11 Amazing London Day Trips You Can Easily Take by Train in 2 Hours or Less
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One of the best things about visiting London is how easy it is to escape the city for a day.
Whether you’re craving countryside charm, ancient history, or literary pilgrimages, there’s a world-class day trip waiting just a train ride away.
I’ve been visiting London since I was 16 and have spent nearly 2 months here collectively (as recently as 2025)—plenty of time to discover which day trips are actually worth the train fare.
This guide covers 11 of the best day trips from London, sorted by distance so you can pick the perfect adventure for your schedule.
Each includes an honest cost breakdown, train travel times (I’m still too scared to drive on the left side of the road), what to see, and practical tips from someone who’s actually done these trips.
1. Hampton Court Palace
| 🚗 DISTANCE From London 15 miles | ⏱️ TRAVEL TIME Approx. 35 min by train | 💷 COST Adult Admission From £28 |
If you’re looking for an easy day trip that doesn’t require an early alarm (yes, I am a night owl), Hampton Court Palace is your answer.
Located just a short train ride from London Waterloo (making it a great pick for a weekend itinerary in London), this magnificent Tudor palace was home to Henry VIII and boasts over 1,000 rooms, 60 acres of gardens, and the oldest surviving hedge maze in Britain.
What to See & Do
Walk through the Great Hall where Henry VIII feasted, see the famous wine fountain recreation that does occasionally serve the beverage, explore the haunted Great Watching Chamber where Catherine Howard’s ghost allegedly roams, and don’t miss the chocolate kitchen.
My favorite is the Tudor reenactments, which bring the palace to life in a way no textbook ever could, making this one of my favorite and most memorable day trips from London!
If you’re traveling with kids, they’ll love the scratch-and-sniff map that’ll guide them along the tour, allowing them to smell everything from the guard chamber’s wood-burning fireplace and the while the drawing room’s herbs.
Featured in
The Favourite, Wolf Hall (BBC), My Lady Jane (Amazon), Bridgerton and Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (Netflix), and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011).
If you’re a fan of the famous detective, do make sure to visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum in London or take my free self-guided tour inspired by the BBC series.
How to Get There
Take a direct train from London Waterloo to Hampton Court station – the journey takes approximately 35 minutes. The palace is a short walk from the station across the bridge.
Top Tip
Allow at least 3–4 hours to see everything – honestly, you could spend longer. I waited over a decade to visit and spent four full hours exploring every corner, and didn’t even make a dent in the gardens.
RELATED POST: Visiting Hampton Court Palace
2. Harry Potter Studio Tour (Leavesden)
| 🚗 DISTANCE From London 21.5 miles | ⏱️ TRAVEL TIME Approx. 35-45 min (train & bus) | 💷 COST Adult Admission From £58.50 |
Potterheads, this one’s for you.
The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London in Leavesden is where the magic of all eight Harry Potter films came to life.
2026 is a particularly special year as it marks the 25th anniversary of the Philosopher’s Stone film, with exclusive new features planned throughout the summer.
As someone who used to work in TV and film, and even on the Warner Bros. lot in Los Angeles, I was still stupefied by this place!
To get to see every detail from the costumes and wigs to the ornate sets, it is amazing for fans of the series.
What to See & Do
Walk through the Great Hall, board the Hogwarts Express at Platform 9¾, stroll down Diagon Alley, and come face-to-face with Aragog in the Forbidden Forest.
The incredible Hogwarts castle model is a show-stopper.
Seasonal features rotate throughout the year, from Magical Mischief to Hogwarts in the Snow. I was able to check out the latter during one of my recent trips and found it super magical!
How to Get There
The easiest option is a coach + entry package from central London (Victoria, Paddington, or Marble Arch), which runs multiple times daily.
You can also take a train to Watford Junction and then the shuttle bus (it’s free), which is the cheapest option and the one I went with.
