In the age of Covid-19, traveling is not at the top of everyone’s minds. But, for those that are feeling anxious to get out and explore now that some restrictions are being lifted, exploring close to home is the best option. So, if you happen to live in London, or if you’re reading this down the line and you’re just looking for some cool day trips from London, there are tons of places to explore. London is in the center of a lot of great places making it the perfect city to hop on a train from and head off somewhere new for the day.
Seven Day Trips from London
If you are traveling during the Covid-19 pandemic, please make sure you adhere to the healthy and safety rules as well as government standards. If traveling by train please wear a mask.
Richmond
Richmond Park
So, while you may be thinking, “Richmond is still in London,” it makes an excellent day trip. It’s not in Central London and is the perfect day trip if you don’t have a full day or if you don’t want to travel that far. From Central London you can hop on the District Line and you’ll be in beautiful Richmond in less than an hour. Or, if you want to get there even faster, you can hop on a train from Waterloo station.
Once you’ve arrived, take a leisurely stroll from the station through the pretty streets in town. Stop off for brunch at The Ivy before wandering towards the river. On a sunny day, make sure to stop and people watch with a cold pint in hand.
After you’ve enjoyed your pint, it’s time to head to Richmond Park. It’s about a 20 minute walk from the town and offers sweeping views of London in the distance. Once you get to the park, enjoy nature. Richmond Park is a very large park that seems more wild than the rest of the London parks. You may even see a family of deer if you’re lucky!
Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens
One of my favorite day trips from London is a visit to Kew Gardens. This is another place that is at the end of the District Line. It’s a stunning garden featuring beautiful green houses, vast open fields, and more. It doesn’t take too long to get here and you can even combine this trip with your trip to Richmond for a full day out! If you’re traveling during COVID-19 please book a time slot ahead of time on their website. Tickets cost 9 pounds for adults.
Brighton
Brighton is the perfect summer day trip. The quirky seaside town is only about an hour from Central London. There is so much to do here that you could easily spend a few days here if you wanted to. But, in the spirit of this post and all things day trips, here are some things you could do.
Spend the day on the pebbled beach. Wander down the boardwalk and admire the pretty pastel painted beach huts along the way. Enjoy an afternoon at the pier before hopping onto British Airways i360 for the best views of Brighton and beyond. Take a stroll through the lanes and shop in the cool and unique shops along the way. Grab a bite to eat in town and then check out the Royal Pavilion.
Windsor
If you’re interested in taking a more educational day trip, head to Windsor and explore the castle. Hop on the train from Central London and in about an hour you’ll arrive in the royal town of Windsor. I suggest heading to the castle in the morning to beat the crowds. Please keep an eye on their website to see when they will be reopening their doors.
Stroll through the cute town and stop off at The Royal Windsor Pub for a delicious meal and views of the towers of Windsor Castle. Take a boat ride along the river and enjoy the views while you learn all about this quaint town.
Harry Potter Studio Tour
If you’re a Harry Potter fan then the Harry Potter Studio Tour is a great day out from London. When I went I visited through a tour but you can also grab the overground there and then take their free shuttle to the actual studio. It’s a really fun day and it’s worth every penny if you’re a big fan. I would love to go again during Christmastime to see it all dressed up for the holidays!
Canterbury
Canterbury is a very small town but it’s a cute one. You can hop on a high speed train Southeastern Railways train to get there in a little over an hour. Spend the day exploring the historical town. Visit the main sights like the Cathedral. Hop on a punting boat and enjoy views of the town from the river. Grab a bite to eat at Pork and Co. and people watch as you enjoy your meal. If you do decide to stay overnight try booking into one of their ghost tours! There is a lot of haunting going around in Canterbury!
Whitstable
Whitstable is the perfect day trip on a sunny, summer day. Pack your swimsuit and hop on the train. In an hour and fifteen minutes you’ll be on the coast, soaking up the sun and enjoying the beach.
But, Whitstable has more to offer than the rocky beach. Enjoy a long stroll along the boardwalk where you’ll come across tons of colorful beach huts. You can enjoy oysters by the seaside, go shopping for some vintage bits in town, and explore a really cool town that you won’t believe is so close to London!
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