London is one of the best cities in the world, and if you are being based there, you are lucky! Otherwise, as travellers, London is always a good idea for a city holiday. What’s even better is that there is plenty more to explore outside of the capital to enrich your travel experience.
The fantastic thing about London is that it is strategically located in close proximity to many other cities, and the UK’s advanced transport system allows you to reach these places quickly and without much hassle.
Here are 10 Day Trips from London for Under £35. The next time you find yourselves in London, don’t forget to factor in a day or two for these alternative experience!
Photo Credit: Have Dog Can Travel
#1 BRIGHTON
A seaside town, Brighton is located in East Sussex, and is about an hour and a half by train from London.
Train tickets range between £5 to £27 for a morning train ride with the cheapest return rides amounting to £10.
Brighton is one of the most popular tourist destinations as the city is filled with diverse communities and a vibrant cultural, music and arts scene. Every May, the city is host to the Brighton Festival which is a celebration of various art forms such as music, theatre and dance.
Notable landmarks of the city include the Royal Pavilion, the Sassoon Mausoleum, the Brighton Pier and Brighton Clocktower. For those who have an interest in paranormal activity, be sure to visit the Preston Manor which is a charming Edwardian style historic house reputed for being one of the most haunted buildings in Britain.
Royal Pavilion
4/5 Pavilion Buildings, Brighton BN1 1EE, UK
Tel: +44 300 029 0900
Daily: 10am – 5.15pm
Preston Manor
Preston Drove, Hove, Brighton BN1 6SD, UK
Tel: +44 300 029 0900
Tues to Sat: 10am – 5pm
Sun: 2pm – 5pm
#2 BRISTOL
History records Bristol as the starting place where early voyages left for exploration of the New World. Since then, the ports of Bristol have been preserved as heritage sites and centres of culture. Not only does the city house the 2,000-seat Colston Hall, the Bristol City Museum also holds a vast collection of natural history, archaeology and local glassware.
One of the museums to visit is the M Shed museum located on the Prince’s Wharf beside the Floating Harbour. Admission to the museum is free, and you’ll be thrilled with three galleries featuring over 3,000 Bristol artefacts and stories that detail Bristol’s history in slave trade and its development as a city port.
When visiting Bristol, don’t forget to treat yourself to some of Bristol’s best restaurants. Not only do these restaurants provide high-quality fresh produce, their seafood is also second to none. Try out the Loch Fyne Bristol which is located along the waterfront in the ‘Old Granary’ where a three-course meal for children is affordably priced at £9 and similarly at £12.95 for adults.
Bristol is only about three hours bus ride from London and most return bus rides cost below £16 if booked in advance.
Bristol City Museum
Queens Rd, Bristol BS8 1RL, UK
Tel: +44 117 922 3571
Tues to Sun: 10am – 5pm
M Shed Museum
Princes Wharf, Wapping Rd, Bristol BS1 4RN, UK
Tel: +44 117 352 6600
Tues to Sun: 10am – 5pm
Loch Fyne Bristol
The Granary, 51 Queen Charlotte St, Bristol BS1 4HQ, UK
Tel: +44 117 930 7160
Mon to Thurs: 12pm – 10pm
Fri: 12pm – 10.30pm
Sat: 9am – 10.30pm
Sun: 9am – 10pm
#3 OXFORD
Perhaps one of the more commercialised towns in the UK, Oxford is home to one of the most renown universities around the world, the University of Oxford—as well as numerous notable architectural works such as the Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford and the University Church of St Mary the Virgin.
Located over an hour away from London, train tickets are extremely affordable and a return ticket can be purchased for under £12.
Over the years, the town has cultivated a cosmopolitan character as the town has a large student population. The University of Oxford is also famous for having the largest university library in the UK and was featured in the Harry Potter movie franchise. Harry Potter walking tours run every weekend at 11am and 2pm, at the price of £19.99 for adults and £14.99 for children under 13.
If you fancy walks in the park, do visit the University of Oxford Botanic Garden and Harcourt Arboretum which was founded in 1621 with the purpose of furthering learning and glorifying nature. This is also the oldest botanic garden in the United Kingdom and is conveniently located within the city centre.
University of Oxford
Oxford OX1 3PA, UK
Tel: +44 1865 270 000
Christ Church Cathedral
St Aldate’s, Oxford OX1 1DP, UK
Tel: +44 1865 276 155
Mon to Sat: 10am – 5pm
Sun: 2pm – 5pm
University Church of St Mary the Virgin
High St, Oxford OX1 4 BJ, UK
Tel: +44 1865 279 111
During Sept to June, Mon to Sat: 9.30am – 5pm, Sun: 11.30am – 5om
From Jul to Aug, daily: 9am – 6pm
Bodleian Library
Broad St, Oxford OX1 3BG, UK
Tel: +44 1865 277 162
Mon to Fri: 9am – 7pm
Sat: 10am – 4pm
Radcliffe Camera
Radcliffe Sq, Oxford OX1, UK
Tel: +44 1865 277 162
Mon to Fri: 9am – 7pm
Sat: 10am – 4pm
Sun: 11am – 5pm
#4 CAMBRIDGE
Cambridge is yet another university town that is conveniently located over an hour away from London Return train tickets are approximately priced at an affordable £23.Within the city lies the Fitzwilliam Museum located on Trumpington Street, which is not only the town’s top
Within the city lies the Fitzwilliam Museum located on Trumpington Street, which is not only the town’s top museum but the largest as well. The Fitzwilliam Museum showcases five departments of art and historical artefacts ranging from antiquities to manuscripts and printed books.