Top Tip
Book well in advance – popular slots sell out 6–8 weeks ahead, especially during school holidays. Plan for 7+ hours door-to-door, including about 4 hours inside the studios.
3. Windsor Castle
| 🚗 DISTANCE From London 22.5 miles | ⏱️ TRAVEL TIME Approx. 30 min by train | 💷 COST Adult Admission From £32 (online) £36 (day of) |
Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, has been a royal residence for over 1,000 years and remains a working palace for His Majesty The King today.
With its stunning State Apartments (photos prohibited in the interiors), gorgeous grounds, and the iconic St George’s Chapel, it’s one of the most popular day trips from London for good reason.
What to See & Do
Tour the magnificent State Apartments featuring works by Van Dyck and Rubens, visit St George’s Chapel (the burial place of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, and where Harry and Meghan were married), and see Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House – the largest and most famous in the world.
Between autumn and spring, the richly decorated Semi-State Rooms are added to the visitor route.
This was one of my first day trips from London, and it is a must for anyone interested in the royal family. However, if you’re not much interested in them, I’d recommend Hampton Court much more due to how much there is to do there.
How to Get There
Train from London Paddington to Windsor & Eton Central takes about 30 minutes (change at Slough). You can also take a direct train from London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside.
Top Tip
Arrive before 11am to catch the Changing of the Guard ceremony (Thursdays and Saturdays, weather permitting). Book your tickets online in advance to save £4 per ticket. Allow 2.5–3 hours for your visit.
4. Hever Castle
| 🚗 DISTANCE From London 40 miles | ⏱️ TRAVEL TIME Approx. 1 hr by train + taxi | 💷 COST Adult Admission From £25.50 (online) £28.40 (onsite) |
Just 40 miles from London, this enchanting double-moated castle in Kent was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn–Henry VIII’s second wife and one of history’s most fascinating figures.
As a fan of women in history, this was a must-visit on my list!
The castle is a bit of a hidden gem, so my aunt and I found it pretty empty, which made us feel more like we were walking in Anne’s footsteps than at a typical tourist attraction.
We even got some recommendations from locals! Upon arriving at Hever Castle and before even going in, visit the chapel right off the road.
I would have missed it had a nice Englishman not stopped his car and told me about it. Anne’s father is buried there.
What to See & Do
Visit Anne Boleyn’s bedroom, the Book of Hours room, the Queen’s chamber, and King Henry the 8th’s bedchamber.
There is a surprising amount of actual possessions still at Hever Castle, as opposed to recreations. Such as the original letters between King Henry VIII and Anne, which provided a tangible record of their relationship.
If you’re into fashion or period items, they have a lot of clothes and prayer books there as well.
Outside you can wander through the castle grounds and the small village.
As it was raining, I didn’t participate in anything but Hever Castle’s interior. However, there are several walks around the castle that you can take if you have better luck with the weather than us.
Featured in
The Great, Andor, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, The Princess Bride, and Inkheart.
How to Get There
Take a train from London Victoria or London Bridge to Edenbridge Town station, then a taxi for three miles to the castle. There are no regular bus services, so a taxi is your best bet from the station, and it’s recommended to book in advance.
Top Tip
Arrive in the morning and plan to stay half a day – there’s genuinely enough to fill it between the castle, gardens, mazes, lake walk, and play areas. The castle opens at 12 pm, but the grounds open at 10:30 am. Interactive audio guides, which last about 45 minutes, are included with castle entry.
If you’re trying to fill more time here, Sir Winston Churchill’s home, Chartwell, is nearby and would make a good supplement to Hever Castle.
5. Leeds Castle
| 🚗 DISTANCE From London 44 miles | ⏱️ TRAVEL TIME Approx. 2 hr by train + bus | 💷 COST Adult Admission From £33 |
Often called the “loveliest castle in the world,” Leeds Castle in Kent sits on two islands in the middle of a lake, creating one of the most picturesque settings you’ll find anywhere in England.
