Day Trips from London: Exploring Beyond the Capital

If you’ve relocated to London then you’ll be spoilt for choice in your spare time with 32 boroughs worth of experiences, but sometimes the urge to venture beyond the capital beckons. Whether you’re a local looking for new adventures to share with visiting family and friends, a student eager to embark on memorable outings with newfound companions, or simply someone with a thirst for exploration, the cities that surround London are perfect for planning a day out.

Luckily, London has some of the best transport links in the world, making it the perfect starting point for your plans, and LHA London wants to show you how you can plan a day trip from London on a budget.

Day Trips From London

Brighton

Brighton is one of England’s most loved seaside cities and is home to the world’s oldest continuously running electric railway, Volk’s Electric Railway.

From seaside walks to a spot of light shopping, there is much to do in Brighton. You could visit:

• Brighton Beach
• Devil’s Dyke National Trust
• Brighton Palace Pier
• Brighton and Hove Museum
• The Open Market
• Rampion Visitor Centre
• The Lanes

Trains from London run to Brighton fairly regularly and a day return ticket is fairly affordable for a one off trip.

Windsor

When you think of Windsor, your mind probably goes straight to Windsor Castle but this grand attraction is the least that the town has to offer.

As well as visiting the castle, you could spend a day at LEGOLAND, take a walk down the river Thames, watch the Windsor Castle March, attend Evensong at ST George’s Chapel or simply immerse yourself in the beautiful town centre.

Railway connections from London to Windsor & Eton Central take anywhere from between 1-2 hours giving you plenty of time in the day to check out all the attractions. And, last minute tickets can cost as little as £20, making it one of the best budget excursions from London.

Oxford

Filled with centuries of academic history, Oxford is a city that has attracted tourists and students for centuries. With plenty to do, a wide range of activities at your disposal, and plenty of architecturally significant buildings to peruse, this is the perfect destination to spend a day out of London.

When in Oxford, you can:

• Take a walk around Christ Church Meadow
• Visit the Bodleian Library
• Scour the collection at Blackwells Book Shop
• Eat at artisan cafes in the Indoor Market
• Discover historic university buildings
• Attend the Ashmolean Museum or Pitt Rivers Museum
• Explore the Botanic Garden
• Wander through the Story Museum

Simply take a train from one of the main stations in London to Oxford Parkway Railway station and you’ll be a 5 minute walk from the city centre.

Stonehenge

Stonehenge carries with it mysticism and intrigue that attracts many people to its ruins, as the purpose of its build is still largely unknown, but its existence is a testament to English history. Built over 3500 years ago, it is one of the most well known prehistoric monuments in the world and is worth taking a day to visit.

From London, you can get the train from London to Salisbury, and then either catch a taxi or take the Stonehenge Tour Bus which departs directly from the train station.

Once you have finished your tour, if you still have time, you can go on a walking adventure around the cathedral city of Salisbury which is, in itself, an exciting place to explore.

Canterbury

Canterbury has a vastly rich cultural history which is evident in its architecture, quaint streets, and residents. Immortalised by playwrights and built by tudors, a visit to this city is educational as well as exciting.

Before you go, you’ll want to make an itinerary of things to see and do to make sure you get it all in, because the landmarks, strolls, activities and eateries could easily take you overtime and over budget. But, this is one of the things that makes it an absolute must visit day out from London: you certainly won’t be bored.

Make sure to look for:

• Canterbury Cathedral
• Canterbury Historic River Tours
• Canterbury Punting
• Westgate Gardens
• Canterbury Roman Museum
• Chartham Vineyard
• Self-guided foodie tour
• Blean Woods National Nature Reserve
• St Augustine’s Abbey

Margate

The seaside town of Margate might be a little bit less known than Brighton but that doesn’t make it any less worth taking a day trip to. In fact, the exhibitions and attractions here are a little bit more out of the ordinary, but equally as affordable.

You could visit:

• Margate Main Sands
• Shell Grotto
• Dreamland Amusement Park
• Margate Caves
• Margate Old Town
• The Wonderworks Cafe
• Hornby Visitor Centre
• Strokes Adventure Golf

Stratford-Upon-Avon

If you’re a literature or theatre student, a visit to Stratford-Upon-Avon is a must. Although slightly more expensive than the other day trips we’ve suggested, it is worth the journey if you have a little bit of money to spare.

