12 Fantastic Day Trips From London
Medieval villages, golden beaches, ancient castles, natural hot springs, sandy coves, stunning rolling countryside, magnificent white cliffs and so much more. Continue reading for our 12 fantastic day trips from London!
As wonderful and exciting as London is, sometimes we need to escape the hustle and bustle and explore somewhere new and a bit less hectic.
Fortunately, London’s fantastic transport links around the country mean you could be in the countryside, on the beach, exploring a medieval village or punting on a river in under two hours!
In this guide, we’ll share with you the best day trips from London, how to reach each destination by train and driving times and distances from Central London.
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Day Trips from London
Rye, East Sussex
We’ll kick off our list of the best day trips from London with enchanting higgledy-piggledy cobbled lanes, crooked Tudor buildings and a vast expanse of golden sands.
Stepping back in time in the medieval village of Rye, you’ll feel a world away from the frenetic streets of London and busy everyday life.
Amble down postcard-perfect Mermaid Street; voted one of the most picturesque streets in England. Call in at the Mermaid Inn for a drink and hear the tales of the old smugglers still roaming the walls.
If you have a weekend and you’re feeling brave, why not book a room at the Mermaid Inn and see for yourself whether the tales are true?!
Rye is full of historical inns that pride themselves on locally sourcing their ingredients and ales, antique shops selling everything you could possibly think of, pleasant cafes down little lanes and lots of medieval charm.
How to get to Rye: 1 hour 10 from London St Pancras or 1 hour from Stratford International with a change at Ashford International. Driving time to Rye from London is 2 hours.
Bath, Somerset
This quintessentially English city, famous for its Georgian terraces, thermal spa waters, Jane Austen and cream teas draws in hundreds of visitors from around the world. And for good reason.
There are so many historical buildings that the entire city of Bath has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Romans took full advantage of the city’s natural hot spring water and built some baths which are now one of the most visited sites in Britain.
Unfortunately, you can’t go for a dip but we’d recommend visiting the Thermae Bath Spa for some R&R which features Bath’s natural spring waters. Some of the best views of the city are from its rooftop spa pool!
The Pulteney Bridge is a fine example of Georgian architecture and is well worth a look. Inside the bridge, you’ll find an array of shops, cafes and restaurants. There are only 4 other bridges like this in the world!
How to get to Bath: 1 hour 20 from London Paddington, direct or 2 and a half hours drive.
Brighton, East Sussex
One of our absolute favourite day trips from London by train has to be Brighton!
Brighton is one of our favourite places in the UK! It’s vibrant and colourful and has an incredibly friendly and welcoming atmosphere. As soon as you step off the train, you forget all your problems and know you’ll be in for an awesome visit.
Walk along Brighton Beach before heading to the pier for your compulsory fish and chips by the seaside before hitting up the 2p slot machines in the arcade.
Spend a few hours ambling Brighton’s lively neighbourhood, The Lanes, with its bohemian vibe, vintage shops, record stores, vegetarian cages, art galleries and independent boutiques.
End your day in Brighton with a few drinks in one of the countless bars, each with a unique buzz and feel.
If you have the time, we’d recommend spending a weekend in Brighton. Whatever the time of year, a weekend in Brighton is something you’ll forever cherish.
One of the top things to do in Brighton, particularly in the winter is Beach Box Sauna. Converted horse trailers are kitted with wood-fired saunas on Brighton Beach with amazing sea views, fresh water showers, a cold plunge pool, seating areas and a firepit.
How to get to Brighton: 1 hour from London Victoria, Blackfriars or London Bridge or 2 hours drive.
Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire
Stratford is a medieval market town steeped in over 800 years of history and is the birthplace of the world’s most famous playwright, William Shakespeare. If you’re a Shakespeare fan, this is one of the best day trips from London you can do!
Start your day with a stroll along Henley Street. Here you’ll find Shakespeare’s birthplace where you can hear tales about his childhood and the influence he’s had over the centuries.
This street is also home to an array of shops and cafes. Also on the list of places to visit if you’re a Shakespeare fan are Anne Hathaway’s cottage and Mary Arden’s Farm. If you have the time, try and catch a play at the Royal Shakespeare Company.
If you visit Stratford between March and October, get yourself on the River Avon for a tranquil afternoon. Either rent a canoe, paddleboat or motorboat or for the ultimate peaceful experience, rent a private gondola.
