City Day Trips From London – Top Places To See
While London has the most famous sights in England, there are some fascinating cities worth a visit only a day trip away. We’re talking about some original places to see on city day trips from London, by train or car.
Whether you fancy exploring the hidden city of caves beneath Nottingham and a quick foray into Robin Hood’s Forest, a dip in a rooftop spa beside the Roman baths in Bath, walking the walls of medieval York, surfing a tidal wave in Gloucester’s waterways, wandering around the cobbled streets of old Norwich, or standing in the stained glass light of Winchester cathedral, we should have you covered!
- Visit the Roman Hot Spring Spas in Bath (Somerset)
- See Winchester City Cathedral & walk the Weirs (Hampshire)
- Gloucester historic docks & the Severn Bore (Gloucestershire)
- Wander around the cobbled streets of old Norwich (Norfolk)
- Explore Nottingham Cave City & Sherwood Forest (Nottinghamshire)
- Walking the walls of medieval York City
Best Things to See on City Day Trips from London
We’ve already detailed in our related posts, some amazing places that are perfect for easy day trips from London (such as Cambridge, Oxford, and Windsor) or ideas for a day out in Kent (including Canterbury, castles, and the coast). And our article on the best day trips from London which features Salisbury, Stratford-upon-Avon, and The Cotswolds, and many more beautiful places in England.
Of course, there are lots of other interesting cities that you can visit on a day trip from London. Read on to see our favourites.
Visit the Roman Hot Spring Spas in Bath (Somerset)
This is an easy place to see on a day trip from London, just take a ride on one of the red hop-on hop-off open-top double-decker buses that tour the city or join an organised walking tour to guide you around Bath, to take in all the main sights.
The city of Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been attracting tourists to its hot thermal springs for over 2,000 years. In 2018 more than six million people visited this top UK destination. Visitors from around the world come to see the well preserved Roman Baths, or the grand Georgian honey-coloured houses, parks and salons made famous by Jane Austen.
However, Bath is probably most famous for its Georgian architecture. You might recognise the crescents from period dramas such as Bridgeton. The best address in town, number 1 Royal Crescent has been turned into a museum. It also hosts an important music and literary festival each year in May and June. In December there is a bustling Christmas market around Bath Abbey and the city is always beautifully decorated for the event.
There are lots of other reasons to visit Bath too. You can tour the house and garden where William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus and marvel at his homemade telescopes, or swim in the modern equivalent of the Roman baths still heated by geothermal energy (one thing not to try is the spa water, it tastes foul!).
Bath has also got a wealth of independent shops and international restaurants. If you’re looking for somewhere unique to explore try Green Park Station. The former station has some of Bath’s best restaurants including Bath Pizza co. and Green Park Brasserie.
Sports lovers can watch Bath Rugby at the Rec ground or horse racing at Bath racecourse. ‘Original Wild’ organises paddleboard sessions at Pultney weir or you can take a short boat trip on the river to end the perfect day.
How to get to Bath from London
Distance from central London: 115 miles
Travel time by train: 3 hours 15 minutes
Travel time by car: 2 hours 30 minutes
Bath is about 2 and a half hours west of London by car on the M4. Park in one of the Park & Ride car parks as parking is difficult in the centre of the city. You can also catch a train from Paddington or Waterloo railway stations or a coach from Victoria coach station.
Recommended by Ann from The Platinum Line
See Winchester City Cathedral & walk the Weirs (Hampshire)
Winchester can easily be explored from London in just a day, as it’s located an hour and a half away by train. It was deemed as one of the best places to live in the UK too! Upon arriving, you will find beautiful architecture, cobblestone streets, shopping, cafes, pubs, and more!
To spend the perfect day there, start by visiting the famous Winchester Cathedral, one of the largest cathedrals in Europe with a medieval feel. The interior is quite beautiful and worth a stop in. There’s a big open space in front of the Cathedral where you can enjoy a picnic or read a book. Directly behind it, you will find Winchester College which is one of the world’s most famous and distinguished schools.
You can also stop by the Great Hall which is the last surviving part of Winchester Cathedral. It is stunning inside, with features that include stained-glass windows, a judges’ gallery, and steel gates dating back to 1983. Explore the many pathways surrounding the main streets and get lost in the pretty cobblestone streets. Winchester is great for walking and other notable walks include River Itchen and Weirs Walk.
There is also a wonderful hidden gem that can be found called the Wolvesey Castle. It is a ruined bishop’s palace and it’s incredible to see the historic site surrounded by so much beauty and nature.
