The best day trips from London

So, we’re a travel club. Even when you’re in one of the best cities in the world (in my not-so-humble, very biased opinion), we’re going to inspire you to get out and see the world. 

Below, I’ve compiled a list of some of the most worthwhile day trips from London that give you a real feel for the different parts of Southeast England – from Surrey to Hampshire to Kent and beyond, with the help of my friends in the Jack’s Flight Club Facebook Travel Community. We’ll journey through cathedral towns, seaside spots, and national parks. I’ve organised these from most to least popular, so hopefully there’s at least one place here that you haven’t considered. 

Oh, and all of these are within 2 hours of London, giving you a full day to explore before you need to hop on the train back.

Bath

I’m starting in almost the most obvious place I could (outside of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter) – Bath! The whole town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, after all. I could wax lyrical about its Roman heritage, its Georgian architecture, and its connection to a very famous author, but it’s likely you know all that already. 

My advice is to head there during the Jane Austen festival, which falls in September. The place comes alive with Regency costumes, balls, and a stunning parade through the centre of town. So you get all the benefits of being there as an Austen fan, on steroids. 

Of course, many tours combine Bath and nearby Stonehenge in one (very long) day, so it’s possible to knock off both at once. I’m always a little skeptical of full-day tours where the organisers try to hit too many sites in one day, because I prefer to travel at my own speed. But they are good if you don’t have a car and just want to tick off the greatest hits.

How to get from London to Bath: 1 hr 15 mins train from Paddington station (with GWR)

Bristol

It almost feels shameful to put Bristol on a list like this, because it’s a city that you should take the time to explore in its own right. But one of our Jack’s Facebook Community members, Emma, shared what they love about Bristol, and so I wanted to include it: 

So, it’s a place the locals are passionate about. Some of the best of those art installations and festivals include: 

• Wake the Tiger
• Spike Island 
• Street Art Trail – you can thank Banksy for Bristol’s booming street art scene, with some really colourful and iconic works by local artists. 
• Bristol Light Festival (February) 
• Bristol Pride (July)
• Bristol International Balloon Fiesta (August) 

Bristol will give you a similar vibe as London, but on a smaller scale and with its own rich and unique history. Definitely worth a visit! 

How to get from London to Bristol: 1 hr 30 mins train from Paddington stations (with GWR)

Brighton

I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with Brighton. On one hand, I love that it’s extremely easily accessible from London – one train and you’re at the beach. It’s a quintessential seaside town, so you get all the good stuff that comes with that: the pier, the carnival attractions, the fish and chips, the alleyways of shops to peruse, the iconic colourful bathing boxes, and the beach itself (which is a pebble beach, but I can’t hold that against Brighton – it comes with the territory). On a hot summer’s day, I’d much rather be there than in London. 

On the other hand, everyone else in London feels the same way. It’s cursed by the things that make it great. Its accessibility means thousands of Londoners descend on sunny weekends, ramming The Lanes, crowding the pier, and making it hard to find a few pebbles for yourself. 

So, is it worth a visit? Yes! Just go on a weekday. Or during winter if you’re happy to skip the swim – all the shops and restaurants will still be open, but you’ll more likely have them to yourself. Also worth mentioning is that Brighton and surrounding areas are unofficially considered the LGBTQI+ capital of the UK, and they have an arts and cultural scene that rivals any other in the country. If you do go, my favourite fish and chips spot is RYBKA, some of the best I’ve ever had. 

How to get from London to Brighton: 1 hr 20 mins train from St Pancras International, or 1 hr 15 mins from London Bridge (with Thameslink)

Bourton-on-the-Water 

A place I’ve never been to, but will likely be on your list if you’re going to the Cotswolds. While Moreton-in-Marsh is the easiest village to visit by public transport (the train will take you straight there), Bourton-on-the-Water is one of the most popular. It’s called the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds,’ if that gives you any indication of its appeal. It even comes highly recommended by Jack’s Flight Club Facebook Community member Carolyn. 

Alongside the river, stone houses, and picturesque bridges, you’ll find a model village. There are traditional pubs, traditional tea rooms, and traditional alleys to wander down, as is the experience of the Cotswolds. Nice villages set in rolling green hills. It’s very, very cute, but from the research I’ve done, it might be better off to base yourself in Moreton-in-Marsh and then take advantage of the local bus service (or the on-demand Robin, I know – it's so quaint). Other villages that will give you a similar vibe, but with fewer people include: 

• Lower and Upper Slaughter (what a name for such a beautiful part of the world) 
• Naunton 
• Painswick

How to get from London to Bourton-on-the-Water: 1 hr 25 min train from Paddington (with GWR) & 35 min bus 

Canterbury

One from my personal list. I loved Canterbury – it hits everything you want from a cathedral city (read: a city that sprung up around a cathedral way back when, not the cheese). Canterbury’s cathedral is up there with the best in the country, being the historic seat of the head of the Church of England, which clearly counts for something (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for one). It’s also home to the oldest church in the English-speaking world, which is cool! 

