At present I wish to carry you my information to the most effective half day journeys from London. No matter your pursuits are, there are a number of thrilling locations you possibly can go for a part of a time out from the UK capital. I’ve included a map of all of the locations, too.
Half Day Journeys from London
Whether or not you’re into legendary castles, historical stone circles, Harry Potter, sunny seashores, or one thing else, there are many nice locations to go to close to London that received’t take up a full day of your time.
A few of them are simple to get to independently by practice, whereas others are higher suited to taking a guided day tour. No matter your choice, you might have loads of selections in the case of half day journeys from London.
I’ve visited all of the locations on my record (a lot of them greater than as soon as), and I can personally vouch for the way worthy they’re of a number of hours of your time. I hope you get pleasure from them as a lot as I’ve.
1. Stonehenge Half Day Journey
Stonehenge is among the hottest half day journeys from London. Its thriller and historical past draw guests from everywhere in the world to circle the stones and picture how they received right here and why. It’s one of the crucial magical locations within the UK.
You may guide tickets upfront to avoid wasting time if you arrive. As soon as right here, there’s an audio tour to information you across the website. There are additionally Neolithic homes, a digital tour, and exhibitions to carry the place to life.
Driving or touring by a mixture of practice and bus to Stonehenge takes some time, so I like to recommend visiting on a guided tour. I’ve performed excursions with GetYourGuide and I’ve actually loved them. You may see their Stonehenge excursions right here.
2. Windsor Fortress Half Day Journey
A half day journey to Windsor Fortress from London is one other enjoyable tour. Probably the most well-known castles close to London, it’s an incredible place to get into all issues royal.
Windsor is shut sufficient to the UK capital that it’s solely a 40-minute practice trip from Paddington station. You can even get right here on a guided tour. You may guide one right here.
There’s quite a bit to see on a half day journey to Windsor Fortress. Most guests tour the State Residences and St George’s Chapel to see the historic and ceremonial highlights. You may get tickets right here.
There’s extra past the fortified partitions, too. Windsor and Eton are full of outlets, historic buildings, and inexperienced areas. It’s simple to spend an hour or two exploring them after you tour the fortress.
3. St Albans Half Day Journey
A half day journey to St Albans is one other nice alternative. That’s not least as a result of it’s so near the UK capital it’s virtually subsequent door.
Getting from London to St Albans is fast and cheap by practice, and companies depart ceaselessly from central stations like Blackfriars, Farringdon, and St Pancras. Meaning you’ll spend little time in transit and have numerous time to discover.
Which is nice, as a result of there are many issues to do in St Albans. Town is thought for its historical Roman ruins, and you may see a Roman wall and discover Verulamium Park when you’re on the town.
St Albans Cathedral is value visiting, too. It’s the oldest website of steady Christian worship in Britain, and there’s a number of historical past inside.
St Albans can also be dwelling to a lot of avenue markets and farmers’ markets. Visiting them and searching the wares is enjoyable, and there are many issues to purchase.
4. Hampton Courtroom Palace Half Day Journey
A half day journey to Hampton Courtroom Palace is subsequent on my record. It’s a brief practice trip from town middle (or a boat journey from Richmond), leaving you loads of time to discover the interiors, gardens, and grounds.
There’s quite a bit to see at Hampton Courtroom Palace. From the State Residences and personal rooms of William III and Mary II to the gardens, kitchens, and courtyards, there’s a lot to maintain you busy. You can even guide a guided tour right here.
And that’s to say nothing of the UK’s oldest surviving hedge maze and the centuries-old Nice Vine. The latter is the biggest grapevine on this planet.
When you can time your go to to coincide with the annual Hampton Courtroom Palace Backyard Competition, you’ll be in for much more of a deal with.
5. Warner Bros Studio Tour Half Day Journey
The Warner Bros Studio Tour is one other of my favourite half day journeys from London. That is the place the Harry Potter films have been filmed, and you may see all of the units from his world of wizardry right here.
