More about: 9 Best Day Trips from London
If during your visit to London you have enough time or you have already visited the British capital on previous occasions, go and discover the wonders that await you just a few hours away from the city.
1. Excursions to Stonehenge
I will never forget when my parents, during a stay in England, took me to see Stonehenge. I was quite small, but seeing this immense stone monument of more than 5,000 years old is something that really impresses and is not forgotten because of the mysterious stories surrounding its construction.
To make this excursion to Stonehenge you should schedule a full day since its total duration is -6 hours (it is almost 2 hours away), with 3 hours to visit the monument, its museum and its visitor center, where they exhibit a replica of a stone age settlement. The tour includes an audio guide in 9 languages, including Spanish, and a round-trip bus ride from London.
What is included in this tour?
- Entrance to the Stonehenge Visitor Center and Stonehenge Circle
- Bottled water
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Toilet available on board
- Audio guide
Approximate itinerary
- Departure point - London Bridge Street and Harrington Gardens, Kensington
- Departure time - 7:00 am
- Stonehenge
- Return -Back to original starting point.
2. Excursions to Harry Potter Park & Oxford
If you are a fan of the Harry Potter saga and want to take advantage of your trip to London to discover the locations where many of its scenes were filmed, this day trip is perfect for you. In addition to visiting the famous Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter, you will also visit the historic university city of Oxford, whose imposing colleges have inspired J.K. Rowling's magical universe.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter
Immerse yourself in the world of Harry Potter with a visit to the Warner Bros. studios, where you can tour the iconic film sets, including the Hogwarts Great Dining Hall, Diagon Alley and the Forbidden Forest. Discover original costumes, special effects and behind-the-scenes secrets that brought the famous saga to life.
Oxford
Before delving into the world of film, you'll make a stop in Oxford, home to one of the world's oldest and most prestigious universities. Here you will explore its magnificent colleges, such as Christ Church, which inspired Hogwarts' Great Dining Hall, and stroll through the historic streets that have been the backdrop for numerous film productions.
What is included in this tour?
- Admission to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter
- Guided walking tour of Oxford
- Transport by luxury air-conditioned coach
- Professional guide throughout the tour
Approximate itinerary
- Departure time - 8:00 am
- Departure point - Victoria Coach Station, London
- Guided tour of Oxford (1.5 hours)
- Free time in Oxford (30 minutes)
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter (4 hours including admission)
- Return - Return to original starting point
3. Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Oxford Tours
If you prefer to see more sites rather than spend more time at each of them and you have a free day to spend outside London, the Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Oxford tour is a good idea for its convenience and the variety and spectacular monuments included.
Windsor
The visit of this tour to Windsor, Stonehenge and Oxford begins in Windsor, a magnificent medieval town just 45 minutes from London and starring its famous Castle, home of the British royal family for over 900 years and one of the best preserved in the world.
Stonehenge
Then you can see from the outside and take pictures or access, with the option of entry included, the interesting megalithic complex of over 5,000 years old Stonehenge.
Oxford
You will continue your journey to Oxford, almost two hours from London and famous for housing the oldest and most prestigious university in Great Britain. There you can take a walking tour of its picturesque cobblestone streets with a professional guide who will take you to places such as the Bodleian Library, one of the oldest in Europe, and the Sheldonian Theatre.
What does this tour include?
- Air-conditioned bus transfer
- Professional tour guide
- Guided tour in Oxford with headphones
- Possibility to enter inside Windsor Castle. You can also buy tickets to the Castle separately from the tour without guide or groups.
- Possibility to enter Stonehenge
Approximate itinerary
- Departure point - Victoria Coach Station, at gates 1 to 5, 164 Buckingham Palace Road
- Departure time - 8:00 am (boarding at 7.30 am)
- Windsor Castle - 1:30 duration with possibility of entry included
- Stonehenge - 1 hour with possibility of entry included
- Oxford University - 1 hour not including entrance fee
- Return - Return to original point of departure
4. Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Bath Tours
Another option to take advantage of a day out of London and see amazing places less than 2 hours from the capital is the excursion to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Bath, very similar to the previous one in operation and duration, but visiting Bath instead of Oxford and being able to choose between the tour that includes tickets to two of these monuments or the one that gives you the possibility to access all of them.
