which is a 530-foot tall observation tower overlooking the ocean. From the top of the tower, you’ll see gorgeous 360° views across the city and the English Channel.
Depending on your plans for your day trip, you may also enjoy taking a biking tour of the city to learn about Brighton’s history while exploring by bike…and you also won’t want to miss stopping by and exploring inside the Royal Pavilion. It’s an incredible former royal residence with the exterior built in a style reminiscent of India, while the interior evokes the style of China. This is an unusual sight and one that will leave you in admiration!
With so many exciting (and somewhat unusual) things to do in the city, going to Brighton is easily one of the top 10 best day trips from London. Whether you decide to visit all the more touristy spots or pick and choose the sights you see, you’ll enjoy visiting this resort town on the English seaside!
8. Norwich
When considering taking day trips outside of London, one place that’s too frequently overlooked is Norwich. Between the Middle Ages and the Industrial Revolution, this attractive English city was the second largest city in England (after London), so it was a very important place and is still fascinating to visit today!
There are several things you should make sure you do while visiting Norwich, including visiting the gorgeous Norwich Cathedral (use this guide to ensure you see some of the best spots inside!). Other areas that may interest you include the Norwich Castle Museum (with fine art, archaeology and natural history exhibits in this medieval fortification) and Elm Hill (a historic cobbled street with Tudor buildings).
And fun fact, one of the most famous anchoresses in the world was from here—Julian of Norwich! I did my graduate dissertation on her Revelations of Divine Love, so obviously I think she’s pretty cool and that it’s pretty cool to get to visit her city!
As far as travel time, Norwich is about 2 hours from London by train and makes a more unique day trip from London. And it is a day trip that you will certainly enjoy if you are interested at all in medieval things or simply love visiting beautiful places!
9. Dover
Dover is another delightful destination for day trips outside London, as this coastal town is filled with history on every corner. This place is filled with plenty of intriguing things to discover and see, so with a travel time of just over an hour from London by train you should definitely plan to visit here!
One of Dover’s most imposing features is Dover Castle, an imposing fortress built up throughout the years to keep out invasions from across the channel. Dover’s location and proximity to the English Channel has caused it to be a key location for many wars and skirmishes throughout the years, so the earliest part of Dover has been around since the 12th century to help protect this point. It’s quite an impressive place to visit!
For those interested in World Wars I and II, Dover Castle and Dover in general is filled with history to explore. One of the best areas to go is exploring the extensive Secret Wartime Tunnels beneath the castle to learn more about their use in wartime.
But beyond the military aspects of interest here, sights like the iconic White Cliffs of Dover are also something you won’t want to miss. It’s a striking sight, so be sure to take the time to explore along this area and savor the view!
Depending on your interests, this could easily be the best day trip from London as it is such a fascinating place to go! Whether you’re fully invested in military history or just like seeing impressive castles and pretty ocean views, Dover has something for you and will be a great place to spend the day!
10. Highclere Castle
If you love English country houses and British TV series, then taking a day trip from London to Highclere Castle is a must. Why? Well, this stunning country house may be most recognizable to you as the main filming location for Downton Abbey!
Fans of this series will immediately recognize it, but it’s also a fun destination even for those who aren’t as interested in British TV. While you’re visiting, you can explore the elegant interior and the impressive gardens and grounds outside as well. And while you may wish to learn more about the filming of Downton Abbey here, you’ll also learn plenty about the real-life history of the estate and family!
Unfortunately, Highclere is not always open to the public. It is still the private family home of the current Earl and Countess of Carnarvon (yes, this is someone’s private home!) so the dates it is open to the public are limited to specific days and times. If you’re interested in visiting, be sure to check their open days while planning your trip.
It is easiest to get to Highclere Castle by car or on a tour, although you can make the trip with a combination of train and taxi if you so choose. If you’re visiting on your own by car, be sure to book your tickets in advance as they sell out quickly. If you prefer to visit as part of a tour, you can join a tour heading to the estate or join a tour that visits Highclere and other Downton Abbey filming locations at the same time. However you make the journey, this will definitely be a day trip to remember!
