– This post was written by Camille Steens –
*** While many of the venues described in this blog post are closed for the moment, you can still daydream about your trip there someday.
After spending some time in the city of pubs, parks, and plays, you might find yourself agreeing with Vivienne Westwood that “there’s nowhere else like London. Nothing at all, anywhere”. But you will be surprised to find what lies beyond the hustle and bustle of the UK’s capital! Whether you’re a history buff, a culture junkie, an architecture enthusiast, the outdoors type, or just recently bitten by the travel bug, there’s a lot to enjoy on these day trips from London.
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1. Bath
Known for – and named after – the baths built there by the Romans in the first century AD and surrounded by gorgeous green countryside, this city is a great choice for anyone looking to explore the UK. After spending a few hours in this idyllic city, you might even find yourself wondering if you’re still in the 21st century.
Looking for some inspiration before you make the trip to Jane Austen’s former home town? You could of course choose the intellectual route and read Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, her novels inspired by Bath, or you could just watch this video on repeat – your choice!
How to get there
Train: 1.5 hours from London Paddington Station
Bus: 2.5 hours from London Victoria Coach Station
Car: 2.5 hours from Central London areas
Roman Baths
If you arrive in Bath by train or bus, it’s an easy walk to the center of town. Hit the Roman Baths Museum to hang with the Romans as soon as you arrive. There’s a lot to learn and see in this museum so make sure to set aside a good couple of hours for this activity. Pick up the audio tour – it’s a real gem and helps transport you back to ancient times with anecdotes about Roman bathing habits.
Sadly, taking a dip in the supposedly curative waters isn’t allowed. However, if you can’t resist the urge to take off your clothes and cannonball into the ancient waters, fear not, you can do so at the 21st-century Bath Spa after your visit. Do keep in mind that the queue for the spa can be very long, especially on weekends.
Time for tea
If you’re feeling peckish after all that time-travelling, treat yourself to a typical Bath delicacy: tea. There are plenty of tea houses in Bath where you can find the popular Bath buns. However, if you’re keen to do some more time-travelling, head to Sally Lunn’s Tea House, one of the oldest houses in Bath. They even have a small kitchen-museum downstairs, which allegedly shows the actual kitchen where the young baker Sally Lunn – the Mary Berry of the 1680s – created the first Bath bun.
Royal Crescent
For a perfect way to walk off that after-lunch dip, head up the hill towards the Royal Crescent. This curved row of 30 terraced houses is over 250 years old and offers impressive examples of Georgian architecture. While you recover from the uphill walk on the green fields in front of the houses, see if you can spot the one yellow door. The resident of this yellow-doored house faced two enforcement orders from Bath City Council before defending her decision to deviate from the traditional white door colour at a public enquiry.
Museums
If you have some time left before you head back to the Old Smoke, consider paying a visit to one of Bath’s many museums and galleries.
Art lovers will enjoy the Victoria Art Gallery Museum or the Holburne Museum, while those who still aren’t tired of time-travelling will revel in the opportunity to dress up as Pride and Prejudice’s Elizabeth Bennet or Mr. Darcy at the Jane Austen Centre or the Fashion Museum.
Pints, pints, pints
Time to wind down and really soak up British culture with a cheeky pint.
Coeur de Lion is Bath’s smallest pub and serves some very good local ale and cider. Its big brother, the Star Inn, is a great example of a well-preserved old English public house. Whichever of these pubs you choose, make sure you taste the multi-award-winning local Bellringer ale.
The Scallop Shell is your place to go for some excellent fish & chips. It was even nominated for the illustrious National Fish & Chip Awards 2016!
The Pulteney Arms do a sterling Sunday Roast to enjoy by the fireplace in winter and in the courtyard during summer.
2. Oxford
Oxford is, of course, most well-known for its prestigious university – the oldest university in the English-speaking world. This long and rich history combined with a cosy student vibe makes Oxford a perfect destination for a day trip from London. Oh, and Harry Potter fans will have a blast here too!
How to get there
Train: 1 hour from London Paddington Station and London Marylebone Station
Bus: 1.5 hours from several London bus stations
Car: 1 hour from Central London areas
Oxford University
You cannot visit Oxford without exploring at least some of the ancient colleges and their beautiful chapels and grounds. The fee for visiting each college is between £2 and £7, so it’s worth picking a few you’d really like to see. A not so famous, but very beautiful option is Worcester College. The college’s lake, swans, and gorgeous low-hanging trees make it a wonderful place to spend some quiet time in – you can even release your inner-child and try climbing the trees!