It served as a palace for medieval queens and later Henry VIII before becoming a 20th-century aristocratic country retreat.
What to See & Do
Explore the castle’s furnished rooms, get lost in the famous yew tree maze (and find the underground grotto at its center), watch the spectacular falconry displays, wander the Princess Alexandra Gardens, and let the kids (or yourself) loose in the enormous adventure playground.
This was also one of my first day trips from London, and I recall being astounded by the underground grotto. It must have taken ages to make!
However, the interiors are a bit bland when compared to other castles on this day trips from London list, so if you’re not super into wandering the grounds, you may want to pick one of the options.
Featured in
The Hollow Crown (BBC Shakespeare adaptations) and a Doctor Who serial, The Androids of Tara.
How to Get There
Take a train from London Victoria or St Pancras to Bearsted station (about 1 hour), then a short taxi or bus ride to the castle.
Top Tip
Your admission ticket is a pay-once-visit-all-year pass, so you can return as many times as you like. The castle and grounds are extensive enough for a full day.
6. The Cotswolds
| 🚗 DISTANCE From London 85 miles | ⏱️ TRAVEL TIME Approx. 2 hrs 15 min by train + bus | 💷 COST Adult Admission Free to wander around |
The Cotswolds are what immediately come to mind when you think of the English countryside–honey-coloured stone cottages, rolling hills, and village greens that look like they belong in a period drama.
Stow-on-the-Wold, one of the highest villages in the Cotswolds, is a perfect base for exploring the region and makes a wonderful day trip from London.
It’s also where my friend got married, within St Edward’s Church! Although I got locked out of my hostel here, I found the quaint town lovely to wander through and felt as though I were on a film set in the English countryside.
What to See & Do
Wander the quaint market square, browse antique shops and independent boutiques, visit St Edward’s Church (famous for its fairy-tale tree-framed doorway that’s said to have inspired Tolkien), and take in the quintessential Cotswolds scenery.
Nearby villages like Bourton-on-the-Water and the Slaughters are easily reachable by car or bus.
Featured in
The Cotswolds are heavily featured in Downton Abbey, Bridget Jones’s Diary, Poldark, and The Holiday (the Shere cottage scenes nearby). While Stow-on-the-Wold was featured in Wolf Hall and Vanity Fair.
How to Get There
Train from London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh (about 1.5 hours), then a short bus or taxi ride to Stow.
Do note that having a car gives you much more flexibility for hopping between Cotswold villages.
Top Tip
If you’re visiting the Cotswolds without a car, Moreton-in-Marsh is the best hub as it has the most frequent London train connections. Visit on a Tuesday for the weekly outdoor market.
7. Stonehenge & Avebury Stone Circle
| 🚗 DISTANCE From London 87 miles | ⏱️ TRAVEL TIME Approx. 2 hr 15 min by train + bus | 💷 COST Adult Admission From £27.20 / Avebury is FREE |
Stonehenge
Stonehenge is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, England, about an hour and 45 minutes’ drive west of London–perfect if you’re looking to get out of the city.
As one of the most notable landmarks in England, it was a must on my travel bucket list!
Archaeologists believe it was built between 3000 BC and 2000 BC by a culture that left no written records, which means many aspects of the Stones remain the subject of debate, and several myths surround them.
Each standing stone is about 13 feet high, nearly 7 feet wide, and weighs approximately 25 tons. What is known is that the 30 enormous stones were brought to the site, possibly from a quarry, around 25 miles north of Stonehenge on the Marlborough Downs.
I visited as part of my trip to the Cotswolds for a wedding and loved seeing this world-renouned site in person! As I visited just before the solstice, I was able to experience druids chanting in the circle.
Avebury
Just a 40-minute drive north of Stonehenge, you’ll find Europe’s largest prehistoric stone circle – and it’s completely free.