11. Cambridge
A day trip to Cambridge from London is one of the shorter day trips on this list with under an hour of travel time on the fastest trains, and as a gorgeous university city it is the perfect place to spend the day exploring!
Day trips near London don’t get much better than this, with the opportunity to explore beautiful colleges like King’s and Corpus Christi, as well as enjoying the plethora of fascinating museums throughout the city. One of the best ways to get to know the area from a local’s point of view when you first arrive is to go on a walking tour of the city with a graduate from the university. You’ll learn all about the different colleges as well as hearing stories about the city and various famous alumni.
Another activity you’ll want to experience while you’re here is punting on the River Cam. Punting is one of my favorite activities in England, and while you’re in Cambridge you can enjoy a chauffeured punting trip and relax as you watch the scenery go by and learn about iconic Cambridge sights like the Mathematical Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs.
With lots of fun activities regarding the university and beyond, your day trip to Cambridge will fly by! Whether you like museums or less academic sights like botanic gardens and punting, and no matter whether you visit on your own or as part of a guided tour, Cambridge is a beautiful place that you are certain to enjoy.
12. The Cotswolds
When you’re looking for nice day trips from London, the Cotswolds is somewhere you definitely need to go! The Cotswolds are not just one “destination” but instead a region of south central England, so on a visit here you’ll have plenty of choices of beautiful villages to visit.
There are so many places you could go in the Cotswolds, but a few of the most popular options are the villages of Bibury, Upper and Lower Slaughter, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Blockley (where Father Brown was filmed). And no matter where you go, you’ll find outstanding natural beauty and the cutest villages ever!
A visit to the Cotswolds is best accomplished by car or by tour, since as I mentioned it is a region and not just one destination. It takes around 2-3 hours to make it here from London depending on where you plan to go, and if you have your own car or a rental then you can choose a few villages to visit and explore at the pace you like.
However, if you’d rather go with a group tour so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery, then there are lots of tours you could take. Some of the best include this full day Cotswolds tour from London and this tour of the Cotswolds, Oxford, and Stratford-upon-Avon from London.
But whether you only want to experience the Cotswolds on your day trip or want to combine it with a visit to some of the other day trip locations on this list, taking these tours or visiting on your own are both excellent choices to discover the beauty of this stunning part of England!
13. Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio
Perhaps the ultimate day trip from London for Harry Potter lovers, visiting the Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio near London is perfect for super-fans (or really any fan) of the Harry Potter films.
This studio is around 1 hour from London and while you’re here you’ll go behind the scenes of the movies. With sets, costumes, and props from the films, you’ll feel like you’re walking in Harry Potter’s footsteps! Some of the highlights you’ll see include Diagon Alley, Ollivander’s Wand Shop, and Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes.
With these sets and so much more to explore, including insight into some of the special effects in the films, the magic of Harry Potter really comes to life on this studio tour! You’ll want to be sure to pre-book your tickets, though, as this attraction sells out especially during the summer months!
14. Cardiff
Looking for a day trip from London that takes you out of England? Yes, that is a possibility…and in this case, Cardiff is the perfect destination! You can get here from London in just under 2 hours if you take the train, which makes this an amazing one day trip from London!
Cardiff is the capital of Wales, and when you arrive her you might enjoy getting an overview of the city by Hop On Hop Off Bus as you begin to understand the layout and hear the stories about this cool city. You may also like to do some of the more popular things here for visitors, including exploring Cardiff’s National Museum, visiting Cardiff Castle, and seeing the impressive Millennium Centre!
But if you’re a Doctor Who fan, Cardiff is probably an even more exciting location for you! Super-fans of this show will be thrilled by this tour of Doctor Who filming locations that takes you across the city and to Amy Pond’s village of Leadworth (in real life a place called Lllandaff). Or if that’s a bit more Doctor Who than you want, then taking this milder but still fun Doctor Who walking tour of Cardiff could be the perfect way to follow in the footsteps of your favorite Doctors!