If you are a fan of the Harry Potter films (I mean, of course, you are) make sure to visit Christ Church college. The Great Hall was the inspiration for the grand dining hall at Hogwarts and the staircase that leads up to the Great Hall was used for the arrival scene for new Hogwarts students in the first two films. When you are done tramping up and down those stairs waving an imaginary wand, take a stroll in the beautiful Christ Church meadows, situated behind the college, and see how many swans, ducks, and geese you can fit into one selfie.
Covered Market
If all this strolling has made you hungry, Covered Market is just a five-minute walk from Christ Church college and has a great range of food options. Just beyond the market, you’ll find Nosebag, a great little café that offers nice views of the street for some people-watching. There’s also a great seasonal menu that features food which only uses locally sourced ingredients. Make sure to try their pancakes.
Bodleian Library
Now that your stomach has been expanded, it’s time to expand the mind. Head over to the Bodleian Libraries, which make up the largest university library system in the UK – they are one of the oldest libraries in Europe. Book a guided tour to visit the beautiful, historic rooms of the Old Bodleian Library, which includes the 15th-century Divinity School and medieval Duke Humfrey’s Library. This is another must for Harry Potter fans as both locations were featured in the films.
Punting
A sunny day in Oxford is the perfect opportunity to spend some time on the water. Punting is a very popular Oxford activity and the ideal way to show off your strength in front of your friends. If you fancy a more relaxed experience, however, you can choose to hire a chauffeured punting service and bring along some Pimms for a proper British experience.
Pints, pints, pints
If being surrounded by so many smart people has made you thirsty (and the Pimms hasn’t gone to your head yet), head down to the pub for a pint.
The Gardener’s Arms is a beautiful, historic pub that serves great vegetarian and vegan food and has a lush outside area that’s ideal for a long, laidback evening.
Thirsty Meeples is a board games café that’s all about sharing the love of board games. They also serve up a pretty good range of craft beer, cider, wine, gin, and cocktails.
3. Canterbury
This beautiful city is famous for its impressive cathedral and for sharing a name with Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. A small city, easily navigated by foot, this is the perfect day trip from London if you’re looking for a break from the noise and crowds.
How to get there
Train: 1.5 hours from London St. Pancras International Station and London Victoria Station
Bus: 2.5 hours from London Victoria Coach Station
Car: 1.5 hours from Central London areas
Westgate Gardens and Towers
Start your day in Canterbury with (window)-shopping in Burgate Street and brunch on the Côte Brasserie terrace. It’s the perfect spot for people-watching and enjoying the performances of buskers on the busy Parade Street. After brunch, pick up some strawberries from the fruit-sellers and wander over to the beautiful Westgate Gardens. Walk along the River Stour towards the Westgate Towers where you can enjoy spectacular views of the city from on top of the largest-surviving medieval gateway in England.
Canterbury Cathedral
After you’ve taken in the beautiful surroundings, head to the cathedral – which is hard to miss as you can see its huge towers from almost all of Canterbury’s cosy streets. The cathedral dates back to 597 AD and, together with St. Augustine’s Abbey and St. Martins Church, makes up a UNESCO World Heritage site. Canterbury Cathedral was one of the most important centres of pilgrimage in Medieval England and you’ll learn all about this history through the informative audio guide. Make sure to look up at the gorgeous medieval stained glass windows – a truly inspiring sight.
Historic River Tour
Give your feet a rest and take a historic river tour, which not only shows you the hidden gems of the city but also offers interesting insights into the rich history of Canterbury. This is an unforgettably entertaining way to learn a lot about this ancient city.
The Goods Shed
All this history will probably make you hungry, which is a nice excuse to taste the amazing food at The Goods Shed. Part farmers-market, part food-hall, this place is a feast both for the eyes and for the taste buds.
Museums
History buffs will enjoy the Canterbury Roman Museum, which is built around the remains of an original Roman townhouse. It gives an accurate idea of what life in Roman Canterbury looked like.
For art lovers, there’s The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge, an art gallery, museum, and library situated in a stunning Victorian building which includes a variety of exhibitions throughout the year.
