One of the best thing about London is that the city is a hop, skip and jump away from several small towns. These small towns provide a change of scenery and an escape from the busy London life. And thanks to great train and bus connectivity, it is possible to see many places in the UK on a day trip from London.
While London is a nice city to explore and has much to offer, it is also a great place to base yourself for day trips (click here for a detailed guide on things to do in London). These day trips from London are convenient and give you an opportunity to experience so much more of England. In just an hour, you can see the oldest occupied castle in the world or stroll through university towns or quaint English villages! You can visit close-by destinations like Bath, Oxford, and Cambridge, or be a little more adventurous and take the train to Paris or Brussels (of course assuming you do not have any visa restrictions).
Sounds like something that interests you? Then, continue reading to read more about the day trips you can take from London. Most of the towns covered in this article are easily connected via train. But you can even hire a car and drive to these places.
If you are using the train, then recommend using these websites – Train Line or National Rail. Not only can you look up the schedule and plan your day, but also book tickets in advance to get the best price.
If you want to avoid the hassle of car and train altogether, then you can even sign up for a day tour with a group and guide. There are several group tours available on Viator and GetYourGuide. All you have to do is show up at the designated time and sit back, relax and enjoy the place.
Potential Day Trips from London
Bath
The fastest way to reach Bath is via train. You can take the train from London’s Paddington Station and reach Bath within 90 minutes. It is one of the most popular day trips from London.
The main center of Bath is compact and can be easily covered on foot. Once you reach Bath, stop at the 15th-century Bath Abbey, sign up for a tour of Roman Baths, check out the Pulteney Bridge, Royal Crescent, etc. For a more detailed guide, click here.
The architecture of this city is absolutely stunning!
If you are planning to do one of the group tours, then many tour companies combine a trip to Stonehenge with Bath. Stonehenge is located just an hour from Bath and it is the perfect option if you want to pack in as much as possible into one excursion.
Windsor
If you are looking for an easy day trip from London, then check out Windsor. You can reach Windsor by taking a 45-minute train ride from London’s Paddington station.
What makes the town of Windsor special? Oh well, its fairytale-like castle.
Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. It has been the home of British kings and queens for over 1,000 years. And more recently, it came into limelight since Prince Harry and Megan Markle’s wedding was held at this Castle in 2018.
Windsor Castle was rumored to be Queen Elizabeth’s favorite! I guess it is no surprise that she was laid to rest at this Castle.
Once you get to Windsor, the first thing to do is to touring the castle. You can purchase tickets in advance to avoid waiting in huge lines when you get there. But note that you can’t take any photos inside Windsor Castle (and they have staff strictly monitoring every corner of the castle).
Similar to the Change of Guards ceremony that takes place at Buckingham Palace in London, there is a ceremony held at the Windsor Castle as well. This ceremony usually takes place every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 11 am. Check out the exact schedule here before planning your visit. If you want to get a good view of the changing of the guards, stand on the opposite side of the street of Windsor Castle.
Once you have crossed this major to do off your list, head over to the marketplace and enjoy some shopping. There are many cute shops, cafes and restaurants and the streets are buzzing with activity. Oh and if you are a fan of the royal family, then you will spot many shops selling royal memorabilia. Right from mugs to keychains to trays to t-shirts, they have it all! A fan or not, it definitely makes for a fun browsing experience.
Make sure to stop by the Crooked House of Windsor located at 51 High Street. 
This wonky building was built in 1687 and has quite a few interesting stories. It has been a teahouse, a butcher shop, a boutique. Legend has it there is an underground passage that connects to Windsor Castle, potentially built to hide illicit royal affairs. Or it could have just been a tunnel to deliver food to the castle kitchen from the market🤔
As you are walking around, you will notice some of the pubs are named after the royal family members. There is a Duchess of Cambridge pub, which is named after Kate Middleton. You will even spot a Prince Harry Pub, steps away from the Crooked House. And yes, a Princess Charlotte pub as well 😂
Once you are done strolling around these pretty streets, stop by the Great Park. This this tree-lined avenue stretches almost 2.5 miles down to the ancient fortress of Windsor Castle. This Great Park includes a deer park and is ideal for running around, playing hide and seek or ball games, or even a picnic.
