Stubborn Travel

It’s pretty impossible to get bored in London, with its endless array of museums, great restaurants to try, attractions, and even parks. But of course with these come the crowds, the traffic, the noise… so it’s easy to understand why many Londoners (or long-time visitors) may look for a change of scenery.

Luckily, London is surrounded by loads of fantastic places. Even better, you can take the train there, foregoing the risk of getting stuck in traffic or looking for expensive parking. So whether you’re looking for picturesque countryside, historic towns, or quirky seaside escapes, read on to explore some of the best day trips from London — all which you can get to in 90 minutes or less.

Great day trips from London in 90 minutes or less

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1. Windsor and Eton 👑

• Journey length: 1 hour
• Trains: Great Western Railway (GWR) from London Paddington to Windsor & Eton Central, or South Western Railway from London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside (this train also calls at Clapham Junction and Richmond)
• Fare: £11–£15 return

Just a short train ride from London lies royal Windsor, dahling. Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and a favourite retreat for British monarchs for over 1,000 years. It’s also where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tied the knot.

Aside from the castle, Windsor is pretty charming, with lots of cute streets, shops and cafes as well as beautiful parks (like Windsor Great Park). After exploring the castle grounds you can take a leisurely stroll along the River Thames (and cross it on foot to get to to Eton, famous for its prestigious college), or enjoy a traditional afternoon tea at one of the local establishments.

Windsor highlights

• The Long Walk
• Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House
• Windsor Great Park
• Eton Town and College
• Changing of the guards

But also:

• The Crooked House of Windsor: around the corner from the town centre, this tilted building dating back to 1592 is now an English tea room.
• Eton College Collections: the famous school has a number of museums that you can visit for free. Check the opening hours in advance, as some (like the Natural History Museum) are only open between 2:30 and 5pm on Sundays. On the other hand, the Verey Gallery is open every day except Sunday. While there, why not nurture your lifelong student and stroll down Eton High Street’s collection of independent bookstores and antique shops?
• Alexandra Gardens Bandstand: live music performances often take place in this picturesque riverside park, especially in the summer. Check what’s on at Windsor.gov.uk

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2. Oxford 🎓

• Journey length: 1 hour
• Trains: Great Western Railway (GWR) from London Paddington to Oxford, or Chiltern Railways from London Marylebone to Oxford.
• Fare: £25–£30 return

Ah, Oxford, the City of the Dreaming Spires and another fantastic day trip from London. The city is full of architecture and rich history dating back over 900 years, and you can visit iconic colleges like Christ Church and Magdalen College. You can also take a guided walking tour to learn about famous alumni such as J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis.

While in Oxford, don’t miss out on visiting the Ashmolean Museum—home to an impressive collection of art and archaeology—or taking a relaxing punt down the River Cherwell for a unique view of this beautiful city.

Oxford highlights

• Old Bodleian Library and Weston Library
• Christ Church College
• Ashmolean Museum

But also:

• The Story Museum: a most ‘unusual’, family-friendly museum.
• Alice’s Shop: where the real Alice Liddell (featured in C.S. Lewis’ Alice Through the Looking Glass) would visit.
• The Turf Tavern: a traditional pub (now Greene King) dating back to 1831.
• Pay your respects: visit J.R.R. Tolkien’s grave (Wolvercote Cemetary), look for a wardrobe door by C.S. Lewis’ final resting place (Holy Trinity Church, Headington Quarry), or ponder philosophy at the tomb of John Locke (Christ Church Cathedral)

Don’t fancy Oxford? Cambridge is also just over an hour away and makes for another great day trip from Lonon. Expect stunning college buildings, scenic riverside views (from in or out of a boat), and homages to Cambridge University alum Sir Isaac Newton.

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3. Whitstable 🦪

• Journey length: 1 hour 20 mins
• Trains: Southeastern High Speed from London St Pancras International to Whitstable
• Fare: £30-40 return

Seafood lovers, rejoice! Whitstable’s history dates back to Roman times when it was known for its oyster beds. The town’s maritime heritage is still evident today: a picturesque harbour and historic buildings lining the seafront, while plenty of restaurants celebrate seafood galore. Still, Whitstable is so much more than oysters. There’s a thriving arts scene, nature walks and great independent shops to keep you more than busy.

Whitstable highlights

• Whitstable Harbour
• Pebble beach (bring sturdy shoes)
• Saturday Farmer’s Market at Oxford Street
• Delicious seafood (Wheelers is justly famous and requires reservations)
• Strolling down the high street

But also

• Water sports: when the weather cooperates, Whitstable is considered a great beginner spot for paddleboarding and windsurfing
• The Horsebridge Arts Centre: this community centre hosts art exhibitions, theatre shows and live music alongside painting and pottery workshops
• Tankerton Slopes: around a 20-minute walk from the town centre, you can enjoy seaviews while taking in fresh sea air along the well-maintained paths that lead down towards Tankerton Beach

Don’t fancy Whitstable? Eastbourne, Brighton and Margate also make for great seaside escapes from London.