Windsor
You will start the tour in the medieval town of Windsor, where you can see the majesty of its castle, one of the oldest in the world. You may even get lucky and see the royal standard flying from the mast of the castle's Round Tower, which means that Queen Elizabeth II herself is inside. Don't miss her interior visit to the medieval Gothic-style Chapel of St. George.
Stonehenge
On your tour of southern England, you'll stop at one of the world's most enigmatic monuments: Stonehenge. This impressive ancient stone circle is still shrouded in mystery, and its majesty will leave you speechless as you explore its fascinating history and theories about its origin.
Bath
Your adventure will end with a visit to one of Britain's most beautiful cities. Bath is famous for its elegant Georgian architecture, as exemplified by its Royal Crescent, a row of 30 terraced houses dating from 1774 and arranged in a crescent pattern, and the famous Pulteney Bridge, one of only four in the world with stores on both sides and lengthwise, like the world-famous Ponte Vecchio in Florence.
What is included in this tour?
- Panoramic tour of the Georgian Baths
- Professional guide / Audio guide in several languages
- Transport by luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi
- Possibility of entry to the interior of Windsor Castle
- Possibility of entrance to Stonehenge
- Possibility of entrance to the Roman Baths
Approximate itinerary
- Departure point - Victoria Coach Station, at gates 1-5, 164 Buckingham Palace Road, London
- Departure time - 8:00 AM (boarding at 7.30)
- Windsor Castle (1 hour)
- Stonehenge(1 hour)
- Bath (1 hour)
- Return - Vauxhall Bridge Road, London
5. Excursions to the English countryside from London: Oxford, Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick Castle
The day trip to Oxford, Warwick Castle and Stratford-upon-Avon is one of the most complete excursions that I recommend if you are looking for some tranquility and nature after a few intense days in the center of London, as it includes some of the most beautiful places in the English countryside.
Warwick Castle
During your day you will enjoy a visit to a medieval castle, Warwick Castle, built on 26 hectares of hills and manicured gardens on the banks of the River Avon. There you can learn about its history through a multi-sensory attraction and live performances of medieval sports, such as jousting and archery tournaments, and explore the castle's opulent decor, such as its 17th-century Great Hall.
Stratford-upon-Avon
You will visit the birthplace of one of the world's greatest literary figures in Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, whose house you can visit, and then stroll the cobblestone streets of another cradle of learning as the world's second oldest university, Oxford.
What does this tour include?
- Professional guide
- Entrance to Warwick Castle
- Headphones
- Guided walking tour of Oxford
- Wi-Fi on the bus
- Comfortable air-conditioned vehicle
Approximate itinerary
- Departure point - Victoria Station Bus Station
- Departure time - 8:30 am
- Oxford University
- Warwick Castle (1 hour 30 minutes)
- Stratford-upon-Avon
- Return - Vauxhall Bridge Road, London
6. Excursions to Oxford and Cambridge
Getting lost in the cobblestone streets, parks and canals of these cities is like traveling back in time. This day trip to Oxford and Cambridge allows you to see firsthand the magnificent buildings that house two of the world's longest-running and most notable universities.
Oxford
Oxford is also known for its distinctive architecture, comprising notable examples of every architectural period since Saxon times. There you can enjoy a visit to one of the oldest libraries in Europe, the Bodleian Library, and to its most famous college, Christ Church, where some of the scenes of the famous Harry Potter saga were filmed and where historical figures such as Lewis Carroll, Bill Clinton or David Cameron studied.
Cambridge
Newton, Stephen Hawking or Sylvia Plath are the names of other distinguished students of the University of Cambridge, a beautiful city that you will visit during the excursion, as well as its impressive library, the Cavendish Laboratory and the King's College Chapel.
What is included in this tour?
