Day Trips from London: Packing List, Tips & Recommends

Whether you are a London local who wants to escape city life for a while or a foreign tourist who wants to experience the British tourism style, day trips from London can let you experience authentic English culture. On day trips from London, you can walk through the British countryside, explore historical towns or experience the charm of seaside towns.

This article lists the top 10 popular day trip destinations around London. In addition, you need to be well prepared for day trips from London. We highly recommend Jackery Portable Power Station, a portable power supply with lighter weight and greater portability, to power your electronics and devices during your trip, especially a self-driving trip.

How to Choose a Destination for Day Trips from London? 

London's location is the gateway to various picturesque or historic destinations. In other words, each day trip from London to a destination allows you to escape the pace of the capital and enjoy a unique leisure time. However, when choosing a day trip from a London destination, you must consider the following factors.

Interests and Preferences

Personal interests and preferences are the most critical subjective factors in choosing a day trip from a London destination. If you are a history and culture enthusiast, you can select Oxford or Bath. If you prefer natural landscapes, you can consider the Cotswolds. However, if you want to see the sea, you can choose Brighton, a famous seaside playground.

Distance

The round-trip time of long-distance destinations will likely affect the depth of play. Day trips to destinations within a 2-hour drive are best to ensure enough time to play. For example, Windsor and Stratford (Shakespeare's hometown) are close to London. If it is a short-distance destination of less than 100 miles, it is suitable for a short self-driving trip.

Seasonal and Event Experiences

Please prioritise destinations suitable for multiple seasons (such as Windsor Castle and Bath). Most people prefer gardens and the countryside in spring and summer, such as Kew Gardens or the Cotswolds. In winter, they prefer indoor cultural experiences, such as baths.

Budget

When the budget is limited, prioritise destinations with short transportation time (such as Oxford, 1.5 hours round trip) to avoid shortening the tour time due to long-distance transportation. For those with a high budget, you can choose places and activities that are slightly farther away but have richer experiences, such as Lake District cruises and Brighton Beach activities.

Top 10 Day Trips from London 

Various day trips from London are available, including visits to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, Bath Spa, and the University of Oxford.

Day Trip from London to Windsor

Distance from London: Approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers)

Highlights: Windsor Castle, St. George's Chapel, LEGOLAND Windsor Resort, Windsor Great Park, Theatre Royal Windsor

Windsor is a historic town in southeast England. Most tourists visit Windsor Castle, which has more than 900 years of history. In addition, you can also take a sightseeing cruise on the Thames to see the beauty of the entire town.

Day Trip from London to Brighton

Distance from London: 47 miles (75 km)

Highlights: Brighton Palace Pier, Brighton Beach, The Royal Pavilion, British Airways i360, Brighton Lanes, Hove Beach Huts

If you go to Brighton, you can spend a sunny day in this popular seaside resort town. You can explore the gorgeous castle, interesting Victorian piers and colourful nightlife here. In addition, it was once known as the "vegetarian capital of the world" and caters to different dietary needs, making it a popular place for food lovers.

Day Trip from London to Oxford

Distance from London: about 50 miles (80 km)

Highlights: Radcliffe Camera, University Church of St Mary the Virgin, Christ Church College, Pitt Rivers Museum, Punting on the River, Stroll in University Parks

With its ancient cobbled lanes, century-old stone carvings and towering spires, Oxford looks very fairy-tale. If you're pressed for time, you can take an open-top bus tour of this beautiful city. But if you want to savour this ancient place, take an active and low-emission walk.

Day Trip from London to Lewes

Distance from London: Approximately 58 miles (93 km)

Highlights: Glyndebourne, Lewes Castle & Barbican House Museum, Southover Grange Gardens, Anne of Cleves House, Monk's House - National Trust, Blackberry Farm Park

If you want to escape city life for a while, Lewes is the perfect place to relax and have an adventure. Here, you can visit medieval castles, enjoy the beauty of the Sussex countryside and browse the independent shops of Cleves Street.

