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11 Incredible Day Trips from London, England

ByPaige Watts

Even though there’s so much to see in London, you may want to get out of the city and take a day trip to see more of the country. You won’t want to miss out on any of these breathtaking day trips from London!

London is an absolute must-see when visiting England and can be a great home base when planning your trip. But there’s so much more to see outside of London!

After you’ve spent a few days exploring all that London has to offer, you’ll definitely want to see the rest of England. It’s pretty easy to take a day trip from London to a ton of fun places.

I’ve taken a lot of England day trips, but these getaways from London are my favorite! Check out my guide to the best London day trips below.

Bilbury, Cotswolds

Best Day Trips from London

1. Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle, Windsor, England

Windsor is a very popular day trip from London. The town is famous for its royal connections, most notably Windsor Castle, one of the Queen’s official royal residences and the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world.

In the lively town, you’ll find great shopping, plenty of restaurants, and a beautiful riverside location to explore. Kids will love a visit to LEGOLAND Windsor for a day of LEGO-themed fun.

Nearby in the countryside of Berkshire, you can tour Eton College, one of the most prestigious institutions in the country where Prince William and Harry went to school.

Popular day tours from London to Windsor Castle:

View Windsor Tours

2. Stonehenge

Stonehenge

Stonehenge is one of the world’s great mysteries and is the best known prehistoric monument in Europe. Take a journey to the past to learn how this monument was built beginning around 5,000 years ago.

On a visit to Stonehenge, you’ll be able to walk among the Neolithic houses to see how the builders lived, learn more about how historians are uncovering the mysteries behind the building of Stonehenge, and walk around the impressive stone circle the site is famous for.

Be sure to book your ticket online in advance, as this popular site can get very busy very quickly!

There are plenty of options for Stonehenge tours ranging from simple Stonehenge-only trips to multi-destination day trips. You can combine Stonehenge with popular towns like Bath or Oxford, or you could take a King Arthur day tour of Stonehenge and other magical sites.

Popular day tours from London to Stonehenge:

View Stonehenge Tours

3. Bath

Roman Bath in Bath, England

The city of Bath was founded by the Romans as a thermal spa. There are only two Roman baths in the world that still have hot mineral water flowing into them, and you can find one of them in Bath.

Bath flourished in the 18th century with the development of its famous Georgian architecture straight out of a Jane Austen novel. The Circus is Bath’s historic street of large Georgian townhouses forming a circle with three entrances.

A tour of Bath isn’t complete without a trip to The Roman Baths and the Circus. Many tours of Bath also include walking tours of top sights like the Bath Abbey and Tower, Pulteney Bridge, and more.

Popular day tours from London to Bath:

View Bath Tours

4. Oxford

Oxford University, Oxford, England

Oxford is one of England’s most famous university towns. But you don’t have to be studious to take this day trip from London!

Established in the 12th century, Oxford University is one of the oldest universities in the world. Within the university are 38 separate colleges with incredible architecture, towering spires, and famous alumni.

While you’re here, you’ll definitely want to take a guided university tour to learn all about its esteemed history. For fans of Harry Potter, you may recognize some spots as filming locations for the movies; take a popular Harry Potter walking tour to see even more!

Popular day tours from London to Oxford:

View Oxford Tours

5. The Cotswolds

Buford, the Cotswolds, England

The Cotswolds is one of the most picturesque places in England. This rural area in south central England is known for its rolling hills, thatched medieval villages, and stately homes.

The Cotswolds is home to some of the most charming and prettiest towns in England. You can explore villages like Bourton on Water, called the “Venice of the Cotswolds”; Castle Combe, considered the prettiest village in the Cotswolds and all of England; Cirencester, dubbed the “Capital of the Cotswolds”; and more.

A guided tour of the Cotswolds can take you to these well-known villages as well as places off the beaten track. You can see hidden gems that can be tricky to find on your own, and explore the prettiest parts of England, on one of the best day trips from London.

Popular day tours from London to the Cotswolds:

View Cotswolds Tours

6. Stratford-upon-Avon

Shakespeare's New Place and Nash's House, Stratford-upon-Avon, England

Stratford-upon-Avon is most known as the birthplace of William Shakespeare. This medieval market town is packed with history that literature lovers will enjoy.

As you wander the 800-year-old streets, you can see sights like Shakespeare’s birthplace, the homes of his family members, Shakespeare’s final home, and his grave.

The Royal Shakespeare Company has its home in Stratford-upon-Avon at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. This is one of the best places in the world to see a Shakespeare play and a must when visiting the playwright’s hometown.

Popular day tours from London to Stratford-upon-Avon:

View Stratford-upon-Avon Tours

7. Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour

Costumes at Harry Potter Studios

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter is an absolute must for Harry Potter fans. This walkthrough exhibition and studio tour explores the production of the Harry Potter films.

You’ll experience the magic of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter through iconic sets, authentic costumes and props, and a look at behind-the-scenes production of visual effects.

Walk down Diagon Alley, board the Hogwarts Express at Platform 9¾, explore the Great Hall, enter the Forbidden Forest, and get a look at a 1:24 scale model of Hogwarts.

