Immediately I wish to convey you my information to one of the best half day journeys from London. No matter your pursuits are, there are quite a lot of thrilling locations you possibly can go for a part of a day trip 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, historic stone circles, Harry Potter, sunny seashores, or one thing else, there are many nice locations to go to close to London that gained’t take up a full day of your time.
A few of them are straightforward to get to independently by prepare, whereas others are higher suited to taking a guided day tour. No matter your choice, you might have loads of selections with regards to half day journeys from London.
I’ve visited all of the locations on my listing (a lot of them greater than as soon as), and I can personally vouch for a 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 likely one of 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 bought right here and why. It’s one of the crucial magical locations within the UK.
You possibly can ebook tickets prematurely to avoid wasting time once you arrive. As soon as right here, there’s an audio tour to information you across the web site. There are additionally Neolithic homes, a digital tour, and exhibitions to convey the place to life.
Driving or touring by a mix of prepare and bus to Stonehenge takes some time, so I like to recommend visiting on a guided tour. I’ve finished excursions with GetYourGuide and I’ve actually loved them. You possibly can 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 a fantastic place to get into all issues royal.
Windsor is shut sufficient to the UK capital that it’s solely a 40-minute prepare trip from Paddington station. You can even get right here on a guided tour. You possibly can ebook one right here.
There’s rather a lot 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 possibly can get tickets right here.
There’s extra past the fortified partitions, too. Windsor and Eton are full of retailers, historic buildings, and inexperienced areas. It’s straightforward to spend an hour or two exploring them after you tour the fort.
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 prepare, and companies depart often from central stations like Blackfriars, Farringdon, and St Pancras. Which means 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. The town is understood for its historic Roman ruins, and you’ll see a Roman wall and discover Verulamium Park when you’re on the town.
St Albans Cathedral is price visiting, too. It’s the oldest web site of steady Christian worship in Britain, and there’s quite a lot of historical past inside.
St Albans can be house to numerous road markets and farmers’ markets. Visiting them and looking 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 listing. It’s a brief prepare trip from the town middle (or a boat journey from Richmond), leaving you loads of time to discover the interiors, gardens, and grounds.
There’s rather a lot 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 loads to maintain you busy. You can even ebook 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 the planet.
If you happen to can time your go to to coincide with the annual Hampton Courtroom Palace Backyard Pageant, 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’ll 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 revel in interactive reveals.
Positioned close to London, the Warner Bros Studio Tour is simple to get to by a mix of prepare 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 be able to ebook right here. It is going to make it a neater journey because you’ll be with somebody the entire approach.
6. Sevenoaks Half Day Journey
Out in Kent, Sevenoaks is one other of one of the best half day journeys from London. The city is near the UK capital, and it’s a fast and simple prepare trip away.
When you’ve arrived, there are many issues to do in Sevenoaks. The middle is stuffed with historic streets and buildings, and Knole Park is the perfect place for a Sevenoaks stroll. Make sure that to look out for the well-known deer when you go.
The spectacular Knole is likely one of the greatest stately houses close to London and one of many high locations to go to in Kent. If you happen to’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 listing of one of the best half day journeys from London is Bray. This lovely 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 full of 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 sincere. Most individuals come right here for the meals. Bray is understood 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 return right here for half a day to see the village and revel 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 loads to maintain you busy.
The prepare trip from the UK capital is round an hour, so that you’ll have loads of time to see the highlights once you arrive.
The town middle is compact, and strolling round and seeing the historic faculties, well-known buildings just like the Radcliffe Digicam, the Coated Market, and the fort is simple.
If you’d like some course, 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 possibly can ebook one right here.
If you happen to 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 possibly can ebook 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 prepare from the UK capital should 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 straightforward 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 possibly can ebook one right here.
Add to that lovely waterfront surroundings, rows of stalls in Cambridge market, and nice pubs, and there are many issues to do in Cambridge that may preserve 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 numerous choices, too. The Surrey Hills Space of Excellent Pure Magnificence is simply south of London, and it has all the pieces from storybook villages to scenic trails. There are nice nation walks in Surrey, too, together with the enduring Field Hill.
The village of Shere is legendary for being a filming location for The Vacation, considered one of my favourite films set in England. The hills within the surrounding countryside are dotted with lovely sheep as effectively.
In the summertime, there are lavender fields you possibly can go to in Surrey. You may get to them by automotive or public transport. They make for enjoyable photograph alternatives and delightful half days out when the solar shines.
