5 easy day trips from London only an hour away by train

Cover image

Often when I see lists of London day trips, I can't help but think they are a bit unrealistic. Yes Britain is a relatively small country, making it easy to explore if you’ve got the time, but there is no point spending hours getting somewhere on a train journey, only to be exhausted once you arrive.

Happily there are plenty of day trips you can make from London that have a short commute time yet still let you feel a world away from the capital city. Each of our top five has high speed train services meaning you can connect from the capital city in little more than an hour. Here’s our top five for when your day trip is actually only a day long.

-

1. Brighton

brighton-seafront-london-day-trip

The coastal town of Brighton is such a great spot for a day trip: easily accessible (trains to Brighton go from several central train stations), right by the sea, great bars, restaurants and nightlife, and a brilliant seafront for walking, running or cycling. It goes without saying that you can easily be happy with your bucket and spade to just spend a day on the beach, but there are plenty more things to discover in Brighton. The Royal Pavilion is an oriental palace built during the eighteenth century that has some stunning rooms and gardens, while several restaurants and bars in the city serve up food that can rival London. While Brighton is a large town, nearby Hove is an altogether quieter affair. From the train station, nab a coffee in Redwood Coffee House on Trafalgar Street and stroll down along the seafront to take in the charming architecture of this Victorian getaway.

Trains from Brighton run from St Pancras, Victoria, Blackfriars, London Bridge and Waterloo.

2. Cambridge

river-cam-cambridge

Cambridge is one of those places that is known the world over but that you really have to visit to get a sense of it. The university dominates the town but the real thing that hits you when you visit Cambridge is how small it is. A day trip is more than enough for you to go punting on the River Cam (think the gondolas of Venice only slightly less glamourous), or take in the market stalls in the town square and enjoy the atmosphere in this town. If you are looking for refreshments, check out Harriet’s Cafe Tearooms on Green Street for an old-fashioned afternoon tea. Of course the main attraction in Cambridge is the colleges that make up the university itself. These are undoubtedly worth visiting but the majority of them require an admission fee from the public. If you’re on a budget, it may be best to forgo the colleges in favour of a leisurely sail down the Cam or stroll in the parklands along the river bank.

Trains to Cambridge run from King’s Cross and Liverpool Street.

3. Windsor

windsor-day-trip-lego Image courtesy of Henry Burrows.

For many, Windsor hardly counts as a day trip from London as it is close enough to be considered a suburb of the city. The town has plenty for you to see and do but undoubtedly two tourist destinations stand head and shoulders above the rest: Lego Land and Windsor Castle (which, incidentally, you can also find a scaled down version of at Lego Land). Windsor is also home to the famous Eton school which has educated several UK Prime Ministers and members of the Royal Family including Prince William and Harry, and is situated along the banks of the River Thames. There are also plenty of river tours if a tour of the State Rooms at Windsor castle isn’t your idea of fun.

Trains to Windsor run from Paddington to Windsor & Eton Central and from Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside.

4. Oxford

view-of-oxford-uk

While there are similarities between Oxford and Cambridge there's definitely a different vibe between the two: Cambridge has the feel of a sleepy rural town, while Oxford is significantly bigger and has a faster pace to it. Quaint colleges are again the main order of the day here but because Oxford is that bit bigger than Cambridge, you could just as easily spend the day shopping or people watching rather than indulging in the academic side of the city. Try the Covered Market just off the High Street for some reasonably priced cafes as well as take-home grocers. If you want to get the look of an Oxford don without having to work for it, you can also check out the city’s great selection of vintage clothing shops, including Reign Wear on Cowley Road.

Trains to Oxford run from Paddington. Train times vary between 58 minutes and 1 hour and 58 minutes so make sure you check your journey times when purchasing tickets.

5. Canterbury

canterbury-kent-london Right image courtesy of Spiterman.

Canterbury is a town that is steeped in history: from the medieval cathedral which is the centre of the Church of England to punting along the River Stour, a visit to Canterbury feels worlds away from the London you have left behind. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage site so there are plenty of ruins, castles and museums to keep culture vultures on their toes. Outside of this however, there’s still plenty to keep you going: Canterbury and Kent, the county where it’s located, are well-known for their apple and cider production. Cantebury is a great place to visit on a quiet Sunday to escape the chaos of London. Head out early to enjoy a traditional Sunday roast dinner at one of the pubs and sample the local food and drink. I recommend The Parrot on Church Lane or for something more low key, The Old Brewery Tavern on Stour Street.

Trains to Canterbury West run from Charing Cross and St Pancras and to Canterbury East from Victoria and St Pancras. The Ashfield train station, which is served by the Eurostar is also a 20 minute train transfer away.


[file


Looking for a homestay in Britain? Browse our London listings or check out other homestays in the UK.

Older 

 Newer

This website uses cookies