Pints, pints, pints
Canterbury truly is a place to love; it not only satisfies history buffs but also those who really only do day trips for an excuse to hang out in a new pub.
Thomas Tallis Alehouse is a cosy pub which proudly serves a wide-ranging and constantly changing selection of beers from around the world.
The Shakespeare has an excellent wine collection and crafts its dishes using local produce as much as possible.
The Parrot has been standing in the same spot since the 14th century and claims to be Canterbury’s oldest pub. Its cosy interior is perfect for a few relaxing hours at the end of your day trip from London.
4. Brighton
Also known as London by the sea, a day trip to Brighton is so much more than your average day at the beach. Brighton actually has many claims to fame, but only one that truly matters: ABBA won the Eurovision song contest here.
How to get there
Train: 1 hour from London Bridge Station, Blackfriars Station, and Victoria Station
Bus: 2 hours from London Victoria Coach Station
Car: 2 hours from Central London areas
The Lanes
Breathe in the fresh sea air as you step out of the station and head downhill towards The Lanes. The Lanes are a maze of narrow streets filled with funky independent shops and cafés. If vintage is your thing, make sure to set aside some time to browse the vintage shops for hidden gems, or hop into one of the many hip coffee shops and sip on the perfect brew while enjoying the performance of one of the many buskers livening up The Lanes.
The Pier
Probably the most well-known sight in Brighton, the pier is a busy traditional seaside attraction. It’s probably also one of the most tourist-laden places in the city. But if you’re up for it, hop on one of the rides to soak up those carnival-vibes before heading for a walk along the sea.
British Airways I360
If the sea air has made you hungry, pop into one of the many fish and chips shops or restaurants along the seafront. The Regency Fish is one of the oldest and most popular fish and chips restaurants in Brighton and offers nice views of the sea. Just opposite the restaurant, you’ll find the British Airways I360, an observation tower that takes you 450 feet into the air and offers 360° views. There’s even a bar at the top, so you can take in the views with a cold drink in hand.
Royal Pavilion
Once you’re back on solid ground, head towards the Royal Pavilion. This wacky, Indo-Gothic-style palace in the middle of an English seaside city will make you stop and wonder whether you’ve teleported to India. The pavilion is over 200 years old and was built for the extravagant and eccentric King Geoge IV. If the Indian exterior wasn’t surprising enough, wait until you see what it looks like on the inside.
Before you head to the pub, please remember you’re by the seaside, so you can’t leave without having an ice cream. Gelato Gusto is an award-winning ice cream parlour that is so popular, the queues of people usually spill out of it onto the street. Expect traditional British flavours like banoffee pie and Jaffa cake.
Pints, pints, pints
Okay good – now that you’re on a sugar high, time to explore Brighton pub culture.
Hand in Hand is a small pub that’s popular with the locals for its home-brewed beer and live jazz on Sundays.
Shakespeare’s Head is a very friendly spot with plenty of outside space and a great selection of local ales and typical pub food. Their Sunday roasts have actually won awards!
Brighton Bier Haus produces award-winning local beers and has a warm and relaxed atmosphere.
5. Windsor and Eton
Windsor’s main claim to fame is, of course, the Queen’s humble weekend-abode Windsor Castle. As a result, this town truly feels royal. Its proximity to the capital, the green surroundings, and its rich royal history make Windsor and its neighbouring town Eton the perfect destination for a day trip from London.
How to get there
Train: 0.5 hours from London Paddington Station
Car: 1 hour from Central London areas
Windsor Castle
After arriving in Windsor, head up the hill to Windsor Castle. Make sure you plan at least a good couple of hours to visit the castle, this is one of the oldest and largest occupied castles in the world and it is really worth taking the time to explore it with the audio guide. Inside the castle, you’ll find the beautiful St. George’s Chapel (where Harry and Meghan got married). Make sure you don’t go on a Sunday because then the chapel is closed for services. The choir of St. George’s Chapel sings at Evensong at 17.15 every day. Visitors are welcome to attend and the experience provides a great opportunity to sit down and take in the grandeur of the chapel while listening to beautiful singing.
If you haven’t got sore feet after all that walking, wander over to The Long Walk, a three-mile-long avenue that surrounds Windsor Great Park. It’s a top spot to sit down for a picnic. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for some wildlife, the park is home to more than 500 red deer.
