Days Out Of London
There's never been a better time to explore the
great destinations and attractions that lie within
an hour or two of London. Whether you are looking
for a satisfying day trip or a more leisurely weekend,
there's plenty to see and do beyond London's boundaries...
Alton Towers
If theme parks are your thing, Alton Towers is
one of Britain's premier attractions. With a number
of new rides and a myriad of other activities, Alton
Towers is a popular drawcard for the Midlands.
For more information, visit the Alton
Towers website.
Time from London: Two hours by train.
Bath
Boasting one of the best-preserved Roman bathing
complexes in Europe, Bath is one of those destinations
that few people come away disappointed with. An impressive
medieval abbey, elegant Georgian streets and bridges,
old pubs, riverside parks, and plenty of shops ensure
that there's enough here to interest everyone. For
more information, visit our guide to Bath.
Time from London: 90 minutes by train.
Brighton
Pack your Speedos, bring some money for your deckchair
- we're off to the seaside. Yes, it's the south's
answer to the tacky northern seaside resort of Blackpool
- Brighton.
With an interesting mix of club/university nightlife,
family seaside activities, and the faded grandeur
of times past, Brighton is a great little journey
out of London. Dominated by the mighty pier - with
it's roller-coaster, amusement arcades, candy floss
et al - Brighton can be overwhelmed by visitors on
sunny weekends. The stone beach is not exactly Bondi
- buckets and spades are redundant - but the long
esplanade is impressive enough. Brighton Palace is
a must see as well - one of the most bizarre architectural
oddities in the UK.
For more information, check out the Brighton
website.
Cambridge
One of Britain's famous university towns,
a day in Cambridge should involve punting on the river
Cam, exploring the ancient college grounds, and just
soaking up the atmosphere of this small but interesting
town.
For more information, check out our Cambridge
guide.
Time from London: 50 minutes by train.
Canterbury
A town of many faces, Canterbury has been an important
centre for the Romans, Normans, and later rulers of
Britain. Dominated by the mighty Cathedral, Canterbury
has an interesting medieval and Tudor quarter, and
also makes a good base from which to explore the South-East.
For more information, check out the official Canterbury
website.
Time from London: 45 minutes by train.
Oxford
The long-term 'rival' of Cambridge as England's premier
university town, Oxford's "dreaming spires",
riverside setting, and bustling activity make it an
attractive destination. Surrounding by beautiful
countryside, picturesque villages, and huge manorial
estates, Oxford makes a great base for further exploration.
The huge Blenheim
Palace is a short hop from town.
For more information, visit our Oxford
Guide.
Time from London: 1 hour.
Palaces & Castles
There are a number of palaces, castles, and impressive
residences scattered within reach of London. Most
boast great artwork, amazing interiors, huge estates
or gardens, and a chance to explore the countryside.
Check out our Palaces
& Castles guide for details of Windsor
Castle (45 minutes from London), Blenheim Palace
(90 minutes by train and bus), and Hampton Court
(30 minutes by train). Ham
House on the fringes of Richmond also makes
a good destination - in conjunction with Richmond
- for a day trip.
Stonehenge & Avebury Circles
The Neolithic stone circles of Stonehenge and
Avebury are the impressive evidence of ancient civilisation
in England. Stonehenge is of course world-famous,
and you will be hard pressed to get this busy archaeological
site to yourself. Perhaps even more interesting is
the huge Avebury circle, which surrounds the village
of the same name, and is perhaps even older than Stonehenge.
For more information check out the Stonehenge
website or get comprehensive visit details from the
Visit Britain portal.
Time from London: 1 hour by car. Bus tours
operate from London and Bath.
Other Options
Shakespeare country is about three hours from London,
and any visit to the great playwright's home town
of Stratford-upon-Avon
can also incorporate a visit to nearby Warwick Castle.
An hour south of London is Winchester,
an old Roman town and former rival of London for royal
patronage. Now a sleepy market town, Winchester nevertheless
is interesting enough for a day's stroll.
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