Taking a day trip from London is the perfect way to explore the town, historic sites and coastline on its doorstep.

You can take a train away from London. Train travel is the best option for day trips because of traffic and parking restrictions.

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1. Solve the mystery of Stonehenge

It takes one hour and 30 minutes to travel.

It is like an amazing magic trick but you don't want to know how it happened. No one has figured it out yet. It is thought to have been built around 5000 years ago and is older than the Pyramids of Giza. The largest stone is 30 feet tall.

You can walk around the stones on the paths, even though you can't touch them. You can sit among the stones at the visitor center if you have your own vehicle.

The train from London to Salisbury takes 90 minutes. The tour bus will take you to the monument. It's about a 90 minute drive from central London and parking is available at the site.

Brighton's pier lit up at dusk
Promenade along the pier in Brighton, Britain's quintessential seaside resort © Alex Robinson / Getty Images

2. Soak up Brighton's indie attitude

It takes one hour to travel.

It is often referred to as London-on-Sea because of its property prices, but it is more of a nod to its character. One of the UK's top LGBTQIA+ spots is a grungy, creative and bohemian city.

You can start in the North Laine neighborhood, filled with pubs, cafes and theaters, and go shopping in The Lanes a little farther south. The Royal Pavilion was built by King George IV in 1787 as a seaside retreat and you can take a walk along the pier to check out the amusements. There are many bars and restaurants in the city. Food for Friends is a great place to eat vegan and the Walrus pub is a great place to get a beer.

You can take a direct train from London Victoria or London Bridge. The journey takes about an hour. It takes about two hours to drive from London toBrighton, and parking can be difficult, so the train is usually a better option.

There are a lot of things to do in BRIGHTON.

3. Bath has England's most beautiful Roman ruins

It takes one hour and 30 minutes to travel.

Bath is one of Britain's prettiest cities. It was founded by the Romans and is now the premier tourist attraction in southwest England. Grand squares and crescents define the city and are celebrated for their Georgian architecture.

The Bath House, the Sacred Spring, the Roman Temple and the museum are all part of the Roman Baths complex. Bath Abbey is a church that you can climb to the top of. The food at the Marlborough Tavern is really good.

You can stay in Bath for the weekend if you have time.

The journey from London Paddington to Bath takes about one hour and 30 minutes. Traffic is heavy and parking is limited in the city.

Aerial view of a curve of golden sand in Margate, England, with a concrete harbor arm stretching out into the sea
As well as its classic seaside vibes, the Turner Contemporary art gallery is another top Margate draw © Aspect Drone Services / Getty Images

4. Find art and amusement parks in Margate

It takes one hour and 30 minutes to travel.

It was one of the top seaside destinations for the Victorians, but it fell out of favor in the 20th century. Many day-trippers have returned due to recent investment. Turner Contemporary is an art gallery that showcases world-class art exhibits with superb views of the harbor and beyond. You should visit the gallery to see the light out on the sea, because the skies here were celebrated by painter JMW Turner.

The Shell Grotto is a place where you can get a glimpse of a bit of mystery. No one knows why this quirky little underground spot is filled with millions of shells creating mosaics and patterns over the walls. Dreamland is the town's famous amusement park and is a great place to go with the family.

You can take the train from London to the station on the beach, or you can take the train from Victoria to the station. It takes around two hours to drive from London to Margate, and you should be able to park for free in town.

The arches of Canterbury Cathedral's magnificent ceiling with a gold and blue crest in the center
For soaring medieval architecture, you can't beat Canterbury Cathedral © Travel Ink / Getty Images

5. Get to church in Canterbury

It takes one hour to travel.

The star building of the cathedral city of Canterbury is considered to be one of the best in Europe. The town is quaint and has narrow alleyways following the original medieval street plan.

It's a must to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site. The most important Christian site in the country is located at the seat of the leader of the Church of England. Outside, you can see the ruins of the 6th century abbey.

The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge is a highlight. In a flat-bottomed punt, knowledgeable guides share stories of the city as they skillfully navigate the boat under bridges with barely any headroom.

Fast trains from London St Pancras leave once an hour and take an hour. There are slower trains from London Victoria and London Charing Cross. The drive takes about an hour and a half.

People sit on the grass on a sunny day in front of Winchester Cathedral in Winchester, England
Once the capital of England, Winchester is one of the country's prettiest cities © David Clapp / Getty Images

6. Step back in time in Winchester

It takes one hour to travel.

The feel of a small town is what Winchester has. About 1000 years ago, the home of King Alfred the Great was England's capital and today it has a variety of excellent pubs, countryside walks and a lively high street.

There is a replica of King Arthur's Round Table at the top of the high street. The longest nave of any Gothic cathedral in Europe can be found just off the high street. Go past the statue of Alfred the Great on the high street to reach the college.

The journey from London Waterloo to Winchester takes about an hour. The drive from central London takes around an hour and a half.

The spires and domes of Oxford's skyline at dusk
Oxford's dreaming spires have attracted students and travelers for centuries © Max Dannenbaum / Getty Images

7. Harry Potter fans should take a day trip to Oxford

It takes one hour to travel.

Oxford is best known for its world famous university and forest of spires. The atmosphere is young and fresh because of the large student population. The most famous of which are Christ Church and Magdalen are some of the highlights. It's easy to spend more than one day in Oxford.

You can take a tour of the university colleges if you want to see the locations used in the movies.

The journey time from London to Oxford is about an hour and a half. The Oxford Tube is a coach that can be taken from a number of locations in London. Two hours is how long it takes to drive.

Pedestrians walk outside Kings College in Cambridge, England
Stroll the streets of Cambridge to admire the colleges © IR Stone / Shutterstock

8. Head to college in Cambridge

It takes 45 minutes to travel.

Cambridge has a world-class university and is fond of punting. The city has more green space and less traffic. There is a lot going on in the town and a walking tour of the university is a must.

Christ's College is the most popular university college. You can see the city on a punting trip along the river. A picnic on the backs is very enjoyable.

The journey from London Kings Cross to Cambridge takes about 45 minutes. It takes about 90 minutes to get to Cambridge.

Soldiers in red coats and bearskin hats march in front of Windsor Castle for the Changing of the Guard ceremony in Windsor, England
Enjoy proper British pomp with the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Windsor Castle © Andrew Cowie / Getty Images

9. Take a royal day trip to Windsor

It takes one hour to travel.

Windsor Castle is the location for many a royal wedding and the place where the Queen spends a lot of her time. The Changing of the Guard can be seen along with the towers.

The Long Walk is the best way to get to Windsor castle. There are no cars in Windsor Great Park, but you can see some deer. There is a small town across the river that is worth a walk.

The fastest way to get to Windsor from London is by train. There are parking lots in the vicinity of the town center.

Two New Forest ponies standing among heather on a frosty morning in the New Forest, England
Look out for free-roaming ponies in the New Forest © Chris Balcombe / 500px

10. Head into nature in the New Forest

It takes one hour and 30 minutes to travel.

The New Forest is a national park but it isn't a forest at all. It's home to free-roaming animals, including pigs, cattle and the eponymous ponies, and it's made up of a wide range of habitats. You can easily spend more than a day in the New Forest, and while there are fantastic cycle routes and hiking trails, it's best to explore by car.

If you're only in the New Forest for a single day, focus on one activity, such as visiting a historic site, or following a walking trail where you can see the beautiful colors. The Pig in Brockenhurst celebrates home-grown and local produce and many people come to eat there.

You can get to the New Forest from central London, but it takes two hours. Traveling by train from London Waterloo to Brockenhurst takes about an hour and a half.

The article was first published a year ago.