17 best day trips from London

The royal town of Windsor is a historic destination in south-east England and just 35 minutes by train from London Paddington. The charming town centre offers plenty of things to do and there's lots to explore in the surrounding parks and countryside.

Head to Windsor for the ultimate royal excursion. Rummage for treasures in quaint boutiques, wander the historic cobblestone streets, and take a peek inside the royal residence, Windsor Castle, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tied the knot.

Windsor Castle is more than 900 years old and is the official residence of the Royal family. Visit the state rooms, St George's Chapel and see Queen Mary's Dolls' House – a wonder of fine craftsmanship – as well as other decor and artefacts within the castle and grounds.

In Windsor, you can also join hop-on hop-off bus tours, jump aboard a sightseeing cruise to see the town from the river Thames, or visit Legoland, a tourist attraction filled with statues and captured scenes from around the world.

If that's not enough, there are also plenty of multi-destination tours to choose from that include Windsor.

Distance from London: about 25 miles (40km)

Enjoy a day out in Oxford to experience the cobbled lanes of this historical university city, which is just an hour and a half by car from London. Oxford is home to the oldest and most prestigious English-speaking university in the world.

There are plenty of options to explore the city. If you are short on time, take the train to Oxford and enjoy an Open Top Bus Tour to see the most famous sights of the city like the Bodleian Library, the Ashmolean Museum, the Sheldonian Theatre and Christ Church College.

If you are looking for an active and low emission way to explore the city you can find numerous walking tours to learn more about the city and its university. Or take part in a film location walking tour that will showcase famous filming locations from the Harry Potter movies, like the great hall in Christ Church College.

If you fancy seeing multiple locations and have plenty of time to spare go on a multi-trip bus tour that includes other cities as well as Oxford.

Distance to London: about 50 miles (80km)

Cambridge is a university city just like Oxford and both cities are about 90 miles apart. They both contribute to the education and research on the highest international level. Often referred to collectively as "Oxbridge", both places are full of beautiful architecture and plenty of history.

A multi-destination tour of Oxford and Cambridge is perfect for a day trip and so you can enjoy the great architecture of both universities. The Imperial War Museum Duxford is not far from Cambridge, holding hundreds of aircrafts, military vehicles and artillery.

Travel on a luxury coach to Cambridge and visit the Senate House, see the Corpus Clock outside the Corpus Christi Building and visit some of the famous colleges of Cambridge. If you have any spare time, why not take part in a punting tour on the river?

On a walking tour of Oxford, take in the famous Bodleian Library and see Christ Church college one of the major locations for the Harry Potter films. Enter the great hall, which was the setting of many scenes at Hogwarts.

Duration: 10 hours 30 minutes 

Brighton is located on the coast of the south of England in close proximity to London. Take a rail trip of around an hour to the British seaside with a day out at the vibrant city of Brighton.

The city offers unique and colourful street art and bustling vintage markets. It's also a hotspot for foodies, catering to all dietary requirements, and was crowned the "Vegan Capital of The World" in 2022.

Head to the pier for endless fun on retro rides and play arcade games before rambling through the Lanes which are a great place for adults and little ones. 

Don't miss the famous Royal Pavilion and other key landmarks on a hop-on hop-off bus tour or spend an adventurous day with the family at SEA LIFE Brighton.

Distance to London: 47 miles (75km)

Discover some of the best sites in the county of Kent including Leeds Castle, Canterbury and Dover, finishing back in London with a Greenwich river boat ride.

With entry to Leeds Castle, discover 500 acres (202 hectares) of parkland and 1,000 years of history of a castle that was once home of Henry VIII. The next stop leads to Canterbury. Explore the iconic medieval city and old town centre with its cobbled streets and timber-framed houses. Don't miss the historical site of Canterbury Cathedral, a gothic Unesco World Heritage Site. 

Then marvel at the White Cliffs of Dover with wonderful views onto the English Channel. The tour ends with a river Thames boat ride from Greenwich to Embankment Pier, past the Old Royal Naval College and Cutty Sark clipper ship.

