35 Easy Day Trips from London + 24 to Avoid
If you’re visiting Europe, it makes sense to make the most of your time in England with a day trip from London.
I get a lot of emails asking which day trips from London are feasible, and which ones aren’t. Here I’ve compiled the most common destinations that travelers ask about and analyze whether they’re fit for a day trip or need more time.
Let’s go over the best day trips from London that won’t leave you totally depleted, and explore the day trips from London that just aren’t realistic.
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Day Trips from London that are Absolutely Feasible ✅
Please note that these travel times are approximate and can vary based on specific starting points in London, traffic, specific train schedules, and other factors. Always check current travel times before planning a trip using Google Maps or my favorite app: Citymapper.
This is not an exhaustive list – that would take up the whole of the internet 😉
1. Oxford ✅
- Drive: 1.5 hours
- Train: 1 hour
Famous for its prestigious university, Oxford offers beautiful architecture, museums, and the Bodleian Library.
Oxford is one of the best day trips from London by train. It’s like stepping into the Harry Potter films, and it’s such a short train ride to be transported a world away.
2. Cambridge ✅
- Drive: 1.5 hours
- Train: 50 minutes
Another charming, ancient university town with punting on the River Cam and the stunning King’s College Chapel.
Cambridge is truly magical and makes for one of the easiest day trips from London by train.
3. Brighton ✅
- Drive: 2 hours
- Train: 1 hour
A vibrant seaside town with a pier, the Royal Pavilion, and quirky shopping lanes.
If you want a day trip from London by train that takes you to the beach, Brighton is the way to go!
4. York ✅
- Drive: 4 hours
- Train: 2.5 hours
A historic city with a rich Viking and Roman heritage. While it’s possible to visit in a day, you may may feel rushed as there’s lots to see here!
5. Windsor ✅
- Drive: 1 hour
- Train: 50 minutes
Visit Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. I always encourage London travelers to fit this in if they have time, as it’s much more magical than Buckingham Palace.
6. Canterbury ✅
- Drive: 1.5 hours
- Train: 1 hour
Home to the magnificent Canterbury Cathedral and a charming medieval town center. This day trip from London by train will take you worlds away in just 1 hour.
7. Bath ✅
- Drive: 2.5 hours
- Train: 1.5 hours
Known for its Roman-built baths and Georgian architecture, Bath is a picturesque town in the Cotswolds. This is one of the best day trips from London by train because once you arrive in Bath, it’s all walkable straight from the train station.
8. Stonehenge ✅
- Drive: 2 hours
- Train (to Salisbury, then bus): 1.5 hours
The iconic prehistoric monument is a super popular day trip from London. Many tour companies offer excellent Stonehenge tours in conjunction with other nearby attractions like Windsor and Bath for a really affordable price.
Personally, I don’t think Stonehenge on its own is worth the trip, but if you book with a company that also takes you to other iconic locations on the way, it’s totally worth it.
9. Stratford-upon-Avon ✅
- Drive: 2 hours
- Train: 2 hours
The birthplace of William Shakespeare! So much charming history, and a great day trip for students and history lovers.
10. Cotswolds ✅
- Drive: 2 hours
- Train (to various towns): 1.5-2.5 hours
Picturesque villages and rolling hills. Bath is the most visited place in the Cotswolds, but there’s so much more to explore here, especially if you drive or rent a car there.
11. Bristol ✅
- Drive: 2.5 hours
- Train: 1.5 hours
A vibrant city with a rich maritime history. Bristol is a great day trip from London if you want a larger city (not a small village) with more things to do.
12. Winchester ✅
- Drive: 1.5 hours
- Train: 1 hour
The ancient capital of England with a stunning cathedral. This place is charming as heck.
13. Blenheim Palace ✅
- Drive: 1.5 hours
- Train (to Oxford, then bus): 1.5 hours
A monumental country house and UNESCO World Heritage site. Blenheim Palace is truly magical, and well worth the trip from London.
14. Bletchley Park ✅
- Drive: 1 hour
- Train: 40 minutes
The historic site where British codebreakers decrypted German codes during WWII. History and science nerds – this one is your best bet. So much world history happened here!
15. Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour ✅
- Drive: 1 hour
- Train: 20 minutes to Watford Junction, then a shuttle bus, though most tour companies include transport from Central London.
Dive into the magical world with The Making of Harry Potter tour, a must for fans of the series.
This is the most popular day trip from London, and tickets often sell out months ahead. Read all my tips to scoring tickets here.
16. Hampton Court Palace ✅
- Drive: 1 hour
- Train: 35 minutes
A historic palace once home to Henry VIII, showcasing Tudor and Baroque architecture. Fans of SIX the Musical and history nerds, you have to go!
17. Rye ✅
- Drive: 2 hours
- Train: 1.5 hours
A medieval town with cobbled streets, historic buildings, and a rich smuggling history. A super charming, quaint little village!
