The best day trips from London
London is one of the greatest cities in the world, but sometimes it can be…a bit much. As a local it’s good to get out of the rat race for a day. As a tourist it’s fun to venture beyond the city, especially when so many places are in easy reach. There are too many to list them all here, but below are a handful of the best day trips from London:
Oxford – 1.5 hours drive
The historic city of Oxford is just an hour and a half away (even less by train). It makes for a great day out for lovers of history and literature. Once home to Tolkien and C.S. Lewis amongst other Greats, its the perfect place to just wander around and get inspired by the architecture and college vibe. A visit to the iconic Radcliffe Camera and Bodleian Library are a must.
Painshill Park – 1 hour drive
Right on London’s doorstep is one of my favourite gardens in the UK. A glowing example of an 18th century landscape park, Painshill is a true delight to get lost in. We spent an entire day here enjoying the trails and picnicing near the serpentine lake. You can easily imagine the wealthy guests of the original owner relaxing in much the same way. Guess people needed an escape from London even then! Book tickets in advance to save a few quid.
Brighton – 1.5 hours drive
The seaside resort town of Brighton sometimes gets a bad rep, as do most British seaside towns. Sure, it’s a little bleaker in the winter. But Brighton has a diverse and vibrant cultural scene once you look past the pier and shingle beach. There are plenty of cool and alternative shops to browse, terrific restaurants and cafes with ample vegetarian and vegan options, and a fun, LGBTQ+ friendly nightlife. Come here in shoulder season to avoid the hoards of city dwellers flocking to the beach – you’ll have a better time of it.
Windsor – 40min drive
Whether you love the royals or hope to see the monarchy abolished, there is something special about visiting a 1000 year old castle which is still occupied today. Windsor Castle was founded by William the Conqueror and there is plenty of history to cover on a visit here. My favourite part has always been Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House – I was fascinated by the size and detail as a kid. There’s more to Windsor than just the castle though. So make sure you take a walk through the town, and the nearby 5000 acre Windsor Great Park.
Surrey Hills – 1 hours drive
If you’re after a bit of pure nature then look no further than Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There are plenty of walks to be had here so check out their website to plan your ramble. Some of my favourite spots are – Box Hill, Devil’s Punchbowl, Leith Hill Tower and the Frensham Ponds. Don’t miss the stepping stones walk near Box Hill and definitely stop for food in the postcard perfect village of Shere – made famous by the movie ‘The Holiday’.
Cambridge – 2 hours drive
An alternative to Oxford, Cambridge is actually one of my favourite places in the UK. The town is rich with history and has a relaxed, old school student vibe to it. If you’re coming for the day make sure you go punting and visit Kings College Chapel and The Eagle pub at the very least.
Winchester – 2 hours drive
Last but by no means least is the city of Winchester. The size makes it ideal for a day trip and there are some cool points of interest here. Most notably the intimidating Winchester Cathedral, the Great Hall (housing King Arthur’s round table…allegedly) and Wolvesey Castle. Make sure you stop for lunch or a drink in one of the local establishments – we enjoyed a pint in the imaginatively decorated Black Boy pub but have also heard great things about the Wykeham Arms and Chesil Rectory.
There you have it – some of the best day trips from London. For more inspo, and exploring further afield, check out my other UK travel articles.
