Best Day Trips From London

London is a beautiful place for a vacation, and there is so much to do.  It can be difficult to decide what are the top sites to see, but we have some ideas for you.  The following suggestions are accessible from London’s center and can be done as return day trips. They are cheap and will please families, mature travelers, and backpackers.

Leeds Castle

This is the castle to visit in the southeast of England. Built over 900 years ago on massive grounds, it’s the authentic castle experience; surrounded by a moat, restored in detail to the times when King Henry VIII feasted there, Leeds Castle is for the whole family.

The grounds include a huge hedge maze, an aviary, falconry displays, picnic facilities with play equipment, a golf course, and in-season jousting events. A National Express Coach leaves Victoria Station and takes under 1 ½ hours with the price of admission included in the ticket. For information on the best Castles to visit in the UK.

Colchester Zoo

London Zoo may be a nice day out, but Colchester Zoo wins hands down in terms of range, size, and value. A huge African section is a highlight, with daily opportunities to feed the Elephants and Giraffes. The amazing up-close penguin feeding sessions must be seen to be believed – if you get the chance: this Zoo is huge and may require subsequent visits. Only an hour by train on National Express from London Liverpool Street station.

Beaulieu’s Gardens and the National Motor Museum

Beaulieu is a classic English town, famous, amongst many other things, for its gardens. It’s a town with more than just aesthetics to offer, most notably the National Motor Museum, with over 250 classic and modern vehicles. On a similar theme, there’s The James Bond Experience with displays of Bond cars and other props from the films.

For history lovers, there’s the Secret Army Exhibition, a museum of old World War II secret operative information, or for the lover of classic history, there’s Beaulieu Abbey and Palace House, dating from the 13th century. This amazing visit is only 1 ½ hours from Waterloo Station in London. Further details on Beaulieu’s full range of activities can be found on their website.

Thorpe Park

For adventure seekers, younger travelers, or just the young at heart, Thorpe Park is a fantastic theme park only 45 minutes south of London. Taking the train from Waterloo Station to Staines, Thorpe Park is one of England’s biggest and most action-filled theme parks, with dozens of rides to choose from. Rides cater for the true stomach-churning thrill seeker to a good range of more laid-back ride options for junior visitors.

Blenheim Palace

This is arguably the most impressive mansion home in England and the former residence of Winston Churchill, who is now buried there. The 2000-acre property near Oxford is wonderfully maintained with austere paintings and tapestries throughout the many stately rooms. The grounds offer various entertainment from a secret garden, a butterfly house, a hedge maze, and an adventure playground. Only 1 ½ hours from London’s Paddington Station, it can be a great day out just on its own or coupled with a weekend trip to Oxford.

York

The farthest suggested day trip from London, York, should not be missed when you’re visiting the UK. The train ride from areas of London to York will be just a hair over two hours, still leaving you plenty of time to walk around and explore this historic walled city. Expect to spend anywhere from 20-100 GBP on your train ticket, with lesser costs for earlier bookings.

Eat and drink at Betty’s Tea Room, visit York Minster, or spend time at the Rail Museum or the Yorkshire Castle Museum. The Shambles includes cobblestone streets and loads of shopping. Depending on the season, you may find local craft shows, farmer’s markets, or vendors. A day trip from London to York is worth your time.

Windsor and Windsor Castle

No trip to London would be complete without a day trip outside of the city limits to see Windsor Castle. Take a train from London to Windsor, less than an hour, depending on your London location. In addition to Windsor Castle, one of the Queen’s residences with spectacular grounds and opportunities for exploration and sightseeing, Windsor offers plenty of tourist activity. Visit Eton College or take an open-top bus tour of the city that will let you take in the sights without loads of walking around!

Bath

Take a train from London-King’s Cross to Bath Spa-the journey is just a shade under two hours and may cost as little as 25 GBP when booked in advance. This gorgeous spa town (also a World Heritage Site) boasts a wealth of history and beauty, including Roman Baths and Pump Rooms, Bath Abbey, and Pulteney Bridge, to name a few. Spend a day strolling through the city’s stone walls and beautiful gardens, taking photographs, enjoying delicious food, visiting the sites, and then hop a train back to London in the evening.

Brighton

Brighton is another simple train ride away from London, this time with just over 90 minutes of travel time and potentially as little as 15 GBP a ticket. Brighton is a beautiful coastal town, offering scenic strolls along the water, beach opportunities when the weather cooperates, and historical sites such as the Royal Pavilion within the city center. When the weather cooperates, a day in Brighton is the perfect day trip from London.

Legoland Windsor

If you’ve brought the kids with you to London, take the time to spend a day at Legoland Windsor, a popular amusement park for kids of all ages. According to the Legoland website, trains run from London Waterloo to both Windsor and Eton Riverside, and then guests can take a shuttle to the park.

Legoland is open from mid-April on and off through October, and prices range from free (under threes) to 35 GBP (adults). After tons of sightseeing in London and some day trips outside the city limits for more history and exploration, your children will love a day to burn off some energy and have fun!

Don’t spend your time in London cooped up inside the city limits. Instead, take advantage of the UK’s wonderful rail system and start exploring the island. No matter the direction you head, or the age of your party, when you leave the city center, England has much to offer travelers from across the globe with these best day trips from London.