Best 1-day trips and excursions from London

As fascinating as London is, there are also many places outside of London worth visiting. Best of all, these places are easy to reach by car, bus or train, making all of them ideal for great day trips from London. From historic palaces to seaside towns, here are our recommendations on what to see near London.

Hampton Court Palace

Probably the easiest of day trips near London, Hampton Court Palace is only a 45-minute journey southwest of the city’s centre. It can easily be reached by car, bus or train from Waterloo Station. This palace was once the home of Henry VIII and served as a royal residence until George II. There is much to explore in and around the palace, from the magnificent Great Hall and royal apartments to its beautiful gardens. Hampton Court is open from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Wednesday through Sunday. Admission costs £26.10 per person.

Stonehenge

One of the world’s most mysterious attractions, Stonehenge is a massive stone circle constructed around 5,000 years ago. To this day, there are many theories about who built the circle, how they created it, and what purpose the stones served. Stonehenge is well worth seeing, and it is only a 90-minute journey from central London. There are also guided bus tours that leave from London, or you can take the train from Waterloo Station to Salisbury and then hop on one of the tour buses there. Access to Stonehenge is strictly limited, so you will need to book ahead to ensure you don’t miss out on the day you plan to visit.

Bath

Bath is one of the UK’s most beautiful cities and has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. The city is famed for its ancient Roman Baths, which date to around 60 CE and are a fabulous example of Roman architecture in Britain. Many of the city’s buildings are considered among the finest examples of Georgian architecture in Britain, and walking its streets feels like a trip back in time. Of course, the city is still popular for its thermal spas, and there are plenty of options for a relaxing spa day. It takes about two hours to reach Bath from central London, and trains run twice daily from Paddington to Bath Station.

New Forest

This large slice of nature can be found only two hours southwest of central London, making it an ideal destination for day getaways from London. Despite its name, New Forest has been a popular woodland and forest region since the days of William the Conqueror. The forest covers nearly 29,000 hectares and is a great place to see free-roaming animals, including ponies, deer, pigs and cattle. There are also hiking and cycling trails that will take you around the woods, coastal areas and quaint villages in between. We recommend leaving the car behind and renting a bike to explore this beautiful area. If arriving by train, take the route from Waterloo Station to Brockenhurst.

The Cotswolds

A trip to the Cotswolds feels like stepping back in time to the days of quaint rural villages, old market towns and rolling green hills. Here, you’ll find cottages with thatched roofs, stone bridges and picturesque countryside that looks straight out of a painting. There are many sights to explore in the Cotswolds, from the magnificent Berkeley Castle to pretty villages like Bibury and Burford. Driving is easy between each village, although you might want to embrace the laid-back nature of this region and try cycling tours or walking trails. The Cotswolds is two hours northwest of central London by car or bus, or an hour by train from Marylebone Station to Banbury.

Stratford-upon-Avon

Just on the northern edge of the Cotswolds lies the historic market town of Stratford-upon-Avon. The town is probably most famous for being the home of the renowned playwright William Shakespeare. Many buildings associated with the bard have been well-preserved, including his birthplace and final resting place in the Holy Trinity Church. Take a walk around Stratford-upon-Avon, and you can see a play at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s theatre. Take a boat on the Avon River, or just stroll and admire the pretty thatch-roofed cottages. Stratford-upon-Avon is two hours by car or bus northwest of central London or just over an hour by train from Marylebone Station.

Canterbury

Canterbury has been the centre of the Christian faith in England for over 1,000 years. The magnificent Canterbury Cathedral, one of the oldest and most important cathedrals in Europe, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an excellent example of Gothic architecture. Exploring the city, you will find the remains of St Augustine’s Abbey, dating back to the 6th century, plus plenty of scenic walks, fascinating museums and streets that have kept their old medieval charm. Canterbury is southeast of London and takes 90 minutes by car or bus. Trains from London St Pancras take one hour to reach Canterbury. Otherwise, regular trains from Victoria and Charing Cross stations will take 90 minutes.

Cambridge

Home to one of the most prestigious universities in the world, Cambridge has beautiful medieval college buildings, river punting, and plenty of green space. The university has been around since the 13th century, and you can visit the Trinity College and King’s College buildings and marvel at their architecture and history. While here, visit the Fitzwilliam Museum and Botanical Gardens, and maybe try a punt on the River Cam. It takes 90 minutes to reach Cambridge, heading north from London by car or bus. Fast trains from King’s Cross Station will get you to Cambridge in 45 minutes. Otherwise, regular trains from Liverpool Street take 90 minutes.

Oxford

The UK’s other world-famous university city, Oxford, has plenty of history for visitors to discover. The university dates back to the 11th century, making it even older than Cambridge. In terms of architecture, Oxford’s great ochre spires are impressive, especially from several nearby hills that dominate the skyline. Exploring Oxford, you can visit the Ashmolean Museum with its vast collection of artefacts, the Bodleian Library with its vaulted ceilings and collection of over 12 million books, and the magnificent Christ Church and Magdalen colleges. Oxford is 90 minutes northwest of London by car or bus. Trains depart from Paddington and Marylebone stations in London and take an hour to reach Oxford.

Brighton

The popular seaside resort of Brighton has been a much sought-after holiday spot for Londoners since the Victorian era. Some of its most famous attractions include the 18th-century Royal Pavilion, built by George IV as a royal residence, and the famous pier with its amusement rides and arcade halls. The Lanes is much favoured for its boutique stores, music stores, and vegan cafes, contributing to the town’s trendy and bohemian vibe. It takes around two hours to reach Brighton heading south from London by car or bus. There are also direct trains from London Bridge, Blackfriars and Victoria Stations that take an hour to reach Brighton.