Day Trips

Day trips from London

Every era, from prehistoric times, has altered, and left its mark on the English landscape. Ancient heath and moorland contrast with the stately gardens and manor houses. Centuries mingle in the architecture along village streets. The ruins of a Norman or Tudor castle are not far from a Victorian cathedral or 14thC parish church. The 19thC pleasure-dome in Brighton is a short drive away from thatched cottages in Sussex and hop fields in Kent. The English countryside is constantly changing, often magical landscape - well worth exploring. All the places below are easily accessible on a day trip from London.

Ashdown Forest, E. Sussex
Excellent walking. High sandy country of heather and bracken with wind-blown pine trees, silver birch and beech in the valleys - each with its stream. 'Winnie-the-Pooh' country. Start from Crowborough, Hartfield, Forest Row or Three Bridges. London 30 miles (A22).

Bath, Avon
A delightful Georgian town rich in architectural detail such as the dramatic sweeping curve of Ionic columns which forms the Royal Crescent. Lots of museums including the Roman Baths and Pump Room. Natural hot springs bubbling out of the ground and the bathing complex built when it was the Roman town of Aquae Sulis are still very visible. Good shopping and lots of charming cafés and restaurants. Train 1 1/2hrs. London 107 miles (M4).

Battle, E. Sussex
Site of the famous battle of 1066. An abbey, which William the Conqueror had vowed to build should he win the battle, is now in ruins but the Gateway still stands on Battle Hill. Opposite this is the 12thC curch of St Mary. London 56 miles (A21).

Brighton, E. Sussex
The Victorian Pier Known as 'Little London by the Sea', this once poor fishing village has been a lively, bustling seaside resort ever since the Prince Regent set up his court in the fabulous Oriental-domed Pavilion. Fashionable shops, splendid Regency terraces, good pubs and restaurants, cockle stalls, fiars and sports of all kinds. Five miles of beach and a magical Victorian pier. Train 1 hr. London 48 miles (A23).

Cambridge, Cambs
The Trinity A great university city of spires, mellow colleges and riverside meadows, bordering the Cam. The famous 'Backs' and the lovely bridges are best seen by hiring a punt. The 20 or so colleges date from the 13thC onwards including Trinity by Wren, King's by James Gibbs and the modern Queen's by Basil Spence. The city contains the superb Fitzwilliam Museum, the notable Botanic Garden and some fine churches. Train 1 1/2 hrs. London 55 miles (M11).

Henley-on-Thames, Oxon
Situated on a very pretty part of the Thames and most famous for the Regatta, held in early July. The arched bridge was built in 1786. In St Mary's churchyard are 16thC almshouses and a rare unspoilt 15thC timber-framed building - the Chantry House. The Regatta is held on the straight mile of the river downstream from the bridge. Train 1 hr. London 36 miles (A4).

Canterbury, Kent
Pleasant, old, walled city on the river Stour, dominated by the magnificent Gothic cathedral, containing the shrine of Thomas à Becket (murdered 1170) and the tomb of the Black Prince. Good local museum in West Gate. Train 1 1/2 hrs. London 56 miles (M2).

Salisbury & Stonehenge, Wiltshire
Salisbury is famous for its 13thC cathedral, apparently built where a random arrow was fired. Its spire is the highest in England. The town is rich in medieval architecture. Cathedral Close boasts the most interesting buildings such as the Bishop's Palace and the King's House. The market square is dominated by 600-year-old Poultry Cross. Stonehenge is 10 miles away and the best British example of groups of ancient stone circles known as Druid's Circles. Estimated that it took 30 million years to come about, but what it was originally erected for is still a mystery. Ringed by perimeter fence but still good views. London 90 miles (A30, A 303).

Chichester, W. Sussex
An old Roman city walled by the Saxons and graced by its beautiful 12thC cathedral. Now mostly Georgian in character. Fine 16thC Butter Cross, a medieval Guildhall and modern Festival Theatre, built 1962. Excellent harbour for sailing. Train 1 1/2 hrs. London 63 miles (A3, A286).

Oxford, Oxon
A university city of spires and fine college buildings on the Thames and the Cherwell and dating from the 13thC. The Sheldonian Theatre by Wren, the Radcliffe Camera by Gibbs and the 15thC Bodleian Library are particularly notable. Visit also the famous old Botanic Garden and the Ashmolean Museum.Train 1 1/2 hrs. London 65 miles (A40).

Portsmouth
Old, historic battleships and new, modern warships lie side by side at Portsmouth's Naval Base, which has been the home of the Royal Navy since Henry VII first founded the Royal Dockyard. The Royal Naval Museum is also here. Train 1 1/2 hrs. London 77 miles (A3).

Stratford-upon-Avon, Warks
The birthplace of William Shakespeare (1564-1616). The town is still Elizabethan in atmosphere with overhanging gables and timbered inns. Visit the playswright's birthplace in Henley Street, his house at New Place, Anne Hathaway's cottage and the museum and picture gallery. The Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in Waterside is thriving and progressive. Train 2 1/2 hrs. London 90 miles (A40, A34).

Thames Estuary
Unusual and sometimes tough walking along the tidal sea wall. Not everyone's cup of tea; it can be cold, windy or foggy. Take binoculars and wrap up well. Thousands of sea birds, a constant traffic of ships and the lonely marshes. Romantic and isolated but you have to be able to absorb the odd oil refinery or factory and accept that commerce is part of it all. Start from Cliffe, Higham or Gravesend in Kent, Tilbury or Mucking in Essex. London 20-25 miles (A2 or A13).

Winchester, Hants
The ancient Saxon capital of England set among lovely rolling chalk downland. The massive, square-towered Norman cathedral, with its superb vaulted Gothic nave, contains the graves of King Canute, Izaac Walton and Jane Austen. The 'round table of King Arthur' is in the remains of the Norman castle. Train 1 1/2 hrs. London 65 miles (A30).

Windsor Castle
An imposing 800-year-old medieval fortress. 12thC Round Tower built by Henry II. St George's chapel is fine 16thC perpendicular. Magnificent state apartments. London 20 miles (M4).

Greenwich
Greenwich lies on the south bank of the River Thames, approximately five miles east of central London. Greenwich has an outstanding architectural heritage and rich maritime history and will soon be home to the Millennium Dome. Many of Greenwich’s buildings are designed by famous architects, including the Royal Naval College, the National Maritime Museum and the Old Royal Observatory, built by Sir Christopher Wren for King Charles II. At the Old Royal Observatory, visitors can stand astride longitude zero with one foot in the eastern and one in the western hemisphere. Blackheath village closeby is known for its open spaces, restaurants and chic boutiques.15/20 mins by train from central London. 45 mins cruise from Westminster/Charing Cross Piers. Alternatively, visitors can walk under the Thames through the Greenwich foot tunnel, from Island Gardens on the Docklands Light Railway.