7 Day Trips from London

London is the best-known and most visited city in the UK. But there is so much more to the country beyond the capital’s many enticing sights and attractions. If you want to expand your visit and explore a little more of England, there are many incredible day trips you can take from London. Below you’ll find a handful of the very best, all within easy reach by train from the city centre…

Windsor

1 hour by train

Windsor Castle is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world and is still the weekend home of the British Royal Family. A visit to this charming town, with its cobbled streets and numerous historic buildings, makes an ideal day trip from London.

Stonehenge

Salisbury is 1.5 hours by train, from there you can take the Stonehenge Tour Bus (20 mins) or take a taxi. 

Perhaps the most popular day trip from London, Stonehenge is an unmissable British landmark. This iconic stone circle has stood atop an unassuming hill near Salisbury for over 5,000 years. The on-site visitor centre is packed with fascinating exhibits about the site and how it was built. Combine your trip with a visit to the Salisbury Museum for more insight into the rich history of the area.

Brighton

1 hour by train

Those in search of the classic British seaside experience should take a day trip to Brighton. On weekends, Londoners flock here in droves to enjoy the long pebble beach, as it’s one of the easiest to get to from the capital. The retro Palace Pier, amusement arcades, and fish and chip shops round off the quintessential British seaside experience. In the town itself, you’ll find the Laines, streets lined with independent boutiques, vintage clothing stores, and trendy cafes.

Bath

1.5 hours by train

Bath began life as a spa town, founded by the Ancient Romans because it is blessed with some of the only natural hot springs in the country. You can still enjoy these waters today at the stunning Thermae Bath Spa, where the rooftop pool affords incredible views of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage skyline. You can also visit the Roman Baths, a brilliantly preserved ancient site where the informative audio tour and interactive exhibits outline how Romans worshipped and relaxed at the baths.

Oxford

1 hour by train

Oxford is perhaps the most famous university city in the world. With its rich history, fairytale spires, and honey-coloured stone buildings, the city makes for a brilliant day trip. Don’t miss a visit to the iconic Radcliff Camera, a domed, circular library building at the university.

Margate and Dreamland

1 hour 45 minutes by train

The eastern section of the Kent coast is filled with lovely little seaside towns which make for a perfect day trip. Among them are Margate, a cute town with a clean, sandy beach and picturesque harbour. The town also boasts one of the best funfairs on the south coast. Dreamland is a small, retro amusement park offering vintage

New Forest

1.5 hours by train

Don’t be fooled by the name; the New Forest is actually almost 1,000 years old! The area has first proclaimed a forest by William the Conqueror, who used it for royal hunts. Today, it’s a national park filled with heather-strewn moors, dense woodland, sleepy villages, and country pubs. Take the train to Brockenhurst and rent a bike to get exploring.