London is a great city to explore, but there are also amazing places nearby that make for great day trips from London.
Even though seeing Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, and all the other sights in the city is great, you should not miss out on the places nearby the city.
Whether you like seeing beautiful historic buildings or you like going to a place with great viewpoints, you can visit many great places. I included a large variety of locations to this list so there’s definitely something for you! From large cities with many sights to beautiful towns, there’s are many London day trips to choose from!
Best Day Trips From London
Oxford
Distance from London: 1.5 hours
Oxford is an amazing place for a day trip. It is possible to go to the city of Oxford from London in about 1.5 hours by car or train.
Oxford is a lovely town that is known because of the University of Oxford, which is one of the oldest universities in the world.
Moreover, throughout the city of Oxford, you can find a lot of beautiful historic buildings. What’s great is that there are many different styles of architecture in the city.
Furthermore, Oxford is home to many very good museums.
For example, the Natural History Museum in Oxford is a great museum to check out if you want to learn new things about the history of the planet.
Cambridge
Distance from London: 1.5 hours
You can reach the city of Cambridge from London in about 1.5 hours by car and a bit quicker by train, so this is another city that you can visit for one day.
Cambridge, like the city of Oxford, is known for its famous university. Cambridge University is also one of the oldest universities in the world and it is one of the best museums as well. The museum was founded at the beginning of the 13th century.
Cambridge has a lot of interesting historic sights that you can visit, such as the King’s College Chapel.
Also, you can check out the Cambridge University Botanic Garden when you are doing a day trip. This is a lovely place with beautiful nature that is perfect if you want to go for a relaxing stroll.
Canterbury
Distance from London: 1.5 hours
Canterbury is a great city for a day trip from London that you can reach by car and by train in about 1.5 hours.
This city is famous because it is a very historic place.
The city is on the UNESCO World Heritage Site and you can find a lot of amazing historic sights here, including very beautiful picturesque houses.
For example, you can see the Canterbury Cathedral here, which is a very large and beautifully decorated cathedral that can be very nice to see.
Also, you can go to The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge, which is a very interesting museum.
Another interesting place to check out here is the Canterbury Roman Museum. At this museum, you can learn about the history of the city.
Birmingham
Distance from London: 2.5 hours
The city of Birmingham can be reached from London in 2.5 hours by car. Also, you can get to the city by train in a bit more than 2 hours.
Birmingham is a large city that played an important role in the Industrial Revolution and it is still an important city. In Birmingham, you can find a lot of historic buildings that date back to that time.
Also, you can find a lot of great museums in Birmingham.
One of the best museums to visit when you are spending a day in Birmingham is the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.
Furthermore, Cadbury World is a great place to go if you like the popular chocolate and candy brand.
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens can be great to visit when you are in the city as well. You can go for a relaxing walk in these gardens.
Bournemouth
Distance from London: 2.5 hours
Bournemouth is a resort town that you can find on the south coast of the United Kingdom.
It is a lovely place with a lot of great things to do and see.
For example, you explore the center of Bournemouth and see great Victorian architecture.
Besides that, Bournemouth has very beautiful beaches that are perfect if you want to have a relaxing time.
Furthermore, you can check out the Bournemouth Pier. On this pier, there are various attractions.
Also, there are many live music venues in Bournemouth. One of these is the O2 Academy Bournemouth.
Furthermore, there are great museums, such as the Russell Cotes Art Gallery & Museum in Bournemouth.
What’s nice about the town as well is that there are many viewpoints.
Cardiff
Distance from London: 3 hours
In less than 3 hours, you can get from London to the city of Cardiff, the capital of Wales. By public transport, you can get there even faster making it a perfect city if you’re looking for London day trips.
Cardiff has a large metropolitan area population of more than 1 million people.
You can find a lot of great things to do and see in Cardiff.
For example, you can go here to check out the National Museum Cardiff. This is a museum that you can visit for free that houses a collection of art, objects related to natural history, and much more.
Another interesting place to visit when you are doing a day trip to Cardiff is Cardiff Castle. This i a historic structure that played an important role in the city’s history.
Besides these places, there are many great places to check out!
Bath
Distance from London: 2.5 hours
Bath is a very old city that you can find in Somerset in England.
The city is known for its baths that were built by the Romans.
