The 17 best day trips from London: From city exploring to hikes to chilling by the sea
Because sometimes you just need a break from the capital
London will always have our hearts, but let's be real, sometimes spending every weekend in the capital can be a little overwhelming, draining, and (cry) expensive, no matter all the exciting things there are to do. And while we would love to jet off to Ibiza every chance we could, our bank accounts are firmly saying no. And so when it comes to reinvigorating our weekends we love any chance we can to get out of the city with a quick day trip to some of the best places in the UK, that can all be reached from London in less than two hours.
Whether it's seeing life in another city like Oxford or Brighton, or soaking up history in culture in nearby Cambridge or Winchester, or soaking up every moment in the sun with a trip to the Kent seaside, we've done the hard work for you and rounded up our favourite day trips from London.
Brighton, Sussex
How to get there from London: 1 hour train from Victoria
A classic day trip from London we'll do any day, Brighton is always a treat. From the bars to the shops and the pier to the pebbly beach, you can have hours of fun in this vibrant city. You can see Sussex like never before from 138m above the beach by going up the British Airways i360. You’ll be able to see up to 26 miles in every direction, so make sure your phone is fully charged for pics.
Make sure you take a wander through the neo-classical villa that is the Royal Brighton Pavilion, too. The breathtaking pleasure palace was built for King George IV and is another great spot for photos. When you've done some sightseeing you'll want to stop for some classic fish and chips to round off your day out in Brighton.
Malvern, Worcestershire
How to get there from London: 2 hour 30 minute train from Paddington and 15 minute taxi or a 2 hour drive
Ok, so it’s a bit of an early start, but a worthwhile one if you’re into hiking. After arriving in Malvern, head to Sally’s Place for a much needed coffee and sugar refuelling before heading off for a long hike around the Malvern Hills, with a variety of trails available depending on your hiking level. And once you’ve finished for the day, have a very well earnt pint and pub meal at the Malvern Hills Hotel.
Bath, Somerset
How to get there from London: 1 hour and 15 minute train from Paddington
One of the most beautiful cities in the UK, Bath makes for a brilliant day trip from London. It's unlike anywhere else, with its Georgian architecture straight out of Bridgerton (and some of the show was filmed there), and there's plenty to entertain you in this walkable city - from discovering its thermal spa offerings to taking in the Insta-perfect scenes.
You'll want to visit the amazing Roman Baths, as well as the Fashion Museum to check out the iconic dresses of the 18th century. Afternoon tea is another must-do in Bath and the five-star Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa is where you'll want to tuck into small sandwiches and cakes.
Bicester Village, Oxfordshire
How to get there from London: 1 hour and 10 minute train from Marylebone
The day trip from London that would make Cher Horowitz proud, Bicester Village is a shopping dream. Located in Oxfordshire, the village has more than 160 boutiques from the finest brands, with up to 60% off the RRP. From All Saints to Charlotte Tilbury and Mulberry to Levi's, this is the place to head when pay day arrives!
Windsor, Berkshire
How to get there from London: Around a 30 minute train from Paddington
If you're a sucker for all things royal, you'll want to head to Windsor and check out its imposing castle, which has been busy hosting royal weddings in recent years - from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's to Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank's nuptials.
On a day trip from London to Windsor, you'll want to stroll the historic castle and get to know Britain's royal history. You can make your way along the avenue of trees, known as the Long Walk, soak up the opulence of the State Apartments and pose like a royal at St George's Chapel. You can then continue your classy day out with afternoon tea at the nearby Castle Hotel.
Oxford, Oxfordshire
How to get there from London: 54 minute train journey from Paddington
Oxford is one of the loveliest day trips from London, where you can immerse yourself in the history, strolling its ancient streets, sampling the terrific dining scene and soaking up the creativity in the air. And as well as seeing the famous university, for film fans, there’s plenty of places featured in films and TV shows over the years, including the Harry Potter movies, so look up the locations before you go and take yourself on your own film tour. Don’t leave without having a drink at one of the rooftop bars in the city, for a view over the incredible architecture.
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
How to get there from London: 48 minute train journey from King’s Cross
Known for punting on the River Cam (picture Bridget Jones and Daniel Cleaver), you can’t really go to Cambridge without stepping on one of these boats, champagne in hand too obvs. After your trip down the river, you can stop by all the iconic university sites, before exploring the many independent shops in the city too. To find out more about Cambridge, read our full guide here.
Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes
How to get there from London: 35 minute train journey from Euston to Bletchley
For a day trip from London at a country house that offers more than the usual visit, look no further than intriguing Bletchley Park in Milton Keynes. A centre of British code-breaking activity during World War II, Bletchley Park unlocks a secret history of spies and espionage.
A day here allows you to see where some of the smartest minds around, such as Alan Turing, helped turn the tide of war. Be sure to check out the restored codebreaking huts and hands-on displays in the blocks where masterminds cracked enemy codes.
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
How to get there from London: 1 hour train from Paddington to Hanborough, followed by free 30 minute shuttle bus on the weekends.