How to get to Stratford-Upon-Avon: 2 hours from Marylebone with a change at Leamington Spa or 2 hours driving.
Kenilworth, Warwickshire
Another historical market town that’s an easy day trip from London is Helen’s hometown of Kenilworth.
Begin your day on the Millennium Way. This is a beautiful, easy walk passing through rolling countryside and flat farmland surrounding Kenilworth Castle. Keep an eye out for the alpacas!
The trail ends at the Castle where you can explore the impressive ruins and walk in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth I in the quiet Elizabethan Garden. Or admire the impressive Norman keep which was the heart of Castle life for 500 years.
Explore John of Gaunt’s Great Hall which was one of the finest of its kind and the cutting edge of architectural design in the 14th century.
Head over the road to the Queen and Castle for a premium, hearty pub meal before ambling down the Old High Street admiring the beautiful listed buildings in Kenilworth’s Old Town.
How to get to Kenilworth: 1 hour 20 with a change at Coventry or 2 hours driving.
Broadstairs
If you’re in need of some seaside charm, one of the best day trips from London by train is Broadstairs.
Here, you can explore award-winning Blue Flag sandy beaches, a host of independent boutiques, art galleries, quaint pubs, restaurants, cafes and bistros, 1950s ice-cream parlours, fishermen’s cottages and beautiful clifftop walks.
Broadstairs was Charles Dickens’ favourite holiday spot!
Celebrating his long connection with the town is the Dickens House Museum. If you’re a Dickens fan, you may recognise that the museum is housed in the cottage that was his inspiration for the home of Betsey Trotwood in David Copperfield.
One of the best things to do in Broadstairs is to walk some of the Viking Coastal Trail. The section we’d recommend is to Botany Bay with its captivating chalk stacks.
The walk is about an hour each way and you’ll pass a series of beautiful sandy coves. Once you reach Botany Bay, treat yourself to a pub lunch at the Botany Bay Hotel overlooking the sea.
Our Top Tip: these bays tend to be quieter than the beach in Broadstairs if you’re looking for somewhere to relax.
How to get to Broadstairs: 1 hour 45 from London St Pancras direct or 2 hours drive.
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
Historical locations and architecturally beautiful buildings line the quaint streets of Cambridge.
At the heart of the city lies one of the most well-known Universities in the world with renowned alumni including Stephen Hawking and Sir Isaac Newton.
Cambridge University dates back more than 800 years and is split into 31 spectacular colleges. Kings College, with its distinctive gothic chapel, is the most famous.
Spend your day in the bustling market square where vendors have been trading since the middle ages. Monday to Saturday the general market sells a wide of range of goods including clothes, books, music, jewellery, fresh food and so much more.
On a Sunday, the square plays host to a thriving local food, arts and crafts market. Vendors sell organic produce from local farmers and work from some of the area’s most talented photographers, craftsmen, potters and sculptors.
Once you’ve finished strolling through the market, enjoy a relaxing walk through Cambridge University Botanic Garden. Next, take a punt down the River Cam. It’s hands-down the most touristy thing to do in Cambridge but a must-do all the same!
How to get to Cambridge: 1 hour from London Kings Cross direct or 1 and a half hours drive.
Oxford, Oxfordshire
Another city famous the world over for its University is Oxford. Oxford University is the oldest University in the English-speaking world and has been home to royalty and scholars for over 800 years!
Oxford has a wonderful blend of ancient and modern. Intricate narrow streets lined with historical noble buildings, gothic chapels and ancient libraries sit side by side trendy bars, hipster diners, upmarket shops and comedy clubs.
Get your bearings at the Carfax Tower which offers superb views over the city. Pay a visit to one of the oldest libraries in Europe and the second-largest in Britain; The Bodleian Library – the main research library of the University.
Head to the historical Covered Market dating back to the 1770s which has a long and interesting heritage. The market is home to many permanent stalls, a lot of which are independent businesses, some going back generations, selling local crafts, food and drink.
How to get to Oxford: 1 hour from London Marylebone, direct or 1 hour 45 drive.
Seven Sisters, East Sussex
On a sunny day, if you’re looking for something active and outdoorsy, this is one of the most ideal day trips from London. The Seven Sisters is the name given to the magnificent series of white chalk cliffs that line the Sussex South Downs coast.