From the Gryffindor frequent room at Hogwarts to Gringotts Wizarding Financial institution, Diagon Alley, and Dumbledore’s workplace, guests can stand up shut with the highlights and luxuriate in interactive displays.
Positioned close to London, the Warner Bros Studio Tour is straightforward to get to by a mixture of practice and shuttle. It’s a 15-20 minute trip from Euston station to Watford Junction, from the place common shuttles make the 15-minute journey to the studio.
You can even take a guided tour from London, which you’ll guide right here. It can make it a neater journey because you’ll be with somebody the entire means.
6. Sevenoaks Half Day Journey
Out in Kent, Sevenoaks is one other of the most effective half day journeys from London. The city is near the UK capital, and it’s a fast and straightforward practice trip away.
When you’ve arrived, there are many issues to do in Sevenoaks. The middle is filled with historic streets and buildings, and Knole Park is the best place for a Sevenoaks stroll. Make certain to look out for the well-known deer when you go.
The spectacular Knole is among the greatest stately properties close to London and one of many high locations to go to in Kent. When you’re a Nationwide Belief member, it’s free to enter. If not, you possibly can nonetheless pay to tour the rooms or simply stroll by means of the historic courtyards.
7. Bray Half Day Journey
Subsequent on my record of the most effective half day journeys from London is Bray. This stunning village in Berkshire is so near London you possibly can take the Elizabeth Line (plus a brief taxi trip) to get right here.
As soon as on the town, there are some thrilling issues to do in Bray. The village streets are filled with picturesque cottages, and the riverfront surroundings on the Thames is gorgeous. There are nice walks you are able to do right here, too.
However let’s be trustworthy. Most individuals come right here for the meals. Bray is thought for its Michelin-starred eating places and pubs.
From The Fats Duck to the Waterside Inn, it has extra stars than many main cities. It’s a deal with to come back right here for half a day to see the village and luxuriate in lunch at one of many eating places or pubs.
8. Oxford Half Day Journey
A half day journey to Oxford is one other enjoyable factor to do when you’re visiting London. Whether or not you wish to see the Harry Potter filming areas, uncover Alice in Wonderland’s Oxford, or take within the sights, there’s a lot to maintain you busy.
The practice trip from the UK capital is round an hour, so that you’ll have loads of time to see the highlights if you arrive.
Town middle is compact, and strolling round and seeing the historic faculties, well-known buildings just like the Radcliffe Digital camera, the Lined Market, and the fortress is straightforward.
If you need some path, my free self-guided strolling tour of Oxford will present you the highlights in half a day. You can even take a guided tour that features entrance to a well-known faculty. You may guide one right here.
When you don’t wish to stroll, punting in Oxford is a well-liked exercise. You can even take a scenic river cruise on a ship. You may guide one right here.
9. Cambridge Half Day Journey
I couldn’t point out Oxford with out mentioning its rival. Taking a half day journey to Cambridge from London is one other enjoyable factor to do.
It’s lower than an hour by practice from the UK capital when you take a quick service. From the station, you possibly can take a bus or taxi into city to avoid wasting time (it’s a 20-minute stroll).
That leaves you with a pair hours to see Cambridge. The middle is small, so it’s simple to stroll across the faculties, take within the heritage buildings, go punting on the river, or store within the charming streets.
My free self-guided strolling tour of Cambridge can present you the highlights in a brief period of time, too. You can even take a guided tour that features entrance to the well-known King’s Faculty Chapel. You may guide one right here.
Add to that stunning waterfront surroundings, rows of stalls in Cambridge market, and nice pubs, and there are many issues to do in Cambridge that may maintain you busy for a part of a day.
10. Surrey Half Day Journey
One other of my favourite half day journeys from London is Surrey. It’s so shut it doesn’t take lengthy to get right here, which leaves you loads of time to discover.
