25 Day Trip Ideas From London By Train – Hikes, Walks, Sightseeing

I love a Saturday day trip by train. I try to get out of town a couple of times a month at least, and have visited plenty of amazing places in recent years, always travelling on public transport. So today, I’m bringing you a list of my favourite day trips from London. I hope this gives you ideas for your next weekend away! This list has everything: long nature walks, famous cliffs, castles, stunning architecture, and much more. For each day trip idea I linked my previous posts with more details about them.

1. Margate

Let me start with Margate, which I visited on my very first day trip from London back in 2019, less than a week after I officially moved to the UK. Margate is a seaside resort, south-east from London. It has a sandy beach, unlike most beaches in that part of England – pebble beaches are the standard. Apart from the beach, there are typical seaside attractions: arcades, pubs, and fish and chips vendors. There’s also a unique shell grotto, if you fancy some sightseeing!

The lighthouse in Margate with low tide — Afternoon in Margate

2. Ramsgate to Margate walk

If you prefer more of an active day out, the English Coast Path is always a great choice. It’s an official walking trail along the entire English coast. The section between Ramsgate and Margate offers some really great views. I walked that route in the winter, and it was a great day out! There are some unique rock formations along that route, near Broadstairs. The walk is around 16 kilometres (10 miles) long. Make sure to spend some time in Ramsgate too – the harbour area is charming.

White cliffs with grass growing on top of them, near Kingsgate, Kent, England. Photo taken from the beach level. Blue skies with a silhouette of a flying seagull. — Ramsgate to Margate Walk, Kent, England

3. Whitstable to Margate walk

And whilst we’re at Margate, the English Coast Path trail from Whitstable to Margate is also a great choice for a day trip from London if you fancy a (very) long walk. Take a train to Whitstable and explore the independent shops on the high street, then go to the seafront and walk eastbound along hundreds of colourful beach huts. You’ll walk via Reculver, where you can see ruins of a Roman fort towering above the beach. After around 32 kilometres (20 miles) you’ll get to Margate, where you can enjoy a well-earned beverage on the beach!

Colourful beach huts by the sea near Whitstable, seen from a hill — Whitstable To Margate Walk – England Coast Path – Very Long Walk Near London By Train

4. Cambridge

If you prefer a cosy, more relaxing day trip, consider taking a train to Cambridge. This famous university city will charm you with its architecture as soon as you leave the train. You can explore the grounds of some of the college houses and feel like you’re in Hogwarts (any Potterheads here?). There are also several museums (free to visit), a botanical garden, and an apple tree directly related to the tree under which Isaac Newton cracked gravity. Cambridge is also famous for its bridges and punting on River Cam. I’ve been to Cambridge many times, and it’s always a successful day trip.

A square patio of a college house in Cambridge, England. There's a low rise stone building running around a green lawn. — A Day In Cambridge, England – Things To Do

5. Oxford

I mentioned Cambridge, so I have to mention Oxford too – another stunning university city with beautiful architecture and lots of tourist attractions: museums, botanical garden, college grounds, and even punting. I visited Oxford a couple of times, including a few weeks ago. I don’t have a post about a day trip to Oxford just yet, but it’s coming soon!

Bodleian Library, Oxford. The sky is largely blue, with some heavy clouds on the right side of the photo. The grass around the round building has dried up and turned to hay — A Day In Oxford – Day Trip From London – Bodleiam Library

6. Rochester

If you like a small town vibe, Rochester might be a good choice. It’s not a popular day trip destination, so consider it a bit of a hidden gem. There are ruins of a castle in Rochester, open for sightseeing (for a small fee). There is also a large, gothic style cathedral – free to visit. The cathedral gardens are also nice in the spring, when the flowers are in bloom.

I particularly enjoy Rochester high street. There are many independent shops there, perfect for gift shopping. There are also many charity and antique shops, if that’s something you like. Additionally, there’s Eastgate House on Rochester high street, associated with the famous writer, Charles Dickens.

And by the way, there’s usually a Christmas market by Rochester Castle in December, and it’s a good one!

Rochester Castle, seen from the castle grounds — A Cosy Summer Day Trip To Rochester, England

7. Southend-on-sea

Another not-so-obvious day trip destination is Southend-on-sea, a city on the Thames Estuary, east from London. It’s home to the longest publicly accessible pier in the world, 1.33 miles long! There’s a shuttle train on the pier, but you can choose to walk instead. In the water by the end of the pier, I saw a wild seal a few months ago – the very first wild seal I’ve ever seen!

There’s also a small zoo/aquarium in Southend, and a local museum.

Fun fair on the beach in Southend-on-Sea. View from a hill. Blue skies with a few fluffy clouds. Sea and long Southend pier visible on the horizon. — A day in Southend-on-Sea, England

8. Box Hill

As a seasoned hiker, I always search for hiking opportunities. It’s not easy to find decent routes in the south-east of England, which is notoriously flat! Box Hill is one of these rare gems. The official circular hike is fairly long, offers great views of rolling hills, and comes with a few climbs that will break a sweat. And if you’re not a seasoned hiker, you can choose one of the shorter marked trails and still enjoy the views!