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4. Canterbury 🏰

• Journey length: 1-2 hours, depending on service
• Trains: Southeastern High Speed from London St Pancras International to Canterbury West (55 mins), or the regular service from London Victoria to Canterbury East (1 hour 45 mins)
• Fare: £30-40 return

Steeped in history and literature, Canterbury feels like a page from a fairytale (minus the dragons). The streets are so quaint they should come with a tea set, but the highlight is undoubtedly the magnificent Canterbury Cathedral – a UNESCO World Heritage site known as one of Christianity’s most important places of worship in England. With the fast service under an hour from London, Canterbury is an excellent choice when considering day trips from London. The question is: will you want to come back on the same day?

Canterbury Highlights

• Canterbury Cathedral
• St Augustine’s Abbey
• Canterbury Roman Museum
• Westgate Gardens

But also

• The Crooked House (Sir John Boys House): your standard 17th-century, timber-framed building tilted at a precarious angle.
• Greyfriars Chapel and Gardens: a peaceful oasis hidden in the city centre, this 13th-century chapel is set amidst quiet gardens perfect for a thoughtful ponder.
• St. Martin’s Church: go back in time at the ‘oldest Church in the English-speaking world’, dating back to the 6th century.
• Eastbridge Hospital: founded in the 12th century to provide shelter for poor pilgrims, this medieval building still stands and offers a fascinating glimpse into Canterbury’s past. It’s hospitality, medieval-style—minus the questionable hygiene.
• Canterbury’s Medieval Ducking Stool: Near the Old Weavers House, you’ll find a replica of a medieval punishment device once used for dunking gossiping women and dishonest tradesmen into the river. Thankfully, it’s out of service, so gossip away.

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5. Lewes 🌳

• Journey length: 1 hour
• Trains: Southern Railway from London Victoria
• Fare: £20-30 return

If you’re after a pretty town with a fiery personality, look no further. Only an hour away, this pretty historic market town is the perfect day trip from London. Nestled in the South Downs with plenty of beautiful walks on tap, Lewes is famous for its bonfire celebrations and a castle that’s been keeping watch since the 11th century. It’s like stepping into a history book, but with better pubs and coffee shops.

Lewes Highlights

• Lewes Castle
• Anne of Cleeves House
• Southover Grange Gardens

But also

• Harvey’s Brewery: the oldest independent brewery in Sussex. You can take a tour and sample ales that have stood the test of time (and taste).
• Lewes Flea Market: a treasure trove of antiques, collectibles, and things you never knew you needed.
• The Needlemakers: A converted Victorian factory now housing artisan shops and a cozy café. Shopping spree, anyone?

6. Bath 🛁

• Journey length: 1.5 hrs
• Trains: Great Western Railway (GWR) from London Paddington to Bath Spa
• Fare: £60-70 return

Slightly further afield than the others (and with this unfortunately reflected in the train prices) is Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its natural hot springs and Georgian architecture. You can take the bus for half the price, but what you keep in cash, you lose in time.

Still, Bath is a gorgeous city full of beautiful listed buildings, lovely shops, and of course, the Roman Baths. Here, you can learn about their fascinating history while marveling at well-preserved structures dating back to AD 60-70, or relax at Thermae Bath Spa—the only natural thermal spa in Britain

Bath Highlights

• Bath Abbey
• Pulteney Bridge
• Jane Austen Centre
• Thermae Bath Spa

But also

• Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House: home of the original Bath bun (calories don’t count on holiday).
• The Museum of Bath at Work: where you can learn about the city’s industrial past (which is more exciting that in sounds)
• No. 1 Royal Crescent: step inside this historic house museum to see how the Georgians really lived (spoiler alert: they liked fancy things)
• The Herschel Museum of Astronomy: visit the former home of William Herschel, who discovered Uranus here (I wonder how many jokes they get about that…)
• Bath Skyline Walk: a six-mile trail offering stunning views of the city
• Prior Park Landscape Garden: a picturesque National Trust property featuring a Palladian bridge that’s one of only four in the world

Day Trips from London

These are just six ideas for day trips from London, but really, there are countless. When it comes to finding the best option, it really depends what you’re looking for—a royal heritage site like Windsor Castle? A sea breeze, like you can find in Whitstable? A relaxing break where you can sip tea and admire the buildings around you, as you could do in Canterbury and Oxford?

Whether you live in London or are a tourist looking to escape, hopping on a train and enjoying somewhere nearby is the perfect antidote when the city gets too much. So next time you’re planning your weekend itinerary consider these fantastic options—you won’t be disappointed.

Are these too close to home? Explore what you can do in Edinburgh instead. Or, venture further afield with the great train trips of Europe.

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