Exploring London is always a good idea, and while the city is full of gorgeous sites and attractions, there is also a whole life just outside of it! Once you are done exploring Britain’s capital city, we suggest making time for day trips to catch glimpses of what is happening nearby. So book one of the cosy lodges near London, and let’s dive into the best day trips from London!
Stonehenge
One of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments is only a short ride away from London, and while you have the opportunity, it is imperative that you visit it!
Built almost 5000 years ago during the Neolithic period, Stonehenge was a mystery for a long time before finding out its origins and reason. While some are still debating, it is most likely that the impressive stone temple was established for spiritual purposes!
Manchester
London’s cousin, in having quite a similar vibe regarding its vibrancy and loudness, Manchester is yet another stunning city to visit during the day.
Start with an English Breakfast after your departure, then carry on exploring the Manchester Cathedral and People’s History Museum! Once the historical touring gets a bit much, go see the city’s pride and joy – National Football Museum, and if you have the time, stop by John Ryland Library. Once your day is over, jump on the train from Manchester to London, and you are home in no time!
Bath
This historic town is one of the best ways to spend your day away from London, only if it is to see what England looks like without crowds of tourists and loud entertainment!
The picturesque Bath is protected by UNESCO, and its main feature is the Roman Baths, ancient tubs built around thermal springs that have been supplying water for over two thousand years! First, check it out, then, later on, get lost in Bath’s beautiful narrow streets or the famous Royal Victoria Park.
Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour
While most presume that the studio is in London, in reality, it is a bit out of the way, though quite close. In any case, the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour is the perfect candidate for your day trip, as it will actually take you a lot of time to explore the magical world and all there is to know about it! Perfect for both children and adults, this Harry Potter museum, so to say, is one of the top attractions in England, so you might as well consider it!
Oxford
There are several famous university towns in the UK, but Oxford is undoubtedly the most magical one. Completely invigorating, Oxford is lively, picturesque, and also very traditional, allowing you to live out your Dark Academia episode!
Check out the Christ Church Cathedral, the Ashmolean Museum of art and archeology, and, most importantly, the university campus!
Brighton & Seven Sisters
Brighton is known as one of the most admirable coastal cities in the UK, with its lovely seaside and quiet scenery. At the same time, stop by the white cliffs of Seven Sisters, a staggering natural gem of white chalk and individual naming! The ridges are best seen from Seaford Head, where you get a clear image of the Seven Sisters and can even see the eighth one beginning to form!
Cambridge
Well, if we are visiting Oxford, it would be a crime not to visit Cambridge as well! These two generally go together, being the highest-valued and a couple of the oldest universities in the world, not to mention the iconic campuses they both have!
Take your time inspecting the town, but make sure to stop by King’s College Chapel, Trinity College, Queen’s College, and Wren Library. You should also see the Bridge of Sighs, one of the most iconic monuments in Cambridge!
White Cliffs of Dover
After a short ride from London, explore one of nature’s blessings to the UK – the White Cliffs of Dover.
Composed of chalk, the cliffs stand at 350 feet in height and stretch for 8 miles. The area was even used during both World Wars and served as an essential line for England’s defenses! Nowadays, people travel to Dover just to admire the rugged natural beauty of it all and perhaps even to meet some of the wildlings living there!
Bampton Village and Highclere Castle
Sounds a bit random? Well, if we are paying proper British tribute to Harry Potter and Warner Bros, we should pay the same amount of respect to Downton Abbey!
Absolutely loved in all of the UK, the show is one of the most popular productions in Britain of all time, and people go crazy over how close some of the filming sites are to London. For example, Highclere Castle is a famous countryside mansion on its own, but knowing that it is constantly used by the crew of Downton Abbey makes all the difference!
Lacock
Another one for your day trip from London, consider Lacock, a scenic, picturesque town in rural Wiltshire, quite close to Bath!
Founded in the Saxon Era, most of Lacock’s establishments are so well preserved they look the same as they did back then, creating a whole aura of authenticity and legacy. Apart from the monasteries and the cottages, explore Lacock Abbey, which is also media-famous! Downton Abbey, Harry Potter, and even productions of Pride and Prejudice were filmed here!
Warwick Castle
Last but not least, consider spending your day in the most real medieval castle the UK has ever seen!
Dating back over a thousand years, Warwick Castle was always a unique site of traditional historical myths, stories of the English throne, battles, and royal splendor! Sadly, the castle is relatively overlooked, so make sure to give it a proper amount of attention! You can take guided tours to learn more, but keep your eyes wide open for medieval architecture.
Hopefully, some of our day trips caught your attention, and you are filling in your itinerary right now! If not, grab a pen – London and its neighbors await. Enjoy both the fun and the historical sides of your tour, and have the best time on your English adventure. Good luck!