The 22km trail, from Seaford to Eastbourne is notorious for being one of the prettiest coastal walks in England. The views are breathtaking!
On one side, you’re greeted by endless sea views of the English Channel glistening in the sun, on the other, the rolling English countryside and in front, the gorgeous iconic white cliffs.
There are a few notable sights along the way. Built in 1832 as a navigational aid, The Belle Tout Lighthouse stands on the cliffs at Beachy Head. Today, it serves as a beautiful Bed and Breakfast and a popular film location.
A little further along is Beachy Head Lighthouse. A red and white striped tower that looks like it’s been plucked from the pages of children’s storybook, built in 1902 to guide passing vessels along the cliffs.
How to get to the Seven Sisters walk: this one’s a bit of a faff, but worth it. The trail goes from Seaford to Eastbourne (or vice versa) but, annoyingly, these towns are on different train lines.
Option one is to buy two one-way tickets. Seaford is an hour and a half from London Victoria with a change at Lewes. Eastbourne is an hour and a half from London Victoria, direct.
Option two is to buy a return from London to Lewes which takes 1 hour 10 and from Lewes buy two singles. One to Seaford and one back from Eastbourne (or vice versa depending on the direction you walk). Both of which are approximately 20 minutes.
If you’re planning on driving, we’d recommend driving to Lewes and buying two single train tickets as in option 2.
Alternatively, take the planning out of it and book a small group tour to the Seven Sisters and South Downs.
Canterbury, Kent
This world-renowned Cathedral City is home to 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, an abundance of museums, art galleries, theatres, an abbey, a cathedral, 24 Canterbury Tales and so much more! A day trip to Canterbury will be packed full of history and culture.
Ancient walls, originally built by the Romans, continue to surround its medieval centre with narrow cobbled lanes and timber-framed buildings. Westgate Towers, one of the main gates to the city, is the largest medieval gateway in England and is over 640 years old.
We can’t talk about Canterbury and not mention the Cathedral; Canterbury’s number one visited attraction!
Founded in 597 AD, Canterbury Cathedral is the headquarters of the Church of England and Anglican Communion. Incorporating Romanesque, Norman and Gothic elements in its stone carvings and stained-glass windows, the architecture is absolutely stunning!
How to get to Canterbury: 1 hour 30 from London Victoria, direct or 1 hour 40 drive.
The New Forest, Hampshire
Vast open heathland, majestic friendly ponies, giant sequoias, ancient woodland and ample outdoor activities make the New Forest one of the best day trips from London to get out into nature and really unwind.
There’s a wealth of things to do in the New Forest and places to explore.
The New Forest has over 220 kilometres of walking trails so grab your hiking shoes and stretch your legs while experiencing the tranquillity of the ancient forest.
Another great way to explore the New Forest is on a bike on some of the numerous off-road cycling routes. After a day out in nature, dine in a cosy countryside pub serving hearty locally sourced fresh food.
The New Forest is also home to picturesque villages and bustling seaside towns. Lymington’s quaint cobbled streets are lined with independent boutiques and cute cafes in quiet courtyards.
Lyndhurst has a great range of pubs, bars and restaurants making it a great base from which to explore and Brockenhurst is located in some of the New Forest’s best scenery and has a little green often full of grazing ponies and cattle
Windsor, Berkshire
The Royal Borough of Windsor has a rich and fascinating blend of history, heritage, culture and fun making it one of the most wonderful day trips from London.
We’ll start with the obvious draw for visitors and what the city’s most renowned for; Windsor Castle. Founded in the 11th century, by William the Conqueror, the castle has since been the home of 39 monarchs.
It’s the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world and was Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite weekend home! It’s open to visitors throughout the year to view.
Windsor Castle should take around two hours to explore so there’s plenty of time to see what other delights this town has.
A lovely place to relax is the Windsor Riverfront. Just behind the riverfront is a large traditional Victorian park, Alexandra Gardens. If you wanted to, you could follow the Thames path right the way back to London or even Oxford!
On the other side of the river is Eton; home to the acclaimed Eton College which has educated 18 former British Prime Ministers.
Windsor Old Town with its medieval buildings makes for a great place to amble about and plenty of photo opportunities.
How to get to Windsor: 1 hour from London Waterloo, direct or 1 hour drive.
We hope you have enjoyed these 12 fantastic day trips from London by train. If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment or contact us.
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