The University of Cambridge also has a range of other museums such as the Museum of Classical Archaeology and the University Museum of Zoology opened for public viewing.
Every year, the town also plays host to one of the largest festivals of folk music, the Cambridge Folk Festival. Held in the grounds of Cherry Hinton Hall, the festival features an eclectic mix of music and takes place during a long weekend over the summer.
As for those who enjoy choral music, be sure to attend Evensong for free at the King’s College Chapel that usually takes place every evening at 5.30pm. Some of the historical landmarks of the town include the Great St Mary’s Church as well as the Gonville and Caius College.
Fitzwilliam Museum
32 Trumpington St, Cambridge CB2 1RB, UK
Tel: +44 1223 332 900
Tues to Sat: 10am – 5pm
Sun: 12pm – 5pm
Museum of Classical Archaeology
University of Cambridge, Sidgwick Ave, Cambridge CB3 9DA, UK
Tel: +44 1223 330 402
Mon to Fri: 10am – 5pm
Sat: 10am – 1pm
University Museum of Zoology
Downing St, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK
Tel: +44 1223 336 650
Mon to Fri: 10am – 4.45pm
Sat: 11am – 4pm
Great St Mary’s Church
The University Church, Senate House Hill, Cambridge CB2 3PQ, UK
Tel: +44 1223 741 720
Mon to Sat: 10am – 5pm
Gonville and Caius College
Trinity St, Cambridge CB2 1TA, UK
Tel: +44 1223 332 400
Daily: 9am – 2pm
King’s College
King’s Parade, Cambridge CB2 1ST, UK
Tel: +44 1223 331 100
During college terms, Mon to Fri: 9.30am – 3.30pm, Sat: 9.30am – 3.15pm, Sun: 1.15pm – 2.30pm
At all other times, daily: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Photo Credit: Rural Retreats
#5 BATH
The city of Bath, located in Somerset, is famous for its Roman-built baths which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Apart from the baths, there are many Roman archaeological sites within the central city for all to explore. Notable architectural landmarks include the early 16th century Bath Abbey Norman Church as well as the Circus, an iconic piece of Georgian architecture.
Free guided walking tours are also available from Sun to Fri at 10.30am, 2pm and 10.30am on Sat and last about 2 hours from the meeting point at Abbey Church Yard. Children are welcome to attend if they are accompanied by an adult.
To spice up your trip, why not try a comedy walk which is held every evening at 8pm from April to September. At just £10, the walk provides a comedic perspective of the city’s history and would make you laugh yourself silly over the tales that your guide shares with you during the walk.
Just under 3 hours by bus, a return trip to Bath is indeed a worthwhile trip at an affordable cost of under £20.
Roman Baths
Stall St, Bath BA1 1LZ, UK
Tel: +44 1225 477 785
Daily: 9.30am – 5pm
Bath Abbey
Bath BA1 1LT, UK
Tel: +44 1225 422 462
Mon: 9.30am – 5.30pm
Tues to Fri: 9am – 5.30pm
Sat: 9am – 6pm
Sun: 1pm – 2.30pm, 4.30pm – 5.30pm
Circus
The Circus, Bath BA1 2ET, UK
Comedy Walks
Huntsman Inn, North Parde Passage
Email: noelbritten@talk21.com
#6 NOTTINGHAM
While a visit to Nottingham may seem rather out of the way, it is possible to travel to the town of Robin Hood under £28 and within 2 hours if you travel by the train route “Cambridge Station—via London St Pancras—Nottingham”.
Famous for the legend of Robin Hood and its tobacco industries, the town has the largest urban area and the second largest population in the East Midlands.
Significant landmarks to take note of would be the Robin Hood Statue located just outside the Nottingham Castle as well as the Wollaton Hall and deer park, which was featured as Bruce Wayne’s manor in the Batman film series.
Photo Credit: Abdullah Alan Dalusi
When visiting Nottingham, do drop by the Old Market Square as well as the Council House to admire the baroque columns and its architecture. The town is also famous for its university which located just behind the University of Nottingham boating lake.
For those who are history buffs, check out the town’s City of Caves, an attraction which allows visitors to explore an ancient network of caves formed since the Anglo-Saxon era.
