Ten Memorable Day Trips from London
One of the best things about living in London is that we not only have this fabulous city to explore, but we have easy access to so many fabulous destinations around the UK when we’re ready for a short escape.
Here are ten fantastic day trips from London that are easily reachable by train, and pack enough fun that I’ve returned again and again:
Seaside escapes:
- Brighton my day
With direct trains taking less than an hour from London Bridge station, Brighton is one of my fave beach getaways. In fact, it’s lovingly referred to as London-by-the-Sea. And there’s so much to love about Brighton, both at the beach and in town. With a vibrant, bohemian vibe, Brighton offers trendy brunch spots, a truly exotic royal residence (the Pavillion), boutique shopping in the Lanes, and of course the seaside with the fun Palace Pier full of games and rides and a pebble beach that stretches for miles in both directions, showcasing colourful beach huts on one side and towering white cliffs on the other. - Aw shucks it’s Whitstable
Just 90 minutes from London Victoria station, Whitstable is a lovely British seaside escape combining a working fishing port with a quaint, colourful town of historic fisherman huts and bright seaside cafes. In fact, Julius Caesar himself was Whitstable’s first influencer — he was so impressed with the oysters here he shipped them back to Rome! The oysters are still world-renowned today and the town has become a foodie paradise especially for seafood lovers. From a lovely meal at Whitstable Oyster Company, to a pint on the beach at the Neptune Pub there’s no shortage of great eats. And then of course there’s the seaside! The iconic colourful beach huts at Tankerton Beach are super fun, and at low tide you can even walk out into the sea along a natural ‘street’ that emerges!
Picturesque cityscapes
- Rye not?
Rye is probably the least easy spot on my list to reach by train from London, but it’s still totally doable in just over two hours. And it’s totally worth it! As one of England’s best preserved medieval towns, just strolling down picturesque Mermaid Street is worth the trip with its cobbled steps and half-timbered medieval houses. I love popping into the 12th century Mermaid Inn for a drink surrounded by history, and the sweeping view from the tower of St Mary’s Church is a must-see. One of my fave ways to spend the day is to combine the lovely village with a walk through the countryside along the Vineyard Trail to nearby Tillingham Winery. It’s especially lovely when the apple orchards are in full bloom and a Tillingham wine flight is a great post-walk treat. - Take a Bath
Just 80 minutes from London Paddington is the lovely Georgian city of Bath with its warm, honey-coloured stone buildings set amongst rolling green hills and the meandering River Avon. There’s something calming about Bath despite it being packed with things to do. Whether you want to soak up the history of the ancient Roman baths, soak (literally) in the scenic rooftop bath of Thermae Bath Spa, take in the Bridgerton vibes at their filming locations, or channel Jane Austen at the museum dedicated to her, there is something for everyone. It’s one of my fave cities for aimless wandering as every street is beautiful. And for a nature escape, you can take a lovely waterside stroll along the Bath locks, or head up to the Bath Skyline Trail for stunning views of the city.
History and architecture
- Canterbury Tales
With direct trains less than an hour from London, Canterbury is an easy escape to a very walkable city full of history and charm. It’s certainly far easier than the pilgrimages in Chaucer’s day LOL, and well worth a pilgrimage. At the heart of the city is Canterbury Cathedral, England’s oldest cathedral and the seat of the Church of England, with soaring Gothic architecture and striking stained glass windows. The surrounding city is no less impressive with well-preserved streets and the largest surviving medieval city gate in England, with centuries-old buildings now full of fun shops. All of this is augmented by the picturesque River Stour where you can stroll or even take a boat ride. Despite all this history, Canterbury has a young, contemporary vibe thanks to its student population and plenty of fun cafes and pubs to enjoy. - Back to school at Oxford
Not only is Oxford University the oldest in the English-speaking world, it’s also arguably one of the most beautiful, with many of the grand college halls open for public viewing. To name just two, I love strolling through 700-year old Bodleian library and hearing evensong at Christ Church (for the history and the Harry Potter vibes). I also highly recommend climbing the tower at St Mary’s to look down on the city of spires below. But Oxford is more than just the University. You can enjoy lovely coffee and cakes at the Grand Café, England’s oldest coffee house, go punting on the river, enjoy a pint at one of many truly old pubs, or follow in the literary footsteps of sooooo many famous British authors. - Winchester for the win
England’s ancient capital city is steeped in history and beauty. You can view the legendary King Arthur’s Round Table in the Great Hall, explore the breathtaking Winchester Cathedral, and visit lovely Winchester College, the oldest continuously running school in the country. For literary fans, you can follow in the footsteps of the beloved author Jane Austen. The quaint streets are full of award-winning restaurants and cozy pubs, and the surrounding countryside is full of scenic strolls. In summer, I love the walk up to St Catherine’s Hill for stunning views of the city. But for me, the best time to visit is during the holiday period when the renowned Christmas Market is in full swing.
Castles and countryside
- A Ram-boelyn day at Hever Castle
A trip to Anne Boelyn’s childhood home is one of my fave country castle escapes. There are direct trains from London to Hever station, and then a lovely footpath through the fields to the castle. The castle itself is quite impressive, and they’ve got some cool pieces on display like Anne’s hand-painted prayer books and some gorgeous Tudor-era decorations, as well as more modern renovations thanks to William Waldorf Astor who purchased it as his own little fairy tale home. But the hands-down highlight for me is the gorgeous 125-acre grounds with lavish gardens, two mazes, and a lovely lake walk. I could ramble here for hours! And after a great walk, I also love the historic Henry VIII pub next door with its Tudor building and roaring fire inside plus a sunny beer garden outside. - Gone with the Windsor
You can’t really have a list involving castles and exclude the world’s largest and oldest occupied castle in the world, and Windsor deserves to be on the list in any case. The castle itself is worth seeing with its grand state rooms, the stunning St George Chapel, and the biggest dollhouse I’ve ever seen. But I’ve been back many more times just to visit the town itself. The Long Walk from the castle to Windsor Great Park is beautiful with sweeping views of the castle and free-roaming deer. The towns of Windsor and Eaton are charming and full of independent shops and lovely eateries. And the riverside area is one of my fave spots along the Thames with swans, paddle boats and beautiful waterside restaurants to soak up the vibes. - So Dover it
Last but definitely not least, Dover is a fab day trip from London with coastal scenery and military history combined. The sprawling Dover Castle is a must-see with its 2000-year journey through British history from an ancient Roman lighthouse to a medieval palace to its vast tunnels used as a secret WWII command centre and underground hospital. Equally great though is a truly memorable hike along the White Cliffs of Dover with the dramatic chalk cliffs plunging into the blue sea below, and views of France in the distance. Throw in a lovely seaside lunch and a stroll along the historic Dover promenade and you’ve got a pretty fantastic day out.
Conclusion:
I hope you’ve enjoyed my ramble through ten fabulous day trips from London, and I hope even more that it’s inspired you to get out and explore all that our London base has to offer!
