We know that there is lots to see and do when visiting London, including world-class museums, monuments and shopping destinations by the bucket load. However, if you fancy getting away from the city for the day, you'll also find the UK's capital never disappoints! With fantastic transport links in and around London, you're never too far from a wide array of locations including top tourist attractions and historic hidden gems. In this blog, we'll take a look at some of our favourite day trips to add a taste of England to your city stay!
The Cotswolds
Lesser-known by many visitors to London, the Cotswolds are a scenic and delightful part of England, and can be reached with ease during your stay at the Montcalm Royal London House. Filled with great scenery and opportunities to indulge in traditional British pastimes such as afternoon tea, we recommend leaving London early to ensure you have a full day to explore everything the area has to offer. The Cotswolds is comprised of many small villages, so is best navigated by car to ensure a smooth trip.
Windsor Castle
A historic structure within easy reach of all of our hotels near Liverpool Street Station, Windsor Castle most recently hit headlines as the wedding venue of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. However, Windsor Castle has a much longer heritage than this, and was originally built by William the Conqueror during the 11th century.
The castle is the oldest inhabited castle anywhere in the world, and the Queen regularly stays here at the weekend. Windsor Castle and its grounds cover approximately thirteen acres, and a visit here can easily keep you entertained for 2-3 hours. The surrounding market town of Windsor also offers a glimpse at a quintessentially British area, and Windsor and Eton Central Train Station (just 49 minutes away from London Paddington) is only a 10-minute walk from Windsor Castle.
Cambridge
One of the foremost destinations for high-flying University students in the UK, Cambridge is home to Cambridge University – but that's not all the city has to offer.
For non-students, there's lots to explore during your visit. Cambridge is only around an hour and 30 minutes away from the centre of London, accessible via car, train and bus so you should find plenty of time to explore.
While you're there, we recommend taking a trip along the historic waterways of Cambridge on a punting tour, or taking a guided tour of the famed University itself. There are also a number of sightseeing tours to join both by bus and on foot, allowing you to get to grips with one of the most scenic areas of England.
Paris
This might seem like an outlandish destination for a day trip, but the journey via Eurostar from London to the capital of France is a convenient two hours.
While you're enjoying our hotel packages in London, a trip to another country is easily within your reach, and though you won't be able to enjoy everything Paris has to offer in a single day, if you've always wanted to visit and fancy trying something a little different, this is a fantastic way to make the trip.
Stonehenge
Offering a snapshot of life for the UK's Neolithic ancestors, Stonehenge includes not only the iconic monument itself, but also an exhibition which provides more than 250 objects to explore and a series of Neolithic Houses filled with objects and tools which were integral to life 5500 years ago.
The closest train station to Stonehenge is Salisbury, which is just nine miles away from this world-famous historic site. The venue offers a Hop-On, Hop-Off bus which takes visitors direct to the site, and takes around 30 minutes each way. Trains regularly leave London Waterloo to Salisbury.
Edinburgh
If you fancy getting out of England and exploring some more of the UK, then a trip to Edinburgh might be just the ticket. A flight from the city takes around an hour, so you'll soon be in one of the UK's most beautiful places – and can easily spend an entire day looking around. Scotland gets pretty chilly, so be sure to pack a coat, just in case. Enjoy a journey through the historic streets, or a trip to Edinburgh Castle.
Bath
Another of the best destinations for a day trip from London, the city of Bath is a historic area with lots to recommend it. Known for its famous Roman baths, the city became hugely popular during the 18th century as a space for relaxation and rejuvenation, with a number of the best-known buildings developed during this time. With stunning architecture, the city is a lively spot thanks to its two Universities, and the journey from London Paddington takes around an hour and a half.
Brighton
If you're looking for a way to escape London and head for a British beach, then Brighton offers a fantastic way to do just that! The area is popular with Londoners, as Brighton has a well-earned reputation for friendliness and vibrancy which helps support a thriving tourism industry.
We recommend heading here during the summer months, as it can get cold and blustery in the winter. It's not only the beach which provides a great place to relax and enjoy a day out, as the town itself is bohemian and active. Brighton is around an hour from London by train, so you'll be there in no time at all.
Bristol
Taking you to the South-West of England for a look at life outside of London, Bristol is an industrial city, perhaps best known for its music and street art scene. It is also home to a popular University – helping to keep the city youthful and current.
Just two hours away by train, it can easily be combined with a trip to neighbouring Bath (simply add an additional 30 minutes to your journey time) providing a varied day out while you stay in London.
