The Best London Day Trips By Train

Last Updated on 7th May 2023

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London is such a great city to base yourself in if you want to explore more of the UK. Thanks to it being the capital city of England, there are hundreds of trains going in, out and around the city at all times of the day, every single day.

As much as London is a brilliant city to explore, it can get a little hectic at times, so you might find yourself wondering about the best day trips from London by train.

If you want to see more of the UK from London, check out this list of the top five places to visit on a day trip from London by train!

Read more: The Ultimate UK Bucket List – 101 Best Things To Do In The UK

1. York – best day trips from London by train

York is undoubtedly one of the best day trips from London by train as it’s just over two hours on some high-speed trains, meaning if you set off relatively early, you can experience an entire full day in my beatific hometown.

Train tickets from London to York aren’t always the cheapest but if you plan ahead and book in advance, you can find yourself saving a great deal of money, meaning you have more to spend at the adorable tea rooms, yummy restaurants and cocktail bars in York!

You can easily see all the important, touristy things in one day in York; it’s remarkably easy to navigate your way around the city and there are plenty of walking or bus tours you can take part in if you prefer your day to be more structured.

Must-sees during a trip to York from London include the Shambles, York Minster and Betty’s Tea Room; York really is such a beautiful city that’s absolutely teeming with history and with it being in such close proximity to London via train, there’s really no excuse not to take part in a day trip there!

Read more: 25+ Best Things To Do In York, England

2. Paris

You might not think that you could do Paris in a day but I think you’d actually be pleasantly surprised at just how much you can squeeze into just a couple of hours! Trains from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord run regularly from early in the morning – the 7 am train will get you into Paris before 10.30 am which means if you get the last train home (around 9 pm) you’ll have almost 11 hours to enjoy the city of love!

Take a stroll down the Champs-Élysées and sample many delicious delicacies such as macarons and hot chocolate and then enjoy the spectacular beauty of the Arc de Triomphe once you reach the end of the street.

Regardless of the time of year that you visit Paris, there are always so many stunning things to see and do; from the incredible art in the Louvre to admiring the impressive feat that is the Notre-Dame, there’s so much you can enjoy in the most romantic city in the world!

Naturally, you won’t be able to fit everything in one day, but if you book activities in advance (such as the Eiffel Tower) then not only will you save money, but you’ll also be able to squeeze much more in! A spontaneous day trip from London to Paris can be incredibly romantic and an awesome way to spend a weekend day!

Read more: 3 Days In Paris Itinerary For First-Time Visitors.

3. Bath

Bath is a place that’s absolutely teeming with incredible history and gorgeous little streets, shops and stories. While there are some awesome things to see and do in Bath, it is possible to see it in just one day on a trip from London.

The train from London to Bath is only an hour and a half so it really is in such a great location for a day trip. You can spend the day exploring the Abbey, soaking up the history of the Roman Baths and sampling all the delicious treats that the cute bakeries and eateries have to offer.

If you stay later in the evening, grab a bite to eat in one of the many restaurants that Bath has to offer and then choose from a plethora of theatre, comedy and live music shows to round off your day in Bath!

4. Oxford

Oxford is remarkably easy to get to from London so it’s an incredibly ideal place for a day trip. Known as one of the most prestigious and historic university places in England, Oxford is an idyllic city that’s truly bursting with history and experience.

The charming streets will have you captivated from the moment you step off the train and the stunning architecture of the university buildings will make a gorgeous backdrop for those Instagram pics. The Botanical Gardens are an alluring haven away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre and you’ll find many picturesque flowers, shrubberies and trees to admire.

Take a stroll through the Bodleian Library or spend a few hours in one of the many museums learning about the ancient history of Oxford; whatever you do here, it’s sure to be a day trip to remember.

5. The Cotswolds – best day trips from London by train

The quintessentially British streets and buildings in the Cotswolds are truly beautiful and it’s such a peaceful and serene place to spend an afternoon enjoying tea and cake while admiring the breathtaking scenery.

You can enjoy a delicious meal in one of the many pubs and then bask in the beauty of the quaint towns while taking an afternoon stroll; rolling green hills and remarkable limestone houses and buildings make for the perfect spot to unwind and relax before heading back to the bustling hub of London.

Read more: The Best Things To Do In Castle Combe Village, Cotswolds

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Have you ever been on one of these day trips from London? Where else would you recommend visiting on a day trip from London? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter at @imjustagirl_16.