This UNESCO-protected marvel is the only non-royal country house in England to hold the title 'palace'. If you're looking to be impressed on your day trip from London, this place ticks all the right boxes. There's over 300 years of history and the stunning house and gardens are a joy to explore.
You can browse the gilded state rooms housing one of Europe’s finest collections of portraits, and walk more than 2,000 acres of landscaped parkland and formal gardens. Once you've taken in the beautiful Palace, the nearby Grade II-listed The Crown in Woodstock is a great spot for lunch.
Margate, Kent
How to get there from London: 1 hour and 30 minute train from St Pancras
Has a summer gone past without your IG feed being full of people spending sunny days in Margate? Well take this as your sign to go. Aside from the beach, there’s the Turner Contemporary gallery to explore and the iconic Dreamland where you can spend your afternoon on rides. And then of course there’s the food scene to contend with, from places like Sargasso to Dory’s, your biggest decision of the day will be deciding where to eat.
Rye, Sussex
How to get there from London: 1 hour and 6 minute train from St Pancras
When tourists think of England, the town of Rye is what they expect every English town to look like. With cobbled streets, and roses growing up the side of houses, the pretty town in Sussex is perfect for a quintessential English day. Take a stroll down Mermaid Street for those Insta perfect shots, before spending the day exploring the antique, book and interiors shops.
Lewes, Sussex
How to get there from London: 1 hour train from Victoria
Lewes is another Sussex gem, and one of your first stops in the town should be the house and gallery of Charleston, which is the home of painters Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant. Then for the history fans your next stop should be Lewes Castle, which was built after the Battle of Hastings. After a morning of culture, spend a long lunch at one of the restaurants in town and round off the day exploring the shops or pop in for a pint at one of the many pubs.
Whitstable, Kent
How to get there from London: 1 hour and 20 minute train from Victoria or St Pancras
Fresh seafood, a walk by the sea and pints on the beach. Yep sign us up for a day trip from London to Whitstable. The Kent seaside town is overflowing with cute shops, art galleries, cosy pubs and the famous Wheelers Oysters Bar which has the aesthetic pink shop front and some of the best oysters on the coast. Fancy staying longer than a day? Check out our guide to the best Airbnbs in Whitstable.
Elmley Nature Reserve
How to get there from London: 2 hour 15 minute drive from London
If you’re looking for a serious dose of nature, then a trip to the Elmley Nature Reserve in Kent . It costs £8 to visit and once there you’re free to explore the many trails within the reserve, before stopping for a coffee and cake at the Kingshill Barn. There’s also the opportunity to go on a safari experience, learning more about the animals and wildlife that inhabit the reserve.
Stratford-upon-Avon
How to get there from London: 2 hour and 10 minute train from Marylebone
Located in the West Midlands, this medieval town is best known for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare. So, if you’re not in Shakespeare, then this may not be the town for you. If you are, then buckle in for all the Shakespeare sites, including his birthplace and the cottage of his wife Anne Hathaway. There's also a variety of theatre and museums to peak your interest and the stunning River Avon to stroll alongside after soaking up all that culture.
Boxhill, Surrey
How to get there from London: Around an hour train journey from Waterloo or Victoria
Calling all hikers, if you feel the need to get out of the city and get some serious steps in then head to Box Hill on the outskirts of Dorking. The woodland and river are full of trails, with a particular shout out being the stepping stones trailer, and be aware it is definitely a hill, so get your glutes prepared. Either bring a packed lunch or book in for lunch at Burford Bridge Hotel at the bottom of the hill.
Winchester, Hampshire
How to get there from London: Around an hour train journey from Waterloo
Winchester is known for its cathedral which is well worth a visit for the architecture alone, and for any Jane Austen fans the novelist’s grave is located inside the medieval building. After stopping by the cathedral, the town is full of independent shops and great charity shops. We always love a stop by the P&G Wells book shop, which is Britain’s oldest bookshop. After a busy morning, a late lunch is definitely required on one of the great restaurants or pubs dotted along the cobbled streets of Winchester.
Lydia Venn is Cosmopolitan UK’s Senior Entertainment and Lifestyle Writer. She covers everything from TV and film, to the latest celebrity news. She also writes across our work/life section regularly creating quizzes, covering exciting new food releases and sharing the latest interior must-haves. In her role she’s interviewed everyone from Margot Robbie to Niall Horan, and her work has appeared on an episode of The Kardashians. After completing a degree in English at the University of Exeter, Lydia moved into fashion journalism, writing for the Daily Express, before working as Features Editor at The Tab, where she spoke on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour and Talk Radio. She has an encyclopedic knowledge of Gilmore Girls and 00s teen movies, and in her free time can be found with a margarita in hand watching the Real Housewives on repeat. Find her on LinkedIn.
Roshina is a contributing editor to Hearst UK. She was previously Senior Travel Editor, where she covered titles including Country Living, Red, ELLE, Harper's Bazaar and Good Housekeeping.
When she's not scoping out the next destinations we should explore (Uzbekistan, the Austrian Alps, Tbilisi), she loves revisiting old favourites (Mauritius, the Dolomites, Istanbul) and spending summer in the mountains - especially when hiking or wrapped in a spa robe.
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