You’ve got numerous choices, too. The Surrey Hills Space of Excellent Pure Magnificence is simply south of London, and it has all the things from storybook villages to scenic trails. There are nice nation walks in Surrey, too, together with the long-lasting Field Hill.
The village of Shere is known for being a filming location for The Vacation, certainly one of my favourite films set in England. The hills within the surrounding countryside are dotted with lovely sheep as properly.
In the summertime, there are lavender fields you possibly can go to in Surrey. You will get to them by automobile or public transport. They make for enjoyable picture alternatives and exquisite half days out when the solar shines.
11. Brighton Half Day Journey
With regards to seaside journeys from London, a half day journey to Brighton is tough to beat. Town is lower than an hour by practice from the UK capital, leaving you with loads of time to discover if you arrive.
Brighton provides a number of leisure for guests. You may wander by means of The Lanes and North Laine to buy and take within the metropolis’s well-known avenue artwork scene, go to the Royal Pavilion and its surrounding gardens, and take in the solar (if it’s out!).
This can be a nice seaside journey from London within the hotter months. When you love the seaside, you’ll get pleasure from strolling alongside the shore and out to the well-known pier.
12. Epping Forest Half Day Journey
Out east, Epping Forest is one other of the most effective half day journeys from London. This historical woodland on the border of the UK capital is so near town you will get right here on the tube. Due to this, it’s a fast and straightforward tour.
There are many issues to do in Epping Forest. The principle one is strolling, and there are nice signposted strolling routes all through the wooded areas and surrounding villages.
I’ve written a information to strolling the Oak Path in Epping Forest. It can take you thru the timber and alongside the deer sanctuary for a peaceable escape from town.
13. Greenwich Half Day Journey
Among the best half day journeys from London are locations within the metropolis itself. Greenwich is a major instance. It’s simple to get right here by public transport from town middle. You may even take a ship from central London.
There’s a lot to do on a half day journey to Greenwich. The realm is filled with historic treasures. The whole lot from the Nationwide Maritime Museum to the Queen’s Home, Previous Royal Naval Faculty, Royal Observatory, and Ranger’s Home is right here.
Greenwich Park is known, too. Climbing the hill to absorb the beautiful views from the highest is worth it, and seeing the rose backyard is a deal with within the hotter months.
Greenwich Market is enjoyable to browse, too. There are nice meals stalls, to not point out distributors promoting every kind of artwork, handcrafts, and London souvenirs.
And talking of purchasing, there are unbiased retailers and excessive avenue names in Greenwich. While you’re exhausted from retail remedy, the realm has enjoyable pubs the place you possibly can chill out, too.
I’ve revealed a free self-guided Greenwich stroll that can allow you to discover extra of the realm and its aspect streets. It’s supreme if you wish to dwell like a neighborhood and see locations most guests miss.
14. Kingston-upon-Thames Half Day Journey
Sandwiched between London and Surrey, Kingston-upon-Thames is one other of my high picks for half day journeys from London. Like Greenwich, it’s so near town middle that getting right here and again is fast and straightforward.
There’s quite a bit to do in Kingston. The Market Place fills with stalls on market days, and it’s enjoyable to float from one vendor to the following to see what’s on supply.
There’s historical past to absorb when you’re right here, too. The facade of the historic Market Home, the gilded statue of Queen Anne, the Tudor buildings, and the Market Place have quite a bit to find.
All Saints Church has a Seventeenth-century marble font attributed to Sir Christopher Wren, and 7 Anglo-Saxon kings have been mentioned to have been topped on the Tenth-century Coronation Stone.
The Clatterton Bridge is the oldest bridge in Surrey nonetheless in use, and it’s good for photographs. Add to that colourful boats on the Thames and the eye-catching falling telephone field sculpture on Previous London Street, and there’s quite a bit to see in Kingston.
15. Lewes Half Day Journey
Lewes is one other of my favourite half day journeys from London. This city is among the greatest locations to go to in East Sussex. It’s full of lovely streets, a historic fortress, and unbiased retailers.