When you are in Bath, you have to check out the historic baths in the city. These baths are also why the city is listed as a World Heritage Site
But there’s much more to do and see in Bath.
For example, you can find a lot of great examples of Georgian architecture in the city.
Also, you can find many historic theaters here where you can see a great show.
And what’s great is that there are many unique places to shop in Bath.
Leeds
Distance from London: 3.5 hours
Leeds is a city that you can find in England to the north of London. From London, you can get to the city in 3.5 hours by car, but you can get there much faster by train. By train, you can reach the city of Leeds from London in about 2.5 hours.
Leeds has a lot of great museums that make the city worth visiting if you’re looking for day trips from London.
For example, you can find the Royal Armouries Museum in the city where you can learn about history. Furthermore, the Thackray Museum of Medicine is also a very interesting museum, here you can learn about the medical industry.
Furthermore, you should definitely check out the Kirkstall Abbey when you are in Leeds. Here, you can see historically important ruins of a church.
Also, some of the UK’s best music festivals take place in the city of Leeds.
Exeter
Distance from London: 3.5 hours
Exeter is a city near London that is located in the southwestern part of the United Kingdom. From London, you can get to the city in about 3.5 hours by car and in about 2.5 hours by public transport.
Exeter is a very old city where you can find a lot of historic sights and interesting museums.
Also, the atmosphere of the city makes the city great to visit.
Some of the highlights of the city include the Exeter Cathedral, a very historic cathedral, and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery, a very interesting museum in the city.
Stoke-on-Trent
Distance from London: 3 hours
Stoke-on-Trent is a place that you can reach from London in about 3 hours by car. Or you can get there by train, which will take you about 2.5 hours.
Stoke-on-Trent, or Stoke, has a lot to offer that can be great to see and do when you visit the city.
One of the things that Stoke-on-Trent is famous for is its former pottery industry. You can learn about this industry at The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery or the Gladstone Pottery Museum.
Furthermore, you could see a show at the Regent Theatre when you are doing a day trip to the city. This is a very beautiful historic theater with a very detailed interior.
Another place to check out when you are in Stoke is the Trentham Monkey Forest.
Coventry
Distance from London: 2 hours
When considering a day trip from London to another city, you should definitely consider Coventry. You can reach this city by car in about 2 hours and by train in less than 1 hour.
One of the best things to do in Coventry is to go to the Coventry Transport Museum. This is a museum where you can see lots of historic vehicles.
Also, you can go to the Coventry Cathedral, which is a beautiful historic church building.
Furthermore, the Midlands Air Museum is a very interesting place if you want to learn about the aviation industry of Coventry and nearby places.
Also, for art lovers, the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum is a very nice place to check out!
Southend-on-Sea
Distance from London: 1.5 hours
Southend-on-Sea is a resort town that you can find very close to the city of London. By car and train, you can get to the city in about 1.5 hours.
This resort town can be great to visit if you want to have fun. That’s because Southend-on-Sea has a lot of fun attractions and sights.
For example, you can find Adventure Island here, which is a fun amusement park.
Also, you can go to Sealife Adventure to see and learn about marine life.
The Palace Theatre is a great theater to check out as well. This is a very beautiful theater with a beautiful interior and you can see very good shows at this place.
Ipswich
Distance from London: 2 hours
Ipswitch is a city that you can reach from London in close to 2 hours.
In Ipswitch, you can find the Ipswitch Museum, which covers a lot of different aspects of the city. For example, you can learn about natural history here.
Also, you can go to the Ipswitch Transport Museum and see historic vehicles.
The city also has a lot of places where you can enjoy great entertainment. For example, you can find New Wolsey Theatre in the city.
Chelmsford
Distance from London: 1.5 hours
Chelmsford is a charming city that is located in the county of Essex. This city is very near the city of London. You can reach the city within 1.5 hours, so a day trip to the city can perfectly be done.
If you like architecture, that can be one of the reasons to visit Chelmsford.
For example, you can find the Chelmsford Cathedral and the Hylands House in the city. Both of these places are great examples of beautiful and interesting architecture.
Also, you can check out one of the museums in Chelmsford and learn a lot of new things. For example, you can go to the Essex Police Museum or the Chelmsford Museum.
Furthermore, you could go to Chelmsford Escape Rooms to play a fun escape game.