Once you are done, you can feed the swans at the river or take a boat/ kayak tour at the most beautiful stretches of River Thames that fall within the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. Or simply walk or cycle along the river, admiring the beauty.
There is also a large Ferris wheel located right at the beginning of town – a fun activity for both kids and adults. 
If you have additional time on hand, cross the river into the town of Eton. This town is home to the famous college of the same name. A little fun fact – both Prince William and Prince Harry attended this Eton college.
If you are travelling with kids, then you may want to combine your trip to Windsor with Legoland. Legoland is the ultimate fun destination specially if you are travelling with kids. This theme park has more than 55 interactive rides, live shows, building workshops and attractions set in 150 acres of beautiful parkland. A shuttle bus is available from Windsor town center. For more information, click here.
Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the southwest of England. It covers an area of 787 square miles and is famous for its beautiful countryside, honey-hued villages and historic houses. It is one of the most beautiful places in England and a popular destination for those visiting UK.
However, train connections from London are poor and the prettiest villages are spread out. The best way to visit is to rent a car and drive yourself to these villages or join a group tour. Alternatively, you can stay overnight in Bath and visit some of these towns since they are closer to Bath than London.
Most of the group tours to Cotswolds include the towns of Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold. It provides a good taste of the area, without packing too much in.
We visited Cotswolds on a day trip while we were staying in Bath. We visited the towns of Castle Combe, Bibury, Stow on the Wold, Bourton on Water, Lower Slaughter and Lacock. Click here for a detailed guide.
Brighton
Brighton is a beautiful little beachside town which is located an hour away by train (London’s Victoria Station or London Bridge Station) or 2 hours by car or bus.
This town makes for an excellent day trip if you are visiting London in summer months. But even if you are visiting in spring/ fall months, you will notice a lot of activity going on here. The water may not be warm to take a dip in, but it will still make for a lovely visit.
Once you get here, you can take a walk along the seafront. Then, head over to the historic Lanes, a maze of narrow streets filled with unique shops, boutiques, antique stores, and cafes.
Once you are done browsing the stores, choose from one of the quaint cafes, cozy pubs, or restaurants for a leisurely lunch. You can choose from local cuisine or international flavors while soaking up the lively atmosphere.
You can then head over to the magnificent Royal Pavilion. It is totally unique and not what you expect to see in a UK town!
The Royal Pavilion is a former royal residence inspired by Indian architecture. In fact, it is also called the Taj Mahal of Brighton. Construction began in 1787 and was completed in three stages. It was the seaside home for Prince George, who later went on to become King George IV. The interior of the building is just as impressive as the exterior, and you can take a tour inside, with tickets costing £19 for adults and £11.5 for children. Click here to book your tickets.
But even if you don’t go inside, you can simply relax at the surrounding gardens and stretch your legs. These gardens also provide a lovely vantage point of this magnificent structure.
You can’t go to Brighton and not walk along the Pier! Brighton Pier is a typical British seaside pier, full of stalls selling ice creams, doughnuts, candy floss, and of course, fish and chips. Enjoy the classic amusement rides, ride some roller coasters and savor delicious food and candies as you bask in the sun.
Oh, but do not take your eyes off fish and chips even for a second or seagulls will steal them off your hand!
Just remember to wear warm clothes in the shoulder months as the sea breeze is cold! It was showing as 15 degrees C when we visited but it was nail bitingly cold and windy at the pier!
If you simply want to relax and not indulge in any activities, then you can also spend a lazy afternoon by the beach. While it isn’t a sandy beach, the water is lovely and provides the perfect respite in summer months.
The promenade, beach and the pier are perfect spots to watch the sunset. 
If you want a bird’s eye view of the town and neighboring areas, then check out The i360. It is an observation deck located right on the promenade. It gives incredible views over the ocean, the coastline and the countryside on a clear sunny day. You can book your tickets in advance here.