Nottingham Castle
Lenton Rd, Nottingham NG1 6EL, UK
Tel: +44 115 876 1400
Daily: 10am – 5pm
Wollaton Hall
Wollaton Hall, Nottingham NG8 2AE, UK
Tel: +44 115 876 3100
Mon to Fri: 8am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 5pm
Old Market Square
Nottingham NG1 2LH, UK
University of Nottingham
Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
Tel: +44 115 951 5151
City of Caves
intu Broadmarsh, Upper Level, Broadmarsh Shopping Centre, Nottingham NG1 7LS, UK
Tel: +44 115 988 1955
Mon to Fri: 10.30am – 4pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 4pm
#7 STRATFORD-UPON-AVON
Hailed as the birthplace of the legendary poet William Shakespeare, Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town located in Warwickshire. The town is a 2-hour train ride from London and return trips can be purchased under £11.
Part of the Shakespeare’s birthplace trust, learn more about Shakespeare’s family and his home at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage.
After Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, travel to Shakespeare’s Birthplace to learn about the place where Shakespeare was born and grew up. Next, visit Hall’s Croft, the home of Susanna Shakespeare, Shakespeare’s daughter, and her husband Dr John Hall, which is a beautifully furnished Jacobean home.
If you have the opportunity, catch a play live at the Waterside Theatre before you head back to London.
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
Cottage Ln, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 9HH, UK
Tel: +44 1789 338 532
Daily: 10am – 4pm
Shakespeare’s birthplace
Henley St, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6QW, UK
Tel: +44 1789 204 016
Daily: 10am – 4pm
Hall’s Croft
Old Town, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6BG, UK
Tel: +44 1789 338 553
Daily: 11am – 4pm
Waterside Theatre
13 Waterside, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6BA, UK
Tel: +44 1789 403 493
Photo Credit: Wikimedia
#8 WINCHESTER
£11 is all you need for a return bus ride under two hours from London to Winchester.
Winchester is famous for the legend of King Arthur and is a great getaway for those who always wanted to have a seat at his round table. King Arthur’s round table is located in the Great Hall of the Winchester Castle which was built in the 12th century and rebuilt sometime between the period 1222 and 1235.
Photo Credit: Travel Pod
If you are a fan of historical architecture, make sure that you pay a visit the beautiful Winchester Cathedral built in 1079 that is known for being the longest cathedral in Europe.
After that, spend some time at the Wolvesey Castle and Palace which is currently a ruin maintained by English Heritage and admission is free.
Winchester Castle
The Castle, Winchester SO23 8UJ, UK
Tel: +44 1962 846 476
Daily: 10am – 5pm
Winchester Cathedral
9 The Cl, Winchester SO23 9LS, UK
Tel: +44 1962 857 200
Mon to Sat: 9.30am – 5pm
Sun: 12.30pm – 3pm
Wolvesey Castle and Palace
College Street, Winchester SO23 9NB, UK
Tel: +44 3703 311 181
April to October, daily: 10am – 5pm
Photo Credit: Hotel-R
#9 SHAFTESBURY
Just over £33 pounds for a return trip, take a 2-hour train from London to Gillingham, which is the closest train station to the gorgeous town of Shaftesbury.
Shaftesbury is a small but bustling market town in Dorset, which is home to magnificent views of the Hardy’s Blackmore Vale and architectural beauties like the St Peter’s Church and the historic Georgian Town Hall.
Follow the steep cobble steps of Gold Hill which will bring you to Shaftesbury’s Abbey which was built in the 8th century by King Alfred.
Take a tour around the Shaftesbury Abbey Museum and Garden which lies in a peaceful walled garden with an extensive herb garden for visitors to admire.
Admission is priced affordably at £3 for adults and is free for children (accompanied) under the age of 16.
St. Peter’s Church
High St, Shaftesbury SP7 8LY, UK
Tel: +44 1747 855 375
Town Hall
Town Hall, High St, Shaftesbury SP7 8JE, UK
Tel: +44 1747 852 420
Shaftesbury Abbey Museum and Garden
Park Walk, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8JR, UK
Tel: +44 1747 852 910
From Apr to Oct, Daily: 10am – 5pm
Photo Credit: British Council
#10 CANTERBURY
A town filled with stunning views, Canterbury in Kent is unsurprisingly one of the UK’s most famous English cathedral city and is also home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the city centre.
A return train ticket to this historic city costs approximately £33 pounds and is just under 2 hours away from London.
Photo Credit: 4 gress
Once you have reached Canterbury, you will be treated to numerous sights of beautiful historical structures that were constructed during the Roman times. Cater time for a visit to the ruins of St Augustine’s Abbey and the King’s school.
For those who are interested in the town’s local heritage, drop by the family-friendly Canterbury Heritage Museum learn more about the town’s local history whilst admiring the Rupert Bear displays.
St Augustine’s Abbey
Longport, Canterbury CT1 1PF, UK
Tel: +44 3703 331 181
Until 31 Mar 2017, Sat & Sun: 10am – 4pm
King’s School
25 The Precincts, Canterbury CT1 2ES, UK
Tel: +44 1227 595 501
Mon to Fri: 9am – 5pm
Sat: 9am – 1pm (During term time only)
Canterbury Heritage Museum
Stour St, Cantebury CT1 2NR, UK
Tel: +44 1227 475 202
For ideas on where to go to in London, read our food & travel guides on London.