Day Trips from London - UK
This blog post takes a different approach compared to the others. Rather than presenting an itinerary, each section highlights a specific location.
Overview: Single-day and partial-day trips from London
Duration: Half day to full day
Locations visited: Oxford, Cambridge, Dover (Cliffs & Castle), Canterbury, Stonehenge, Bath, Stanford-on-Avon
How to get there: Leave from London via train or bus tour
How to get around: Walking, Bus Tour, Taxi/Uber
When to go: Summer has the best weather.
Pace: Slow to Moderate
Future trips: Warwick Castle, Windsor Castle, Leeds Castle, Brighton, Wales, Manchester, Liverpool, York, Cotswolds, and Newcastle
There’s so much to see out outside of London!
Trip 1: Oxford
I combined this trip with a one-day guided bus tour from London to Oxford and Cambridge, run by Anderson Tours. We started with pickups at three locations across central London.
Evidence of teaching at Oxford dates back to 1096, making it the second-oldest continuously operating university in the world. Oxford is composed of 43 colleges. Students who apply to Oxford are actually applying to one of these colleges, not the university as a whole.
Two of the most prominent attractions at Oxford — the Bodleian Library and Christ Church College — require tickets, which often sell out. I recommend booking in advance if you’re interested in visiting. I had my heart set on visiting the Bodleian Library but couldn’t secure tickets even with a few days' notice.
Near Trinity College is the Ashmolean Museum, England’s oldest public museum and the second-oldest university museum. It covers art and archaeology and is well-curated, offering educational exhibits without being overwhelming. Close by is the well-known Martyrs' Memorial.
Excluding the ticketed attractions, most of Oxford can be explored on foot. Some highlights include:
Carfax Tower
Bodleian Library Courtyard
The Bridge of Sighs
The Sheldonian Theatre
All Souls College
Radcliffe Camera
Christ Church Cathedral and Dining Hall (ticket required, inspiration for Hogwarts’ Great Hall)
Tom Tower
The Covered Market
Botanic Garden
Museum of Oxford
Oxford University Museum of Natural History
Pitt Rivers Museum
For non-academic landmarks, check out Oxford Castle and Prison. And if you’re ready for a break from history, the Westgate Oxford shopping mall offers modern retail therapy.
Trip 2: Cambridge
The second half of my Anderson Tours itinerary visited Cambridge. To my knowledge, Anderson Tours is the only group offering a combined Oxford and Cambridge trip, and one of the few providers visiting Cambridge. Oxford is easier to find tours for, as it is often paired with Stonehenge or Bath.
The University of Cambridge dates from 1209 and, like Oxford, is composed of multiple colleges (31 in total). King’s College is the most iconic and frequently visited and photographed. Many colleges require guided tours for entry, as they are functioning educational centers, and some do not allow visitors at all.
Two famous non-academic sites are the Corpus Clock and the food stalls at Cambridge Market Square. For a panoramic view, climb to the top of the clock tower at Great St. Mary’s Church.
Other places worth exploring:
Trinity College (with a tour)
The Round Church
The Mathematical Bridge
The Fitzwilliam Museum
University Museum of Zoology
Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences
Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
Bridge of Sighs
Castle Mound
For a unique perspective, try "punting" along the River Cam. Punting involves gliding along in a wooden boat pushed by a long pole.
Trip 3: Dover Castle and Dover Cliffs
Like the other destinations, there are multiple bus tours from London to Dover Castle and the White Cliffs. Many tours focus solely on the cliffs, but the castle is a fascinating highlight, showcasing centuries of history. It features a Roman-era lighthouse, a medieval castle, and WWII tunnels.
Things to see at Dover Castle:
Roman Lighthouse
Saxon Church
Henry II’s Keep
Battlement Walk
Medieval Tunnels
Wartime Tunnels
Hospital Tunnels
The grounds include numerous exhibits, cafes, and souvenir shops. If you have time, explore the town of Dover for additional war-related museums and sites.
Nearby, the White Cliffs of Dover offer stunning views. The cliffs, made primarily of chalk (a soft white limestone), feature several parking lots and hiking trails for various timeframes. While we didn’t descend to the beach, it’s an option. On clear days, you can even see France!
Trip 4: Canterbury
The top attraction in Canterbury is Canterbury Cathedral, home to the Archbishop of Canterbury, the leader of the Church of England. The cathedral dates back to 597 but has undergone many alterations and expansions over the centuries. Restoration work is ongoing in 2024. Tickets are required to enter, but most tours include them.
Other notable sites in Canterbury:
St. Augustine's Abbey
Saint George’s Tower
Eastbridge Hospital of St. Thomas the Martyr
Kings Bridge
Canterbury Roman Museum
The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge
Conquest House
The Crooked House
Blackfriars Chapel
Trip 5: Bath
The main attraction in Bath is the Roman Baths, built around 60-70 AD during Roman Britain. The baths are fed by geothermal water from a nearby source. The site includes the Sacred Spring, the Roman Temple, the Roman Bath House, and a museum.
Most guided tours from London combine a visit to Bath with other stops like Stonehenge. The Roman Baths exhibit is incredibly well done and memorable.
If you have extra time, consider exploring:
Pulteney Bridge
Bath City Parade Gardens
Palladian Bridge
The Bath Lookout
The Bath Skyline
Sham Castle
Bath Abbey
Trip 6: Stonehenge
Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is estimated to be around 5,000 years old. It’s one of the most photographed locations in England outside of London. Many bus tours from London include a stop at Stonehenge.
Visitors typically walk along a circular path around the stones, except during solstices or equinoxes, when access is closer. Many say the anticipation of seeing the stones is more exciting than the stones themselves.
Trip 7: Stratford Upon Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon is often a short stop combined with other locations. The town is centered around William Shakespeare, and notable landmarks include:
Shakespeare’s Birthplace
Holy Trinity Church
Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall
The Guild Chapel
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
I hope these suggestions inspire your next day trip from London!
