5 Best Day Trips from London by Train
Looking to get out of London? Well in this article, I’m going to share 5 of the best day trips by train from London.
We all know that London is a great city for international travel. But if you’re like me and many other Londoners, when we leave London, we used to go abroad so we haven’t gotten to see much of the rest of the UK. Well in this article I want to share with you some of the great cities and towns that are super easy to get to from London that are worth discovering.
Bath
A mere 90 minutes out of Paddington and you can be transported back in time to World Heritage site Bath, named for the Roman baths built along the Avon River around 60 AD. The city of bath was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 due the Roman remains, 18th century architecture and 18th century town planning.
This ancient town is steeped in history from the Roman bathhouses to medieval shop-lined bridges, England’s finest Georgian crescents, and the country’s last Gothic church. However it is still a vibrant, modern city that is bustling.
Start your day in the city by checking out Bath Baths before the crowds arrive. If you want a pampering experience, head to Themae Bath Spa with a rooftop pool with stunning views of the city. You can also take a walk and browse the shops and stalls along world famous Pulteney Bridge on your way to Great Pulteney Street, the city’s best-preserved Georgian quarter with many impressive landmarks. You might also want to check out Sydney Gardens, one of the UK’s best-remaining pleasure gardens. There’s also Walcot Street with live music, good food, and the arts. It’s Bath’s version of Camden Town. But do not leave Bath without visiting Royal Crescent, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks built between 1767 and 1775. Now home to the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, it is was designed as 30 Grade I Listed terrace homes overlooking Royal Victoria Park. The 500 ft long crescent is one of the greatest examples of Georgian architecture in the UK.
Stonehenge
Next up is Stonehenge, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Less than 2 hours away, the closest station is Salisbury, a 90-minute train from London Waterloo station.
This prehistoric site is world-famous for its stone circle, which is thought to have been a location of pagan worship. If you take an early train, you can arrive to see the surrounding nature reserves in the best light. You can also book a tour of Stonehenge to get all the historical details you need. Discover the other Neolithic and Bronze Age ruins located there. Walk The Avenue, see remnants of the complementary timbered circle of Woodhenge, and visit the remains of Durrington Walls, the largest Neolithic earthworks settlement in the UK. Heading back home you can stop in Salisbury to have a pint on Fisherton Street or Milford Hill as well as Salisbury Cathedral on the walk back to the train station.
Brighton
Brighton is a seaside town and is one of the easiest to get to from London. In under an hour, you can enjoy some of the best fish and chips that the UK has to offer. Beyond food, Brighton also offers a very cool and hip beach scene including trendy cafes, coffee shops and eateries
With trains leaving every half an hour from Victoria or London Bridge, you can be transported right into the city centre of Brighton in order to make the most of your day at the beach. Discover the bohemian market streets of The Laines as well as the Victorian hotels along the seafront. Meander along Palace Pier to check out the fish & chips and ice cream shops. But don’t forget to also visit the Royal Pavilion.
Rye
Only one hour from Kings Cross St. Pancras station, Rye feels like a completely different world from London. This lovely quaint maritime town has a long proud history. The cobblestone streets are laced with antique shops as well as several charming old English pubs where you can find more fish and chips. Discover the Tiny Book Store (which is exactly as described) and afterward have lunch at the Globe Inn Marsh or a drink at The George Tap. You can discover the historic harbor, the old riverside docks, or the local bird sanctuary. Nearby is a Chapel Down vineyard, which is worth a visit. About 10 minutes away are the sand dunes of Camber Sands where you can take a relaxing stroll or just chill along the beach.
Windsor & Windsor Castle
In a day, you can easily get to the historic town of Windsor and have plenty to see and do. Obviously the big draw is Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, and where the queen likes to spend weekends. Built in 1070 AD by William the Conqueror, it has gone through many changes over the years. Book a guided tour or wander on your own.
Beyond the castle, there is so much more. There is Windsor Great Park which has 4,800 acres (not sure I can get my head around that) including a 3-mile stretch lined with trees.
There’s also St. George’s Chapel as well as Savill Garden which houses plants from around the world. Eton College where Prince William and Prince Harry boarded, is a nearby walk. And the Windsor Royal Shopping gallery offers plenty of places to pick up souvenirs and knickknacks.
Traveling out of London’s Paddington station, trains to Windsor take from 25 to 50 minutes.
So I hope liked this article and it’s given you some ideas for great day trips to take from London. Head off and enjoy a change of scenery and discover more of the UK. As I only covered 5 places, what are some other easy trips from London you’ve taken?
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