Day Trips from London by Train

Day Trips from London by Train

London is a fantastic city to visit but if you live there, it can be difficult to find things to do after a while, despite how large and wonderful the capital of England is. Furthermore, London is a very expensive place to go touring or eating out and getting a couple of drinks. Not to mention that the tall concrete buildings can get a bit boring. That is why from time to time, you should consider getting a train out of the city and exploring the rest of England. Luckily for you, there are many places and cities that you can visit which are perfect for a trip out. 

Cambridge in Cambridgeshire

First on the list is the marvelous Cambridge and this is a fantastic place to visit if you wish to see more greenery. Furthermore, Cambridge is very popular in England but it is notoriously famous for its University and its architecture. In fact, Cambridge University is one of the oldest in the world and was founded back in 1209. The University alone is a thing of beauty however, the architecture that surrounds it is nothing short of spectacular. 

Now, to get to Cambridge, you only have to catch the train for just over an hour so it isn’t a long journey. Once you arrive, you can do whatever you want but if you consider yourself to be a bit of a historian, consider a tour around the city. 

Bruges in Belgium

Now, taking you out of England, we are heading to Bruges. Yes, a city in Belgium but that is the beauty of London, the Eurostar. The Eurostar gives access to cities all over Western Europe, such as Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Cologne and many more. However, there is something about Bruges that makes it stand out more compared to the rest. 

This is another historical city that is worth visiting and can be quite an affordable trip as well. Additionally, the architecture of this city is something else. In fact, if you have ever been to Barcelona, it is very similar to that. The buildings here are very gothic and are something that is worth seeing for your own eyes. Make sure you try the local beer as well because that is one thing (amongst many other things) that they are very good at. 

Bath in Somerset

No matter where you are based in the UK, Bath is a place that you have to visit for its history and, more specifically, the Roman Baths, which have been there since the 1st century. The only issue with this is that you can no longer go into the baths. Nevertheless, it is something that is certainly worth seeing. Nevertheless, there is a modern thermal bath that you can visit if you wish to do so. 

If you want to educate yourself on the Roman Baths then you can listen to an audio tour guide and even a quick Google will teach you a lot about these Roman Baths that are over 2,000 years old. 

York in Yorkshire

Quite a bit further away from the rest of the other cities, however, it is certainly worth the travel time and in reality, it isn’t much longer than the other destinations mentioned on this list. Again, another city that hosted the Romans for a long period before years later, the Vikings visited and raided. It is a city that has managed to endure the test of time. Additionally, you have the shambles, which is another iconic part of York, with overhanging timber houses that have wonderful chocolatiers and vintage cafes. 

Margate in Kent

Kent is a wonderful destination located on the coast of the UK but more specifically, Margate. A town that wasn’t as recognised as it is now, especially with some of the recent developments. It is the perfect spot for those who wish to escape city life for the day and enjoy a summery day at the cost. 

Kent offers something that Londoners are not used to when they visit Margate and that is the sea. However, there is much more to this town than just listening to the waves crash down on the coast. In fact, Margate has managed to build a good reputation in regards to its food. Some of those restaurants include; Sargasso, Sète, Palms Pizzeria, Thao Thao, Streets, Lillie’s, The George and Heart, Dory’s, Angela’s and much more. 

Margate is also perfect for the kids if you visit Margate during the school holidays. There are plenty of funfair rides and arcades that can keep them entertained for hours. If you want a coastal town that isn’t full of high streets with tourists, extortionate restaurants and the constant beeping of traffic, this is the perfect day trip escape for you. 

Windsor in Berkshire

Windsor is another great place to visit which is located in Berkshire and is only a 55-minute train journey from London. Windsor is also home to the spectacular Windsor Castle, which was originally built in the 11th century. In fact, this marvellous castle is the longest-occupied castle in the UK. Not to mention that it hosted the wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018. This attraction alone is worth the visit to Windsor. 

Again, if you have children and they wouldn’t want to wander around this magnificent castle, then you also have Legoland which can absorb endless hours of fun for your kids. 

If you are going alone or with your partner/friends, then there is plenty to offer there as well. This includes learning about the beer-making process at the Windsor and Eton Brewery. Not to mention exploring through the Windsor Great Park. However, Windsor is another fantastic place to visit when it comes to summer as it is home to some fantastic beer gardens with spectacular atmosphere. Two or the more iconic pubs include the Windsor and the Royal Windsor. 

Canterbury in Kent

Canterbury is next on the list and at this point you are likely thinking “Wow, Kent sounds amazing” and it truly is. It is a city that has been visited for endless years by pilgrims due to the assassination of Archbishop Thomas Becket back in 1170. Since then, this has been a tourist destination for his shrine. Additionally, you have the opportunity to see the Canterbury Cathedral which is a very popular tourist attraction for day trippers like yourself. If you do fancy learning about 1,000 years’ worth of history, the Canterbury Cathedral also offers guided tours. 

