Whilst London is an amazing city
to visit, full of exciting and interesting architecture and attractions, if you
are visiting then it is worth knowing that there are also a number of fantastic
places which are just a short journey away from this thriving capital
city. Particularly for international
visitors who are coming to the UK,
making the time to head further afield and checking out some of the stunning
cities and towns which surround London
is definitely something to consider.
If you would like to
step away from the bustling city of London, even for just a few hours then take
a look at some of our top suggestions for places to take a day trip when in
London:-
Stratford upon Avon
Situated 2 hours from London, a visit to Stratford
upon Avon should definitely be considered a
full day trip as there is so much to see and do once you have completed the 2
hour drive to reach it. The majority of
tourists head to Stratford upon Avon as it was the birthplace of William Shakespeare and
many of the attractions here hold links with this world renowned
playwright. You can visit Shakespeare’s
childhood home, the home of his former wife Anne Hathaway and the Royal
Shakespeare Theatre. If you prefer
attractions which are not related to Shakespeare then you can also visit the
Stratford Butterfly Farm or walk along the beautiful canal which surrounds the
town.
Bath
Just an hour and a
half from London and a World Heritage Site to
boot, Bath is a
worthy place to head for a day trip.
Stunning architecture,, Roman Baths, the Jane Austen Centre and Longleat
Safari Park are just some of the attractions you can discover, not to mention
the spas which still run using natural thermal waters and operate much the same
way as the Roman Baths did 2,000 years ago.
If you are booked to stay in a central hotel such as the Shaftesbury Hyde Park International
then you will find getting to Bath
relatively simple whether you choose to hire a car or travel by train and you
could easily spend an entire day exploring all that the city has to offer.
Canterbury
Canterbury is home to one of England’s most
famous cathedrals and is steeped in history, having once been a major
pilgrimage site during the Middle Ages.
Ancient Roman walls, cobbled streets and Gothic architecture are all in
abundance in this city and it can be reached in less than 2 hours from Central London.
Alongside the cathedral, make sure you factor in time to visit St Augustine’s Abbey and the Canterbury Heritage
Museum. There are also plenty of unique and
independent shops to take in and pretty markets to explore as well.
Windsor Castle
If you want a day trip
which is slightly closer to the centre of London
then Windsor Castle might be more up your
street. It doesn’t generally feature on
itineraries as it is set outside of the main hub of attractions but the castle
is perfect to visit if you happen to be staying in the Plus Park Grand London Heathrow hotel. As the oldest and largest occupied castle in
the world it is a very unique attraction and offers a special insight into the
British Royal Family. Visitors here can
tour the grounds as well as heading inside to the State Rooms.
Oxford
An hour from London, Oxford is
undoubtedly one of the UK’s
most beautiful cities. It is home to a
world renowned university which is steeped in history but aside from the
university and colleges there are plenty of other worthy attractions including
museums, pretty parks and markets as well.
Alongside the stunning architecture and attractions, a number of the
buildings in Oxford were also used as part of
the set for Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films; a visit here would be the ideal
addition to a trip to London
for any major Harry Potter fan. The vibe
in Oxford is
also pretty special, thanks to the number of students who make their home here
all year round.
Brighton
If you want to get
away from the buzzing city atmosphere then a day trip to Brighton
is a real must. This seaside town really
has something for everyone from the well known pier to the picturesque beaches
and all kinds in between. The vibe in
Brighton is really unlike anything else you might discover in England and it
is worth noting that if you want a traditional British seaside experience you
might want to try Broadstairs or Whitstable instead.
Stonehenge
As one of England’s most famous landmarks, Stonehenge
should certainly make it onto your list for consideration when it comes to
thinking about achievable day trips from London. Whether you believe in the mystical history
which surrounds this Neolithic stone circle or you simply want to witness one
of the world’s greatest eccentricities, you can reach Stonehenge in just under
2 hours from London and it makes a great
addition to a day trip to Bath
if you wanted to combine the two. Other
great towns and cities surrounding Stonehenge which would also make great
places to explore include Salisbury
and Wincester.
Henley on Thames
If you don’t want to
travel as far as Oxford then Henley on Thames make a wonderful alternative option. Just over an hour from London,
Henley on Thames is better known for the
annual rowing regatta which takes place here but aside from the boating culture
it is also home to a quaint market and pretty cobbled streets which are ideal
for an afternoon’s exploration. This
market town is surrounded by the stunning Chiltern Hills
making it a very picturesque place to visit as well.
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