{"id":7771,"date":"2023-04-30T22:35:54","date_gmt":"2023-04-30T22:35:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/justpaste.in\/blogs\/10-best-day-trips-from-london\/"},"modified":"2026-08-04T08:51:30","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T08:51:30","slug":"10-best-day-trips-from-london","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/justpaste.in\/blogs\/10-best-day-trips-from-london\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Best Day Trips From London"},"content":{"rendered":"

London is such an incredible city but sometimes, it\u2019s just nice to get away from the big smoke to explore more of our stunning country. After all, there are so many day trips from London that really showcase how beautiful England is. <\/p>\n

Like so many other Londoners, owning a car involves so much extra hassle (the biggest one being where to actually park it). This meant we never bought a car in London.<\/p>\n

This seems fine enough (the tube is pretty good) until you need to make that big IKEA trip… or when you\u2019re looking to escape the city for a day trip (or longer).<\/p>\n

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With all of that said, take a gander at some of the very best day trips from London. Each has its own charm and is totally easy to visit for a day trip from London… or even longer. <\/p>\n

1.) Rye<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Nestled just shy of the English Channel, Rye is easily one of the prettiest little towns to visit in the south of England. Plus, it\u2019s really easy to visit one of your day trips from London. <\/p>\n

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Once here, park up your car and traipse around the town\u2019s most gorgeous cobbled streets. Of course, you\u2019ve got to stroll through Mermaid Street (Google Maps pin<\/a>), that\u2019s like a chocolate-box town of quaintness.<\/p>\n

Plus, be sure to pop into Quay Antiques; it\u2019s a rabbit warren of bookcases and shelves that are filled with vintage treasures to buy. Finally, pop into Rye Pottery (in the Old Brewery) where they\u2019ve been making adorable \u2018Sussex Pigs\u2019 for over 200 years! <\/p>\n

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For us, we found it easiest to visit in a car, as it means you can pop around the wider region, too.<\/p>\n

You see, Rye is totally gorgeous, but there are also a few gems that are a stone\u2019s throw from the town itself. If it\u2019s sunny, drive on down to Camber Sands, it\u2019s a white sandy-beach paradise on a warm summer day and is so lovely.<\/p>\n

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Oh yeah, and pop into the Horse and Cart Inn for a pint (yeah, you read that correctly) of freshly-caught prawns that are so yummy. It\u2019s the perfect stopping point on your drive back to London from Rye itself.<\/p>\n

Read more: Best beaches near London to visit<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

2.) Bodiam<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Another gem within the Sussex countryside, Bodiam has quite an iconic spot you really shouldn\u2019t miss when on a day trip from London. You see, nestled in the rolling hills is one of England\u2019s most iconic properties to explore; Bodiam Castle.<\/p>\n

Dating back centuries, Bodiam Castle was built to protect against the French during the Hundred Years’ War (way back in the 14th<\/sup> Century). Nowadays, there are no invading French but the moat and castle still exist and are totally easy to visit on a day trip from London.<\/p>\n

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Just be sure to walk around the moat and head inside the castle, too. It\u2019s a pretty special place to see.<\/p>\n

Read more: Best tours to book in London<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

3.) Wells<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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One of the smallest cities in England, Wells<\/a> is a relatively easy day trip from London. Not only that, but it’s also worth visiting if you want to explore a much smaller take on an English city<\/a>, too. After all, London is colossal.<\/p>\n

Taking about three hours to drive, it\u2019s the kind of trip you take that lasts a whole day (but it\u2019s totally worth it).<\/p>\n

That being said, it\u2019s also really easy to tag Wells<\/a> onto a wider road trip to include the Cotswolds and the gorgeous Roman city of Bath, too.<\/p>\n

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After parking up, take a wander straight to Wells Cathedral. It\u2019s the tallest building in the city and can be seen from almost any street in the city. It\u2019s so imposing and towers over Wells<\/a> itself.<\/p>\n

Afterwards, pop into the Greek Taverna, which serves up some of the freshest Greek dishes in the region. You\u2019ll leave stuffed with the best Greek cheeses! <\/p>\n

Read more: Best things to do in Wells<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

4.) Windsor<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Not too far from London, Windsor<\/a> is one of the best day trips from London to visit by train. Though if you fancy hopping in a car, you can easily tag along with a few other places further west (like Stonehenge), too.<\/p>\n

Just shy of Heathrow airport, it\u2019s a totally gorgeous place to stop, especially if you want to visit the royal family\u2019s favourite haunt, Windsor Castle<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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After popping into Windsor Castle<\/a>, take a stroll to nearby Eton and wander the little streets and alleys that are filled with independent shops and cute little tea houses that serve up freshly-baked scones with clotted cream and jam. Yum! <\/p>\n

One thing to note, it can get pretty busy in Windsor<\/a>, especially on a weekend. So, make sure to book your Windsor Castle tickets<\/a> in advance. Though you can easily avoid the crowds by heading across on a weekday morning. It\u2019s much quieter than.<\/p>\n

Read more: Best things to do in Windsor<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

