Bored of London, looking to escape the big smoke? Check out our list of the top 10 day trips you can take from London train stations. Our suggestions start from just £10 when booked through Trainline.
10. Cardiff
How much? £36* when booked in advance through Trainline
How long? A 2 hour journey direct from London Paddington
What is there to do? Take a tour of Cardiff Castle and see the castle apartments (a gothic fan’s dream), the Norman keep, Roman walls and Wartime shelters, with prices starting from £12 for an adult. Alternatively, you can tour the Principality Stadium (formerly known as the Millennium Stadium) for £12.50 to catch a glimpse behind the scenes of the home of Welsh Rugby.
9. Newcastle
How much? £34* when booked in advance through Trainline
How long? A 3 hour journey direct from London Kings Cross
What is there to do? For football fans, you can tour St James’ Park for £15 for an adult. A highlight of the tour is being taken to the highest point of the stadium for a true Magpie’s view of the grounds! Alternatively, you can do a spot of shopping in the famous Metrocentre and make sure you don’t miss seeing the Tyne Bridge.
8. Bath
How much? £29* when booked in advance through Trainline
How long? A 1 hour 30 minute journey direct from London Paddington
What is there to do? Visit the luxurious and famous Roman Baths, with prices starting from £15 for an adult. Some highlights include the Sacred Spring, the Roman Temple and a museum holding artefacts from Roman Bath. Alternatively, you can visit Bath Abbey for free to see the spectacular architecture and take a moment of reflection amidst the peaceful walls.
7. York
How much? £27* when booked in advance through Trainline
How long? A 2 hour journey direct from London Kings Cross
What is there to do? For a travel back in time, you must visit the Shambles. Host to quaint tea rooms and boutiques, this little street won Google’s most picturesque street in Britain! For a fun-filled, factual day, you can visit York Castle Museum, with prices starting from £10. There are many different exhibitions and collections, including Miniature Marvels, Ice-Cream Making and Sweet Memories.
6. Canterbury
How much? £22* when booked in advance through Trainline
How Long? A 1 hour 45 minute journey direct from London Victoria
What is there to do? Canterbury Cathedral is famous for its stunning architecture and you can visit from the reasonable price of £12. It is one of the oldest Christian structures in England, having been founded in 507AD. Alternatively, you can walk around Westgate Gardens for a beautiful, peaceful afternoon. This area can be traced back to the Roman era 2000 years ago. Permeated with woodland, lakes and spectacular views, it’s not a place to miss.
5. Windsor
How much? £14* when booked in advance through Trainline
How long? A 45 minute journey from London Paddington with 1 change
What is there to do? Home to her Majesty the Queen, be sure you visit Windsor Castle with prices starting from £20. Keep your eye on the flag as if the Royal Standard is flying then you just might bump into the Queen herself! For a fun and fantastic view of Windsor, check out the Duck Tour with prices starting from £18. The tour starts on land, taking you around the castle, and then the vehicle transforms into a boat and goes onto the Thames.
4. Cambridge
How much? £12* when booked in advance through Trainline
How long? A 1 hour and 30 minute journey direct from London Liverpool Street
What is there to do? Punt on the River Cam, with prices starting from £16 online with Scudamore’s Punting Company. There are so many companies who offer punting experiences so just turn up on the day and see what offers are available to really get a bargain. Make sure you visit the eerie Corpus Clock at Corpus Christi College. With the Chronophage (the Grasshopper) eating up the seconds, every hour you hear a chain clinking onto a wooden coffin – creepy, right?
3. Oxford
How much? £12* when booked in advance through Trainline
How long? A 1 hour journey from London Paddington with 1 change
What is there to do? Perhaps home to one of the most famous British universities, make sure you take a tour of the various colleges of Oxford University. You can book per college, with the majority being free, and the tours include the famous Kings College and Magdalen College. Also, see where centuries of scholars have studied with a tour of the famous and beautiful Bodleian Library; prices start from £6.
2. Stratford-Upon-Avon
How much? £11* when booked in advance through Trainline
How long? A 2 hour journey from London Marylebone with 1 change
What is there to do? Home to the bard himself, make sure you tour the Royal Shakespeare Theatre with a tower tour starting at £2.50. Also check out his birthplace that has a Wallbook that stretches over 9 metres and includes 38 of his plays; prices start from £17.50. Alternatively, you can visit the MAD (Mechanical Art and Design) museum and see over 60 pieces of kinetic art and automata for the bargain price of £6.80.
1. Brighton
How much? £10* when booked in advance through Trainline
How long? A 1 hour journey direct from London Victoria
What is there to? Walk along the famous pier complete with many rides and restaurants and be sure to stroll along the famous stony beach afterwards. Alternatively, visit the exotic Brighton Pavilion which was King George IV’s seaside pleasure palace, with prices starting from £11.50. For a spot of shopping, do not miss perusing down the famous Brighton Lanes. Permeated with quirky, vintage shops and quaint tea rooms, you’ll be sure to find something unique to take home.
*Prices accurate at the time this post was written 05/04/2016 for a single ticket.
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