There is also a huge promenade that goes all the way to the nearby town of Hove. A mere 20-30 minute and 2km walk down the promenade from the center of Brighton, leads you to Hove where you can find cute colorful beach huts.
Brighton is famous for its vibrant nightlife. It is a university town after all, so not surprisingly, you will spot a lot of students enjoying a night out, especially Friday to Sunday. From live music venues to stylish cocktail bars to cheesy nightclubs, there is something for everyone. When we visited in mid-April, we spotted way too many Bachelorette parties here.
Canterbury
You can reach Canterbury within an hour from London by train (St Pancras station).
Canterbury was once a pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages. In fact, there is a street in the town which is over 1000 years old! So be rest assured, you’re going to see a lot of history in this city. The Cathedral itself is worth the trip, but add to that a maze of small alleys, charming buildings and beautiful river and you have plenty to see and do here on a day trip.
The Canterbury Cathedral is one of the oldest Christian structures in England and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Founded in 597, the Cathedral was completely rebuilt between 1070 and 1077.
The Christ Church Gate is the main entrance to the Canterbury Cathedral Grounds. This Grade I-listed gate was completed in 1520. It features intricate carvings and gilded stonework across its facade. The vibrant colored carvings of mythical beasts, angels, and heraldic shields are now displayed in all their glory after an extensive renovation was completed recently.
While you can admire the gates for free from outside, tickets are required for an entry to the Cathedral.
We reached the Cathedral pretty late in the day and it was almost closing time so couldn’t visit it from inside. But even from the outside, this Cathedral is a sight to behold. In fact, it is often named the most striking cathedral in Europe.
After the Cathedral, make your way to the West Gate. Built in 1380, the West Gate is Canterbury’s last remaining medieval gateway. You can even enjoy spectacular views of the city from the top of the largest surviving medieval gateway in England. There is also a museum here which covers four themes – City Wars, Crime & Punishment, Westgate Through History and Magna Carta & The Maquettes. Once you’ve taken in the beauty of the city and the museum exhibits, head down to the bar, The Pound to grab a drink!
Right across the tower, you will see the lovely Westgate Gardens, again one of the oldest parks in England. This 11-acre ornamental garden set along the banks of the River Stour is the perfect place for a quiet stroll in the city. A lovely patch of greenery is framed by beautifully manicured flower beds. This is one of the most beautiful areas in Canterbury.
If you are visiting in spring months, be ready to be welcomed with beautiful flowers in an array of colors. Simply enjoy the peaceful nature or you can even grab some food and snacks and enjoy a little picnic here.
You will also see a lot of boats lazily looping around the river. You can pre-book a boat tour or book once you get there. But be prepared to stand in queue if you are visiting on weekends or summer months.
If farmers markets are your thing, then head over to the Goods Shed. It is a shop, food and drink market and restaurant rolled into one – all housed in a beautifully-renovated railway warehouse next to Canterbury station. You will find a lot of local produce including a bakery, vegetable store, cafes and restaurants.
Also, no trip to any city is complete until you stroll through the narrow alleys, peeking into small courtyards, medieval houses and pop into a shop or two. Canterbury has some of the cutest streets and small shops.
There is even a 17th century crooked house, also known as Sir John Boy’s House. Its skewed façade makes it look like the building could collapse at any given moment. It is said that the house gets its crooked appearance from chimney alterations gone wrong which caused the entire building to slip sideways. After attempts to fix the slippage, the building became even more crooked and is now internally stabilized by a steel frame.
The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge is the city’s main library cum art gallery and museum. The gallery/ museum section is organized into six rooms, each with a different theme and showcases work by a range of artists including David Hockney, Raphael and Thomas Sidney Cooper.
If you have additional time on hand, then you can travel further north to the seaside town of Whitstable.
Other Day Trips
As you can see there is plenty to see and do beyond the city of London. While we only visited the above towns, if you have additional time on hand, then you can consider the below as well:
- Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio
- Oxford
- Cambridge
- Whitstable
- Rye
*All prices as of April 2024