On just a day trip from London, you won’t have as much time to explore the areas outside of Cardiff like the incredible Brecon Beacons National Park, but if this sounds like something you would like to do then you just may be able to squeeze in a partial day tour of Brecon Beacons if you get to the city early in the morning. This tour leaves in the morning and returns you to Cardiff in the afternoon, so you’ll still have a few hours left to experience any sights in the city that you would like once you are back.
With all these wonderful and exciting things to do in and around Cardiff, this is one of the most amazing one day trips from London, UK! Whether you’re interested in Wales, a Doctor Who fan, or love the outdoors, a visit here will be a special memory for many years to come.
15. Winchester
The next possible day trip from London—Winchester—is another easy and pleasant day trip within England. This lovely English city is an especially perfect place to visit for those who love cathedrals, architecture, or literature!
Probably the most important place to visit while you’re here is Winchester Cathedral, as it is one of the most exciting places to go in the city. I had the opportunity to sing with a choir here once while studying at the University of Oxford, and let me just tell you that the interior is truly incredible! It’s often considered one of the finest medieval cathedrals in Europe, and it definitely lives up to this reputation.
For literary fans, the biggest draw in Winchester will be anything related to Jane Austen. This is where she spent her final days, and in fact you can find and visit her grave inside the cathedral as well if you so choose.
But beyond the cathedral, you’ll find plenty of other cool things to see here including museums and galleries and theater productions. But no matter how you spend your day here, this is a delightful city to visit and is a charming place to spend a day exploring!
16. Lyme Regis
Although the travel time is a little bit long (between 3-3.5 hours each way), Lyme Regis is one of my favorite day trips from London. This little town is a lovely place for a seaside vacation, with a cute town center and breathtaking scenery all around.
Many people come here for a beach holiday, and if that’s what you’re looking for on your day trip then this is an excellent place to go! But there are also a few other exciting things to do in this town that you might want to consider for your time here.
One activity, which is one of the biggest draws of Lyme Regis, is going fossil hunting. The beaches here in Lyme Regis are perfect for discovering all sorts of fossils, although unless you’re really lucky you’ll mostly just find ammonites. These are still really cool, though, and exciting to find! You can comb the beaches on your own looking for fossils, but if it’s your first time fossil hunting then you may be better off booking a fossil walk so you can learn what to look for as you walk the beach.
Another reason to visit Lyme Regis is because of its connection to Jane Austen. She stayed here for a while and loved it so much that she included it in her novel Persuasion. You can walk along the seawall here known as the Cobb and you’ll be walking in both Austen and her characters’ footsteps!
Even though the travel time is a bit long for a day trip, the uniqueness of this place means it is worth the travel time. But if you do have a bit more time than just one day, you may want to consider staying here even longer. One thing is for sure—Lyme Regis will steal your heart!
17. Windsor Castle
One of the most popular day trips from London, Windsor Castle is an impressive place to see. This castle was founded in the 11th century and has since been home to 39 monarchs, making it the oldest and largest occupied castle in the whole world!
Windsor Castle has also been the location for many royal weddings, including that of Harry and Meghan. I was lucky enough to be here during their wedding and was able to join in on the fun with all the thousands and thousands of other people lining the Long Walk to Windsor Castle, and it was a sight not to miss! If you follow the royals or simply enjoy the fun of it all, visiting Windsor for a day should definitely be at the top of your list.
On your visit to Windsor Castle, you’ll be able to see the lavish State Apartments, the beautiful St. George’s Chapel (which is also the burial site of several monarchs including Henry VIII), and the adorable Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House. There are so many awe-inducing things to see here at the castle and it will definitely be worth the day trip!