18. Leeds Castle ✅
- Drive: 1.5 hours
- Train: 1 hour to Maidstone, then a local bus
A picturesque castle set on two islands in a tranquil lake.
19. Hever Castle ✅
- Drive: 1.5 hours
- Train: 40 minutes to Hever, then a short walk
The childhood home of Anne Boleyn, set within beautiful gardens.
20. Salisbury ✅
- Drive: 2 hours
- Train: 1.5 hours
A historic city close to Stonehenge, home to the impressive Salisbury Cathedral.
21. Ely ✅
- Drive: 1.5 hours
- Train: 1.5 hours
Known for its magnificent cathedral and the historic home of Oliver Cromwell.
22. St Albans ✅
- Drive: 1 hour
- Train: 20 minutes
A historic market town boasting Roman ruins and a stunning cathedral.
23. Rochester ✅
- Drive: 1 hour
- Train: 40 minutes
A town steeped in history with its Norman castle, cathedral, and Charles Dickens connections.
24. Hatfield House ✅
- Drive: 1 hour
- Train: 20 minutes
This is a lesser-known day trip from London to a really incredible spot. Hatfield House is a Jacobean house with sprawling gardens, once the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth I.
25. Sissinghurst Castle Garden ✅
- Drive: 1.5 hours
- Train: 1 hour to Staplehurst, then a local bus
A historic estate renowned for its beautifully designed gardens by Vita Sackville-West.
26. Cardiff, Wales ✅
- Drive: 3 hours
- Train: 2 hours
Wales is the closest country to England, so if your goal is to just get to another country cheaply and quickly, go to Cardiff!
The capital of Wales, Cardiff boasts a blend of historic and modern attractions. The Cardiff Castle, located in the city center, showcases 2,000 years of history, while the Cardiff Bay offers a modern waterfront with dining and entertainment options.
27. Dover ✅
- Drive: 2 hours
- Train: 1.5 hours
Famous for its iconic White Cliffs, Dover also offers the impressive Dover Castle. The port town is a gateway to the continent, with ferries frequently departing for France.
On a clear day, you can actually see France from the cliffs!
28. Birmingham ✅
- Drive: 2.5 hours
- Train: 1.5 hours
As the UK’s second-largest city, Birmingham offers a mix of cool experiences. The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Cadbury World, and the historic Jewellery Quarter are among its top attractions.
29. Lille, France ✅
Hop on the Eurostar and be in another country in 1 hour and 22 minutes! Lille, located in the Hauts-de-France region, is a vibrant city with a rich blend of French and Flemish influences. It’s not nearly as big as Paris, so it’s perfect for a day trip from London.
30. Southend-on-Sea ✅
- Drive: 1.5 hours
- Train: 1 hour
A popular seaside resort, Southend offers the longest pleasure pier in the world. With its beaches, arcades, and Adventure Island amusement park, it’s a fun destination for families.
31. Broadstairs ✅
- Drive: 2 hours
- Train: 1.5 hours
A charming coastal town, Broadstairs boasts sandy beaches and a rich history. It’s known for its association with Charles Dickens, who visited frequently.
32. Portsmouth ✅
- Drive: 2 hours
- Train: 1.5 hours
A historic port city, Portsmouth is home to the Historic Dockyard, where you can see the HMS Victory and the Mary Rose Museum. The Spinnaker Tower offers panoramic views of the city and the sea.
33. Bournemouth ✅
- Drive: 2.5 hours
- Train: 2 hours
A vibrant coastal town, Bournemouth is known for its seven miles of sandy beaches, beautiful gardens, and a bustling town center. The Bournemouth Pier and Oceanarium are popular attractions.
34. Brussels, (Belgium) ✅
As Belgium’s capital, Brussels is accessible via Eurostar for a day trip, but you won’t get to explore this huge city for very long.
35. Bury St. Edmunds ✅
- Drive: 2 Hours
- Train: 2 Hours
Commonly just called “Bury,” this is a charming historic market and cathedral town in Suffolk.
Day Trips from London that Are Just Too Far ❌
While all these destinations are fascinating and offer unique experiences, the travel times and logistics involved make them challenging for day trips from London. If you do decide to visit, consider staying overnight to truly appreciate what each location has to offer.
Keep in mind that although flights to some of these places might be a short time in the air, getting to and from the airport in London will take at least 1 hour, not to mention time going through security and passport control & immigration.
This is not an exhaustive list – that would take up the whole of the internet 😉
1. Edinburgh ❌
- Drive: 7-8 hours
- Train: 4.5-5 hours
Scotland’s capital is too far for a comfortable day trip. It deserves an entire trip of its own!
2. Paris & Disneyland Paris ❌
Can you do Paris as a day trip from London? Technically yes. But even with the short(ish) Eurostar journey, it’s a stretch to do in one day and truly enjoy. Paris deserves so much time as it’s such an incredible and massive city.
