- What makes London an exciting city to visit?
- London is an amazing city, home to some iconic landmarks, world-class restaurants, amazing theaters, expansive parks, and super shopping districts, but it's also a very busy and lively city.
- Where can you go for a day trip from London?
- If ever you want to escape from the crowded city streets and noisy tube stations, or you just feel like trying somewhere different and seeing something new, there are plenty of excellent day trips that can be done from London by train.
Best Time for Day Trips from London by Train:
- March to May – Spring brings blooming gardens, mild temps, and perfect conditions for historic towns and countryside walks.
- June to August – Summer is ideal for coastal escapes, castle tours, and vibrant city day trips with longer daylight hours.
- September to October – Crisp air and golden light make for scenic train rides, vineyard visits, and charming villages.
- November – Cool and cozy—great for exploring museums, quaint high streets, and early festive markets.
- December to February – Winter brings charming Christmas lights, historic pubs, and peaceful cultural outings just outside the city.
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1. Brighton
Walk on the seaside pier and explore local shops during a fun summer escape.
Brighton is often regarded as one of the best beachfront cities in all of England and is perfectly positioned for Londoners and London visitors, being about an hour away from the capital by train. It's an excellent seaside resort and has even earned the nickname 'London's Beach' due to its popularity with visitors from the city.
To get to Brighton from London for your day trip, take the train from Victoria Station. Trains runs very frequently and the journey flies by in the blink of an eye. Once you get to Brighton, you’ll be free to explore the shops, restaurants, and the beach itself. Other key landmarks include The Royal Pavilion and the BA i360.
2. Windsor Castle
See royal chambers and stroll castle grounds on a majestic retirement visit.
Allegedly the Queen's favorite retreat, Windsor Castle is a truly magical place. It looks just like the sort of castles we imagine when reading fairy tales of princesses and dragons, and is set across over 13 acres of land in total, making it the biggest inhabited castle on Earth.
Trains set off for Windsor Castle from Paddington Station, and this is one of the most convenient day trips from London as it only takes around half an hour on the train to get there. You'll be getting off at the Windsor and Eton Central station and need only walk for 5-10 minutes to get to the castle.
3. Cliveden House
Tour elegant gardens and enjoy tea on a romantic countryside afternoon.
Another excellent day trip from London by train takes you to Cliveden House, a National Trust estate just on the border between Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. A gorgeous mansion surrounded by the inimitable beauty of the Chiltern Hills and right by the charming village of Taplow, Cliveden House is only around 45 minutes away from Central London.
To get there, you'll need to take a Great Western Railways train from Paddington Station to Taplow and then either take a taxi or make the walk around to the house. Cliveden House is a stunning location with a lot of history and heritage behind it, but it doesn't attract the same kinds of crowds as other historic sites like Windsor Castle, so it's a nice option for people looking for something quieter and calmer.
4. Stonehenge
Visit ancient stones and learn their mysteries during a quick historical stop.
One of the most iconic prehistoric monuments in the entire world, Stonehenge is one of Britain’s most visited and most intriguing landmarks. It’s around 90 miles away from London, so is perfect to do on a day trip. The train journey from London to Stonehenge takes around two and a half hours in total and runs from Waterloo Station to Salisbury.
From there, you can hop on board the Stonehenge Tour train direct to the Stonehenge Visitor Centre and start admiring the famous stone circle, as well as touring the local city of Salisbury and maybe even visiting other nearby landmarks like Woodhenge or other cities like Bath.
5. Oxford
Explore historic colleges and walk cobbled lanes on a weekend full of charm.
Oxford is one of the most famous cities in all of England due to its status as the home of Oxford University. The oldest university in the English speaking world and also one of the most successful, Oxford has helped to educate some of the finest minds throughout history and is a beautiful place to visit, with the surrounding city also being home to lots of attractive cobblestone streets and charming shops.
Oxford is easily accessible from London by train, with the journey taking around an hour and a half from Paddington Station direct into the center of Oxford. While there, be sure to visit the Ashmolean Museum and roam the city streets in search of pubs, tearooms, and shops.
6. Colchester
Discover Roman ruins and visit museums during a fall cultural adventure.
For a city experience completely unlike anything you might find in London, head off to Colchester. The oldest city in all of Britain, Colchester was the first settlement of the Romans, so many centuries ago, and has some astonishing history behind it. It's around 50 miles outside of London and is home to its own castle, as well as some interesting museums and historic sites.
Getting to Colchester from London is easy enough on the train. You'll need to get to Liverpool Street Station via the London Underground or buses first and then take a Greater Anglia train direct to Colchester. The journey takes around 45 minutes, and if you visit Colchester on a sunny day, you can extend your trip over to nearby Mersea Island for some super seafood restaurants and stunning sea views.
7. Warner Brothers Studio
Go behind the scenes and see props from Harry Potter with the kids.
Any Harry Potter fans or movie lovers will fall in love with the Warner Brothers Studio Tour, located just 20 miles outside of London. This studio tour location takes you behind the scenes of Warner Bros' classic Harry Potter films, allowing you to see real props and sets and walk around key locations like Diagon Alley.
For people who love Harry Potter, the Warner Brothers Studio Tour is truly one of the best attractions in the London area. To get there, you can take a train from London Euston to Watford Junction. The ride only takes about 20 minutes in total and trains run constantly throughout the day. At Watford Junction, you can take a bus over to the studio tour.
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