If you decide to spend a night in Winchester to do further exploring stay in a bed and breakfast, like the Old Vine. They also have a fantastic pub where you can indulge in a classic Sunday Roast. There are many independently owned shops on High Street making the perfect Sunday stroll after eating lunch.
And finally, if you want to try some really unique and innovative drinks, stop by Proudfoot & Co. and try their delicious organic milks, local fruit juices or timeless Roman brews!
How to get to Winchester from London
Distance from central London: 68 miles
Travel time by train: 1 hour 10 minutes
Travel time by car: 1 hours 25 minutes
Winchester is about 90 minutes from London by car via the M3. You can also catch a direct train from London Waterloo railway station.
Recommended by Jackie from Jou Jou Travels
Gloucester historic docks & the Severn Bore (Gloucestershire)
Gloucester is a historic city in Gloucestershire with history dating back to Roman times, thus is an interesting place to visit for a day trip. There are lots of things to see and do in Gloucester from historical attractions, events, or even some picturesque countryside.
Gloucester Cathedral is the centrepiece of the city, it has over 1000 years of history within its walls. The cathedral is stunning and has many interesting things to see inside or in the grounds. It has been used to film many TV shows and movies including Dr Who and the Harry Potter films, where it was Hogwarts School.
The museum of Gloucester is an interesting place to visit and learn about the city’s history. They have interactive exhibitions and covers from Roman times to more recent history. The other principal attraction is the Historic Docks, which are blessed with some nice Victorian Warehouses, canal boats and museums, including the National Waterways Museum.
If you time your visit right, you might get to see some rather special events. The most popular being the Tall Ships Festival, which takes place at the end of May every two years. The city also has premiership rugby games for visitors to enjoy.
For those that like natural phenomena you could plan to see the famous Severn Bore in the City. The Severn Bore is a tidal wave that heads upstream and is quite the show. Visitors can see this from Over Bridge, a 20-minute walk from the centre.
There are many options for dining out on a day trip in Gloucester, this includes some nice waterfront restaurants in the docks. There are also some quaint cafes near to the iconic cathedral.
How to get to Gloucester from London
Distance from central London: 113 miles
Travel time by train: 1 hour 45 minutes
Travel time by car: 2 hours 15 minutes
Gloucester is 113 miles west of London and it takes just over two hours to drive there via M40 and A40 or directly on the M4 . Visitors can also travel is on the direct GWR train from Paddington which takes less than 2 hours.
Recommended by Rich from About Glos
Wander around the cobbled streets of old Norwich (Norfolk)
During medieval times, Norwich was England’s second largest city behind London. When you visit Norwich, you can learn more about its interesting history and/or just appreciate the area’s natural beauty. When you only have a day, you won’t be able to see everything so you will need to prioritize and focus on the highlights. The two things that you must do in Norwich are the Castle and the Cathedral.
Norwich is one of the most stunning medieval cities in England and wonderfully conserved. Norwich Castle was founded by William the Conqueror sometime in the late 11th century. Only the castle keep still stands and it has been a museum since 1895. Inside you can learn about its history and they have quite a diverse collection in the exhibition hall.
Norwich Cathedral is an extraordinary temple which dates back to Norman times. It’s free to go inside this beautiful building which features some of the best Romanesque architecture in Britain.
If you have more time, take a stroll down Elm Hill, this is arguably one of the prettiest streets in England, a romantic setting with authentic Tudor houses and ancient cobblestones! You could also browse around Norwich Market which is one of the oldest and largest outdoor markets in the country. The streets around the market, known as the Norwich Lanes, are full of independent shops too.
If the weather is nice, take a walk along the River Wensum which snakes around the city centre. Mousehold Heath and Whitlingham Country Park, both peaceful green spaces, are within easy reach too.
The Norfolk Broads are only a few miles away from Norwich, so the ideal plan would be to combine the city with a holiday exploring the famous waterways.
How to get to Norwich from London
Distance from central London: 120 miles
Travel time by train: 1 hour 50 minutes
Travel time by car: 2 hours 20 minutes
Norwich is easy to get to from London, it’s about 100 miles northeast. There is a direct train from London Liverpool Street Station that takes just under 2 hours. You can also drive but depending on traffic it may take longer. To drive take the M11 to the A11 to the A47, and then follow signs to the city centre. Parking is limited so it might be best to use the Harford Park and Ride instead of driving into the city centre.