Disneyland Paris is equally difficult to do in one day, especially with kids – everyone would be absolutely exhausted.
3. Lake District ❌
- Drive: 5-6 hours
- Train: 2.5-3 hours to Windermere
While beautiful, it’s a long journey from London!
4. Dublin ❌
- Flight: 1.5 hours
- Ferry: 3.5-8 hours (depending on route and ferry type)
Requires a flight or a long ferry ride.
5. Cornwall (Penzance, St Ives, etc) ❌
- Drive: 4.5-8 hours (depending on destination within Cornwall)
- Train: 3-5 hours
The stunning coastline is too far for just one day. The trouble with Cornwall is you really need a car once you’re there, but driving from London takes forever with traffic and the narrow twisting lanes of the West coast.
6. Isle of Skye ❌
- Drive: 12-13 hours
- Train (to Mallaig, then ferry): 10-11 hours
Located in Scotland, it’s too remote for a day trip.
7. Liverpool ❌
- Drive: 4-5 hours
- Train: 2-2.5 hours
Home to The Beatles and rich maritime history, Liverpool is doable for a day trip but would be very rushed.
8. Loch Ness ❌
- Drive: 9-10 hours
- Train to Inverness: 8 hours, then drive or bus: 30 minutes
Located in the Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness is famous for its legendary monster and beautiful scenery, but it’s too far for a day trip from London.
9. Amsterdam, Netherlands ❌
- Flight: 1 hour
- Eurostar: 4 hours
The capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam is famous for its canals, historic houses, museums like the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum, and vibrant nightlife.
While technically reachable in a day, Amsterdam really deserves a longer stay of at least 2 days minimum. Here’s all the ways to get there from London.
10. Provence, France ❌
- Drive (including Eurotunnel or ferry): 10-12 hours
- Flight to Marseille or Nice: 2 hours, then drive/train varies
Known for its lavender fields and picturesque towns, Provence in the south of France is too far for a comfortable day trip.
11. Nice, France ❌
- Drive (including Eurotunnel or ferry): 12-14 hours
- Flight: 2 hours
Located on the southeastern coast of France, Nice and its surrounding towns are famous for their Mediterranean beaches, but the journey would be too long for just a day trip.
12. Bordeaux, France ❌
- Drive (including Eurotunnel or ferry): 8-10 hours
- Train (Eurostar to Paris, then TGV): 6 hours
Famous for its wine, Bordeaux in the southwest of France would be a stretch for a day trip.
13. Snowdonia National Park, Wales ❌
- Drive: 5-6 hours
- Train: 3-4 hours to Betws-y-Coed
In Wales, it’s a lengthy journey from London. This is an incredible area that deserves more than a day to explore fully!
14. Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland ❌
- Drive (including ferry): 10-12 hours
- Flight to Belfast: 1.5 hours, then drive: 1 hour
Located in Northern Ireland, the Giant’s Causeway is a unique geological formation and UNESCO World Heritage site, but it’s too far away for a practical day trip from London.
15. Bruges, Belgium (Brugge) ❌
A medieval gem with picturesque canals, Bruges is technically reachable for a day trip from London, but you won’t hardly any time to spend in one of the most beautiful cities in all of Europe.
When booking travel to Bruges, don’t confuse your destination with Bruges, France. Try typing in “Brugge” instead of “Bruges,” and you’ll be sure to find your correct Belgian destination.
16. Ghent, Belgium ❌
- Eurostar to Brussels, then train: 3-3.5 hours
Slightly closer than Bruges, Ghent’s blend of historic sites and vibrant culture can be sampled in a day.
17. Antwerp, Belgium ❌
- Eurostar to Brussels, then train: 2.5-3 hours
Known for its diamonds and port, Antwerp isn’t feasible for a day trip from London.
18. Scottish Highlands ❌
- Drive: 8-12 hours (depending on destination)
- Train: 8-9 hours to Inverness
While parts of the Highlands might be reachable by a very long train journey or flight, the vast landscapes truly deserve more than a day.
I know this makes some of you Outlander fans sad, but you really can’t do a day trip from London to the Highlands.
19. Pembrokeshire Coast ❌
- Drive: 5-6 hours
- Train: 4.5-5 hours to Tenby
Located in the southwest of Wales, this stunning coastal national park is too far for a day trip from London.
20. Isle of Man ❌
- Flight: 1.5 hours
- Ferry: 2.5-4 hours
Situated in the Irish Sea, the Isle of Man has its own rich history and culture. Getting there would involve a flight or ferry, making it impractical for just a day.