Colchester
Distance from London: 2 hours
From London, you can get to the city of Colchester in about 1 hour and 45 minutes by car, and you can get there in about 1 hour by train.
Colchester has a lot of great sights that you can check out making it a perfect destination for a London day trip. For example, you can go to Colchester Castle, which is an interesting museum where you can learn about history. Furthermore, the Hollytrees Museum is an interesting museum to check out as well!
Also, it can be great to see a show at the Headgate Theatre.
Furthermore, what’s great is that there are many beautiful places with nature in the city of Colchester. For example, you can go for a walk at the Green Island Gardens.
York
Distance from London: 3.5 hours
York is a lovely cathedral city that you can visit during a day trip from London. This city has a very rich history and its history traces back to the time of the Romans.
Moreover, York has a beautiful city center with historic architecture and a city wall that surrounds it.
Two of the most beautiful historic buildings in the city to check out are the York Minster and Clifford’s Tower.
Moreover, you can go to the National Railway Museum York to learn about railways and trains.
Also, it can be interesting to visit the York Castle Museum. This is a museum where you can learn about a part of the city’s history.
Want to learn about the darkest parts of York’s history? Then, you can go to the York Dungeon.
Leicester
Distance from London: 2.5 hours
Leicester is a city that you can find in England and is quite close to the city of London. It is the largest city in the East Midlands in England. Also, it belongs to the 13 most populous cities in the United Kingdom.
You can find the city on the River Soar and it has a very long history.
That’s because there was already a town here during Roman times. And Leicester was an important town in the Middle Ages.
When you are doing a trip to the city, you can check out the Leicester Museum and Art Gallery to see great art and learn about the city at the same time.
Also, you can go to the King Richard III Visitor Centre, which can be very interesting.
Another interesting sight in the city to check out is the National Space Centre. Here, you can learn about science.
Manchester
Distance from London: 4 hours
Manchester is one of the UK’s largest cities and it’s one of the best London day trips. The metropolitan area of the city of Manchester is larger than 2.5 million.
Manchester’s history goes back to the Romans when the city began as a Roman fort.
Throughout the years, the city had an important role.
Nowadays, it is a bustling city with many great sights and landmarks that you can check out.
For example, you can go to the Science and Industry Museum and learn about the city’s role in both of these subjects.
Also, the Manchester Art Gallery can be great to visit for art lovers.
Furthermore, Manchester is a popular city for soccer fans, as Manchester United F.C. is located in the city. Also, you can go to the National Football Museum to learn about this when you are doing this day trip.
Swindon
Distance from London: 2 hours
From London, you can get to Swindon in less than 2 hours by car and by train.
Swindon has a lot of great places to check out.
For example, you can go to The Museum of Computing when you are here, which can be very fun.
What’s great too is that you can check out the Richard Jefferies Museum here.
Swindon is also great if you like to shop. If you do, you can go to the Designer Outlet Swindon to shop for great clothes for a more affordable price.
Southampton
Distance from London: 2 hours
Southampton is a city that you can reach from London in about 2 hours by car. Also, you can get to the city in a bit more than 2 hours by train.
In Southampton, you can go to the SeaCity Museum. This is an interactive museum where you can learn about the Titanic and a variety of other subjects.
Also, you can check out the Southampton City Art Gallery if you like to see art when you are in Southampton.
Furthermore, you could combine going to Southampton and Stonehenge, as this iconic landmark is almost on the route from London to Southampton.
Portsmouth
Distance from London: 2 hours
From London, you can get to the city of Portsmouth in less than 2 hours.
Portsmouth is a city that you can find next to Bournemouth.
When you are in Portsmouth, you can check out the National Museum of the Royal Navy, which is very interesting.
Also, the Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery can be great to go to if you want to learn about the city’s history, culture, and people.
Furthermore, you could go to the Spinnaker Tower. You can go to the top of the tower and see the city from above from there.
Another great sight to check out when visiting Portsmouth is The Mary Rose. This is a historic vessel that belonged to Henry VIII.
Plymouth
Distance from London: 4 hours
Plymouth is located a bit further away from London than most of the places on this list of day trips from London. By car, you can get to Plymouth in about 4 hours, and by train, this takes approximately 3.5 hours.
Plymouth is a lovely city that you can find in Devon, which lies in the southwestern part of English.
This city has a lot of great places where you can learn about the Navy.