Outside the cathedral (it is really impressive), I was struck by the experience in Canterbury being quite similar to what you’d get out of a day in Oxford or Cambridge – namely, punting. These small riverboats provide a really nice tour, sailing past countless beautiful houses, stone bridges and well-manicured gardens. And the driver/guide will typically regale you with stories about the city and the many famous people who have passed through. Plus, theatre heads will appreciate the Marlowe connection, and literature heads the Canterbury Tales. 

How to get from London to Canterbury: 1 hr train from St Pancras International (with Southeastern)

Margate

Margate sticks in my mind as one of the nicest seaside towns I’ve visited. The main thing I remember is the Turner Contemporary Gallery, where you may see art from the man himself, plus artists like David Hockney and Tracey Emin. It also had a generally cool artiness about it, with street art and neat little boutiquey shops. Plus, a shell grotto! 

I have to confess, I visited in winter, so I didn’t get to enjoy the summer beach spoils. While it’ll definitely be busy on hot days (thanks to London daytrippers like yourself), it’ll be less busy than Brighton. And that’s a win! Another win – you can find sandy beaches around here, which is more than you can say for a lot of the rest of the country. 

You can also stop over in Whitstable (the next station on your way back to London) if you’re an oyster fan – that’s where that pretty pink shop is! 

How to get from London to Margate: 1 hr 40 min train from St Pancras International (with Southeastern)

Winchester

Another cathedral city, and it’s a goodie – Winchester, a former Iron Age settlement, which throughout the years has turned into quite a pretty little town. And not to go all deja vu on you, but it’s also the burial place of Jane Austen (her second appearance on this list!). So, if you like the author but you don’t want to go somewhere as blasé as Bath, this is not a bad alternative.

I had a really pleasant day wandering around the town with the help of a self-guided walking tour/treasure hunt via Mystery Guides. You can get them for cities all over the UK, but my experience was here in Winchester, and I’d highly recommend it. Not sponsored; just genuinely enjoyed it as a way to see a new city. 

You’ve also got access to the South Downs National Park, as Winchester is on its western edge. Cheesefoot Head (much more scenic than it sounds) is a point of interest nearby, as is the country house Hinton Amper. It’s also one of only 16 International Dark Skies Reserves in the world, so stargazers won’t be disappointed. Winchester Planetarium is a great place to start :-)

How to get from London to Winchester: 1 hr train from Waterloo (with South Western Railway)

Folkstone

I’ve alternated between cathedral city/seaside town/cathedral city, so next is, of course, a seaside town! Folkstone was such a delightful surprise when I visited. It’s a great alternative to Brighton in artsy/cultural vibes – you’ll find boutiquey shops and cool cafes on a ramble through the Creative Quarter. You have the beach, of course, but what’s really fun is you’ll find the UK’s largest urban outdoor public art exhibition here! 

At the time of writing, there were over 70 works on display, with some well-known artists like Yoko Ono and Antony Gormley. I’ve never known such an extensive public work collection that is installed permanently all around the town. Really, really cool.

How to get from London to Folkstone: 55 min train from St Pancras International (with Southeastern) 

Northampton

Here’s another addition from one of our Jacks Flight Club Facebook Community members, Elizabeth. I’ve never been to Northampton, so this one is now firmly on my list, too! 

I am very, very interested in beautiful old houses with famous occupants, so both these estates are now up there for me. 

How to get from London to Northampton: 1 hr 5 mins from Euston (with West Midlands Railway)

Surrey Hills National Landscape

And now, for something a little different – not a city or a town, but instead, two scenic summits within the Surrey Hills National Landscape. They’re the ‘least known’ on this list, but that comes with the territory – harder to reach = fewer people who know about the beautiful hills and wide open spaces of this part of the world. 

Another personal recommendation from Jack’s Facebook Community, this time from Valentin. So, which is the best for what?

St Martha’s Hill comes complete with a 19th-century church and a view across 8 counties. It’s a short drive from Guildford, but if you’re coming on the train, you’ll get off at Chilworth and then organise a spot on the on-demand Surrey Connect bus service. 

Box Hill has more facilities, with a cafe, bookshop, and clearly marked walking trails. There are also ruins of an Old Fort which looks really fun to walk around and see for yourself. 

It’s easier to get there than St Martha’s Hill – you'll get the train to Box Hill & Westhumble Station, and then you’ll start walking up the hill until you reach the trails.  

I’ve never been to either, but knowing Surrey isn’t hard to get to from London at all, I’ll have to make it out there next time I fancy a wild roam. 

How to get from London to the Surrey Hills National Landscape: St Martha’s Hill: 40 min trains from Waterloo & the local bus connection, Box Hill, or 50 mins train from Waterloo 

TLDR; where you should go: 

Which is the best day trip from London? 

In my opinion, it’s probably Winchester or Canterbury if you’re into pretty cities with an interesting history, or Margate or Folkestone for a nice mix of beaches and the arts. 

What is the prettiest town near London? 

From this list, Bourton-on-the-Water, with the Surrey Hills National Landscape a close second. The Cotswolds is where I would head for pretty villages tucked into valleys. But for rolling hills, St Martha’s Hill or Box Hill would be top of my list. 

So, where would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments, and I may just come for a visit :-)