The historical museum that was once the birthplace of famous playwright, William Shakespeare, can be ticked off your bucket list alongside the Globe Theatre that sits on the Thames in London.

Many other Shakespeare themed attractions are available including:

• Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
• Royal Shakespeare Theatre
• Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guildhall
• Shakespeare’s Old Place

 However, if you’re not interested in theatre, you can find an amazing day out at the MAD museum, Stratford Butterfly Farm, Tudor World and Magic Alley.

St Albans

St Albans is in Hertfordshire but often considered to be in the north of London, and is therefore really easy to get to from Central London, and with affordable travel options.

This city is home to St Albans Cathedral, the Roman Theatre of Verulamium, St Albans Museum, de Havilland Aircraft Museum, Hatfield House and plenty of other attractions to fill your day with.

Top Tips for Journeying Beyond the Capital

Taking a day trip with your friends, or as a solo adventure, should bestow you with fond memories and give you something new and exciting to do in one of the many towns and cities that have made England such a rich and beautiful country.

But, we still recommend remaining vigilant and following these few tips and tricks to make sure you remain safe and comfortable as you journey beyond London:

Book in advance

If you’re travelling by train then you should book your tickets well in advance. In fact, the earlier you book, the cheaper your tickets are likely to be, which will make your day far more affordable. This way, you will have more money to spend while you are there, or to put into your savings for a later date.

We would also suggest booking tickets to any attractions you plan to visit in advance to make sure you have access when you get there. If you do this, you will have a far smoother day and avoid disappointment if your chosen activities are booked up once you get there.

Make sure you have everything you need

Before you leave, make sure you have everything you need. It sounds like the most simple advice, and you probably think you won’t need reminding but we all forget things in the heat of excitement.

Make sure to pack:

• Your money
• Glasses
• Water bottle
• Train tickets
• Weather appropriate clothing
• Your phone/camera
• Spare pair of socks
• A bag that shuts completely

Tell someone where you’re going

If you’re embarking on a solo adventure, make sure that someone close to you knows your itinerary and train times. This could be a friend, your roommate or a family member if they live close by.

Check your return ticket, check it again

We are all guilty of misreading tickets sometimes. Make sure you know exactly what time your return train is, whether it is departing from the same station, and that you leave plenty of time to get to the station so you don’t miss it.

Research where you’re going in advance

Do your research on the area you’re going to and the attractions you intend to visit.

Do they need tickets booked in advance? How long does it take to get to them? Will you need to hop on a bus when you’re there? Do they tend to be busy? Where are the best budget friendly food places?

Be aware of scams

Sometimes, websites that offer cheap tickets are actually too good to be true.

Make sure that you only book tickets off official websites and from official travel companies to avoid scams. When in doubt, check reviews and see what other people say about their experience. If there aren’t any reviews, be wary.

Travel with friends

Travelling with friends is not only a safe option for your day trip, but it will also bring laughter and a level of joint enjoyment to your trip.

A shared experience is one that you are far more likely to remember, and you can get through any adverse challenges together.

Prepare for emergencies

If you need to return early, or you miss your train, you’ll need to be able to afford the journey back.

Weigh up the cost of refundable tickets against non-refundable tickets, as this might expand your options in case your train is cancelled, or something unexpected happens. It is also worth making sure you have an emergency travel budget in place.

If you don’t end up using it (which should only happen in extenuating circumstances), then you can use it to get some food on the way home, or throw it in your savings account for a later date.

Set a spending budget

When you visit a new place, it can be easy to get carried away with buying souvenirs and throwing money at food, but setting a budget can help prevent you from accidentally overspending.

We recommend making a list of the things you’re interested in buying as you go, and where you found them, and then decide which things you want the most. You can pick them up as

Come home from your day trip to accommodation from LHA London, where you can unwind after exploring the cities that surround the big city. Our hostels cover all major points on London’s map.

For more information about how our charity can help you get set up in the big city, take a look at our available short term/long term accommodation and don’t forget to check out our offer to discover what we can offer you.