One of the best day journeys round England are outdoors of the large cities and listed here are 20 of the most effective locations to go to round England (that aren’t London!)
1. Windsor
High factor to do in Windsor: Go to Windsor Fort
Windsor is a straightforward 40-minute prepare journey west of London so it makes an amazing day journey from London. The historic metropolis dates again to the eleventh century when it was based by William the Conqueror!
You may stroll alongside the River Thames, discover the gorgeous parks and take a look at the outlets, however the high factor to do in Windsor is undoubtedly visiting the royal residence, Windsor Fort.
In case you watched one of many Royal weddings from the previous few years on TV you then’ve seen Windsor Fort! It’s unimaginable to witness such a powerful fort IRL and one of many British Royal household’s residences in particular person. Keep in mind, if you happen to see the Union flag flying on high of the fort then the King is not dwelling!
This has been a royal dwelling for over 900 years and is the most important occupied fort on the earth.
Right here’s a half day journey to Windsor Fort with tickets for a straightforward day journey from London.
2. The Peak District
Neatest thing to do within the Peak District: Mountain climbing adopted by a rustic pub lunch
Visiting the Peak District Nationwide Park needs to be top-of-the-line day journeys round England as a result of it’s beautiful – nevertheless it’s additionally near so many different cities so it’s nice for a day journey from Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, Liverpool, and Birmingham. .
The Peak District is picture-perfect countryside nevertheless it’s lower than 90-minutes from these main cities, plus it has charming spa cities like Buxton, stately houses like Chatsworth Home, and scrumptious villages like Bakewell.
In case you desire extra lively days out, e-book a mountaineering tour on Hathersage Edge. You possibly can additionally hike alongside Cave Dale or discover the limestone caves at Blue John Cavern. Winnats Go is a really scenic mountain drive within the Peaks, so long as you’re okay with slim roads and hairpin bends.
Learn extra: Chee Dale Hike – A secret different to the Monsal Path
3. Oxford
Neatest thing to do if you go to Oxford: Go to the gorgeous college buildings
Oxford day journeys are in style day journeys for a purpose! Oxford is a go-to day journey from London and it’s solely a one-hour prepare journey south of Birmingham too. A lot of the high issues to do in Oxford revolve across the prestigious college and a few of the finest buildings to go to are Christchurch Faculty and the Bodelian Library.
On a heat summer season’s day, go punting on the River Cherwell (it’s price paying for an expert to punt for you, belief me!) and climb up Carfax Tower for beautiful views. And if the heavens open, dive contained in the Coated Market or the quirky Pitt Rivers Museum.
Learn extra: Issues to do in Oxford throughout your first go to
I extremely advocate taking a strolling tour of the uni with an Oxford pupil!
4. Northumberland Coast
Neatest thing to do in Northumberland: Go to Bamburgh Fort
Staying in or round Newcastle? There are many locations to discover on the Northumberland Coast that make glorious day journeys. Bamburgh Fort is an exceptional construction that appears much more spectacular perched on a rugged cliff edge. And it’s close to to Lindisfarne, an inhabited holy island that’s solely accessible when the tide is out.
Alnwick is an outdated market city the place you’ll find Barter Books, one of many largest second-hand bookshops in Europe. This city’s namesake fort is without doubt one of the high Harry Potter places the place you possibly can even take broomstick-flying classes!
Learn extra: Visiting Bamburgh Fort
5. Brighton
High factor to do in Brighton: Stroll alongside Brighton Pier!
There’s at all times a lot happening within the seaside resort metropolis of Brighton. Whether or not they’re celebrating England’s largest arts pageant with Brighton Fringe in June or one of many greatest Delight occasions in August, you’re by no means distant from time.
Irrespective of if you go to, the beautiful Brighton Palace Pier, seashore, and brightly colored homes might be there to greet you. It’s a great day journey from London or smaller cities alongside the coast like Portsmouth.
Learn extra: An insider’s information to Brighton and Hove
For excellent views throughout Brighton, it’s nicely price going up the Brighton i360
6. The Jurassic Coast
Neatest thing to do alongside the Jurassic Coast: Go to Durdle Door in Dorset
Additional west alongside the south of England is the Jurassic Coast stretching 96 miles from Studland Bay in Dorset to Exmouth in Devon. This slice of shoreline is a UNESCO World Heritage Website because of its distinctive geological traits. Components of the Jurassic Coast are simply accessible from Exeter or Bournemouth and even Southampton or Portsmouth.
You may stroll a part of the coastal path or marvel on the limestone Durdle Door in Dorset. Guide a fossil stroll to see if you happen to make any spectacular discoveries and take a look at Corfe Fort, Previous Harry Rocks, and the character reserve at Abbotsbury.