Day Trip from London to Salisbury

Distance from London: Approximately 88 miles (142 km)

Highlights: Salisbury Cathedral and Magna Carta, Stonehenge, Boscombe Down Aviation Collection, Old Sarum, Mompesson House, The Close, The Salisbury Museum

Its amazing and unique attractions have attracted tens of thousands of tourists for hundreds of years. Here, you can visit the majestic Salisbury Cathedral, built in the 13th century and experience the combination of medieval and modern shops and restaurants. As you stroll around the famous cathedral, you can visit Mompesson House and the Rifle Museum.

Day Trip from London to The Cotswolds

Distance from London: Approximately 90 miles (145 km)

Highlights: Burford, Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, Bibury, Upper and Lower Slaughter, Castle Combe, Broadway

The Cotswolds is a beautiful region with gently rolling green hills, quaint thatched roofs, and idyllic villages. Stroll through bustling market towns or browse the pretty antique shops in the charming towns of Cirencester and Stow-on-the-Wold.

Day Trip from London to Stonehenge

Distance from London: Approximately 90 miles (145 km)

Highlights: Admire Stone Circles, Explore Neolithic Houses, See Stonehenge Exhibitions, Have A Virtual Experience At Stonehenge Visitor Center, Stonehenge Solstice, See Gnomes

Stonehenge in southern England offers a chance to learn about the lives of Neolithic inhabitants. It is an important historical and cultural site in the UK and still attracts people worldwide. In addition to visiting Stonehenge, visitors can learn about its mysterious circle and view about 250 artefacts at the Stonehenge Visitor Center.

Day Trip from London to Bath

Distance from London: about 97 miles (156 kilometers)

Highlights: Royal Crescent, The Circus, Roman Baths, Pulteney Bridge

Bath offers visitors Georgian architecture and ancient Roman culture. You can also enjoy mineral-rich natural hot springs at Bath Spa or stroll along the tranquil Avon River. Bath is ideal for a city break, with impressive galleries, museums, and small restaurants.

Day Trip from London to Stratford-upon-Avon

Distance from London: about 101 miles (162 km)

Highlights: Royal Shakespeare Theatre, The MAD Museum, Shakespeare's Birthplace, Anne Hathaway's Cottage, Stratford Butterfly Farm, Tudor World, Holy Trinity Church

Stratford-upon-Avon is a beautiful Tudor town with more than 800 years of history. In addition, William Shakespeare was born and lived here for a long time. Here, you can start a literary journey by exploring bookshops, strolling along the River Avon, or taking an open-top bus tour of the town. Or you can also enjoy an eye-opening performance by the famous Royal Shakespeare Company in this world-famous charming town.

Day Trip from London to York

Distance from London: about 174 miles (280 km)

Highlights: York Minster, The Shambles, City Walls, Jorvik Viking Museum

York is a flat city that is perfect for walking and exploring its Roman and Viking history. The National Railway Museum, for example, offers a history of trains. Then, you can walk along the historic city walls to one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe (York Minster).

What to Pack for Day Trips from London? 

The key to packing for day trips from London is to balance convenience and comfort. Therefore, you must bring documents, charging devices, rain and sun protection products, and first aid.

Here is a list of essential items for day trips from London:

Important Documents

The following are essential documents and payment methods for day trips from London:

Passport

Driving license

Student ID card

Concession card

Cash (about 50-100 pounds)

Bank card or debit card

Transport card (Oyster card or Contactless bank card)

Electronic Devices

The following are electronic devices and communication devices that need to be brought for day trips from London:

Mobile phone and charger

Camera and charger

Headphones

Offline map (such as Google Maps)

Paper map

Personal Items

The following are personal clothing and protective equipment that need to be brought for day trips from London:

Long-sleeved innerwear

Light jacket (windproof)

Non-slip sports shoes

Sports pants

Scarf (if applicable)

Warm hat (if applicable)

Swimsuit (if applicable)

Umbrella

Raincoat

SPF50+ sunscreen

Sunglasses

Wide-brimmed hat

Food and Supplies

If your budget is limited or your destination is remote, you need to prepare some food and supplies for day trips from London:

Water bottle (more than 500ml)

Portable snacks (chocolate, energy bars, bananas)

Sandwiches or sealed food

Emergency Supplies

Any unexpected events may happen during a day trip from London, so please be prepared for emergencies.