Boat trip along the Thames
To give your feet some rest, why not hit the water? A boat trip along the Thames offers fantastic views of Windsor Castle, Eton College, and the Royal Windsor Racecourse.
The Eton Walkway
Still not tired? Here’s more for you: head onto the Eton Walkway, a one-hour circular pathway through Eton, Windsor’s neighbouring town. Eton is home to one of the most famous boarding schools in the world. Among the graduates of ‘the nursery of England’s gentlemen,’ you’ll find princes Harry and William, PM Boris Johnson, and (best actor of all time?) Eddy Redmayne. Who knows, maybe you’ll spot the next UK PM staring out of the window?
The end of this walk will take you through the Brocas meadows, which borders the River Thames and offers amazing views of Windsor Castle.
Pints, pints, pints
Alright, by now your feet will be screaming for a rest, so sit down for another cheeky pint and chat with your friends about what you would do if you were powerful (and male) enough to have attended Eton College.
The Alma has the largest beer garden in Windsor and boasts a quirky interior filled with film and music memorabilia and other collectables – many of which are for sale.
The Boatman is Windsor’s only pub with a view of the river, making it the perfect place to enjoy some classic British food.
6. Cambridge
Another one of the UK’s most famous university cities, Cambridge is situated on the River Cam and is the former home of a lot of famous geniuses. A great destination for a day trip from London.
How to get there
Train: Trains depart regularly from London King’s Cross station and take around 1.5 hours
Car: 1.5 hours from Central London areas
King’s College Chapel
Let’s get straight into one of Cambridge’s most magnificent claims to fame: The King’s College Chapel. Built in the 15th century, this chapel has one of the most impressive vaulted ceilings in the world as well as magnificent stained-glass windows and an actual Rubens masterpiece, The Adoration of the Magi. With all that going for it, it’s definitely worth a visit.
Punting
Yes, just like its rival university town, Cambridge offers plenty of opportunities for punting. The River Cam is one of the prettiest rivers in England, so take a guided punting tour through The Backs to get a good view of the colleges and to learn all about Cambridge and its university’s rich history.
Fitzwilliam Museum
The Fitzwilliam Museum is free to enter and houses over half a million works of art and historical artefacts, including works by Bruegel, Rubens, and Van Dyck. Make sure you take the time to explore this museum’s impressive collection while occasionally admiring the gorgeous building itself too.
Attend Choral Evensong at one of the Cambridge college chapels
Between 17.30 and 18.45 pm, many college chapels open their doors to visitors for Evensong, a service with a high proportion of music in it. Even if church services aren’t usually your thing, these Choral Evensongs are an amazing opportunity to enjoy some top-level music for free. The students in the choirs are known as choral scholars, and when they graduate, they often go into professional choirs and some become opera singers.
Pints, pints, pints
What’s a university town without good pubs?
The Elm Tree offers a cosy and warm atmosphere and serves a range of specialist and micro-brewed beers.
Earl of Beaconsfield, besides selling some excellent beers, offers live music, a beer garden, a billiards room, a swap library… and two Cocker Spaniel. What more do you need from a pub?
7. Stratford-upon-Avon
This medieval town is sure to steal your heart. Not only is it the supposed birthplace of one of the most famous playwrights of all time, but it is also packed with beautiful historical houses, quirky shops, and surrounded by lush greenery. A must for theatre-aficionados, Stratford-upon-Avon is a great choice for a day trip from London.
How to get there
Train: 2.5 hours from London Marylebone Station
Car: 2 hours from London by car
Shakespeare’s Birthplace
So, you’ve arrived at what’s widely claimed to be the birthplace of the greatest playwright of all time, where else would you head to first other than his house? Walk down Henley Street and be transported the 16th century at Shakespeare’s Birthplace. Of course, there is no better way to bring to life the memory of The Bard than through theatre, so at Shakespeare’s birthplace, costumed guides will teach you all about his life while actors present his works through speech and song in the garden.
Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guildhall
Have you ever wondered where Shakespeare first encountered theatre? Well, now you can actually go there! This award-winning interactive classroom experience will teach you all about the historical education methods and subjects taught in the 1500s. Plus, you will visit the Council Chambers, where it’s speculated that Shakespeare saw theatre for the first time.