The Canterbury Tales experience will be reopening in 2025 so it is important that you keep your eyes open for this fantastic historical adventure through the times. However, if you are visiting before the reopening of this great experience, you can visit the high street which, is home to many national and boutique stores. 

For the foodies, Canterbury is nothing short of sensational cuisine. There is plenty to offer for breakfast, lunch and even dinner. To start you off in the morning (thats if you get there early enough) consider either the Cafe Chambers or the Refectory Kitchen. For those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, consider the Veg Box Cafe. Once you have reached midday and you feel your stomach grumbling again, consider The Goods Shed or My Miyagi’s Sushi. To complete your day in Canterbury, there is no better place to finish than either The Corner House or The Found. 

The New Forest in Hampshire

Up next is The New Forest which is located in Hampshire, another great destination to visit. This is a bit further away compared to the others, where you are expecting a 1-hour and 45-minute train journey. Nevertheless, if you are looking to escape the toxic fumes produced by cars that are captured in the city centre of London and, wish to embrace the wonderful countryside that the UK has to offer, the New Forest should be at the top of your list. 

The New Forest is a great place for nature and almost feels magical. The reason why is that as you stroll through the forest, you will come across spectacular ponies along with other animals such as cattle and pigs. Then at the end of your work, you can reward yourself with a pub lunch at one of the many British pubs that are located there. 

Now, if you wish to shop at independent stores, consider heading towards Lymington where you can walk for an hour and a half. You also have many places to choose from when it comes to your food options such as The Filly, The Waterloo Arms, The Trusty Servant, The Fighting Cocks and many more. 

Hertford in Hertfordshire

For a fantastic countryside walk or even a pub crawl, there is no better place than Hertford which is located 35 minutes away from London on the train. Cobbled streets along with pastel-coloured buildings are what take you back in time. It is the type of place that you would expect to see on the back of a postcard. A place that is different to London in terms of queuing and its greenery, it seems to be the perfect place to escape the tall concrete buildings that are scattered around London, especially with how close it is. 

Deal in Kent

What’s that? Another coastal town located in Kent that is worth visiting for the day? Surely not. Surely yes! This amazing coastal town gained some strong popularity in 2018 and is less populated and has fewer tourists than Margate. Not to mention due to it being less of a tourist attraction compared to Margate, it can be slightly more affordable. 

Deal is also the home to many wonderful cafes, shops and restaurants so you wouldn’t find it difficult to spend a full day here. Additionally, if you visit at the weekend, on a Saturday in particular, you can visit the market stalls which they have on. 

Rye in East Sussex

Rye is another destination that you can visit outside of London which is just over an hour away. In fact, Rye is one of the best places that you can visit, outside of London and arguably one of the prettiest in England. Rye is home to wonderful cobbled streets, especially Mermaid Street. Additionally, it is one of the most photographed streets in England and has been featured on many postcards with good reason. 

Once you have finished in Rye on Mermaid Street, you should consider heading towards the iconic Rye Castle Museum which is the Ypres Tower and East Street where you can educate yourself on the town itself. 

For food, there is no better place to go than the Cobbles Tea Room. A place that will make you feel like a true Brit with its amazing scones and wonderful brews which have been open since 1953. Not to mention that it is very affordable in comparison to London as well. 

Eastbourne in East Sussex

Staying in East Sussex, Eastbourne is another perfect day trip from London. This is one of the longer journeys out of London but certainly worth every minute on the train. From Art Museums, bookshops, lunch, art museums, drinking, dining, and walking. 

We all love a coffee, especially after a train journey and the perfect place to stop off is To The Rise. This is where you are spoilt with a range of pastries, bread and fantastic coffee. Once you have finished your coffee, you should consider heading towards Tower Eastbourne which is full of contemporary art. 

Another positive with Eastbourne is that it is located on the coast which means that they are located in the pier. Here you can have a scoop of ice cream along with a small arcade full of 2p machines. 

To Conclude

As you can see, there are plenty of places to visit which are only a train journey away from the capital. All of these are perfect for an affordable day out that doesn’t quite break the bank compared to London prices. All you need to do is endure a couple of hours on the train and you are in a completely different environment. 

If you are not located near a train station then you can look for plenty of parking in central London that are located near a train station. We recommend you look for the train station which is a direct journey to your destination because that way, you will save journey time. Yes, there are London tours that are fantastic but it is always worth venturing outside of London to get a change of scenery.