Personal medicines (motion sickness medicine and emergency medicine for those with special physical conditions)

First aid supplies (painkillers, anti-allergic medicine, band-aids, etc.)

Emergency information (emergency contact number)

The above necessities for day trips from London are provided based on most people's needs and are for reference only. Planning can increase the flexibility of day trips from London. Please pack your luggage and items according to your destination, budget, weather conditions, and personal needs.

Jackery Portable Power Station for Day Trips

Day trips often involve extensive use of smartphones for navigation, photography, and communication. A portable power station ensures your devices stay charged throughout the day, eliminating the worry of running out of battery.

A reliable power source is essential for those capturing memories with cameras or using tablets for entertainment during travel. If your day trip involves outdoor activities like hiking or camping, a portable power station can power lighting equipment, speakers for music, or even small fans for comfort.

We highly recommend the Jackery Portable Power Station for powering essential appliances and electronics during your day trips, especially for some self-driving trips.       

Jackery Explorer 500

The Jackery Explorer 500 portable power station (518Wh) includes a standard PURE SINE WAVE AC outlet (230V, 500W, 1000W Peak), delivering stable power for various AC-dependent devices, such as televisions. The standard 12V/10A carport and three 5V/2.4A USB ports provide power and charging capabilities for various car appliances and small electronic devices, including car coolers, air pumps, vacuums, laptops, and phones.

This product is ideal for day trip users, as it can be conveniently stored in vehicles and trailers. It provides sufficient power for a ceiling fan, lighting, and various electronic devices without requiring complex settings. Additionally, it is suitable for outdoor gatherings. It can power a small blender, pellet smoker, ice shaver, and projector, perfect for movie nights and grill parties with friends and family under the stars.

The Explorer 500 portable power station functions as a solar generator. The device can be recharged using the Jackery SolarSaga 100W solar panel in approximately 9.5 hours, although this duration may vary based on location, temperature, and weather conditions. Additionally, it can be recharged via a wall outlet, car outlet, or generator. The device includes a lighting function that can be activated by pressing for two seconds, enabling an SOS signal.

To ensure its safety, it offers temperature protection, short circuit protection, overcurrent protection, overpower protection, and overcharge protection. If you encounter any issues during usage, please get in touch with us; our service team is available at all times.

The following are the working hours for using Jackery Explorer 500:

(*The working hours are only for reference; the actual working hours depend on your usage.)

Review from Our User:

This is the second one I have purchased, along with another panel. It is perfect for outdoor adventures and powering up devices in the warm season. The other was bought for my business to recharge our batteries on-site during work hours. It charges quickly and is then directly connected to mains power.

Transportation Options for Day Trips from London

For tourists planning day trips from London, choosing the proper mode of transportation is the key to ensuring a smooth journey. Trains and buses are the two mainstream options, and each differs in speed, price, convenience, and applicable scenarios.

If You Choose to Start Day Trips from London by Train

London's train stations (such as Paddington, King's Cross, Victoria, etc.) have frequent trains to surrounding cities, usually within 1-2 hours.

The following are the advantages of trains:

Faster than buses

Complete facilities and high comfort

Frequent, fixed and punctual flights

Wide coverage and access to multiple cities and attractions

The following are the disadvantages of trains:

Relatively high fares

Need to book seats in advance

Need to confirm the departure station in advance (London's seven major train stations correspond to different destinations)

In short, trains are suitable for tourists who want to experience Oxford, Bath and other destinations that require an efficient round-trip and sightseeing experience.

