More Day Trips

Brighton

London's nearest sea — only 1 hour by train (from Victoria or London Bridge). Brighton is colorful, creative, and liberal: the pebble beach, the Royal Pavilion (a crazy Indo-Saracenic palace by George IV, admission: £17), The Lanes (winding alleys with vintage shops, jewelry, and cafes), the Palace Pier (fairground, fish and chips), and a legendary LGBTQ+ scene. Perfect for a sunny day trip.

Oxford

The oldest university in the English-speaking world (founded around 1096) — 1 hour by train from Paddington. The colleges (Christ Church, Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Camera) are architectural jewels. Christ Church served as the model for the Hogwarts dining hall in the Harry Potter films (admission: £18). Punting on the River Cherwell is the classic Oxford experience (from £22/hour).

Stonehenge & Bath

Stonehenge — the most mysterious stone circle in the world (5,000 years old) — is about 2 hours west of London. Best visited in combination with Bath: the elegant Georgian city with the Roman Baths (2,000-year-old Roman spa, admission: £25), the Royal Crescent (perfect Georgian semicircle), and the Thermae Bath Spa (modern spa with rooftop pool, from £42). Organized day tours from London (from £60) or by train to Bath (1.5 hours) plus bus to Stonehenge.

Hampton Court Palace

The Tudor palace of Henry VIII — 40 minutes by train from London Waterloo. The Great Hall (where Henry dined with Anne Boleyn), the Tudor kitchens, the William-and-Mary apartments in Baroque style, and the famous hedge maze (since 1690, you really can get lost!). The palace garden on the banks of the Thames is beautiful. Admission: £29.