The view from the top of Box Hill, Surrey — Box Hill Hike Extended Route – Very Long Hike Near London

9. Guildford

Guildford isn’t a popular tourist destination, but I had a lovely trip there earlier this year! It was a mixture of a nature walk and sightseeing. I walked from Guildford to Watt’s Gallery, where I visited an art gallery and a truly unique chapel. I then walked back to Guildford, enjoying the views of meadows and fields, to visit Guildford Castle which had some of the most stunning gardens I’ve seen!

The outside of Limnerlease House near Watt's Gallery — Summer Day Trip To Guildford From London – Watt’s Gallery – Limnerlease House

10. Weymouth and the Isle of Portland

My day trip to Weymouth and the Isle of Portland wasn’t an obvious choice. I booked it after seeing discounted train tickets to Weymouth, and ended up having a fantastic time exploring the Isle of Portland. The journey is quite long, but you can still make it a successful day trip full of sightseeing. The landscape of the Isle of Portland is very different to the views on the coast closer to London, which you might be familiar with.

Portland Bill Lighthouse — A Day In Weymouth And Isle Of Portland

11. Folkestone (+ hike to Dover or to Hythe)

Folkestone is one of my favourite destinations for an easy day trip from London. I live in Stratford, which has a direct route to Folkestone – but so does St Pancras International! Folkestone is a great town, with lovely views and lots of independent shops, as well as frequent craft fairs.

Folkestone is also a great destination for a hike. You can take a clifftop route to Dover, which – in my opinion – is a better hike than the famous White Cliffs of Dover! Or, you can walk in the opposite direction, to Hythe – a small town with a medieval church and a crypt with the largest collection of skulls in the UK.

A picturesque trail along the coastline between Folkestone and Dover. Yellow, brown and red grass everywhere. Blue waters of the English channel, blue skies and white cliffs on the horizon. — Folkestone to Dover Hike

12. Dover (+ hike on the White Cliffs)

Speaking of Dover, it’s a good candidate for a day trip too! Whilst the city centre isn’t a great tourist destination, Dover Castle is definitely worth visiting. That alone will keep you busy for a few hours! You can also go on a hike on the famous white cliffs and enjoy the views of the harbour.

Dover castle viewed from the castle's premises. The castle is located on top of a small grass-covered hill. Blue skies. There's a Union Jack flag on top of the castle. — A Day In Dover – Dover Castle

13. Walmer and Deal

If you walk far enough along the White Cliffs of Dover, you can get to Deal – or, you can just take a train to Deal instead. I once went on a cosy trip to Walmer and Deal – two coastal towns with castles.

It’s definitely not a popular choice of destination, but if you want to relax away from crowds, it will do the job. Deal Castle is more of a fortress, but Walmer Castle has more indoor spaces to explore – and a pretty garden too.

The gardens of Walmer Castle. The bushes are trimmed in abstract, wavy shapes. — Day Trip To Deal, Kent, England – Walmer Castle

14. Countryside walk in Wye

I’m not sure how I discovered Wye, but I once did a great hike in Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You can get to Wye by train and then enjoy a nature walk with views of rolling hills. I walked to Devil’s Kneading Trough and had some wildlife encounters… including a slightly scary one, which I can laugh about now. It’s a relatively short and easy hike – I highly recommend it!

A view from the top of a hill in Kent Downs, near Wye. An autumnal landscape. — Wye, Kent Downs Hike

15. Bath

If you prefer a city day trip, Bath is a great choice. It’s famous primarily for the Roman Baths, which are fascinating – the visit is worth the ticket price. There’s also an abbey that you can visit, right next to the Roman Baths. There are also other museums in Bath, parks, and local foods worth trying. It’s a great choice for a cosy day trip from London by train.

Characteristic green water in the Roman Baths in Bath, England. — A Day In Bath, England – Roman Baths

16. Hastings

One of my go-to locations for an easy day trip from London is Hastings – a coastal town south of London. It has a bit of everything! There’s a pebble beach with lots of entertainment along the promenade: arcades, mini golf, and even a fun fair for the little ones. There are local museums, and a charming old town with independent stores and antique shops, which are fun to browse. There are also two hills with funiculars. From the east cliff, you can also go on a pretty long hike with wonderful views! If you haven’t visited Hastings yet, you absolutely should.

White and blue beach huts and Hastings Pier behind them — Hastings To Rye Harbour Hike – England Coast Path

17. Rye

Not far from Hastings, there’s Rye – a lovely, old, small town with cobble streets and medieval houses. Visiting Rye feels like travelling back in time. You can do some sightseeing and enjoy a coffee in a cosy cafe, or you can visit Rye Harbour Nature Reserve for a nature walk by the sea.