Lewes is an hour from London by practice, leaving you loads of time to discover. There are many issues to do in Lewes, together with visiting the priory ruins, seeing the historic homes, and taking within the beautiful views from the city’s hills.
There’s even a legendary fortress right here. Lewis Fortress is a Norman quantity that was constructed by supporters of William the Conqueror after the Battle of Hastings. You may tour it if you wish to see it up shut.
16. Richmond Half Day Journey
In the identical means Greenwich is among the greatest half day journeys from London within the southeast of town, Richmond is the right place to spend a number of hours within the southwest.
This stunning space is fast and straightforward to get to by tube or practice from town middle, and there’s quite a bit to do right here. Whether or not you like waterfront walks, stately properties, purchasing, parks, or riverside pubs, there’s one thing for you in Richmond.
Strolling alongside the Thames is a spotlight of a half day journey to Richmond. There are boats galore, and the surroundings is peaceable and exquisite. It’s enjoyable to take a seat alongside the banks and watch the world go by, too.
There’s extra to see within the streets as properly. Historic alleys like Brewers Lane are ripe for exploring. They result in Richmond Inexperienced, which has stunning homes and pubs to admire, and cricket matches to look at. It’s a Ted Lasso filming location, too.
There’s additionally nice window purchasing alongside Richmond Excessive Road, and it’s enjoyable to go for a drink at one of many historic pubs within the space.
If you need extra path, my free self-guided Richmond stroll will take you round to the highlights of the realm, together with the well-known Richmond Park.
17. Battle Half Day Journey
Battle is one other of my high picks for half day journeys from London. This city within the Excessive Weald in East Sussex is known for its abbey, however there are many different issues to do in Battle that make it value spending a number of hours right here.
Battle is known for being the positioning of the Battle of Hastings in 1066. William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, defeated the English military of King Harold right here.
His victory kicked off the Norman conquest of England, rendering the battle one of the crucial necessary in British historical past.
The preventing passed off in a subject within the present-day city of Battle. After his victory, William the Conqueror based an abbey on the positioning.
Remnants of each the battle and the abbey stay, and so they’re what draw most guests to the city as we speak.
Along with strolling the battlefield and taking within the abbey ruins, you possibly can uncover the excessive avenue and aspect streets and tour the Battle Museum of Native Historical past.
18. Amersham Half Day Journey
A half day journey to Amersham is one other nice one. Simply exterior London in Buckinghamshire, Amersham is so near the UK capital you possibly can attain it on the tube.
Amersham is known for the historic homes and buildings on the excessive avenue in Previous Amersham. It’s additionally recognized for nation walks, because it’s situated within the Chiltern Hills.
This can be a enjoyable place to go to if you’d like a straightforward half day journey from London with as little time in transit as potential.
19. Kew Gardens Half Day Journey
One other nice half day journey from London is Kew Gardens. Like Amersham, it’s so near town middle you possibly can take the tube.
The royal botanic gardens listed here are a few of the most spectacular flower beds and inexperienced areas in Britain. The gathering of historic glasshouses transport guests straight again to Victorian England, too.
There are additionally loads of strolling paths right here, in addition to a formidable Treetop Walkway. There’s even a historic royal palace on the grounds.
Map of Half Day Journeys from London
As promised, I’ve created an interactive Google map of all of the locations on my record. You may see it right here. When you click on on the blue pins, yow will discover my related weblog posts about every one.
Finest Half Day Journeys from London
I hope this weblog publish has helped you uncover some half day journeys from London that attraction to you.
You don’t need to spend a complete day to have a very good time discovering someplace new, and the experiences and recollections will final a lifetime.
If in case you have extra time, you possibly can check out my weblog posts about the most effective day journeys from London. They’ll allow you to see the place you possibly can go if you wish to spend a full time out from town. Joyful travels!
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