- Walking tour of Oxford and Cambridge
- Visit to Christ Church College
- Lunch
- Visit to King's College
- Professional guide
- Luxury air-conditioned coach
Approximate itinerary
- Departure point - Fountain Square, Colonnade Walk, Buckingham Palace Rd, Victoria, London
- Departure time - 8:30 am
- University of Oxford
- Christ Church
- King's College Chapel
- Bodleian Library
- Cambridge University and its bookshop
- Return - Back to original starting point
7. Excursions to Downton Abbey and the Cotswolds
If you're a fan of the iconic Downton Abbey series, this tour from London will take you to explore the real-life locations where the series was filmed and discover the enchanting landscapes of the Cotswolds, one of England's most picturesque regions. Immerse yourself in the history and luxury of the British aristocracy as you visit the impressive Highclere Castle, the mansion that gave life to the Crawley family residence.
Highclere Castle
The tour includes a visit to Highclere Castle, the majestic estate that served as the iconic Downton Abbey mansion. Here you can tour its luxurious halls, libraries and gardens while discovering the royal history behind this impressive noble residence.
Cotswolds Villages
In addition to visiting the castle, the tour will take you through the Cotswolds, a fairytale region with villages filled with stone houses, cobblestone streets and green landscapes. Among the most outstanding stops is Bampton, the village that in the series represented Downton and where you will find emblematic places such as St. Mary's Church.
What does this tour include?
- Entrance to Highclere Castle
- Visit to Downton Abbey's main locations
- Tour of the Cotswolds
- Transport by luxury air-conditioned coach
- Expert guide on the history of Downton Abbey
Approximate itinerary
- Departure time - 8:30 am
- Departure point - Victoria Coach Station, London
- Visit to the village of Bampton (location of Downton in the series)
- Tour of the Cotswolds
- Visit to Highclere Castle (entrance fee included)
- Return -Back to the original departure point
8. 5 day tours to Devon and Cornwall region
Discover the beauty of the medieval villages of Devon and Cornwall on this 5-day tour that will take you through some of the most breathtaking scenery in southern England. If you are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of London and explore the history, nature and mysteries of this region, this tour is perfect for you.
Devon and Cornwall
Throughout this tour, you will visit charming villages such as Exeter, Tintagel, Glastonbury and Dartmoor, where you can admire their castles, ruins and historical monuments. The tour will allow you to learn about the history of these places while enjoying their spectacular natural scenery.
Stonehenge
One of the days will be dedicated to a visit to Stonehenge, the famous circle of monoliths that remains an enigma to archaeologists and travelers from all over the world. You will have plenty of time to tour this iconic site and learn about its theories and stories.
What does this tour include?
- Transportation in air-conditioned vehicle with driver-guide
- Tour of Exeter, Tintagel, Glastonbury and Dartmoor
- Visit to Stonehenge
- Four nights hotel accommodation with breakfast
- Small groups for a more personalized experience
Itinerary
- Departure point - Victoria Coach Station, London
- Departure time - 9:00 am
- Day 1 - Depart London and visit Stonehenge and Exeter
- Day 2 - Tour Dartmoor and Tintagel
- Day 3 - Explore the Cornwall coastline
- Day 4 - Glastonbury and return to the Devon area
- Day 5 - Return to London
9. Excursions to Paris by high-speed train from London
Make the most of your trip to London to discover Paris, the iconic City of Light, on this day trip to the French capital Thanks to the high-speed train, you can travel comfortably between the two capitals and enjoy a full day exploring Paris' most iconic sights.
Tour of Paris
After a 4.5-hour train ride, you will arrive in the majestic city of Paris. There, you will take a panoramic bus tour of its most representative sites, such as the Sacré-Coeur district , the Champs Elysées and the Place de la Concorde. Throughout the day, you will be accompanied by an expert tour guide who will help you discover the secrets and history of the city.
Seine River Cruise
To complete the experience, the excursion includes a cruise on the Seine River, from where you can admire such impressive monuments as the Eiffel Tower. In addition, you will enjoy a delicious three-course lunch with champagne while cruising along the waters of the iconic Parisian river.
What does this excursion include?
