London is undoubtedly an exciting city with lots to do, see, eat, and experience. But as great a place as London is, sometimes, you simply need a break. Fortunately, many places near the British capital will let you escape the city's hustle and bustle and they are some of the best destinations for a day trip from London. There's Windsor, for example, and its iconic namesake castle. Oxford, on the other hand, is a quintessential university town that has a lot of interesting heritage to share. And of course, don't forget The Cotswolds, one of the most charming towns in the English countryside.
Windsor
Let's start this list with one of the closest destinations—Windsor. As it serves as one of the British Royal Family's official residences, Windsor Castle and its eponymous town never fails to lure in locals and tourists alike. The town itself is a lovely municipality that has perfectly blended its lively urban appeal with the natural charms that come with being near the
English countryside. Naturally, the main draw is Windsor Castle itself, a magnificent Medieval fortress where Prince Harry famously married American actress Meghan Markle in a fairytale wedding come to life.
Warwick Castle
If you want to see another Medieval castle that's fairly near
London's central neighborhoods, look no further than Warwick Castle. Located in its namesake county town in Warwickshire, England, it's a magnificent fortress that truly exemplifies the majesty of English history. William the Conqueror himself built the wooden fort in 1068 that eventually became Warwick Castle, so you know that it's truly historic. Today, it's become a national treasure of a castle with its estate turned into a lovely park.
Dover Castle
Another castle you can check out on a day trip from London is Dover Castle in Kent, England. The historic site stands about 77.8 miles away from the British capital, making for about a two-hour-and-a-half train trip away. Is all that commuting and travel time to see another Medieval fortress worth it? Without a doubt! Not only is it considered one of the largest castles in England, but the site sits atop the White Cliffs of Dover, which overlooks the Strait of Dover. A big castle by the sea? That sounds straight out of a
Disney film, doesn't it?
Bath
If you're a fan of
Jane Austen, you'll know that the lovely town of Bath has frequently appeared in many of her beloved novels. After all, Bath was a popular resort town during the Regency Era, the period when many of Austen's stories were set. It's only natural that she'd write about the society ongoing here, even more so since she spent quite a lot of time in the town herself. Nevertheless, whether you're an Austenite or not, Bath remains a fascinating destination for a day trip from London. Especially since it's only less than a three-hour drive away from the city.
Cambridge
Ask anyone about the
top universities near and in London and the prestigious University of Cambridge will always come up in the conversation. Not only is it one of the top schools in the country, but it's also widely considered among the top three academic institutions in the world. Fortunately, whether you're a scholar worthy to walk its honored halls or not, the town that surrounds the campus is open to the public. You'll even find that it's a relatively vibrant city with lively pubs, cobbled streets perfect for a breezy bike ride, and timbered homes that give Cambridge a storybook-like appeal.
Oxford
Oxford currently ranks as
the top university in the world so you just know that it never lacks curious visitors and relocating scholars. But is the town where the school is located, which is only a 49-minuted train ride away from London, worth visiting? Even as a day trip from London that doesn't have anything to do with the school? Of course, it is! The city of Oxford has a slight grandiosity to it that you won't find in any of England's other university towns. While it's not exactly urban or hectic, you still get a sense that the people are working hard here and that it has bustling local commerce.
The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds have some of the liveliest
luxury homes in the English countryside. Yes, the places you can rent or purchase here can be considered luxurious, especially since the town itself has become pretty in demand over the past few years. Since it's only 72.8 miles away (approximately a two-and-a-half-hour train ride away), The Cotswolds is arguably the best place to see and experience the English countryside on a day trip from London. Its stone cottages surrounded by lush meadows, colorful wildflowers, and serene ponds evoke such storybook wonder that you'll easily think you were transported to a Beatrix Potter book!
Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon is another fairytale-like town that you can easily visit on a day trip from London. If you take the M40 from London's bustling
Marylebone station, it'll only take you about two and a half hours to get here. Rest assured that all that travel time will be worth it too! Timbered houses and tranquil ponds await you in this historic market town that has been around for over 800 years. While it has become more modern over the years, it has never shed its Medieval appeal.
Salisbury
Contrary to what you might think, Salisbury steak did not come from this cathedral city in the English county of Wiltshire. Nevertheless, it's still worth visiting and it's not just because it's only 88 miles (a little over a two-hour drive away) from London. As a countryside town, Salisbury is as vibrant and energetic as the British capital. It may not have as many hotspots and such, but the pubs, diners, and bars here still offer a good time. Moreover, Salisbury is the best pathway to the iconic Stonehenge. The town is only a 20-minute drive away from the mysterious UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Paris, France
Yes, you read that right! You can
actually take a day trip to
Paris from London! And no, you don't have to board a plane to do it! Not a lot of people know that you can take a two-hour train ride (via Eurostar) from the British to the French capital. Though you may have to bring your passport, visa, and other documents needed for immigration, it's still a trip worth having! You likely don't need anyone to tell you why Paris is worth visiting, but the prospect of having traveled to two of the world's most famous capital cities within a single day is truly worth considering!
Did you know you can travel to many amazing places when you go on a day trip from London? You'd be surprised at the kinds of destinations you can get to in only a few hours from the British capital, including charming university towns, seaside castles, and more.
