London is a bustling city with numerous fun and interesting activities and sights. It is a fascinating and exciting destination that is hard to beat for its history, literature, and fashion.
In fact, the city has so much to offer in the summer, making it a little crowded and stressful.
Are you staying in the area for more than a few days? Why not include one or two-day trips from London in your schedule?
Well, the options are endless! You can opt for various choices, from beaches to castles, hillsides, and Roman baths less than three hours away from London. It is a great way to unwind your mind and explore some beautiful sights throughout the UK.
In this article, we feature some absolutely amazing places you can visit on a day trip from London. Take a look and make your trip to the UK a memorable experience.
BATH
The famous author Jane Austen used to live in the city of Bath. This is only an hour and a half by train from London.
The streets are filled with references from her books, making Bath the epitome of Jane Austen in the UK.
One of the must-see attractions in this area is the Jane Austen Museum. It will be elegant if the delicious afternoon tea is served in the adjacent tea rooms by staff fully dressed in period attire.
Even there are numerous independent cafes, historic pubs, and tea rooms where you can enjoy your afternoon tea.
The Royal Crescent is a noble collection of 18th-century period homes with an attached museum.
It is a shining example of the city's unique architecture. This is a must-visit if you love to explore stately homes. This is the place where Bath stone is the only used building material.
Apart from Austen, Dickens, and other authors, there you will find various book or comic book shops on every street. Thus, making Bath one of the best places in the UK to visit for literature enthusiasts.
Even the prize-winning Mr B's Emporium of Reading Delights attracts visitors from all over the country for their renowned book spas. It is a great alternative to the standard spa experience of tea, cakes, and book chats.
Most importantly, Bath is a well-known hub of vintage clothing and secondhand stores, making it a haven for independent shoppers. The majority of such shops can be found close to the well-known Pulteney Bridge.
WINDSOR CASTLE
The famous Windsor Castle can be your one and only stop outside of London! A day trip to Windsor, 20 miles away from the city centre, should be on your London Private Guided Tour bucket list!
This breathtaking Windsor Castle is one of the queen's official residences. It has been home to the royal family for more than 900 years. Here you can see the graves of kings and queens, including the infamous Henry VIII and his third wife, Jayne Seymour.
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, is also buried at Windsor Castle's St. George's Chapel.
Additionally, it is a fine example of church architecture from the Middle Ages. This castle is still used for royal receptions and other formal events.
In past recent years, it has hosted the weddings of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank.
It is open all year round.
Windsor Castle is a great place to learn more about the history of the Royal Family. Everything is spectacular, from taking a tour of the Castle Precincts to seeing the opulent staterooms and apartments. The grounds of the castle are pleasant and appealing. Even you can see the famous changing of the guard from there.
HARRY POTTER STUDIO
Visiting the fascinating Warner Bros. Studio near London is a great treat for Harry Potter fans. Even it can be thrilling for those who have not seen the wizarding wonder of the movies.
If you are travelling with kids, you must take this one of the popular Family London Tours. There is a sheer number of things to explore that make your trip worthwhile.
Here you can get a glimpse of two incredible sets used in the movie.
One is the most popular, The Great Hall of Hogwarts, and the other is the Forbidden Forest, made up of 19 trees, each with a diameter of 12 feet.
You can even see The Hogwarts Express locomotive at the elusive platform of 93/4.
You can also get a close-up look at the elaborate props used in the Harry Potter films. You will find hand-designed labels for almost 2000 memory vials and potion jars created by the Graphics Department.
Even you can get a sneak peek of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, built in three months. It was meant to look like a real storefront from the 18th century.
Other areas of the Studio will also be enjoyable if you are interested in filmmaking.
The Special and Visual Effects section explains how some of the most amazing scenes were made. For example, how the Invisibility Cloak made Harry and his friends invisible and drove them to appear to fly!
They even have the Creature Effects section, where you can learn how the magical creatures of the movies were made and brought to life.
For both adults and children, a trip to this Studio is an enchanted as well as an educational experience. So, if you are looking for fun-filled and relaxing small group tours in London, this will be a great option.
OXFORD
Are you looking for an encouraging and intellectual day trip from London? Must visit the oldest, The University of Oxford!
Did you know that Oxford has many schools? There are 38 constituent colleges in it! It is a well-worth visit because of Oxford's rich academic history, notable alumni, and literary and film influence.
You can take a short walk to the streets where JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis wandered. This is the place where scenes from Harry Potter movies were shot.
Is the geek in you already getting excited? The best way to explore Oxford is by taking a quick tour. You can enjoy walking tours of Oxford, which are more historical and enlightening.
Some must-see destinations will captivate you with amazing architecture:
- The Bodleian Library, one of the oldest public libraries in the UK
- The Radcliff Camera
- The Pitts Rivers Museum
- The Christ Church College and its marvellous architecture
- The Museum of the History of Science
- The Ashmolean Museum
All these structures and places leave you enthralled with an abundance of culture, history, and beauty. The best part is that Oxford is an inexpensive and easy day trip from London. You can get direct trains and buses to the city.
HAMPTON COURT PALACE
If you are interested in exploring the royal history of the UK, visiting Hampton Court Palace will be the ideal choice.
This is one of the Tudor palaces where King Henry VIII used to live. Situated at the River Thames, this Hampton Court is a huge, impressive palace built in the baroque style. It is fenced with splendid gardens and lawns.
If you visit this palace in the spring, you can witness the majestic tulip festival. The palace hosts a variety of events throughout the year. Even the gardens offer something glorious yet enjoyable in every season.
By exploring the castle's interior, you can glance into the royals' day-to-day routine during the 16th-17th centuries.
You can visit grand William III's state residences and private apartments. Also, don't forget to get a sneak peek of Henry VIII's kitchens. This is where more than 200 people cook and serve more than 800 meals daily.
Get a tour of the awe-inspiring Great Hall, used as a dining room but later transformed into a theatre for entertainment, plays, and dances.
In the past days, William Shakespeare wrote his plays here. Its splendid timber roof, Anne Bollaine's coat-of-arms, and the great sequence of tapestries depicting the scenes from the Book of Genesis.
Conclusion
So, this is our comprehensive guide to some of the most popular and must-visit day trips from London. We hope that the above-mentioned places will make your tour more memorable. Happy Travelling!
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Summary:
UK’s majestic beauty lies in the small towns, castles and historical places in London. Roaming its top sights and mesmerising palaces makes your day trip from London more remarkable. Check out our article if you want more inspiration for small group or family tours in London.
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