If You Choose to Start Day Trips from London by Bus

In London, National Express or Megabus offer affordable bus services, which may take a little longer.

The following are the advantages of Buses:

Low prices

Frequent services

Direct access to attractions without changing trains

High flexibility (stopping along the way)

The following are the disadvantages of Buses:

Slow and takes longer

Less comfortable

Susceptible to traffic or delays

In short, buses are suitable for tourists with limited budgets or travelling to destinations that are not easily accessible by train. The following are the estimated times to reach popular destinations on day trips from London by train and bus:

(Data Source: thechaosdiaries)

Tips for Day Trips from London

London is the cultural and transportation hub of the UK, and there are countless treasured destinations hidden around it that are worth a day's trip. The following tips will combine planning, light travel, time management and flexible response to help you have a better day trip from London experience.

Advance Planning

A perfect day trip from London does need to be planned to ensure an efficient trip and avoid unnecessary trouble. If you choose a popular destination (such as Oxford, Bath, etc.), booking train tickets in advance (or arranging a self-drive) and avoiding the weekend peak is recommended.

Travel Light

Travelling light for a day trip is recommended to avoid carrying too much weight that affects the experience. Usually, you only need to choose a backpack with a moderate capacity (20-30L). For example, bring necessities such as a mobile phone, backup power supply, map/navigation app, water and snacks, sunscreen or warm clothes (London has a significant temperature difference in March) to start your day trip experience.

Plan Your Time Properly

First, leave early (around 9 am) to avoid traffic jams during peak hours. If you want to visit historical and cultural buildings such as Windsor Castle, you must go in the morning to avoid the crowds in the afternoon.

Please reserve 30 minutes for each link to deal with emergencies, such as train delays or queues at attractions (such as the London Eye, which takes 1 hour to queue during peak hours).

Stay Flexible

Even if you have made very detailed arrangements, please make a backup plan to deal with changes that may occur at any time. For example, if it rains, you can replace outdoor experiences with indoor activities, such as visiting the Oxford Library and Windsor Castle.

You can also adjust the time required for each attraction or activity. If you are a history buff, you can spend more time in Bath to visit many Georgian buildings and spend less time experiencing the Roman Baths.

Day Trips from London FAQs

The following are the frequently asked questions about day trips from London:

1. Which is the best day trip from London?

According to andersontours.co.uk, the 10 best day trips from London in 2025 are the best.

Stonehenge

Windsor Castle

Cotswolds

Kent: Dover and Canterbury

Bath

Oxford

Cambridge

Glastonbury

The Isle of Wight

Cardiff

2. What should you visit that is 1 hour away from London?

According to Oluminous, here are 5-day trips from London that can be reached by train within an hour:

Brighton

Bath

Canterbury

Cotswolds

Cambridge

3. What are some family-friendly (or pet-friendly) day trips from London?

Based on Timeout's research and statistics, we have selected the following five family-friendly (or pet-friendly) day trips from London:

Bekonscot Model Village

Maldon

Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre

Dreamland Margate

Brighton Beach and Sea Life Brighton

4. Can you take a train for day trips from London?

London has convenient rail transportation, so you can take a train to nearby day-trip destinations. For example, if you take a train from London to Brighton, the fastest journey takes only 52 minutes. In addition, compared to driving, the train can help you avoid traffic jams and high parking fees.

Final Thoughts

In short, London's geographical location makes it easy for people to reach a series of picturesque and historic destinations in the surrounding area. Whether you are looking for a quiet countryside vacation or a city vacation with cultural and historical charm, most day trips from London can meet the needs of travellers. On day trips from London, you can stroll along the quaint cobblestone lanes, taste fine wine in breweries with a long brewing history, and feel the sea breeze from the shady side of the spectacular seaside.