I actually walked from Hastings to Rye Harbour along the English Coast Path – it was a pretty long hike, but if you’re into long walks, it’s worth considering too.

A narrow, cobbled road - Mermaid Street - in Rye. Old houses dating back to the 15th century. Blue skies. — A day in Rye

18. Brighton

If you live in London, there’s a good chance you’ve been to Brighton already. This coastal city is easy – and cheap – to get to by train. On a summer weekend, half of Londoners go to Brighton – the trains are packed and I don’t recommend it. But in other seasons, Brighton is a great destination.

Brighton Palace is a unique building with fascinating architecture – definitely worth visiting. In Brighton, there’s also a 360° viewing platform and a Sea Life aquarium. There’s a pier with an arcade too, and lots of independent shops in the Lanes.

Royal Pavilion - Brighton Palace. Photo taken from the outside. Green grass surrounding the Palace. — A Day In Brighton

19. Winchester

Winchester is a cathedral city with a charming old town, perfect for a cosy day trip. There are ruins of a castle and several museums to explore. Or, you can just relax with a cup of coffee in a local cafe instead.

I visited Winchester in the summer, but also before Christmas – the Christmas market by Winchester Cathedral is one of the best in the UK, I can’t recommend it enough.

View from Winchester's St. Giles View Point. A panorama containing lots of green trees. You can also see the buildings in the town centre, including Winchester Cathedral. — A Day In Winchester

20. Salisbury

Similar to Winchester, Salisbury is a cathedral city with beautiful old architecture. I particularly enjoyed the cathedral tour – the guide was really passionate about the place and told us lots of fun facts. The views from the cathedral tower were stunning too! River Avon runs through Salisbury, and you can relax by the river enjoying the cathedral view – and you may see some sheep in the meadows too.

Purple and red flowers in front of Salisbury Cathedral, on a sunny day. — A Day In Salisbury, England

21. Stonehenge

Not far from Salisbury, there’s one of England’s most famous landmarks – Stonehenge. The unique stone circle is managed by English Heritage – there’s a small museum on site too, as well as a gift shop and a cafe.

For this trip, you’ll need to take a train to Salisbury, and then a coach to Stonehenge. It requires a bit more planning, but it’s still perfectly manageable as a day trip from London. And 100% worth it!

Stonehenge seen on a sunny day. The grass is green and the sky is blue. A few people can be seen next to the Stone Circle for scale. — Visiting Stonehenge, England

22. Canterbury

Continuing with the cathedral cities for an extra while: Canterbury is another must-see place near London. Famous for its cathedral, this beautiful city has an old town with lots of unique shops and cafes. There are also plenty of sightseeing opportunities beside the Cathedral: there are smaller museums, churches, and gardens. Canterbury is easy to get to from London by train. There’s a Christmas market in December too!

A colourful red-orange tree in front of Canterbury Cathedral — A Day In Canterbury

23. Seven Sisters (Seaford to Eastbourne hike)

Now, let’s go back to long coastal walks. Seven Sisters are amongst the most famous cliffs in England, often seen in films. The hike from Seaford to Eastbourne is fairly long – around a half marathon distance – but the spectacular views are 100% worth the effort. The Visitor Centre near Birling Gap can get pretty busy in the summer – I recommend going to Seven Sisters off-season. Take a train to Seaford, enjoy the Seven Sisters hike to Eastbourne, then hop on a train back to London.

A view of Seven Sisters white cliffs and the iconic huts in England south coast — Seven Sisters Hike

24. Warwick Castle

I visited Warwick earlier this year, and I absolutely loved that day trip. I spent most of the day in Warwick Castle, which is huge – there’s plenty to see. But the best part of visiting Warwick Castle was the falconry display. I loved that show! The birds of prey flew just a few inches above our heads. What an experience! After leaving the Castle, I also had a quick stroll around the town, where I visited a church with a tower you can climb. I highly recommend a day trip from London to Warwick.

View of Warwick Castle, England. Photo taken from the mound - the oldest part of castle walls — Warwick Castle – Day Trip From London

25. Warner Bros Harry Potter studios (Watford)

My last recommendation is for the millennials who – like me – grew up as huge Harry Potter fans. In Watford, on the edge of London, far from the city centre, there’s the original Warner Bros Harry Potter filming set. You can walk through the Great Hall or Diagon Alley and feel like you’re part of the magical world. Tickets usually sell out far in advance, so make sure to book ahead! It’s not cheap, but if you’re a Harry Potter fan, it’s a must-see at least once.

The Great Hall from Hogwarts at the Warner Bros Studio Tour. The room is decorated with floating carved pumpkins for Halloween. — Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour, London

Happy travelling!

So there you have it – lots of ideas for easy day trips from London by train. There’s something for everyone! From long hikes with spectacular views to cosy trips and old cathedral cities with old towns and castles… I hope I inspired you to book a train journey to one of my favourite destinations! And if you have other go-to locations to visit on day trips from London, let me know in the comments – I’d love to hear them!

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