The best day trips from London are just an hour or two away and what’s more? they are easily accessible by train. Here’s are my top picks for a day trip from London.
1. Cambridge
London to Cambridge By Train
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From Kings’s Cross
Take the Great Northern towards King’s Lynn or Ely and disembark at Cambridge Railway Station (Travel time – 48 to 50 min, Cost of return ticket: ). Second option is to take Thameslink to Cambridge North (Travel time – 1 hr 30 min).
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From Liverpool street Station
Take greateranglia towards Cambridge (Travel time – 1 hr 11min)
Things to do in Cambridge
- Go punting in River Cam
- Take a walking tour of Cambridge University
- Pay your respects at the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial
- Take a walk across the Mathematical Bridge
- Sample some Gin at The Cambridge Gin Laboratory
- Visit the Cambridge University Botanical Garden
2. Oxford
London to Oxford By Train
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From Paddington Station
Take the GWR towards Oxford. (Travel Time: 1hr)
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From London Marylebone
Take Chiltern Railways towards Oxford. (Travel Time: 1hr 10 min)
Things to do in Oxford
- Visit Bodleian Library – Britain’s second largest library
- Take a walking tour around the colleges of Oxford University
- Check out the dome architecture of Radcliffe Camera
- Visit the Oxford Castle
- Take a picture at the Bridge of Sighs
- Admire the view of Oxford from the Tower at University Church of St Mary the Virgin
3. Warwick Castle
London to Warwick By Train
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From London Marylebone
Take the Chiltern Railways towards Birmingham Snow Hill or Birmingham Moor Street. Disembark at Warwick.
Things to do at the Warwick Castle
- Explore the grand rooms of the Warwick castle
- Spend a night at the castle
- Take part in the daily shows such as the Birds of Prey show, medieval banquets etc.
- Witness the scary side of the castle in the dungeons
- Take a walk with the peacocks in the peacock garden
- Take pictures of the castle from the picturesque Mill Garden
4. Stratford-Upon-Avon
London to Stratford-Upon-Avon By Train
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From London Marylebone
Take the Chiltern Railways towards Birmingham Snow Hill. Change trains in Dorridge or Leamington Spa to Stratford-Upon-Avon.
Things to do in Stratford-Upon-Avon
- Visit William Shakespeare’s childhood home
- Check out Anne Hathaway’s thatched cottage
- Sample the local food at the market in front of Shakespeare’s childhood home
- Visit the New Place – a reconstruction of the house that Shakespeare bought after achieving fame
- Enjoy the exhibits at the MAD museum
- Buy a wand and taste Butterbeer at the Harry Potter fan shop – Magic Alley and the Creaky Cauldron
- Watch a play at the Royal Shakespeare Company
- Experience life in the 16th century at Tudor World
5. Arundale Castle
London to Arundale Castle By Train
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From London Victoria:
Take the Southern Railways towards Bognor Regis. Disembark at Arundel (Travel Time – 1hr 35 min)
Things to do in Arundale Castle
- Visit the Arundel Castle
- Take a boat ride on river Arun
- Check out the exhibits at the Arundel Museum
- Visit the Arundel Cathedral of Our Lady and Saint Philip Howard
6. Eastbourne
London to Eastbourne By Train
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From Victoria Station:
Take the Southern towards Eastbourne (Travel time – 1hr 24 min).
Things to do in Eastbourne
- Take a bus to Beachy Head to see the white clay cliffs and lighthouse.
- Enjoy Fish & Chips on the Eastbourne Pier.
- Spend a lazy afternoon on the Eastbourne beach
- Visit the 200-year-old fortress – Eastbourne Redoubt
- Take a look at some contemporary art at the Towner Gallery
- Slip and slide in the aqua Park at the Fort Fun
- Take a leisurely walk in the Princes Park
7. Brighton Beach
London to Brighton By Train
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From London Victoria
Take the Southern towards Brighton. (Travel time – 1 hr)
Things to do in Brighton
- Laze around on the pebble beach of Brighton
- Visit the Royal Pavilion and admire the unique architecture of this palace
- Read a book and enjoy sea views from the deck chairs at the Brighton Pier
- Sip a cocktail at the futuristic moving glass pod at British Airways i360
- Take a ride on Volk’s Electric Railway
- Shop for antiques at The Lanes market
- Spend some quality time with your kids at the Sea Life aquarium in Brighton
8. Windsor
London to Windsor Castle By Train
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From London Waterloo
Take the South Western Railway towards Windsor & Eton Riverside (Travel time – 57 min)
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From London Paddington
Take the GWR towards Reading or Worcester Foregate Street. At Slough change trains. From Slough take the GWR towards Windsor & Eton Central (Travel Time – approx. 43 min to 54 min)
Things to do in Windsor
- Visit the Queen’s residence at Windsor Castle.
- Spend a fun-filled day with your children at the Legoland Windsor resort
- Walk across the Windsor bridge and enjoy a view of the Thames
- Check out the Queen Mary’s Miniature Doll house
- Ride in a horse-drawn carriage and enjoy the picturesque town of Windsor
9. Bath
London to Bath By Train
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From Paddington Station
Take the GWR towards Weston Super Mare or Bristol Temple Meads. Disembark at Bath Spa(Travel Time – 1 hr 30 min).
Things to do in Bath, UK
- Visit the Roman Baths
- Check out the Gothic architecture of Bath Abbey
- View a play in the Theatre Royal, Bath
- Visit Jane Austen’s museum
10. Stonehenge
London to Bath By Train
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From London Waterloo
Take the South Western Railway towards Exeter St Davids. Disembark at Salisbury. Take the Stonehenge Tour towards Stonehenge (Travel Time – 2 hrs 15 min)
Things to do at Stonehenge
- Visit the world-famous Stonehenge
- Check out the archaeological exhibits related to Stonehenge at the Salisbury Museum
- Walk to the lesser known stone circles at Avebury
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Visiting London for the first time? check out my London Itinerary.
