If you have chance, there are some top attractions outside London that are worth a day trip to visit when you are in the area.
There comes a time you may want to step beyond London to see what else the UK has to offer. Maybe you need to fill out a long visit to London and want to give yourself a break from the city. Perhaps you’ve visited London multiple times and are ready to see what else is out there.
Either way, we want to introduce you to five of the top attractions outside London. They all make excellent day trips, and we’ll fill you in on where to look for tours if you don’t want to venture out on your own. There’s a lot to discover beyond London, so let’s get started with these top attractions outside London.
Quick Trips To Top Attractions Outside London:
1. Brighton
Who says you must choose between a beach vacation and a trip to London? You can have your fun in the city and then step out for a day at the beach, and you don’t even need a tour guide to get here. It will take you less than an hour from London by rail, and there are coaches and buses that will happily save you a seat.
Once you arrive, make your way directly to the beach and seafront or spend some time shopping first. A day of relaxation awaits you.
2. Windsor Castle
The Queen heads off to Windsor for many of her personal weekends, so why not do the same for a day? Windsor Castle is open to public tours throughout the year and will show you what it means to live in true luxury. Nearly 40 monarchs have called the castle home, and you can now call it an exciting detour from London for yourself or your full family.
Windsor Castle is often combined with Bath and Stonehenge to create a full day of exploration. The best way to do this is to join a guided tour that includes all three in one whirlwind of a day.
3. Paris
This one may seem a bit extravagant, considering it’s in another country, but Paris is less than three hours away if you take Eurostar. Just keep in mind that you may not want to rush right back to London because there is so much to see and do in Paris. If you’re tempted to make it an overnight trip, you won’t regret it.
What should you do while in Paris on a day trip from London? The boutiques and art galleries are a great start, but the food is a must-devour as well. Major attractions like the Eiffel Tower, the Pantheon, and the Palais-Royal Gardens are great stops as well.
If you don’t want to take this trip on your own, Evan Evans has a romantic Paris day trip package that includes lunch with champagne on the Eiffel Tower.
4. Legoland Windsor Resort
If you’re going to see Windsor Castle, why not add a trip to Legoland? That combines two of the most popular attractions near London, and you can make it simple by boarding the Royal Windsor Steam Express from Evan Evans. A steam engine will carry you into Windsor, where you’ll have the opportunity to spend as much time at Legoland as you wish before heading back to London on a commuter train.
This is one of the best day trips from London for families with young children. If you have a little one who loves Legos, this is your chance to give them a wonderful surprise on vacation.
5. Thorpe Park
Do you want to ride the UK’s fastest roller coaster? Spend about a half hour riding the London Waterloo train to Staines and then catch the bus to this amusement park and resort in Chertsey. Ride that roller coaster then venture off to enjoy water rides, getting your adrenaline rush while cooling off on a hot day in London. Thorpe is also home to the only winged roller coaster in the UK, and there are plenty other rides to get your blood pumping.
Planning a Day Trip Outside of London
The best day trips to top attractions outside London are purchased from local tour companies. These tours place you in the hands of experienced guides who reduce the risk of you getting lost or otherwise not making it to your destination and back to London safely. They also handle the most expensive and critical component of the day trip: transportation.
When selecting a day trip to top attractions outside London, think about more than the destination. Consider the form of transportation and how much comfort it will offer every member of your family. Also think about what comes with the trip and what you will need to bring with you. For instance, will the tour include beverages and snacks? What about meals and admission into attractions?
Day trips from London are tons of fun. Just make sure you leave yourself adequate time for those must-see London attractions as well.