Learn extra: A weekend information to Dorset
You are able to do day journeys to Durdle Door from Bournemouth which is best if you happen to don’t have a automobile.
7. York
Neatest thing to do in York: Buy groceries alongside the Shambles
York is a good different time out to Oxford if you happen to’re primarily based in Leeds or Sheffield (or Manchester, at a push). It’s a historic metropolis constructed by the Romans on the River Ouse with medieval streets just like the Shambles prompting comparisons to Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley.
You may go to the Thirteenth-century York Minster cathedral, York’s metropolis partitions, and so many different historic landmarks. There are a stunning variety of nice craft beer and cocktails bars in York too!
In case you’re a Harry Potter fan, try the Harry Potter themed strolling tour in York.
8. The Cotswolds
Neatest thing to do within the Cotswolds: Have lunch in a captivating city reminiscent of Fort Combe
The Cotswolds has been a agency favorite amongst day trippers and staycationers for many years. The world is full of lovely villages nestled into lush inexperienced hills is an official space of excellent pure magnificence and there’s no higher descriptor for The Cotswolds than that.
It is a nice day journey from Bristol or Bathtub. However if you happen to can deal with a 12+ hour day then it’s doable from London too. Driving is finest so you possibly can go to as many charming cities as potential like Bibury for Arlington Row, Fort Combe, and Stow-on-the-Wold for Yew Tree Door.
Learn extra: A household weekend within the Cotswolds
In case you’re taking a day journey from London to the Cotswolds then day excursions can be found.
9. St Ives
High factor to do in St Ives: Go to the Tate St Ives
Not forgetting concerning the southwest coast, St Ives in Cornwall is a perfect day journey from Plymouth or Exeter. It’s a postcard-perfect seaside city with a lot of pleasure boats in its marina and surf seashores close by.
However St Ives is generally well-known for its artwork scene. The Tate St Ives is a superb fashionable artwork museum with exhibitions which are continuously rotating. You can even purchase native artwork from galleries like Blue Bramble Gallery and the Harbour Galleries.
10. Hadrian’s Wall
Solely 10% of the wall that the Roman Emperor Hadrian constructed nearly 2,000 years in the past in Northern England remains to be standing. However there are many forts and different attention-grabbing websites left to see which makes for an amazing time out when you have children.
Chesters Roman Fort, Housesteads Fort, and Vindolanda Fortress are tremendous near Newcastle. Sycamore Hole, an enormous tree that grows out of dip within the wall, is an extremely stunning web site too. And if you happen to’re within the metropolis of Carlisle in Cumbria, you possibly can go to Birdoswald Fort which is nearer to the west.
Learn extra: Why go to Hadrian’s Wall?
11. Whitby
Neatest thing to do in Whitby: Go to Whitby Abbey
Who doesn’t love spending a day at a traditional British seaside city that just about by no means guarantees seashore climate? Whitby is precisely that for cities in Yorkshire like Leeds and York. Fortunately, there are many different issues to do right here apart from stubbornly consuming ice cream on the seashore because the robust wind throws sand in your face.
Some sources declare that Whitby’s Gothic Abbey was the inspiration for Dracula’s fort within the unique Bram Stoker novel. Captain Prepare dinner lived in Whitby for some time and you’ll go to a museum devoted to him or climb the 199 steps up St Mary’s Church Tower for beautiful coastal vistas. And when the solar is shining, Whitby Seaside with its multicoloured seashore huts is definitely a surprising place to spend the day.
Learn extra: An ideal Whitby Journey Information
12. Chester
Neatest thing to do in Chester: Admire the distinctive ‘rows’
Chester is a small historic metropolis close to the Welsh border and it’s an amazing, straightforward day journey from Manchester, Liverpool or North Wales. It actually deserves to get simply as a lot recognition as York as a result of they’re very related. Additionally constructed by the Romans, Chester’s metropolis partitions are so well-preserved, you possibly can nonetheless stroll alongside them!
It should have one of many prettiest excessive streets in England with a lot of Tudor-style half timber buildings and a ravishing Victorian clock because the centrepiece. In case you go to in the proper season, you possibly can take pleasure in a day at Chester Races or take pleasure in a stroll alongside the canals and thru Chester Meadows.
Learn extra: 100 issues to do in Chester
13. Suffolk Coast
Neatest thing to do alongside the Suffolk Coast: Go strolling alongside the wild seashores
The Suffolk and Essex coastal cities are so underrated! Locations on the seaside like Gorleston-on-Sea, Clacton-on-Sea, and Frinton-on-Sea won’t sound as horny as Brighton or Eastbourne however they’re so fairly and nice locations to take pleasure in a day on the seashore.
