Living in London is great, but sometimes it’s nice to escape the city and take a day out somewhere a little quieter. It’s so easy to travel by train to different cities around the country, so here are 8 of my favourite day trips to make from London!
Oxford
Oxford is a city West of London and known for its University and years of history. You can get a train directly from London Marylebone and it takes just an hour to get there, making it the ideal location for a day trip. With a mix of historical and modern, there’s plenty to do there including visiting buildings and museums or going to different restaurants, bars and shops.
Brighton
Brighton is a popular seaside destination in the county of East Sussex, along the south coast of England. Brighton is a great place to visit for the beach, shopping, culture and incredible Pride scene – there’s something for everyone. To get to Brighton, simply take an hour train straight from London Victoria.
Cambridge
Similar to Oxford, Cambridge is also known for its University and place in history. However, one thing which differentiates it is the tranquil setting by the river and lots of greenery. There’s lots to do in Cambridge including visiting historical buildings or going on a punting tour along the river. Getting to Cambridge is easy as it takes just an hour from London Kings Cross.
Whitstable
Whitstable is a little seaside town East of London and you can get a direct train from London St Pancras International. The journey takes an hour and 15 minutes an is extremely worth it if you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and get some fresh air. There’s lots to do in Whitstable including trying some of the amazing seafood, checking out the growing arts scene and soaking up the sun by the sea.
Margate
Slightly further along from Whitstable, Margate is another lovely seaside destination. You can get the train to Margate directly from London St Pancras International and it takes an hour and a half. Margate is great if you’re looking for a quiet but sandy beach – and it even has an amusement park to visit with lots of vintage rides!
Bath
Bath is a city in Somerset known for it’s Roman-built baths, both the ancient Roman Baths and the modern Thermae Bath Spa, housing the only natural thermal hot springs in Britain you can bathe in. Besides this, there is so much other stuff to do in Bath such as visiting museums, theatres and galleries. Bath is a one and a half hour train direct from London Paddington and a great destination if you’re looking for a relaxing yet cultural day out.
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a seaside town South of London with a 7-mile stretch of beaches and Victorian architecture. There’s lots to do both indoors and outdoors including water activities, museums, Victorian gardens and a huge cinema complex. To get there, it takes 2 hours by train directly from London Waterloo – just about ideal for a day trip!
Bristol
Bristol is a city within the hills of Southwest England with a thriving music scene and street art culture. There’s so much to do including boat rides, museums, galleries, parks and more. Just hop on a train from London Paddington which takes an hour and half.