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
To continue your journey through Shakespeare’s life, and to feed your inner-romantic, head to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. No, not the one from The Princess Diaries, but Shakespeare’s wife, Anne Hathaway. This is where she grew up and where young William courted his bride-to-be. The cottage is over 500 years old and still contains some of the original furniture.
Henley Street
After all this time-travelling, it’s time for some magical shopping! Henley Street features historical buildings and is packed with quirky shops, of which the quirkiest is probably Magic Alley & The Creaky Cauldron. This is one of the oldest magic shops in the world and seems like something right out of Harry Potter – you can even try some butterbeer! On this street, you will also find the Shakespeare bookshop that houses an amazing range of books about Shakespeare for all ages.
Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Now that you know so much about the man himself, will you see his work through different eyes? Try it out at the RSC, a 1,000 seat theatre where many of Shakespeare’s works are beautifully brought to life in traditional and stunningly postmodern ways.
Or go for the smaller, more intimate option at the nearby Swan Theatre. Both theatres don’t exclusively show works by Shakespeare, they also regularly stage performances by his contemporaries and even today’s writers. Make sure to check what’s on and book tickets in advance: https://www.rsc.org.uk/whats-on/
Pints, pints, pints
An evening of theatre is not complete without a visit to the pub before (to chat excitedly about what you expect from tonight’s performance) and/or after (to enjoy a fierce discussion about which scene was your favourite). Where should you go?
The Garrick is Stratford upon Avon’s oldest pub and has been an inn since 1718, although the building’s history dates all the way back to the 14th century.
The Bear has a beautiful, riverside location with gorgeous views across the River Avon and is just a five-minute stroll from the RSC theatre.
The Dirty Duck has been standing between the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and the Swan Theatre since 1738 and is frequented by actors performing at the theatres and theatre critics. It’s a great place to mingle with theatregoers and performers late into the night after shows.
8. Winchester
A trip to ancient, artsy Winchester while surrounded by beautiful countryside is the perfect, easy day trip from London. This city offers respite from the busy streets of London while the many craft-makers and artists that call Winchester home make it a very attractive city to spend a day strolling about. Plus, lovers of Jane Austen, King Arthur, and Harry Potter will all find entertainment here.
How to get there
Train: 1 hour from London Waterloo Station
Bus: 2 hours from London Victoria Coach Station
Car: 1.5 hours from Central London areas
Winchester Cathedral
Start your day in Winchester right, by admiring its most impressive claim to fame: the Winchester Cathedral, one of the largest cathedrals in the UK and the final resting place of not only royals and bishops, but also of none other than Jane Austen. This cathedral was built in the 11th century, yes you read that right – it’s almost 1,000 years old! Once inside, marvel at the magnificent architecture and beautiful stained glass windows. Take a guided tour to discover the nine centuries worth of history that has shaped this place of worship.
Great Hall
If you want to be even more stunned by how much history is preserved in this city, head to the Great Hall. Together with its sally port, it forms the only surviving part of Winchester Castle and is home to the legendary Arthurian Round Table, which has hung there since 1348. The names of all 24 Knights of the Round Table can be seen carved around the edge of the table, surrounding King Artur on his throne.
Winchester College
And another one for the Harry Potter fans! Two of the Winchester College buildings were used in the films – see if you can spot which. Winchester College is also believed to be the oldest continuously running school in the country, having been founded in 1382. A guided tour is the only way to visit this college and is a brilliant way to discover the medieval traditions that are still present at the college today.
Take a stroll up to St. Catherine’s Hill
For some stunning countryside vistas, head up to St. Catherine’s Hill (you might want to take a bus to a close-by location first because it’s quite a walk from the city centre). The uphill climb makes for a pretty good workout as there are over 100 steps up and down. At the top, you will find the remnants of an Iron Age fort as well as the buried ruins of a Norman chapel. It’s the perfect spot for a summer picnic.
Pints, pints, pints
A day in a beautiful city like Winchester is not complete without that cheeky pint we keep talking about.
The Bishop on the Bridge’s outdoor area is located right on the river, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a pint on a sunny day.
The Wykeham Arms won the Good Pub Guide’s Town Pub Of The Year in 2018 and has good food and drink, cosy fireplaces, and a lot of quirky knick-knacks on the walls.