Visitors are welcome throughout the year, but be sure to book castle tickets in advance to ensure you are able to enter. It’s around 40 minutes to get here from London by train, but if you prefer you could also join up with a tour like this half day tour from London or this Windsor Castle, Bath, and Stonehenge tour as well. You won’t regret taking the time to visit this incredible castle near London!
18. Paris
Interested in day trips from London outside of the UK? Paris is close enough that you can make a quick jaunt over to this French city for the day and be back in London by the evening! A day trip to Paris from London won’t give you enough time to see everything that the City of Lights has to offer, but it will give you plenty of time to enjoy the city and see some of the major sights.
You’ll of course want to find some of the best views of the Eiffel Tower (and perhaps even go up the tower!) while you’re here. Visiting the Louvre is also a popular choice and you could easily spend the whole day wandering its halls, or you could visit the Musée d’Orsay (a lovely art museum in an old railway station, which is one of my favorite museums in Paris!).
Other popular activities include exploring the Paris Catacombs, climbing onto the roof of the Arc de Triomphe, and taking a cruise on the Seine. You won’t be able to do all of this on your one day trip to Paris, though, so you’ll have to make some difficult choices when deciding what to do…or maybe you’ll just have to come back on more day trips to this glorious city!
All in all, Paris is a lovely place to spend the day when you’re looking for a quick trip from London. It is in fact shorter than several other options on this list, with a travel time of only 2.5 hours by train (and 1.5 by plane…although of course you’ll have to show up at the airport earlier to catch the flight). At such an easy distance, you can comfortably hop on the train by yourself or you can go with a small group tour…but however you choose to travel, this will definitely be an unforgettable London day trip!
19. Dublin
Another fun place to go on a day trip from London outside of England is Dublin. This capital city of the Republic of Ireland is a lively place to go spend the day, but in order to do this as a day trip you will definitely have to fly. It’s only a 1.5 hour flight, so even when you add in the extra time you’ll have to spend at the airport it is still a very doable one day trip from London!
There are all sorts of exciting things to do in this city, but when you first arrive you might like to get your bearings by taking a walking tour of the city. Once you’ve discovered some of the history and best stories here, you should head to Trinity College Dublin to see the incredible Old Library and the Book of Kells…and then make your way over to explore Dublin Castle.
Other popular attractions include visiting St. Patrick’s Cathedral and going to the Guinness Storehouse to learn all about this world-famous stout. As you can see, there are plenty of things to keep you occupied on your day trip to Dublin from London, but if you are planning to visit a lot of these attractions in one day then you may find it is far less expensive to buy a Dublin Pass instead of paying for admission individually everywhere you go.
Although some people might think it’s a bit insane to try a day trip like this from London, with the flight time added with the time you need to arrive at the airport you will still find this trip requires less travel time than some other day trips on this list. As such, it would almost be insane not to take advantage of this and go visit this incredible place on a day trip from London!
20. Edinburgh
When you’re considering UK day trips from London, Edinburgh is another place that you might not think of immediately but is still an awesome place to go!
Some things you’ll want to do here including walking along the Royal Mile, visiting the famous Edinburgh Castle to see Scotland’s crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny, and climbing the Scott Monument (one of the largest monuments to a writer anywhere in the world!).
You may also love taking a Harry Potter tour of Edinburgh to see some of the places that inspired J.K. Rowling while writing this beloved series, or perhaps you’ll join a Scottish whisky tour to learn more about the production and maturation of Scotch whisky and to see the world’s largest collection of Scotch!
If you have the time during your day trip to Edinburgh, it’s also a fun idea to visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse—the Queen’s Scottish residence, where you can explore the State Apartments, see the Throne Room, and even tour Mary Queen of Scots’ chambers! I also enjoy and recommend the nearby hike up to Arthur’s Seat, where you’ll find spectacular views over the city.
Whether you try to see and do as many things as possible on your day trip to Edinburgh or simply soak up the atmosphere in this fascinating city, this is a spectacular place to spend the day on a one day trip from London!
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