If you have extra time in London and are interested in taking a few day trips from London while you’re there, this blog post is perfect for you.
London is an incredibly interesting city, but after a few days you’ll surely get the urge to leave the crowds and find other locations around the city to explore. There are so many fun locations around London worth visiting. You could never visit them all, but this post will focus on my absolute favorites which have left me in awe and excited for weeks after visiting!
Keep reading to find out what are the best day trips from London by train!
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WHY TAKE DAY TRIPS FROM LONDON BY TRAIN
London is massive with many train stations all over the city. The trains are very well connected and super easy to use, so if you’re searching for the perfect way of transportation in London, trains are your best bet. The trains are a bit more expensive than other modes of transportation, but its way more comfortable and honestly much quicker than any other way.
All the popular destinations and major cities around England are perfectly connected to central London, with frequent train lines. If you want to take day trips from London, I would highly recommend skipping all other options and booking train tickets. I usually book all my tickets through Trainline. They give you the best deal they can at the moment of purchasing!
BEST DAY TRIPS FROM LONDON BY TRAIN:
CAMBRIDGE
Cambridge is one of the most famous university towns, not only in England but in the world. It’s only 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of London, so you can get to Cambridge quite quickly. That’s one of the reasons why this is one of the most popular day trips from London. You can get a train to Cambridge from two London train stations, London King’s Cross and London Liverpool Street.
We booked our train from London Liverpool Street and our train ride was just over an hour long. The tickets were around 20£ (25 euros) per person for a return ticket. The trains are comfortable, with a few stops in between, and I would highly recommend them.
Cambridge is a perfect day trip for you if you love old, historical towns, and especially if you’re interested in exploring the Cambridge Colleges. Some of the most popular and most architecturally interesting are the King’s College, Trinity College, and St. John’s College. While you’re in Cambridge, you should also go punting on the River Cam. Punting is a perfect outdoor activity unique to Cambridge.
If you decide to visit Cambridge, read this guide on how to spend a perfect one day in Cambridge. It will give you more information and additional inspiration.
WINDSOR
One of many great day trips from London is most certainly Windsor. This small town is one of the most visited locations near London because it’s home to the magnificent Windsor Castle. Windsor is around 30 kilometers (20 miles) west of central London and you can reach it easily by train.
There are 2 London train stations which have trains calling at Windsor – London Waterloo Station and London Paddington. London Waterloo is the only one with a direct train, so I would recommend that one over Paddington. Windsor also has two train stations, named Windsor & Eton Central and Windsor & Eton Riverside. Both are equally close to the castle, so it doesn’t matter which one you pick.
We booked our train from Waterloo Station to Windsor & Eton Riverside and it was a fairly comfortable ride. The train ride was direct and just under an hour, which was more than enjoyable.
Once you leave the train, you’ll see the stunning Windsor Castle immediately from the train station. It will take you only a few minutes to reach the key landmark of the town.
The Windsor Castle is a must visit on your day trip to Windsor – it’s huge, impressive, and architecturally breathtaking. It’s worth every penny and it will take you at least two hours to do the whole tour of the castle.
Once you’re finished, make sure you explore the town of Windsor, as well as walk to Eton and check out Eton College – one of the most prestigious schools in England. Finally, if you have the time, consider taking “The Long Walk” to Windsor. For more details on this great day trip, read my guide to a perfect day in Windsor here!
HARRY POTTER STUDIOS
If you’re a Harry Potter fan, this is a day trip you MUST take. Harry Potter Studios are located in Watford, only 20 minutes from London by train. It’s one of the most fun day trips from London you could take, because for a day you’ll get to live inside your favorite fantasy world.
To reach Watford, you need to grab a train from London Euston to Watford Junction. There are 2 train lines – one takes 20 minutes and one over 40, so make sure you choose the quicker one. Once you’re there, in front of the Watford Junction Station there’s a free bus that takes you to the Harry Potter Studios. They go frequently and the drive is around 15 minutes.
Harry Potter Studios are magical, and you’ll be blown away! The Studios showcase the exact sets on which they filmed our favorite films. You’ll get to see the classrooms, the magnificent Great Hall, Dumbledore’s office, Hogwarts Express, and many more important locations.
Make sure you book your tickets in advance, and if you’re visiting on your birthday, make sure you tell them – you’re in for a surprise!
If this day trip is on your itinerary, check out my full guide on Harry Potter Studios, Hogwarts in the Snow edition!
BRISTOL
If you want a cool city to visit, Bristol is only a train ride away! This vibrant city is known for many things, but especially for its interesting architecture and lively cultural scene. Bristol is very loved by the younger population, so if you’re looking for a cool place to enjoy with your friends, this is the place to be!
Bristol is around 190 kilometers (120 miles) from London, and it will take you around an hour and a half by train to reach it. The trains for Bristol leave from London Paddington Station and arrive at Bristol Temple Meads. From there, you have a 20-minute walk to the city center. The return ticket for us was around 65£ per person, but if you book in advance, you can find them for cheaper!
Once you’re in Bristol, make sure you check out the following locations:
Bristol Harborside for great harbor views and excellent restaurants, the Clifton Suspension Bridge for some of the most breathtaking views of Bristol, Brandon Hill for some peace and quiet in the oldest park in town, Bristol Cathedral for iconic sights of Gothic architecture, and St. Nicolas Market for excellent shopping experience.
Here’s my complete guide for a great Bristol walking tour!
BATH
If you’re more of a history lover, Bath is the town of your dreams! Only a few miles from Bristol, and around 115 miles from London, Bath is a historical gem you must visit. Home to the most famous Roman baths in the UK, Bath attracts many visitors all throughout the year.
You can book a train from London Paddington to Bath Spa. The train ride is around an hour and 20 minutes, and the train station is right in the city center. Bath and Bristol are only one train stop apart, so you might consider doing those two day trips together. We did exactly that! We spent the night in Bristol and visited Bath on the second day. The train tickets to Bath are quite expensive, but can be found for a normal price if you book in advance.
Once you arrive to Bath, there are so many locations you’ll need to visit. Firstly, fairly close to the train station, you’ll find the Pulteney Bridge, one of the most iconic bridges in England. The bridge has shops on both sides, and there’s a dam right below it, making it one of the most beautiful views in Bath. There are also the iconic Roman Baths as well as the stunning Bath Abbey, where you need to climb the church tower for the best views of Bath.
If you’re a Bridgeton fan, you’ll also have a great time exploring all the Bridgeton filming locations. For more in-depth information on Bath, check out my post on the 5 best things to do in Bath!
KEW GARDENS
If you’re looking for something that’s really close to London and is great even for a half-day trip, Kew Gardens is the perfect option. Kew Gardens are the Royal Botanic Gardens, located in southwest London. You can reach them easily by train or even the Tube. If you’re in central London, you can book a train leaving from London Waterloo Station and be in Kew Gardens in less than half an hour. If you’re close to a Tube station which operates District line, you can use the Tube to get to the botanic gardens.
The Kew Gardens are absolutely huge, with around 330 acres of landscaped gardens and iconic structures. If you like nature, plants and flowers especially, you can definitely spend the whole day there. Some of the most important structures you must see are the Temperate House, Kew Palace, Treetop Walkway, Japanese Garden and Pagoda, and many more. For more details on these stunning gardens, check out my guide to a day in Kew Gardens!
