Last Updated on July 28, 2026
Whenever you’re in London, take one of these great, easy day trips…
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
By Jim Ferri
I’ll admit I’m addicted to London. It’s an exciting city to visit, especially for the first time, when you see so many world-famous landmarks and historic buildings, many peppered with little plaques attesting to some famous person who had resided there centuries go. As you experience high-school history come alive, you almost feel you’re a time traveler.
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Like some other travelers I’ve returned to London several times, often reverting to the same old haunts. But I also found it’s good to get out of the city to delve into another part of Britain that enamors so many people: the magnificent English countryside.
Different areas of the countryside are quite easy to reach from the British capital. There are scores of beautiful places to see, each enveloping another facet of the beauty and history of Britain. They are perfect day trips from London, English road trips, so to speak.
Here are four interesting places to visit outside the capital that are easy road trips. Each is also easily accessible by train from London. I suggest, however, that you plan a road trip to these towns in a rental car, since you’ll be able to see a lot more of them than you could otherwise. On a trip to Bath or the Cotswolds, for example, a rental could then include a side trip to nearby Stonehenge. I’ve visited many of them, and quickly adapted to “driving on the wrong side of the road.”
An Easy Day Trip From London: Beautiful Bath
1½ hours by train from Paddington Station
A bit over 2 hours by car via the M4
While this beautiful city is renowned for its spectacular Roman baths, it’s also famous for its 18th-century Georgian architecture. In fact, it’s this pleasant mash-up of history and architecture that’s earned the city its UNESCO World Heritage status and made it one of the top day trips from London for many travelers.
It’s also made Bath a favorite day trip from London for long-weekend. Regrettably, this only contributes to the city’s difficult parking problems. Luckily, though, once you’ve dumped the car you’ll find it’s an easy city to walk around.
Don’t miss the beautiful architecture of the Royal Crescent, often called the most majestic street in Britain. Also don’t miss Pulteney Bridge, the Circus (a Colosseum-like circle of homes), and the small but interesting Holburne Museum. In addition, there’s also the Jane Austen Centre if you’re a fan of hers.
The Cotswolds
2 hours from London via rail from Marylebone Station; about the same time by rental car via the M40.
The Cotswolds are quintessential England, a bucolic region roughly 800-square-miles in size, spread across the counties of Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. Renowned for its honey-colored limestone market towns, which still look much as they did when built in the Middle Ages. It’s designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Britain. For years it’s been one of the top day trips from London.
North of Bath and west of Oxford in southwest England, it’s also one of Britain’s prettiest areas. Think fluffy sheep speckling hillsides that are crisscrossed with old dry-stone walls. And large leafy trees providing a canopy above winding roads that often give the word “serpentine” new meaning.
Most of all, this is the place just to wander from village to village, enjoying the uniqueness of the region. On this day trip from London don’t miss Bourton-on-the-Water, one of the area’s most famous towns. Nearby is Stow-on-the-Wold (just a ten-minute drive further up A429), Moreton-in-Marsh, Chipping Campden, and Broadway. You’ll also find the remains of an old Roman villa near Northleach.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Less than 2 hours by car (via the M40) or train from London’s Marylebone Station
When I visited historic Stratford-Upon-Avon, I found Shakespeare’s birthplace only mildly interesting. That’s because, unfortunately, it’s located on a crowded commercial pedestrian street. There all the shops, outdoor cafés, and crowds of tourists gave it a semi-circus-like atmosphere.
Still, though, it was interesting to see what times were like at the time and place where Shakespeare was born. And out in the garden I enjoyed several actors doing scenes from various Shakespearean plays.
Unfortunately, I was unable to visit the Royal Shakespeare Theatre since it was closed at the time. However, I enjoyed the interesting Anne Hathaway’s cottage. All in all, it provided a good overview of what life was like at those times. And I also learned what courting was like in the 1700s (in Tudor times).
First and foremost, the thing I liked best was my visit to Shakespeare’s grave. It’s in the old Church of the Holy Trinity, a beautiful place surrounded by a large old cemetery beneath the trees. Shakespeare, along with his wife Anne Hathaway, etc. are interred in one of the chapels in the church. It’s quite beautiful and cozy inside.
Incidentally, if you plan to visit several of the historic sites, it makes sense to get the pass that admits you to five different places at a reduced cost.
Oxford, a Very Easy Day Trip From London
About 1 hour via car or train (Paddington Station)
While its name describes a place where it was easy to cross the river (an “ox” “ford”), it’s more widely known today as the home of the University of Oxford, one of the world’s premier universities and England’s first, founded in the 13th century.
When I finally found my way to spired-studded Oxford, I enjoyed it immensely. It is easily reached and easy to see once you arrive. On this day trip from London I stepped off the train and onto a Hop On–Hop Off bus. It was at the station and we were downtown and at the University is only a few minutes away. If you enjoy train travel, Oxford may be one of your top day trips from London.
Almost nothing has changed in the University since its founding. Even today you’ll see the beautiful honey-colored buildings of the University scattered all over the city. A good way to get your bearings and a great view, if you’re up to it, is to climb the tower of the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin. From there you’ll get a spectacular view of the campus and the entire city. Located at the corner of High and Cattes Streets, it’s across from the domed Radcliffe Camera, a Palladian-style library.
Moreover, also take a tour of the Christ Church College where you can visit the Renaissance-style dining hall replicated in “Harry Potter.”
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