14 Best Day Trips from London, England You Must Take

Check out these 14 best day trips from London, England that should be on your bucket list!

Are you looking for a change of scenery? A break from the hustle and bustle of London life? Well, look no further.

Here are several amazing day trips that will take you to some of the most picturesque and historic areas in all of England. Get ready to explore!

14 Best Day Trips from London, England

London is a great place to take day trips because there is so much to see and do in London as well as near the city. From world-famous attractions like Windsor Castle to charming villages like Oxford, there is something for everyone. And with convenient public transportation options making it easy to get around, you can explore as much or as little as you want.

Let’s get into our list of the top single-day trips from London!

Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle is not just a royal residence; it’s a palace. It’s the longest-occupied palace in Europe, and it’s been home to the British royal family since 1066.

It’s also where they keep the Crown Jewels – and they’re worth a good look. The jewels are kept in the Jewel Tower, which was built in 1377. The tower used to be part of the castle’s medieval fortifications but now houses priceless gems like the Koh-i-Noor diamond (which is actually bigger than a tennis ball) and the Imperial State Crown (which weighs over 3 pounds).

But there’s more than just ancient jewels at Windsor Castle: it’s also got some seriously fancy digs! If you’ve ever wanted to live like royalty, now you can – at least for one night. The castle has over 600 rooms, including three banqueting halls and two chapels (one Catholic, one Protestant).

If that sounds like too much work for one night, don’t worry – you can just relax and enjoy the view from one of the many terraces around the castle grounds instead.

Bath

If you’re looking for a day trip from London, look no further than Bath.

Bath is a beautiful city with a lot to see and do. It’s an excellent day trip from London, especially if you’re interested in history. You’ll be able to explore Roman Baths and shop at some of the best stores in town. We recommend visiting the Royal Crescent and taking a tour of the Roman Baths themselves – they’re quite impressive.

Best Day Trips from London, England: Roman Baths — Roman Baths

After all your sightseeing is done, relax and rejuvenate at one of Bath’s many spas. The city is known for its therapeutic hot springs, so a visit to the baths is a must!

Whether you’re looking to learn more about English history or simply want to enjoy a lovely day in a picturesque setting, Bath is the perfect destination.

Stonehenge

When writing about the best day trips from London, it’s impossible not to mention Stonehenge, one of the most famous places in the world!

Stonehenge is one of the most famous prehistoric sites in the world and is a must-add to your bucket list. The monument comprises a circle of standing stones, each about 13 feet tall, seven feet broad, and weighing about 25 tons, constructed during the Neolithic period as a temple for worshipping gods within that era’s cosmology.

Best Day Trips from London, England: Stonehenge — Stonehenge

The stones were originally placed within earthworks in the midst of England’s densest Neolithic and Bronze Age monument complex, including several hundred burial mounds, and they formed a ring of stones around an enclosure. Archaeologists think that Stonehenge was built between 3000 BC and 2000 BC.

It has been added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites because of its outstanding universal values; today, it attracts millions of visitors each year who are fascinated by this ancient site that’s still being studied by archaeologists.

Oxford

If you’d like to escape London for a day, it’s hard to do better than Oxford!

This university town is packed with history, beautiful architecture, and all kinds of museums and galleries. With so much to do in this compact city, you may even want to spend more than one day exploring.

Best Day Trips from London, England: Oxford — The University of Oxford

The University of Oxford has been around since 1096, so there are plenty of places where you can absorb yourself in the history of the place or visit one of their many colleges that house both students and academics (and most importantly for tourists: tours).

Oxford university buildings were used to film some of the most iconic scenes from Harry Potter, and they were an inspiration for creating studio movie sets.

Oxford is also home to several world-famous museums, including the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology and the Museum of Oxford. Whether you’re a history buff or an art lover, you’ll find plenty to keep you occupied in Oxford. And if you need a break from all the learning, you can always stroll through one of the city’s many lovely parks.

Salisbury

Salisbury is a great day trip from London for anyone who loves history, art, or horse racing.

Salisbury Cathedral, one of the largest in Europe, is a must-see.

Best Day Trips from London, England: Salisbury — Salisbury Cathedral

The Salisbury Museum is also worth a visit. It’s located on the site of a monastery that was established as early as 1080 AD.

The museum houses some of England’s most important artworks from the medieval period, including paintings by William Hogarth.

Salisbury Racecourse is another great attraction. It’s just minutes from Salisbury Cathedral and The Museum of Natural History & Planetarium. The racecourse hosts events throughout the year, including jockeys training for upcoming races at Newbury Downs Racetrack or Warwick Castle.

Salisbury is the perfect place to go if you’re looking for a great day trip from London.

The Cotswolds

The Cotswolds is an area of outstanding natural beauty in England. It covers parts of six counties: Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, Worcestershire, and Somerset. The area is defined by the bedrock of Jurassic limestone that creates a type of grassland habitat rare in the UK.

The Cotswolds is located about 100 miles away from London. While it’s not as close as some of the other destinations on this list, it’s well worth the trip for anyone who wants to explore some of England’s most beautiful countryside.

The Cotswolds is home to rolling hills, quaint villages, and gorgeous stone cottages. It’s the perfect place for a day trip or a weekend getaway.

Brighton

Brighton is a seaside resort on the south coast of England. It is part of the city of Brighton and Hove, created in 1997. Brighton is known for its vibrant arts scene, eclectic mix of architecture, and large LGBT population. It is a popular tourist destination for travelers from all over the world.

Brighton’s most famous attractions include the Brighton Pier, the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, the Royal Pavilion, and the Brighton Dome. Brighton is also home to a number of festivals and events throughout the year, such as the Brighton Festival, the Brighton Fringe, and Pride Brighton & Hove.