Recommended by Anisa from 2 Traveling Texans
Explore Nottingham Cave City & Sherwood Forest (Nottinghamshire)
Nottingham makes an easy day trip from London. As the largest city in the East Midlands, there are plenty of attractions in Nottingham for people with all interests. History buffs should visit Nottingham Castle which was the starting point of the British Civil war in 1642.
As one of the UNESCO cities of literature you can indulge in the works of famous authors such as DH Lawrence and Lord Byron too. You can also learn all about the legend of Robin Hood, the most famous outlaw in British fiction.
One of the must-see attractions in Nottingham is Wollaton Hall, a grade I listed Elizabethan mansion just minutes from the city centre. The grounds of the hall are home to free roaming red and fallow deer along with other local wildlife.
Inside the hall you can find the Nottingham natural history museum and Nottingham industrial museum; taking a tour of the hall you can venture into the kitchen, grand halls, the upper state rooms, and into the cellars and the caves beneath the hall.
Nottingham has been called the ‘City of Caves’ since the 7th century! The cave network is hand carved and extends under the whole city. A tour of the caves will introduce you to the uses of the caverns over the years from wine cellars to Victorian slums. In fact, most of the old town buildings have their own cave, including 3 pubs that claim to be the oldest in England!
The old market square is another essential stop, a grand plaza in the heart of Nottingham framed by the historical ‘Long Row’ terraced buildings. The famed ‘Goose Fair’ was held here 700 years ago and it’s still the venue for festivals and public events. Have a ride on the giant Ferris Wheel while you’re here, relax and see the sights of Nottingham from above.
Speaking of Robin Hood to delve into the legend further, take a trip to Sherwood Forest 20 miles north of Nottingham city where they have Robin Hood themed activities year round.
While there visit the famous Major Oak tree, the largest oak tree in Britain which can be found 15 minutes from the visitor centre in Sherwood Forest. At approximately 1100-year-old with a gigantic size it is not to be missed.
How to get to Nottingham from London
Distance from central London: 128 miles
Travel time by train: 1 hour 45 minutes
Travel time by car: 2 hours 30 minutes
Nottingham is easy to reach by car or train, it is 128 miles from London by car and takes a little over 2 hours and 30 minutes via the M1. By train the journey takes 1 hours 45 minutes and there are many trains daily departing from St Pancras station.
Recommended by Steph & Lewis from Book It Let’s Go!
Walking the walls of medieval York City
The medieval City of York is a popular tourist destination, full of cobbled streets, accessible museums, quirky independent shops, timber-framed buildings and lots of pubs. There’s so much to squeeze into a day trip so be sure to arrive rested.
Founded by the Romans nearly 2,000 years ago the historic city is famous for chocolate, the gothic York Minster, its city walls and the Shambles – one of the UKs most picturesque streets. The city takes prides in its historic past and gives a feeling of stepping back in time.
Walking the city walls is a must, not just for the postcard picture views but to get a good feel for the place and a chance to step off to explore anything that takes your fancy along the way. It’s two miles long and was built mainly in the 13th century. A circuit takes an average of two hours to walk. On it you’ll discover the gateways (aka Bars) of Monkgate, Micklegate, Bootham Bar and Walmgate, and cross the Rivers Ouse and Foss. It’s free to walk and open daily from 8am to dusk.
The York Minster is one of the city’s top attractions, an 800-year-old cathedral that took 250 years to build, and it dominates the skyline. Inside, look up in awe at the beautiful stained glass windows, the statues and marvel at the amazing architecture. Tickets must be booked in advance.
A must for all chocolate lovers is a visit to York’s Chocolate Story and discover more about Rowntrees, Terry’s Chocolate Orange, Kit Kat, Smarties, Aeros and of course – Yorkie bars! You’ll also get a chance to sample chocolate and make your own chocolate lollies.
Food-wise, there are plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from but The Shambles Food Court is worth a visit and has fantastic street food with delicious international cuisines. You’ll also find a lot of charming little shops in York city centre which are lovely for window shopping or original souvenirs.
How to get to York from London
Distance from central London: 210 miles
Travel time by train: 2 hours
Travel time by road: 4 hours 20 minutes
The faster way to get to get to from London to York is by rail. The train from Kings Cross can get you non-stop to the City of York within two hours and, if booked in advance, you’ll get a significantly cheaper fare. By car, the fastest route from London to York is via the M1 (approx. 4hours 20 minutes).
Suggested by Sharon Henry of What The Saints Did Next
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