- Round-trip ticket on a high-speed train
- Bus tour of the main sights of Paris
- Seine River cruise with 3-course lunch and champagne
- Tour guide throughout the tour
- Free time to explore the city
Itinerary
- Departure point - St Pancras Railway Station, London
- Departure time - 6:00 am
- Travel by high-speed train to Paris
- Sightseeing bus tour of the city
- Seine River cruise with lunch
- Free time to explore Paris
- Return to London by train
10. Excursions to Leeds, Canterbury, Dover and Greenwich in one day
Explore some of the most fascinating places in southeast England on this day trip from London. From the majesty of Leeds Castle to the awe-inspiring Canterbury Cathedral to the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, this tour will immerse you in the country's history, culture and breathtaking scenery. Plus, you'll end the day in Greenwich, the birthplace of British navigation.
Leeds Castle
Known as "the most enchanting castle in the world", Leeds Castle is an architectural gem surrounded by spectacular gardens and lakes. During your visit, you can explore its luxurious rooms and learn about its fascinating history, which spans from the Middle Ages to the present day.
Canterbury Cathedral
In the medieval city of Canterbury, you will visit its famous cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This impressive temple is the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury and has witnessed important historical events, such as the murder of Thomas Becket in 1170.
White Cliffs of Dover
One of England's most iconic landscapes is the White Cliffs of Dover, an imposing chalk formation overlooking the sea. From here, you can enjoy spectacular coastal scenery and learn about the strategic importance of this area throughout history.
Greenwich
The tour ends in Greenwich, famous for its naval history and zero meridian. Stroll through this charming London neighborhood, visit its markets and discover the British maritime heritage at places like the Cutty Sark and the Royal Observatory.
What does this tour include?
- Entrance to Leeds Castle
- Guided tour of Canterbury Cathedral
- Tour of the White Cliffs of Dover
- Stopover at Greenwich
- Transport by luxury air-conditioned coach
- Expert guide throughout the tour
Itinerary
- Departure time - 8:30 am
- Departure point - Victoria Coach Station, London
- Visit to Leeds Castle (entrance included)
- Tour of Canterbury and visit to the cathedral
- Stopover at the White Cliffs of Dover
- Exploration of Greenwich
- Return - Return to original departure point
11. Tours to Edinburgh from London
Take advantage of your stay in London to discover Edinburgh, one of the most fascinating cities in the United Kingdom. On this day trip to Edinburgh, you will travel by high-speed train to the Scottish capital, where you can explore its impressive historic center and enjoy a sightseeing bus tour to discover the most emblematic corners of the city.
Tour of Edinburgh
Upon arrival in Edinburgh, you will have access to a sightseeing bus with free stops, allowing you to explore the city at your own pace. You will be able to admire iconic sights such as the Royal Mile, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and St. Giles Cathedral, among other points of interest.
Edinburgh Castle
One of the highlights of the tour is the visit to Edinburgh Castle, one of the most impressive fortresses in Scotland. From its walls, you will enjoy spectacular views of the city, as well as discover its history and the Scottish crown jewels.
What does this tour include?
- Round trip high speed train ticket
- Sightseeing bus with free stops in Edinburgh
- Entrance to Edinburgh Castle
- Map and informative city guide
- Free time to explore Edinburgh at your own pace
Itinerary
- Departure time - 6:30 am
- Departure point - King's Cross Railway Station, London
- High-speed train ride to Edinburgh
- Sightseeing bus tour of the city
- Visit to Edinburgh Castle (admission included)
- Free time to explore
- Return - Afternoon train back to London
Other activities in London that may interest you
If you have not yet decided on a particular tour or simply prefer to organize your time in the capital, here are some articles and guides that I have been writing and can help you decide which attractions, tours or places you most want to visit. I hope you find them useful! You can start with 10 Best Tours in London and also read about London Eye Tickets and Tours o Madame Tussauds in London: Tickets and Tours.
If you prefer to visit as many attractions as possible, I recommend you to make your trip more efficient by buying a tourist card (in this article on London Tourist Cards I advise you which are the best ones) or book a ticket for the tourist bus, a fast and comfortable way to move around the city. Read more information in this article: London Hop-On Hop-Off Buses.