Avebury was constructed over several hundred years in the 3rd millennium BC and originally comprised 100 stones arranged around an entire village.
Unlike Stonehenge, Avebury isn’t commercialised. There’s no visitor centre, no tram, no audio guide, and there aren’t a whole lot of other people, which is a refreshing change.
You can walk right up to the 5,000-year-old megaliths without barriers or ropes, which make feel much more mystical than Stonehenge. I also loved that it has literary connections, as the ancient beech trees believed to have inspired Tolkien’s talking Ents are here.
What to See & Do at Stonehenge
Before arrival, download the free app to access the audioguide, as they no longer provide them on-site.
A bus service runs frequently from the visitor center to the stones, taking about 10 minutes.
You can’t touch the stones anymore since the ground isn’t stable, but you can get pretty darn close.
Fun fact: they used to provide visitors with a chisel and hammer to lop off a piece as a souvenir!
The visitor center has excellent exhibits, and of course, a gift shop. Two hours is really enough time, or stretch it to three if you take it slow.
What to See & Do at Avebury
Start with lunch at the haunted Red Lion Pub, which sits right inside the stone circle and is reportedly one of the most haunted pubs in England.
Then explore the stones at your own pace.
Just down the road from the pub, you’ll find some enormous ancient beech trees believed to have inspired J.R.R. Tolkien’s talking trees, the Ents.
In Tolkien’s work, the most famous Ent is Treebeard (Fangorn in Sindarin), described as about 14 feet tall and resembling a beech or oak tree.
When you see these twisted, ancient beeches in person, you’ll understand why this unverified claim has proliferated.
Featured in
Stonehenge – Transformers: The Last Knight and King Arthur (2004).
How to Get to Stonehenge
Take the train from London Waterloo (or Clapham Junction) to Salisbury – it takes around 1 hour and 25 minutes. The Stonehenge Tour Bus is a public bus departing from the Salisbury train and bus stations.
How to Get to Avebury
By car from Stonehenge, it’s about 35 minutes north.
By public transport, take a train from London Paddington to Swindon (about 1 hour), then Stagecoach Bus 49 to Avebury (30–45 minutes).
Many GetYourGuide tours bundle Stonehenge and Avebury together–two birds, one stone, or two Stonehenges, in this case—making these day trips from London easier by having the provider handle transportation, tickets, and everything else for you.
Top Tip
Stonehenge uses timed entry, so booking in advance is the only way to guarantee entry on your chosen date and time. And don’t miss nearby Avebury for a quieter, more hidden gem stone circle experience, as it’s far less visited in England than its famous neighbor, if you have to pick between the two!
RELATED POST: How to Visit Tolkien’s Talking Tree at Avebury
8. Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon
| 🚗 DISTANCE From London 100 miles | ⏱️ TRAVEL TIME Approx. 2 hr 15 min by train | 💷 COST Adult Admission Shakespeare’s Birthplace from £20.50 Stratford Walking Tour from £10 |
The hometown of the world’s greatest playwright is a must for literary travelers and history buffs alike.
Stratford-upon-Avon has been drawing visitors since 1769, when actor David Garrick put this small market town on the map with his Shakespeare Jubilee.
The town is charming, walkable, and packed with Tudor character.
And you don’t need to be a big Shakespeare nerd to enjoy it. I consider myself a newbie and still got a lot out of my visit, just learning about the Tudor times (did you know bonfire actually stems from the Middle English bonefire, literally referring to a fire of bones), and experiencing the architecture was enough to entertain me.
What to See & Do
Take a walking tour of this medieval market town to the exteriors of Shakespeare’s Birthplace, the Harvard House, Hall’s Croft, and then enter Holy Trinity Church, where the Bard is buried, all while accompanied by an expert guide who’ll provide fun facts and historical insight.
Then, visit the interiors of Shakespeare’s Birthplace to see the actual room where he was born (I got literal chills), the preserved First Folio that saved 18 of his plays from being lost forever, and the 16th-century glove-making workshop where his father worked.