Also, you can find the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth. This is a beautiful aquarium with lots of different species of animals.
Furthermore, there are lots of places in Plymouth where you can get a great view of the coast. If you like views, then the city can be great to go to!
Reading
Distance from London: 1.5 hours
You can reach the town of Reading from London in about 30 minutes by train and in about 1.5 hour by car. So the city makes for a very easy day trip from the UK’s capital.
Reading is a town that you can find on the Thames and Kennet rivers.
When you are in the town, you can go to the Reading Museum, to learn more about the town’s history and culture.
Also, you can go to the Museum of Berkshire Aviation to learn about the aviation industry. And the Cole Museum of Zoology is a great place to visit in the city as well.
Also, the Reading Festival takes place in the town every year. At this festival, you can attend great music by the world’s best artists.
Liverpool
Distance from London: 4 hours
Liverpool, one of the largest cities in the UK, is also one of the best places to spend one day from London.
Liverpool is known for its music industry and many other things.
You can get from London to Liverpool in about 4 hours by car. However, when you travel there by train, you can do the trip in 2.5 hours, which is much more convenient for a day trip from London.
One of the best sights in Liverpool that you can check out is The Beatles Story Exhibition. This is an interesting museum that is all about the popular music group The Beatles.
Also, you can go to the Walker Art Gallery when you are in Liverpool. This is a very nice art gallery where you can see beautiful art.
Another great place to check out is the Liverpool Cathedral.
This is a historic building with beautiful architecture that you can find in the city and that you can check out.
Norwich
Distance from London: 2.5 hours
Another great city for a day trip is Norwich.
This is a city that you can find in the district of Norfolk and the city is located to the north-east of London.
The city has a lot of great medieval sights to check out.
For example, you can see cobblestone streets in Norwich and there are a lot of beautiful medieval buildings.
For example, you can see The Guildhall when you are here. Also, St Andre’s Hall looks great.
Furthermore, there are other half-timbered houses in Norwich that are very nice to see.
Another interesting side is Norwich Castle.
Derby
Distance from London: 3 hours
Derby is a city that you can find on the River Derwent in England.
You can get to the city of London by car in less than 3 hours. Also, you can reach the city in less than 2 hours when traveling there by train.
Derby is a lovely city with a nice atmosphere.
In the city, you can find the Derby Museum & Art Gallery.
Also, you can go to the Museum of Making at Derby Silk Mill. This is an interesting museum where you can learn about the history of industry.
A great way to end your day trip to Derby is by going to the Derby Theatre. This is a performing arts theater where lots of great shows take place.
Poole
Distance from London: 2.5 hours
You can get from London to Poole in about 2.5 hours by car and in about 3 hours by train.
Poole is a lovely town on the coast of Dorset.
Poole has very large beaches that are beautiful.
Also, there is a nice Old Town with interesting historic architecture which makes it one of the best day trips from London for history lovers.
Besides that, you can find a lot of great things to do in Poole.
For example, you could go to the Poole Museum. This is a museum where you can learn about the town’s history.
Also, you can go to the Russell Cotes Art Gallery & Museum.
The Oceanarium that you can find here is also very interesting. Here, you can learn about marine animals.
Another interesting place to go to is the National Motor Museum. This museum is all about a variety of motor vehicles.
Peterborough
Distance from London: 2 hours
Another day trip to consider is one to the city of Peterborough.
This is a cathedral city that you can find in Cambridgeshire.
From London, you can reach the city in less than 2 hours.
Peterborough is a lovely city with many historic places.
For example, you can check out the Peterborough Cathedral when you go here. This is a large and historic cathedral.
Also, you can go to the Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery. This museum has a lot of interesting exhibits that together tell the story of the city. Also, you can see a great collection of art here.
Gloucester
Distance from London: 2 hours
Gloucester is a city that can be reached from London in a bit more than 2 hours by car. Also, you can get here by train in about 2 hours as well.
Gloucester is a lovely city that you can find near the Cotswolds. So if you want to combine going to Gloucester and the Cotswolds, this is a great place for that.
In Gloucester, you can see the very beautiful Gloucester Cathedral.
Also, you can check out the Museum of Gloucester here, which is an interesting museum that focuses on local history.
Besides that, there are lots of great theaters in the city where you can enjoy a performance. For example, you can go to Folk of Gloucester for that.