11. Brighton Half Day Journey
In relation to seaside journeys from London, a half day journey to Brighton is tough to beat. The town is lower than an hour by prepare from the UK capital, leaving you with loads of time to discover once you arrive.
Brighton provides quite a lot of leisure for guests. You possibly can wander by means of The Lanes and North Laine to buy and take within the metropolis’s well-known road artwork scene, go to the Royal Pavilion and its surrounding gardens, and absorb the solar (if it’s out!).
This can be a nice seashore journey from London within the hotter months. If you happen to 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 one of the best half day journeys from London. This historic woodland on the border of the UK capital is so near the town you may get right here on the tube. Due to this, it’s a fast and simple tour.
There are many issues to do in Epping Forest. The primary 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 is going to take you thru the bushes and alongside the deer sanctuary for a peaceable escape from the town.
13. Greenwich Half Day Journey
A number of the best half day journeys from London are locations within the metropolis itself. Greenwich is a first-rate instance. It’s straightforward to get right here by public transport from the town middle. You possibly can even take a ship from central London.
There’s loads to do on a half day journey to Greenwich. The realm is stuffed with historic treasures. Every little thing 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 legendary, too. Climbing the hill to absorb the gorgeous 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 procuring, there are impartial outlets and excessive road names in Greenwich. If you’re exhausted from retail remedy, the realm has enjoyable pubs the place you possibly can loosen up, too.
I’ve revealed a free self-guided Greenwich stroll that may allow you to discover extra of the realm and its facet streets. It’s supreme if you wish to reside 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 the town middle that getting right here and again is fast and simple.
There’s rather a lot to do in Kingston. The Market Place fills with stalls on market days, and it’s enjoyable to float from one vendor to the subsequent 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 rather a lot 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 pictures. Add to that colourful boats on the Thames and the eye-catching falling cellphone field sculpture on Previous London Highway, and there’s rather a lot to see in Kingston.
15. Lewes Half Day Journey
Lewes is one other of my favourite half day journeys from London. This city is likely one of the greatest locations to go to in East Sussex. It’s full of gorgeous streets, a historic fort, and impartial outlets.
Lewes is an hour from London by prepare, 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 gorgeous 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 possibly can tour it if you wish to see it up shut.
16. Richmond Half Day Journey
In the identical approach Greenwich is likely one of the greatest half day journeys from London within the southeast of the town, Richmond is the proper place to spend a number of hours within the southwest.
This lovely space is fast and simple to get to by tube or prepare from the town middle, and there’s rather a lot to do right here. Whether or not you’re keen on waterfront walks, stately houses, procuring, 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 delightful. It’s enjoyable to sit down alongside the banks and watch the world go by, too.
There’s extra to see within the streets as effectively. Historic alleys like Brewers Lane are ripe for exploring. They result in Richmond Inexperienced, which has lovely homes and pubs to admire, and cricket matches to look at. It’s a Ted Lasso filming location, too.
There’s additionally nice window procuring alongside Richmond Excessive Avenue, and it’s enjoyable to go for a drink at one of many historic pubs within the space.
If you’d like extra course, 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 legendary for its abbey, however there are many different issues to do in Battle that make it price spending a number of hours right here.
Battle is legendary 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 essential in British historical past.
The combating befell in a discipline 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, they usually’re what draw most guests to the city right this moment.
Along with strolling the battlefield and taking within the abbey ruins, you possibly can uncover the excessive road and facet 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 outdoors London in Buckinghamshire, Amersham is so near the UK capital you possibly can attain it on the tube.
Amersham is legendary for the historic homes and buildings on the excessive road in Previous Amersham. It’s additionally identified for nation walks, because it’s positioned within the Chiltern Hills.
This can be a enjoyable place to go to if you need a simple half day journey from London with as little time in transit as attainable.
19. Kew Gardens Half Day Journey
One other nice half day journey from London is Kew Gardens. Like Amersham, it’s so near the town middle you possibly can take the tube.
The royal botanic gardens listed here are among 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 powerful 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 listing. You possibly can see it right here. If you happen to 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 submit has helped you uncover some half day journeys from London that enchantment to you.
You don’t must spend a whole day to have time discovering someplace new, and the experiences and reminiscences will final a lifetime.
When you’ve got extra time, you possibly can check out my weblog posts about one of the best day journeys from London. They’ll allow you to see the place you possibly can go if you wish to spend a full day trip from the town. Completely happy travels!
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