Watch live performances in Shakespeare’s garden by actors who cycle through a number of the Bard’s famous works for visitors.
You can also enter Hall’s Croft, I just didn’t have enough time on my day trip!
Featured in
The town is the setting of the 2018 BBC detective show Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators.
How to Get There
Direct trains run from London Marylebone to Stratford-upon-Avon in approximately 2 hours. The town is compact and easily walkable from the station.
Top Tip
Do the Stratford Town Walk before visiting the Birthplace–it gives you context that makes the house visit so much richer. Ask about discount vouchers from the walking tour for the Birthplace admission.
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9. Cardiff
| 🚗 DISTANCE From London 150 miles | ⏱️ TRAVEL TIME Approx. 2 hrs by train | 💷 COST Adult Admission Cardiff Castle from £16 Audio Guide from £8.80 |
The capital of Wales makes for a surprisingly doable day trip from London, with fast direct trains getting you there in around two hours.
Cardiff is a compact, walkable city with a fascinating mix of medieval history, Victorian architecture, and modern waterfront.
It’s especially lovely if you’re a fan of the series Doctor Who, which I am, so I was thrilled to walk around so many filming locations that I’d seen through the many incarnations of the Doctor.
But even if you aren’t a sci-fi nerd, there’s plenty to see in this city that I found to be super welcoming and not terribly bustling.
What to See & Do
Explore Cardiff Castle with its lavish Victorian Gothic interiors and Norman keep, wander down to the beautiful Wales Millennium Center, visit the impressive National Museum Cardiff (free entry), and explore many of Cardiff’s arcades to check out shops and local restaurants.
Doctor Who fans will love the audio-guided tour I took, which led me through the heart of Cardiff to several filming locations. It was filled with so many fun facts and things I would not have discovered on my own, such as a tiny Cyberman hiding in a church used in the series.
Featured in
Home to BBC Studios Wales, making it the primary filming location for Doctor Who, Torchwood, Sherlock (several Cardiff locations double for London), and His Dark Materials.
How to Get There
Direct Great Western Railway trains from London Paddington to Cardiff Central take approximately 2 hours. Services run frequently throughout the day.
Top Tip
With a 2-hour journey each way, leave early to maximise your time. The city center is very walkable from the station, so there is no need for taxis or public transport once you arrive.
10. Liverpool
| 🚗 DISTANCE From London 210 miles | ⏱️ TRAVEL TIME Approx. 2 hrs 15 min by train | 💷 COST Adult Admission Most museums are FREE Beatles Explorer £18 |
Rich in WWII and music history, with extensive nightlife and numerous museums, Liverpool is much more than just the home of The Beatles.
The city’s UNESCO-recognised waterfront and rich maritime heritage also make it a rewarding day trip for those willing to take the longer train journey.
I didn’t originally plan to visit Liverpool, but on a friend’s recommendation from abroad, I took a chance and really enjoyed this vivacious city, with its many cafes, museums, and musical ties.
I also found it a great place to meet people at bars and through meetup events like TimeLeft, especially as I was flying solo.
What to See & Do
Walk along the Royal Albert Dock and visit the free Tate Liverpool, Museum of Liverpool, World Museum, and Walker Art Gallery.
For those entranced by the Fab Four, check out the Beatles Story exhibition, The British Music Experience, and hop on a Beatles Explorer tour to see locations outside the city center, such as Strawberry Field, Penny Lane, and the childhood homes of the group.
Then spend an evening at the Cavern Club, a recreation of the famous venue they played in for some amazing tribute bands.
Wander through the beautiful Liverpool Cathedral (the largest in Britain), or take in some WWII history at St Luke’s Bombed Out Church.
Featured in
Used extensively in Peaky Blinders, Captain America: The First Avenger, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, The Batman (2022), and The Crown.