Duration: 10 hours  

The Cotswolds is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, consisting of many different villages and towns amid rolling hills. The travel time takes around two and a half hours from London by car or coach. You can find a fair few train stations within the Cotswolds and while you can get there by public transport, it is advised to visit by car or coach.

See idyllic villages, undulating green hills, gorgeous limestone buildings, beautiful gardens and old pubs on one of the best day trips from London. Keep your camera ready on this one-day tour of the Cotswolds, whose bustling market towns are great for gentle strolls.

Some of the most famous Cotswolds villages include Stow-on-the-Wold and its pretty antique shops, the charming town of Cirencester that dates back to Roman times, the honey-coloured cottages of Bourton-on-the-Water, Bibury and Burford, and the Abbey House Gardens in Malmesbury.

Several tours and day trips leave for the Cotswolds each day and include some other famous places like Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick Castle, Blenheim Palace or the famous Bath. 

Distance to London: about 90 miles (145km)

This prehistoric monument still fascinates people from all over the world. Stonehenge is near Amesbury in Wiltshire, a short ride from Salisbury by coach or car. It's about two hours by road and one and a half hours by train from London. 

 

The stone circle is a testament for human ingenuity, which sparks the imagination of visitors trying to figure out what it was built for. The visitor centre holds about 250 artefacts and offers an audio-visual experience that enhances the visitor experience.

 

Travel from London to Stonehenge on a day out and see other sites along the way, such as Bath, Oxford and Windsor. Or opt for the Simply Stonehenge tour, focusing entirely on the prehistoric monument. Tap into the knowledge of experienced tour guides and enjoy convenient coach travel to all destinations.

 

Distance to London: around 90 miles (145km)

The city of Bath is a Unesco World Heritage Site and wellbeing destination. You can travel there in about three hours by road and about one hour and 20 minutes by train. The city is famous for the ancient and excellently-preserved Roman baths and pump room. 

 

Visit the Botanical Gardens, Bath Abbey and the Jane Austen Centre, and take a stroll along the river and marvel at the iconic Pulteney Bridge. Bath has many impressive museums and galleries and offers great places to eat and drink – it's the ideal place for a city break.

 

Enjoy a day-long excursion to the Roman city of Bath by rail that includes the Roman Baths and a hop-on hop-off bus tour. Or simply book a hop-on hop-off bus tour and explore the city in your own pace.

 

There is also the option to join a multi-destination tour so you can visit more popular destinations, including Bath.

 

Distance to London: about 97 miles (156km)

Discover the land where Vikings once roamed with a day trip by train to the fascinating city of York. Wander the charming alleys of the Shambles, where you can pick up a souvenir or enjoy an afternoon tea, or see the locomotives at the National Railway Museum. The train to York takes around two hours from London. If you prefer to go by car, the journey takes about four and a half hours.

 

Once in York you can find plenty of attractions and some of the UK's most iconic historic buildings. Hop aboard a bus tour to explore the city from a new perspective and drive by famous landmarks while an official on-board guide tells you more about the history and famous places in the city. If you'd like to hear more about the city's darker past, a Ghost Bus tour will be right for you.

 

The city is very walkable and the town centre is flat, making it easy to explore the city by foot. For those who prefer a guided walk why not join a wizard walking tour. You can also join an evening cruise, some of which also include a drink and a meal or snack.

 

Distance to London: about 174 miles (280 km)

Enjoy a day out deep in Shakespeare country in Stratford-upon-Avon, where the world's most famous author was born and raised. You can travel there in around two hours by car, or just over two hours by train from London.

 

Stroll along river Avon or explore the town on an open-top bus tour, hopping off at Shakespeare's house on route or watch one of his plays at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and adjacent Swan Theatre. The beautiful Tudor Town is filled with more than 800 years of history and hold plenty of stories to be uncovered.

 

You also have the option to join multi-destination tours that include Stratford-upon-Avon next to other famous places.