Best Day Trips from London, England: Brighton Pier — Brighton Pier

Best Day Trips from London, England: The Royal Pavilion In Brighton — The Royal Pavilion

If you fancy a scenic hike, one of the most popular trails near Brighton is the Seven Sisters Walk.

Brighton is definitely worth a trip if you’re looking for a vibrant and exciting place to visit.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is a maritime museum and tourist attraction in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. It is located on the site of the former Royal Navy Dockyard at Portsmouth and includes the National Museum of the Royal Navy, HMS Victory, HMS Warrior, and other historic ships. The Dockyard is also home to The Mary Rose Museum, which houses the remains of Henry VIII’s flagship.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is about a two-hour drive from London. If you’re looking for a fun and interesting day trip, it’s definitely worth a visit.

The Dockyard has something for everyone – whether you’re interested in maritime history, want to see some of England’s most famous ships up close, or just want to take a walk around a pretty harbor. And if you get hungry, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants on-site.

Cambridge

Cambridge, a prominent university city in England, is home to one of the world’s top five universities.

Cambridge is approximately 50 miles north of London and on the River Cam. The town has a population of more than 120,000 people, including 25,000 students.

Cambridge is a lovely city with a lot of historical architecture and tourist attractions. If you’re visiting, be sure to see the university’s colleges as well as notable places like King’s College Chapel and Cambridge Botanic Garden.

Cambridge is also home to numerous museums and unique shops – so there’s plenty to keep you busy during your stay.

Greenwich

Greenwich is a great place to take your kids or a date. The city has plenty of landmarks, museums, and historical sites that will keep you entertained for hours, plus the best views of the city of London!

The area is also home to some of the best shopping around London (think: clothes, food, culture, and even architecture). You can spend your whole day exploring Greenwich and be happy with how much you learned about history.

Make sure to explore the famous Greenwich Market, which is full of art, antiques, crafts, jewelry, and handmade gifts.

If you’re looking for something more active than just sightseeing, head to the National Maritime Museum, where tons of interactive exhibits make learning fun. You’ll also find several parks within walking distance, which makes it easy if you want to go on a run or just relax after visiting all those museums or monuments.

Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens is a botanical garden in London’s Kensington Gardens and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It contains the “largest and most diverse collection of plants and fungus in the world.” The location includes Kew Palace, the former home of George III.

Kew Gardens is in southwest London, about halfway from Heathrow Airport to the City of London. If you’re coming from central London, take the Underground to Kew Gardens Station on the District Line. The station is only a few minutes walk from the gardens.

Dover

Dover is a town in Kent, England. It’s also home to the White Cliffs of Dover: the iconic white rock formations that form part of the coastline along this part of the country.

Dover Castle is one of four castles built by William the Conqueror at strategic locations along his route from Normandy to London when he invaded England in 1066. He had it built on top of these cliffs because they were easy to defend against attacks from enemies coming by sea and land alike.

Best Day Trips from London, England: Dover Castle — Dover Castle

The castle has been popular with tourists for centuries – it was originally built as a medieval fortress, but today, you can see it as an imposing structure if you visit Dover Town Centre or walk up to see it for yourself! It’s now considered an official UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Canterbury

Canterbury is a city in Kent, England, with a population of approximately 125,000. Canterbury is the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury and primate of all England.

The economy has been based on agriculture for many centuries, which can be seen by its impressive cathedral and monastic ruins. However, Canterbury is also home to several colleges and universities that attract students worldwide.

The city’s name comes from the Celtic word Cantuaras, which means ‘city of Kent’, and was founded by St Augustine in 597 AD during his mission to convert Britain to Christianity. Augustine built his cathedral here in 602 AD after his arrival in Britain, and it became one of Britain’s most important religious sites until the Reformation when Henry VIII broke with Rome and established the Church of England as its own Protestant denomination.

During your visit, make sure not to miss one of the most photographed historic buildings in Canterbury, the Old Weavers House. It’s a beautiful half-timbered building on the River Stour, dating back to at least the 14th century.

At the rear of the Old Weaver’s House is an original medieval ducking stool that was used as a testing device for witches. The suspect (usually a female) was strapped to the stool at the end of a long pole and dunked underwater for several minutes. If they did not drown, they were proved to be a witch and executed. If they did drown, they were presumed innocent of witchcraft, and their name was cleared.

Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle in Kent is one of England’s most beautiful and romantic castles. This Grade I listed building has been home to many famous people over the centuries, including Queen Elizabeth I, Henry VIII, and Edward IV.

Leeds Castle is open to visitors who can explore its gardens and buildings. Leeds Castle is also popular for special events such as weddings and corporate events. If you’re looking for a stunning castle to visit on your next trip to England, Leeds Castle is a great choice.

14 Best Day Trips From London: Conclusion

London is a vibrant city with so much to see and do. It’s also a great place to live, work, and have fun. But even though it’s the most populous city in England, there are still plenty of things to explore outside of London.

Whether you want to go big or small, these day trips from London will make for an unforgettable trip that doesn’t require much planning or money but still gives you all the best of what England has to offer.

FAQ

Best day trips from London by train: what are good train trips for kids from London and back on the same day?

The best train trips from London for kids are to the seaside towns of Brighton and Portsmouth. Both towns have historic dockyards that are great for exploring and plenty of other kid-friendly attractions. You can also visit Cambridge for a day of educational fun or head to the zoo or Kew Gardens. Dover and the White Cliffs of Dover make for a great day trip if you’re looking for something a little more adventurous.