21. Belfast, Northern Ireland ❌
- Flight: 1.5 hours
- Drive (including ferry): 8-10 hours
The capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast is steeped in history and culture. From the Titanic Belfast museum, which commemorates the city’s shipbuilding heritage, to the political murals of the Falls and Shankill roads, Belfast offers a deep dive into the region’s past and present.
22. Guernsey ❌
- Flight: 1 hour
- Ferry: 3 hours (from Portsmouth. Portsmouth is a 2.5 hour train from London).
Located in the English Channel, Guernsey boasts beautiful beaches, historic forts, and a unique blend of British and French influences. The island’s compact size is perfect for exploring, but its distance from London makes it a challenging day trip.
23. Jersey ❌
- Flight: 1 hour
- Ferry: 4.5 hours (from Portsmouth. Portsmouth is a 2.5 hour train from London)
The largest of the Channel Islands, Jersey offers a mix of sandy beaches, cliffside walking trails, and historic castles. Its rich history spans from prehistoric times to its occupation during World War II.
Even though the Channel Islands look quite close on the map, it’s not feasible for a day trip from London.
24. Rotterdam, Netherlands ❌
- Flight: 1 hour to Amsterdam, then train: 40 minutes
- Eurostar to Amsterdam, then train: 4.5 hours in total
A major port city in the Netherlands, Rotterdam is known for its modern architecture, maritime heritage, and cultural attractions like the Kunsthal and the Cube Houses. It’s a bit of a stretch for a day trip from London, especially if you want to explore the city in depth.
Taking a Day Trip from London: Final Tips
The most important tip I can give you is this: if you’re only in London for a short time, don’t do a day trip. London has so much to see and do that you’ll never get bored.
If you’re in London for more than 5 days, I would absolutely recommend a day trip. Just make it something that won’t exhaust you too much – two hours on a train, max.
If you live in London like me, you probably have a list as long as your arm of day trips to take. All you can do it tick them off, one by one!
More on Trips from London
Debating ‘Should I Rent a Car in London?’ Insider Tips
Visiting Greenwich with Kids: 5 Things That Adults Will Love, too!
The Perfect Day out in Cambridge: 7 Things you Have to See
Is Solo Travel Boring? 5 Reasons You Should Travel Alone ASAP
Trip from London to Amsterdam: 4 Ways to Get there for Every Budget
How to Get from London to Cornwall: 3 Easy Ways for Every Budget
Kynance Cove in Cornwall: 10 Must-Read Tips before Visiting
Kennack Sands Beach: Is it the Best Beach for Kids in Cornwall?
10 Things to Know about Visiting Stunning Poldhu Cove
Day Trips from London by Train FAQ
What is the best day trip out of London?
The best day trip for you depends on your goals and preferences.
Do you want to see a pretty village? Try St Albans, Canterbury, Bath, or Rye.
Do you want to go to the seaside? Try Brighton, Dover, or Margate.
Are you into history? Definitely check out Blenheim Palace, Bletchley Park, Stratford upon Avon, or Windsor Castle.
Are you a student or an academic? Check out Oxford or Cambridge.
The list goes on, and all you can do is pick a place that sounds cool, get your train ticket, and go!
Can you do a day trip from London?
If you have enough time to spend in London and want to explore more of England, you can definitely do a day trip from London!
The best way is to pick a destination (start with this list!) and hop on the train. There’s so much to see in England, you don’t have to go far.
What is 1 hour away from London?
Harry Potter Studios, Oxford, Cambridge, Brighton, Windsor, Canterbury, Winchester, Hampton Court Palace, Hever Castle, St Albans, Rochester, and Hatfield House are all within a 1 hour train ride from London.
What countries are a day trip from London?
Wales is the closest country to London for a day trip. Try Cardiff, which is a charming Welsh city less than 2 hours from London by train.
Other countries like France are possible for a day trip, but you won’t get much time to spend there. Lille is a short 1.5 hour journey from London on the Eurostar, and it’s a much easier and smaller place to explore than Paris.
Belgium is also fast to get to, with only a 2 hour train ride to Brussels. Brussels is a bit easier to explore than Paris, but it’s also a large city.
What towns are 2 hours away from London?
York, Stonehenge, Stratford upon Avon, Cardiff, Dover, Birmingham, Worcester, Bournemouth, Bristol, Brussels, and many more towns are just a 2 hour (or less) train ride from London.
What is the closest beach to London?
Brighton is the closest proper sandy beach to London, and it takes less than 1 hour to get there by train. Margate is also a popular beach destination that takes only 2 hours on the train.
What is the shortest Eurostar journey from London?
The shortest journey on the Eurostar from London is to Lille, France at just 1 hour and 22 minutes.
What is the closest countryside to London?
There is incredible countryside bordering London, but the prettiest and closest natural woodlands are probably Epping Forest, which is just 1 hour from London on the Overground.
Which country is easy to travel from London?
France, Belgium, and Wales are the easiest countries to travel to from London by a short train ride.