Plus, the Suffolk Coast is way more handy for a day journey if you’re primarily based in Norwich or Cambridge. You’ll discover Victorian bandstands and piers, funfairs, and lengthy stretches of unpolluted and secure white sands.
14. Cambridge
Neatest thing to do in Cambridge: Go punting alongside the river
Talking of Cambridge, it’s top-of-the-line day journeys round England if you happen to’re staying in London or Birmingham. This college metropolis resides on the River Cam with a notable and historic constructing round each nook. King’s Faculty and King’s Faculty Chapel together with Trinity Faculty are a few essentially the most spectacular College of Cambridge buildings it is best to go to.
Like Oxford, you possibly can attempt punting alongside the river the place you’ll see Cambridge’s personal Bridge of Sighs. However if you happen to’re visiting in winter, try The Fitzwilliam Museum for quirky antiquities and classical artwork.
When visiting Cambridge, I extremely advocate taking a tour of the college with college students who can provide you an perception into uni life!
15. Seven Sisters Cliffs
The White Cliffs of Dover is perhaps essentially the most well-known chalk cliffs in England, however the Seven Sisters Cliffs are simply as spectacular plus simpler to go to. It’s a straightforward day journey from Brighton and never removed from Portsmouth or cities in Kent.
You may stroll alongside the seashore to the Coastguard Cottages for essentially the most beautiful views. And don’t neglect to drive a couple of minutes down the highway to take a look at Beachy Head Cliffs and the Beachy Head Lighthouse too.
You may take a day journey from London to the Seven Sisters Cliffs which is best if you happen to don’t have a automobile.
16. The Yorkshire Dales
Neatest thing to do within the Yorkshire Dales: Go to Ingleton Waterfalls
The Yorkshire Dales is the second greatest nationwide park in England after the Lake District. Whereas the Lake District perhaps barely extra in style, the Yorkshire Dales are a lot simpler to go to as a day journey round England. The Dales is lower than a 90-minute drive from Manchester, Liverpool, and Leeds.
Discover the charming market cities like Settle. Hike huge geological formations like Malham Cove and stroll alongside the Ingleton Waterfalls Path. Witness the beautiful Nineteenth-century 24-arch Ribblehead Viaduct and be amazed at how a lot there’s to see on this typically neglected a part of England.
17. Isle of Wight
Neatest thing to do on the Isle of Wight: Go to the image excellent city of Shanklin
Not a lot of England’s islands are shut sufficient for a day journey, however the Isle of Wight is simply a 45-minute ferry journey (or ought to I say hovercraft journey!) from Southampton or Portsmouth.
It’s like a miniature England with a lot of seashores, hikes, pubs, and historic monuments. When you have children, hop on board the Isle of Wight Steam Railway or the Monkey Haven animal rescue centre.
18. Stratford-Upon-Avon
Neatest thing to do in Stratford-Upon-Avon: Go to Shakespeare’s childhood dwelling
Stratford-Upon-Avon is a market city that dates again to medieval instances and is thought for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare. It’s top-of-the-line day journeys round England for cities within the Midlands area like Birmingham.
You may truly go to Shakespeare’s childhood dwelling and roughly 5,000 different buildings and monuments devoted to the Bard. In case you haven’t had a lot to do with the well-known playwright since highschool, visiting Stratford-Upon-Avon is a enjoyable solution to swot up!
19. North Wessex Downs
Neatest thing to do in North Wessex Downs: Go to the filming location of Downton Abbey
This space of excellent pure magnificence is true in the course of Bristol and Bathtub to the west and London to the east, so it’s a great day journey from London. Nature lovers ought to go to White Horse Hill, which incorporates a white horse that was etched into the panorama throughout prehistoric instances.
Followers of lavish stately houses and gripping TV dramas don’t have any alternative however to pay Highclere Fort in Newbury a go to. This Victorian nation home reworked into Downton Abbey for all six seasons of the present and it’s much more spectacular in actual life.
20. Stonehenge
Abroad travellers are most likely extra eager to go to Stonehenge on a day journey than Brits. However these UNESCO standing stones are such an iconic landmark, it needed to make the checklist!
Bathtub and Southampton are the closest cities to Stonehenge however many make the journey from Bristol and London too.
Stonehenge is definitely fairly fascinating for good purpose. We all know the stones had been transported from Wales throughout the Neolithic interval round 2500 BC. However to today, nobody is aware of why! Stonehenge is someplace everybody in England has to go to no less than as soon as and if you happen to’re going to do it, do it proper and head down throughout the summer season solstice for that beautiful midsummer mild.