 

Distance to London: about 101 miles (162km)

Travel to Salisbury from London and experience the impressive cathedral from the 13th century, fascinating museums and an eclectic mix of medieval-meets-modern shops and eateries. The train takes around one hour and 40 minutes from London. By car, it takes around two hours to travel to the town.

 

Take a look at the the 1215 Magna Carta, which established the idea that the law is above any king or government and established the importance of a parliament. Don't miss the English Heritage site Old Sarum – Salisbury's earliest settlement is just around the corner waiting to transport you back in time.

 

Visit Salisbury on a multi-destination tour that includes other famous places like Windsor, Stonehenge, Bath.

 

Distance to London: about 88 miles (142km)

Find incredible music and architecture to iconic art and football in Liverpool on a fun-packed day trip from London. You can travel there in a little over four hours by car or around two and a half hours by train.

 

This maritime-heritage city on the banks of the Mersey is a fantastic city break destination. The city is famous for the Beatles, so take a themed tour where you can see Beatles landmarks and themed attractions that allow you to get even closer to one of the most famous bands of all time.

 

Join a tour and explore the Liverpool Stadium, home to the Liverpool Premier League football club, and go  behind the scenes to learn more about the stadium its famous players.

 

Explore all that this northern city has to offer with a range of day trip options ranging from bus tours, river cruises and walking tours to museum and stadium visits that allow you to see all the sights from a unique perspective.

 

Distance from London: about 212 miles (340 km)

Make your way to Scotland and explore the magnificent city of Edinburgh on a day trip from London. The train journey to Edinburgh takes about four and a half hours, giving you enough time to visit Edinburgh Castle have some lunch and join a hop-on hop-off tour, before the train leaves for London at 5.30pm. 

 

The tour package includes the train to and from Edinburgh, an open-top bus tour and entry to Edinburgh Castle. Marvel at the Scottish crown jewels and enjoy the breathtaking architecture of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland, from afar while on the bus tour.

 

The city is a gem rich in history and culture and is filled with wonderful sights and incredible attractions. If time allows, climb to the mountain peak of Arthur's Seat and enjoy the view of Edinburgh from above. 

 

Distance from London: about 412 miles (663 km)

Whether you want to hit the shops, visit the Eiffel Tower, walk down the famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées to Arc de Triomphe or simply relax in a cafe, Paris is the ideal day out destination from London.

 

Enjoy a panoramic tour of Paris's most romantic sights, with return tickets on Eurostar included. The high-speed train takes just over two hours to get you from central London to Paris. If you choose to go by plane, the flight takes just over one hour.

 

If you are looking to combine museums and food the Paris Pass might be right for you, as it includes entry to all the museums and plenty of great food offers.

 

You can discover the French capital at your own pace with a Eurostar ticket and include add-ons like a river cruise, a hop-on hop-off tour and a one day Zone 1-3 Travelcard to explore what Paris has to offer.

 

Other options also include a trip to the Eiffel Tower, lunch, or a visit at the Louvre Museum. For those looking to add a touch of luxury, you can book a private tour with a driver which gives you a more in-depth experience of the city. 

 

Distance from London: about 286 miles (460 km)

 

Make your own way to the impressive Warwick Castle, where medieval England is brought to life through artefacts, tours and immersive experiences. Discover ancient treasures as you wander through the impressive Grand Hall, test your nerve in the terrifying dungeons, cheer on knights in live jousting performances and see impressive birds of prey displays.

Enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views of Brighton and the glorious pebble beach seafront in a giant glass viewing pod 138m (452ft) high in the sky, with tickets to the Brighton i360 experience. Marvel at impressive panoramic views of the city before exploring the seaside town and its vibrant culture at your leisure.

Discover Dover Castle, a medieval royal palace, fortress and defender of the realm for more than nine centuries. Learn about the fascinating history of the castle that rises above the famous White Cliffs of Dover and explore its wartime tunnels, labyrinths and Great Tower at your own pace on a self-guided tour.