Day Trips from London

From quaint towns to country hikes, there’s plenty to discover within an hour or two by train from London. Think seaside promenades, vineyards, castle ruins, buzzing markets and leafy trails — the sort of escapes that feel like a holiday without the airport queues. Whether you’re craving fresh air, a cultural fix, or just a change of scene, these day trips prove you don’t need a flight to feel far away

Box Hill in a Day: Hike & Wine

Head out from London for a late-summer loop: a mid-morning train to Box Hill & Westhumble, climb the Zig Zag to picnic on the National Trust viewpoint, then descend through vines for a guided tasting on Denbies’ terrace. Book ahead and bring sturdy shoes.

Miles

Sep 193 min read

Hever Castle in a Day: Tudor Rooms, Gardens & Mazes

Less than an hour from London Bridge, Hever Castle packs Tudor rooms, a double moat and award-winning gardens into an ideal day trip. Spend the morning in Anne Boleyn’s childhood rooms, wander the Italian terraces and finish with playful time in the yew and water mazes.

Miles

Sep 124 min read

Canterbury in a Day: Cathedral & Quiet Backstreets

Spend a late-summer day in Canterbury: catch the high-speed from St Pancras, graze at the Goods Shed market, book a timed tour of the Cathedral, then drift through Mercery Lane and Westgate Gardens before a Westgate Towers view.

Miles

Sep 53 min read

Dover in a Day: Castle, Clifftops & Sea Air

One long day takes you from St Pancras to Dover’s medieval keep, through evocative WWII tunnels and out onto the wind-swept White Cliffs. Sensible shoes, tide checks and a light daypack turn this fast-train trip into a restorative coastal escape.

Miles

Aug 293 min read

Rye in a Day: Cobbled Streets & Coastal Breezes

Late-summer in Rye means crooked cobbles, a climbable church tower with views to marsh and sea, and a compact riverside keep. Spend a day wandering Mermaid Street, climbing St Mary’s, and — if you’ve been before — catching a Camber Sands sunset.

Miles

Aug 223 min read

Bath in a Day: Roman Baths & Georgian Strolls

Make the most of a long day in Bath: take a mid-morning train from London, lunch in the Pump Room, spend relaxed time in the Roman Baths, stroll from Pulteney Bridge to the Royal Crescent, catch sunset at Alexandra Park and (optionally) cap the day with a rooftop soak.

Miles

Aug 153 min read

Oxford in a Day: Spires, Books & Beer

A late-summer day in Oxford: arrive by train, choose a Bodleian tour or admire the Radcliffe Camera, climb St Mary’s for skyline views, then swap crowds for Port Meadow and end with a pint at The Perch

Miles

Aug 83 min read

Brighton in a Day: Royal Pavilion & Beach Bars

Less than 75 minutes from London, Brighton packs Regency exotica, independent lanes and a lively pebble beach into one brilliant day. Start with lunch in the Lanes, tour the Royal Pavilion, soak up the seafront with fish’n’chips, then catch sundowners on Madeira Drive.

Miles

Aug 14 min read