London, England, is a popular travel destination for world travelers, and once you fall in love with this fantastic city, chances are you will be hooked. For people that frequently cross the pond or visit the London area, the possibilities in, near, and outside the city seem almost endless.
That said, if you are planning to spend more than three days in the city, then you should definitely take the opportunity to get out of London and explore the rest of the United Kingdom. To assist, here are the ten best day trips from London to add to the itinerary for all the wanderlusters.
10 Bath & Stonehenge
One particular day trip that is an absolute must is a short jaunt to see a few of the staple attractions. Only a few hours away, visitors can explore Bath and the famous Stonehenge—all in one trip if you book a tour or excursion in advance (popular tours like this one often sell out fast).
These iconic spots are brimming with history and are fun for the whole family. For those who prefer not to spend an entire day seeing all the sights, there are also individual tours available for either place and faster options like taking the train instead of a car or tour bus.
9 Cliffs Of Dover, Dover Castle & The English Channel
Yet another option to cross off your bucket list is a nice leisurely trip out to the Cliffs of Dover, Dover Castle, and the English Channel. As travelers make their way toward the towering white cliffs, the castle and the expansive English Channel are easily visible.
But visitors should check out all three of these significant spots. Go for a stroll along the shore of this marvelous waterway and get a different perspective of the 350-foot tall cliffs.
After spending some time below, it is highly recommended that you make your way up to Dover Castle for a tour of this historic structure/military fortress and its strategically-designed grounds.
8 The Cotswolds
For travelers looking to see a breathtaking little countryside village with all the British trimmings, they needn't look any further than The Cotswolds. This lesser-known spot is only a few hours away from central London (via train or by car) and is an excellent option for anyone craving the quintessential British experience.
In order to visit this charming town, just book a full-day tour (group, small, or private) in advance. When booking this delightful excursion, don’t forget to splurge a little and add on the morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea.
7 Cambridge Or Oxford University
These universities need no introduction. Both are beautiful colleges with history, easy to navigate, and are a perfect day trip from London. Here visitors will find other must-see attractions they can explore, plus a wealth of quaint cafés, bars, and restaurants.
No matter which college you choose to visit, the travel time to get to either is under two hours by bus or train. This is one of the more affordable options and is great for architecture lovers and history buffs.
So stop by Cambridge or Oxford University if you want to get out of the bustling city for a day or just a few hours.
6 Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour
Harry Potter fans can delight in all the parts of London that pay homage to the books and movies. Travelers can opt for self-guided tours and small groups in the city or opt for the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour.
Here, die-hard fans can enjoy "Potter" in all its glory just outside the city. Not only can movie lovers relive some of the best scenes from Harry Potter, but they also can learn absolutely everything there is to know about these beloved films and see just how they were made.
5 Downton Abbey TV & Film Locations
Likewise, Downton Abbey fans can get in on the action and check out the various filming locations for this iconic hit tv series. This is yet another fun way to get out of the city for a day.
What's more, there is a plethora of full-day Downton Abbey tours from London available, many of which involve stopping by some other spots mentioned above.
So if you are a Downton Abbey fan, who also wants to check out, say, The Cotswolds or Oxford University, there is definitely a day trip that can accommodate all of these interests.
4 Brighton & Brighton Beach
For travelers looking to possibly enjoy some fun in the sun or simply appreciate the nearby sleepy beach towns in the UK, then a trip to Brighton and Brighton Beach is in order.
Roughly an hour by train, visitors can holiday as many Londoners do. Even if you are heading out to this blissful beachy area of the UK in the cooler months, there is still a variety of things to see and do here.
That said, if you were hoping to lounge out on the beach, it is recommended that you do so during the summer or when temperatures allow for such activities.
3 Bristol, England
Another England city to visit via day trip is Bristol. This city is excellent for maritime enthusiasts, historic old town seekers, and explorers. Here visitors can enjoy the sights, the many museums, shops, markets, dining options, and all-around gorgeous scenery/cityscape.
If this day trip piques your interest, the easiest way to head out to jolly old Bristol is by train, which takes approximately two hours.
As a bonus, if you aren't afraid to go off on your own sans tour guide, then you can combine this city tour with Bath since it's only half an hour away from Bristol.
2 Edinburgh, Scotland
One of the nice things about visiting London is that it's the perfect spot to check out a few other places like Edinburgh, Scotland.
Travelers can easily take a short flight or hop on the train to see the wonderful world that awaits beyond England. Though paying a visit to Edinburgh and checking off several popular attractions like Edinburgh Castle can easily be done on a day trip, you should consider spending at least a couple of days, if not the weekend, here.
If you do decide to stay for a few days, see the rest of Scotland and make sure to explore The Highlands.
1 Paris, France
Last but not least, travelers looking to kick their day exploration up a notch should make use of the Eurostar and stop by Paris, France.
Book business class and enjoy breakfast on the way to the City of Love. Once there, spend the day around the city, see the Eiffel Tower, visit the Louvre, enjoy some French pastries at Les Deux Magots, and shop to your heart's content.
This day trip from London to Paris will afford you a few hours in the incredible city, which isn't enough time to appreciate all of Paris, but it's definitely a good start.