How to Get There
Direct Avanti West Coast trains from London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street take approximately 2 hours 15 minutes. Advance tickets offer significant savings, so book ahead.
Top Tip
Book advance train tickets for the best fares, as they can be significantly cheaper than walk-up prices. Many of Liverpool’s best museums are free, so this can be a surprisingly budget-friendly day trip from London despite the distance.
11. Chester
| 🚗 DISTANCE From London 210 miles | ⏱️ TRAVEL TIME Approx. 2 hrs by train | 💷 COST Adult Admission Free (city walls & rows) Walking Tour £12 |
One of England’s best-preserved medieval cities, Chester is famous for its complete Roman and medieval city walls (the most complete in Britain), its unique two-tiered “Rows” shopping galleries dating to the 13th century, and a stunning 1,000-year-old cathedral.
It’s the same distance as Liverpool but offers a completely different vibe if you’re looking for something more historic.
I visited on a recommendation from a local in Liverpool and wasn’t disappointed by this unique city; I adored the architecture and small-town vibes and found just by walking around filled a whole day for me easily.
What to See & Do
Walk the full circuit of the ancient city walls (about 2 miles), explore the distinctive Rows with their covered walkways and independent shops, visit Chester Cathedral with its beautiful cloisters, and see the Roman amphitheatre–the largest uncovered in Britain.
Stop by the Eastgate Clock, St. John’s ruins, the Roman gardens, or the free Grosvenor Museum for a bit of insight into the area.
If you want to learn a lot about Chester, I highly recommend signing up for their walking tours. It’s very affordable and I got to learn so much more about the city than if I’d just explored on my own.
How to Get There
Direct Avanti West Coast trains from London Euston to Chester take approximately 2 hours. The historic center is a short walk from the station.
Top Tip
The city wall walk is the best free activity, offering a wonderful overview of the entire city, and it takes about an hour at a leisurely pace. If you’re also visiting Liverpool, Chester makes a great combination trip over a weekend.
Day Trips from London at a Glance
(sorted by distance)
| Destination | Distance | Travel Time | Adult Cost | Best For |
| Hampton Court Palace | 15 mi | 35 min | From £28 | Tudor History |
| Harry Potter Studios | 21.5 mi | 35-45 min | From £58.50 | Potterheads |
| Windsor Castle | 22.5 mi | 30 min | £32–£36 | Royal History |
| Hever Castle | 40 mi | 1 hr | £25.50–£28.40 | Tudor Fans |
| Leeds Castle | 44 mi | 2 hrs | From £33 | Families |
| The Cotwolds | 85 mi | 2 hrs 15 min | Free | Countryside |
| Stonehenge & Avebury | 87 mi | 2 hrs 15 min | £27.20 / Free | Ancient History |
| Stratford-upon-Avon | 100 mi | 2 hrs 15 min | £20.50 / £10 | Literature Lovers |
| Cardiff | 150 mi | 2 hrs | £16 / £8.80 | City Explorers & Whovians |
| Liverpool | 210 mi | 2 hrs 15 min | Free museums / £18 Beatles Tour | Culture & Music |
| Chester | 210 mi | 2 hrs | Free / £12 Walking Tour | Medieval History |
Note: All prices and travel times are approximate and were last verified in early 2026. Always check official websites before your visit, as prices and schedules can change. Train times are approximate and based on direct or fastest routes.
Related London Travel Guides
- Ultimate 2 Day London Itinerary: Top Sights for First-Timers
- See Inside Hampton Court Palace, How to Visit from London
- Is the Sherlock Holmes Museum in London Worth Visiting? Review from a Fan
- Sherlock Holmes London Tour: A Free Self-Guided Literary Walk + Map
- 11 Amazing London Day Trips You Can Easily Take by Train in 2 Hours or Less
- Need a Safe Hostel to Stay at in Soho, London? Book Astor Oxford Street
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