Yahoo Lifestyle Our favourite day trips from London for your next weekend trip
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.
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.
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.
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.
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