5.) Arundel<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Just on the border of South Downs National Park<\/a>, Arundel<\/a> is home to one of the most iconic and vast medieval castles in all of England.<\/p>\n

Home to the Duke of Norfolk, you can actually head inside and explore the iconic staterooms and grounds.<\/p>\n

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Afterwards, pop into Parsons Table<\/em> which serves up some of the best seasonal and local dishes in all of Sussex. We had the best food here.<\/p>\n

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Finally, if you fancy staying a little longer in the area, check into Amberley Castle<\/a>, where you\u2019ll stay within your very own castle suite. It\u2019s so plush, and the grounds are incredible.<\/p>\n

Read more: Best things to do in South Downs National Park<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

6.) Cambridge<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Around a 45-minute train ride from the centre of London, it\u2019s easy to explore Cambridge<\/a> on one of your day trips from London.<\/p>\n

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Once here, be sure to head inside King\u2019s College Chapel and try your hand at punting along the river itself. It\u2019s so much fun and really feels like you\u2019re in an \u2018English Venice\u2019.<\/p>\n

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Afterwards, head on over to Fitzbillies for a tasty brunch, too. It\u2019s a really popular little spot with locals and students, and a must when hunger beckons.<\/p>\n

Of course, you have to book a guided punting tour of Cambridge<\/a>, too. It’s so much fun and such a unique way to explore the city with an expert.<\/p>\n

Read more: Best things to do in Cambridge<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

7.) Norwich<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Around a two-hour drive (and the same by train) from the centre of London, the historic city of Norwich<\/a> is one gorgeous city to explore.<\/p>\n

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Once you\u2019ve arrived, make sure to visit Norwich Cathedral and explore Norwich Market, too. Here, you\u2019ll find everything from thrift stalls to vintage booksellers, all crammed into this gorgeous and historic square.<\/p>\n

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Oh, and if you\u2019ve got a car, pop out of the historic centre to visit the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts. It\u2019s world-renowned and one of the first major buildings designed by Norman Foster.<\/p>\n

Finally, for some of the best fish and chips in all of England, pop into the Grosvenor Fish Bar<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Trust me, you won\u2019t be disappointed! Here, they serve up some of the freshest fish and chips (with lashings of vinegar) that are just too delicious to miss.<\/p>\n

We loved them so much that we ended up taking a second bag back to London with us!<\/p>\n

Read more: Best things to do in Norwich<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

8.) Bath<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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The old Roman city of Bath<\/a> has been around for almost 2,000 years and has long been known for its hot springs that attracted the Romans to build the historic baths that still stand in the city.<\/p>\n

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Once here, take a tour of the Roman Baths, follow the riverside walkways around the city and stop off at Sally Lunn\u2019s for one of their incredible buns.<\/p>\n

Honestly, they\u2019re so delicious and topped off with lots of different toppings that you get to choose. We went for cinnamon butter which was on another scale of yummy.<\/p>\n

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Easily reached by car or train on a day trip from London, Bath is totally amazing to visit and well worth including as either a day trip or a wider trip of the region. <\/p>\n

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Personally, I\u2019d recommend extending your day trip from London to a long weekend and seeing the tiny villages of the Cotswolds and places like Cheddar Gorge (that aren\u2019t too far away by car, either).<\/p>\n

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Don’t forget to check out the incredible tours, below. This way, you can book them before you arrive in Bath and maximise your time when exploring.<\/p>\n

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Read more: Best things to do in Bath<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

9.) Stonehenge<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Now, Stonehenge<\/a> is easily the most famous day trips from London that you can take! Known around the world, it\u2019s an iconic site in England that\u2019s best visited by car (or via an organised tour).<\/p>\n

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Now, whenever we visit Stonehenge, we always go around 1 hour before closing time. Most of the larger tours and groups will have left by this point, and it\u2019s so much quieter to wander around.  <\/p>\n

Just be sure to book your Stonehenge entry tickets in advance<\/a>. This way, you’ll be guaranteed entry. <\/p>\n

Not too far from Salisbury, it\u2019s also easy to pair a little trip to see one of the Magna Cartas (in the cathedral itself).<\/p>\n

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Book: Stonehenge entry tickets for your trip<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

10.) The Cotswolds<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Probably my favourite region to visit for pretty English villages, the Cotswolds<\/a> has a charm that you really can\u2019t miss.<\/p>\n

In fact, it kind of feels like you\u2019ve stepped centuries back in time in some places; they are just so quaint.<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve arrived, be sure to explore Burton-on-the-Water, visit the gorgeous Bibury<\/a> and stop off at Castle Combe, that is right in the southern part of the Cotswolds.<\/p>\n

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All have a charm of their own, and whilst a day trip from London is amazing, it\u2019s well worth exploring over a few days if you\u2019ve got the time.<\/p>\n

Oh yeah, and it\u2019s worth noting that the Cotswolds are best explored in a car. This way, you can drive between all the little villages and towns<\/a> that are dotted all across the region.<\/p>\n

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Read more: Best things to do in the Cotswolds<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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14 Best Places In The Cotswolds You Should Visit (With Google Maps Pins & Hotels)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n