Popular day tours from London to the Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studios:

View Harry Potter Studios Tours

8. Cambridge

King's College Chapel, Cambridge, England

A truly intellectual city, Cambridge is home to more Nobel Prize winners than anywhere else in the world thanks to its acclaimed University of Cambridge. On a day trip to Cambridge, you can explore the university’s colleges and 8 museums that cover everything from the sciences to archaeology to polar exploration.

You can enjoy a relaxing day punting on the River Cam, picnicking in the city’s greenspaces, or strolling along the colleges’ beautifully kept grounds. Cambridge has plenty of free things to do as well.

Cambridge is full of world-class dining experiences, so you’ll have no problem finding the perfect place to eat. And no matter what time of the year you visit, from Christmas in Cambridge to summer in the city, you’re sure to have a great time.

Popular day tours from London to Cambridge:

View Cambridge Tours

9. Highclere Castle

Downtown Abbey, Highclere Castle

Fans of Downton Abbey can visit the real-life filming location at Highclere Castle, a gorgeous country estate owned by the family of the Earl of Carnarvon. The grand home was built between 1842 and 1978 and was designed by the same architect who worked on the Houses of Parliament. The castle’s estate includes 5,000 acres of land, 11 bedrooms, servants’ quarters, and plenty of room for entertaining.

Tours of the castle explore the upstairs rooms and allow you to walk in the footsteps of the Granthams. You’ll be able to see the filming locations for the dining room, Lord Robert’s library, the sitting room, the family bedrooms, the grand staircase, and the salon.

Most Downtown Abbey tours also visit Bampton in Oxfordshire, the real-life location of Downton Village, as well as the country inns of Shilton and Swinbrook. Cogges’ Yew Tree Farm and Greys Court, the real-life locations of Downton Place, are also included in most tours.

Popular day tours from London to Highclere Castle and Downton Abbey filming locations:

View Downton Abbey Tours

10. York

York, England seen from Clifford's Tower

York is an easy day trip from London! This beautifully preserved medieval city is full of history, from its Viking heritage to its street lined with traditional 14th century timber-framed buildings.

The city is surrounded by ancient walls, the longest medieval town walls in England in fact, has the remains of an 11th century castle, and is home to one of the largest cathedrals in Northern Europe. You can also explore Great Britain’s rail history at the National Railway Museum or delve into the history of York’s great chocolate brands at York’s Chocolate Story.

York is only a 2 hour train ride from London. When you arrive, the city’s cobbled streets are easy to explore on foot.

View York Tours

11. Lincoln

Lincoln, England seen from Lincoln Castle Walls

Lincoln is rich in history and heritage. Lincoln Castle, home to the 1215 Magna Carta, boasts over 1,000 years of history. The medieval Lincoln Cathedral is one of the world’s tallest buildings and boasts spectacular views from its roof and tower tours. And the remains of the Roman city of Lincoln can still be seen throughout the city.

The city is easily walkable, with the main shopping and tourist area stretching from St Marks Shopping centre to the Cathedral Quarter. Even Steep Hill, voted Britain’s Great Street, is well worth the steep climb.

In addition to history, you’ll find unique shopping at independent stores, museums and art galleries, stately homes and gardens, delicious food at local restaurants.

Lincoln is only a 2 hour train ride from London and makes for a great day trip for history lovers!

View Lincoln Tours

London Day Trips Map

Ready to take an incredible day trip from London? Use the map below to plan your getaway day!

I hope you found these London day trip options helpful!

Top London Tours

With so much to see, London can be overwhelming for any first-time traveler. To take some of the stress out of planning your visit, opt for a guided tour! Check out this list of the top London tours to help you make the most of your time in this iconic British city.

Where to Stay in London

Find the perfect place to rest your head on your visit to London, from the top rated accommodations to unique stays you can’t get anywhere else.

More London Travel Tips

See more of what London, England has to offer with these fantastic itineraries:

Ready to visit London, England? Plan your trip with these tips.

  • Book Your Flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
  • Find Accommodation: You can find top hotels in London using Booking.com.
  • Start Packing: Check out my packing list resources so you’re prepared for your trip.
  • Get a Guide Book: Check out the guide books from Fodor’s, Lonely Planet, or Rick Steves for in depth info about traveling to London.
  • Save on Attractions: Save up to 55% on admission to London’s top attractions using the Go City London pass.

Cheers!

Paige

10 Incredible Day Trips from London, England

What are your favorite day trips from London, England? Let me know in the comments!

Paige Watts is a travel expert and author of What's With Atlanta?, a guide to the quirks and charm of the ATL. A life-long traveler, Paige is dedicated to helping you discover the best things to do in the Southern USA and around the world. Her work has been featured in The Culture Trip, Matador, Newsbreak, MSN, NPR, and countless other interviews and podcasts.

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4 Comments

  2. Love all your wonderful suggestions. I cannot wait to get back on a plane as I was scheduled to go to Europe in the fall and things, unfortunately, have changed. My bucket list: Stonehenge.

    Reply

    1. Oh how disappointing! Hope you can get your trip rescheduled for sometime soon! Stonehenge is great to see. We did an awesome King Arthur tour of England with Stonehenge and so many other great historical sights.

      Reply

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