Nottingham
Distance from London: 3 hours
Nottingham is a city that is located about 110 miles from London. You can get to Nottingham from London in less than 3 hours by car or by public transport.
Nottingham is known for the legend of Robin Hood.
The city has so much to offer if you want to have a fun day.
For example, you can go to the Arboretum and go for a walk there.
Also, you can check out the Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall and attend a concert there.
Another interesting place to visit in the city of Nottingham, especially if you like historic places, is Nottingham Castle.
Furthermore, the Nottingham Industrial Museum is a very interesting place to check out. This museum focuses on the local industrial history of the city, which is an interesting topic to learn about.
Bristol
Distance from London: 2 hours
The city of Bristol can be reached from London in 1.5 hours by train. Also, you can go to Bristol by car in 2 hours and 15 minutes. If you’re doing a day trip from London to this city, traveling by train is more convenient.
Bristol’s sights include great historic places, museums, gardens, and much more.
For example, it can be great to go to the Bristol Cathedral when you are doing this day trip.
Also, the Bristol Aquarium is a very interesting place to check out. This is an aquarium where you can see marine animals and learn about them.
Want to learn more about animals? Then, you can go to the Bristol Zoo Gardens. Here, you can see a lot of different species of animals.
Swansea
Distance from London: 3 hours
Swansea is another top destination for a day trip from the city of London. By car, you can get to the city of Swansea in about 3 hours. And by train, you can get there a bit faster.
There are lots of great sights to check out when you are in Swansea.
For example, you can go to The National Waterfront Museum. At this museum, you can learn about the history of Wales during the industrial revolution and during other periods in history.
Also, you can go to the Swansea Castle when you are in the city. This is a historic castle that is very interesting to see.
Furthermore, if you want to see art, you can go to the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery. This place has a wonderful collection of art that is showcased in a beautiful building.
Furthermore, the Swansea Museum can be interesting to go to if you want to learn about the city of Swansea.
Cheltenham
Distance from London: 2 hours
Cheltenham is a spa town that you can find close to the Cotswolds.
The city is known for its spa since it was discovered at the beginning of the 18th century.
From London, you can get to Cheltenham in a bit more than 2 hours by car. Also, you can reach the city at that same time by train.
Some great places to check out when you are in Cheltenham are the Wilson Art Gallery and Museum, the Cheltenham Town Hall, and the Everyman Theatre.
Furthermore, what’s great is that many festivals take place in Cheltenham throughout the year.
Sheffield
Distance from London: 3 hours
From London, you can get to Sheffield in about 3 hours by car and in about 2.5 hours by train.
You can find the city of Sheffield in South Yorkshire.
In Sheffield, you can go to the Sheffield Botanical Gardens. These gardens are perfect for a relaxing stroll.
Also, you can check out the Kelham Island Museum if you want to learn about history.
The National Emergency Services Museum is yet another great museum to check out if you want to learn new things.
Furthermore, you can go to the Millennium Gallery. Here, you can see many different types of art, including paintings and illustrations.
Also, if you want to end your one day in the city of Sheffield in a fun way, you can go to the Crucible Theatre. This is a performing arts theater where you can enjoy great performances throughout the year.
Luton
Distance from London: 1 hours
The town of Luton is also one of the best day trips from London. You can find Luton on the River Lea and you can reach the city from the capital of the UK in a bit more than 1 hour by car, and in about 30 minutes by train.
Luton is a town that is packed with great sights. For example, you can find the Stockwood Discovery Centre here.
This is a museum that is about local history, geology, archaeology, and much more.
Also, you can go to Stockwood Park when you are in Luton. Here, you can find beautiful gardens that are perfect for a relaxing walk.
Another sight that can be great to check out is St Mary’s Church. This is a historic church with a beautiful design that you have to check out for sure!
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London Day Trips Tips
When you are considering doing these London day trips, you might want to do them by car. Keep in mind that traveling to the places on this list is often quicker by train!
Also, when deciding on when you want to do these day trips, I recommend checking out if there are events that take place at the places that you want to go to that you might want to attend.
For example, there might be a fun festival in Oxford. Then, you can play your day trip on the days of the festival for an even better time.
Also, some of the places on this list are very near each other, and you could visit two places in one day.
I hope I helped you find some places you want to visit! As you see, there are many great day trips from London to choose from.