The 10 Best Day Trips From London

Dive into the frills-and-lace world of aristocratic Downton Abbey and discover where Winston Churchill took his first breath on this Cotswolds day trip. Travelling by air-conditioned coach, your first stop will be UNESCO-listed Blenheim Palace. Equipped with an audio-commentary headset, you’ll stroll through the tapestry-adorned walls to find the angelic James Thornhill ceiling mural of Churchill’s birthplace. From there, your guide will take you through the rolling hills and storybook market towns of the Cotswolds – stopping at an enchanting village or two along the way – and on to the fiction-famous Bampton, aka Downton Abbey, to see where the popular show’s weddings, dramas and dalliances took place.

Brighton‘s seaside location, thriving LGBTQ scene and pulsing neon-tinted nightlife have long proved a magnet for day-trippers. Rain or shine, the artistic haven is regularly brimming with crowds looking to explore its individualistic fashion boutiques or kick off a night out at one of the retro, steampunk-inspired or beachfront bars.

This trip showcases the enduring elements of eras gone by. As you venture into the English countryside, your guide will fill you in on facts about the country’s prehistoric roots before arriving at the iconic Neolithic monument, Stonehenge. Take your time as you amble up winding pathways to the weather-beaten stone circle and learn the story behind its Bronze Age. Then it’s on to the city of Bath, where you’ll be free to explore its Roman baths and Georgian architecture. You can also upgrade your experience to include a visit to the Jane Austen Visitor Centre, which chronicles the life of the beloved Pride and Prejudice (1813) novelist.

Situated in the holiday hive of Dorset, the coastal town of Bournemouth is home to bewitching Gothic Revival architecture, the grand Art Deco Pavilion Theatre and a pier packed with high-adrenaline activities. Days can be spent on the beach digging into classic fish and chips and gazing out over its matcha green-tinted waters, while nights belong to the technicolour clubs and their bouncing revellers.

Hop on a train to Brighton to witness the natural beauty of the White Cliffs of Sussex in a small group. A deluxe minivan will be your carriage for a scenic drive to Devil’s Dyke National Trust, with your guide providing tall tales of its mythical legend along the way. From there, you’ll stop at the family-owned Middle Farm for lunch and a complimentary tea or coffee from the barn-style tea rooms, before heading to the summit of Beachy Head. Your day out will conclude with the chance to see the rugged chalk-carved cliffs of Seven Sisters.

Cambridge initially served as a Viking trading centre, attracting traders with its network of rivers and access to the sea through Ely. It is now better known for its highly esteemed university (which was founded in 1209 by Oxford scholars fleeing hostile townsmen), and the present-day city is a charming mix of museums, live music venues and centuries-old architecture.

Winding through the green-cloaked fields of the Kent countryside, this guided tour will whisk you away from the loud metropolis of London to the picturesque port of Dover. Stand on its historic shores and take in striking views of the famous White Cliffs before climbing up to explore the battle-worn hilltop castle and its labyrinth of war tunnels. After lunch, the second half of your trip will be spent behind Canterbury’s ancient walls, giving you chance to explore its frozen-in-time medieval centre. After touring the Gothic cathedral, you can venture to other historic sites like the nature-tangled ruins of St Augustine’s Abbey.

Bath is tailored to pleasure-seekers and history-lovers with its famously soothing waters and romantically Austen-esque Georgian architecture. The city owes its name to the Roman Baths – initially built in AD 70, the honey-coloured ruins (still brimming with water) now attract visitors from across the country. If you’re looking for a more contemporary spin on the ancient tradition, spend an afternoon at Thermae Bath Spa where you can float in natural hot spring water in a rooftop pool with sweeping city views.

Shakespeare’s tale-weaving legacy ripples throughout the world. It’s no surprise people are so keen to discover his personal story – with the literary figure’s humble beginnings rooted in the foundations of Stratford-Upon-Avon. Your guide will take you to the playwright’s birthplace and wife Anne Hathaway’s idyllic cottage, conjuring up a sense of what their childhoods may have been like. Tuck into a packed lunch and then you’ll be off to the Cotswolds, passing through fairytale-like villages such as Bibury, Burford and Bourton-on-the-Water along the way.

Oxford is a striking jigsaw of English architecture, featuring every style since the medieval Anglo-Saxon times. Among the diverse variety of structures lies one the oldest universities in the world, known for educating a plethora of Nobel Prize Winners and famous figures like Oscar Wilde. The city’s storybook setting has also been brought to life on the pages of timeless books like Brideshead Revisited (1945) and the His Dark Materials trilogy.