The finest day journeys round England are outdoors of the large cities and listed below are 20 of the perfect locations to go to round England (that aren’t London!)
1. Windsor
Top factor to do in Windsor: Visit Windsor Castle
Windsor is a straightforward 40-minute prepare journey west of London so it makes an ideal day journey from London. The historic metropolis dates again to the eleventh century when it was based by William the Conqueror!
You can 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 Castle.
If you watched one of many Royal weddings from the previous few years on TV then you definitely’ve seen Windsor Castle! It’s unimaginable to witness such a formidable citadel IRL and one of many British Royal household’s residences in particular person. Remember, for those who see the Union flag flying on high of the citadel then the King is not residence!
This has been a royal residence for over 900 years and is the biggest occupied citadel on the earth.
Here’s a half day journey to Windsor Castle with tickets for a straightforward day journey from London.
2. The Peak District
Best factor to do within the Peak District: Hiking adopted by a rustic pub lunch
Visiting the Peak District National Park must be probably the greatest day journeys round England as a result of it’s attractive – however 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 however it’s lower than 90-minutes from these main cities, plus it has charming spa cities like Buxton, stately properties like Chatsworth House, and scrumptious villages like Bakewell.
If you like extra lively days out, e book a mountaineering tour on Hathersage Edge. You might additionally hike alongside Cave Dale or discover the limestone caves at Blue John Cavern. Winnats Pass is a really scenic mountain drive within the Peaks, so long as you’re okay with slender roads and hairpin bends.
Read extra: Chee Dale Hike – A secret different to the Monsal Trail
3. Oxford
Best factor to do if you go to Oxford: Visit the attractive college buildings
Oxford day journeys are in style day journeys for a motive! Oxford is a go-to day journey from London and it’s solely a one-hour prepare journey south of Birmingham too. Most of the highest issues to do in Oxford revolve across the prestigious college and among the finest buildings to go to are Christchurch College and the Bodelian Library.
On a heat summer season’s day, go punting on the River Cherwell (it’s value paying for an expert to punt for you, belief me!) and climb up Carfax Tower for pretty views. And if the heavens open, dive contained in the Covered Market or the quirky Pitt Rivers Museum.
Read extra: Things 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
Best factor to do in Northumberland: Visit Bamburgh Castle
Staying in or round Newcastle? There are loads of locations to discover on the Northumberland Coast that make wonderful day journeys. Bamburgh Castle is an outstanding 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 previous market city the place you will discover Barter Books, one of many largest second-hand bookshops in Europe. This city’s namesake citadel is without doubt one of the high Harry Potter areas the place you may even take broomstick-flying classes!
Read extra: Visiting Bamburgh Castle
5. Brighton
Top factor to do in Brighton: Walk alongside Brighton Pier!
There’s all the time a lot occurring within the seaside resort metropolis of Brighton. Whether they’re celebrating England’s largest arts competition with Brighton Fringe in June or one of many greatest Pride occasions in August, you’re by no means distant from a superb time.
No matter if you go to, the gorgeous Brighton Palace Pier, seaside, and brightly colored homes shall be there to greet you. It’s a perfect day journey from London or smaller cities alongside the coast like Portsmouth.
Read extra: An insider’s information to Brighton and Hove
For nice views throughout Brighton, it’s nicely value going up the Brighton i360
6. The Jurassic Coast
Best factor to do alongside the Jurassic Coast: Visit Durdle Door in Dorset
Further 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 Site due to its distinctive geological traits. Parts of the Jurassic Coast are simply accessible from Exeter or Bournemouth and even Southampton or Portsmouth.
You can stroll a part of the coastal path or marvel on the limestone Durdle Door in Dorset. Book a fossil stroll to see for those who make any spectacular discoveries and take a look at Corfe Castle, Old Harry Rocks, and the character reserve at Abbotsbury.
Read extra: A weekend information to Dorset
You can do day journeys to Durdle Door from Bournemouth which is best for those who don’t have a automobile.
7. York
Best factor to do in York: Go purchasing alongside the Shambles
York is a good different time out to Oxford for those who’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 can 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!
If you’re a Harry Potter fan, take a look at the Harry Potter themed strolling tour in York.
8. The Cotswolds
Best factor to do within the Cotswolds: Have lunch in an enthralling city resembling Castle Combe
The Cotswolds has been a agency favorite amongst day trippers and staycationers for many years. The space 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.
This is a good day journey from Bristol or Bath. But for those who can deal with a 12+ hour day then it’s doable from London too. Driving is finest so you may go to as many charming cities as doable like Bibury for Arlington Row, Castle Combe, and Stow-on-the-Wold for Yew Tree Door.
Read extra: A household weekend within the Cotswolds
If you’re taking a day journey from London to the Cotswolds then day excursions can be found.
9. St Ives
Top factor to do in St Ives: Visit the Tate St Ives
Not forgetting in regards to 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 number of pleasure boats in its marina and surf seashores close by.
But St Ives is usually well-known for its artwork scene. The Tate St Ives is a superb trendy artwork museum with exhibitions which are consistently rotating. You can even purchase native artwork from galleries like Blue Bramble Gallery and the Harbour Galleries.
10. Hadrian’s Wall
Only 10% of the wall that the Roman Emperor Hadrian constructed virtually 2,000 years in the past in Northern England continues to be standing. But there are many forts and different fascinating websites left to see which makes for an ideal time out you probably have children.
Chesters Roman Fort, Housesteads Fort, and Vindolanda Fortress are tremendous near Newcastle. Sycamore Gap, an enormous tree that grows out of dip within the wall, is an extremely lovely website too. And for those who’re within the metropolis of Carlisle in Cumbria, you may go to Birdoswald Fort which is nearer to the west.
Read extra: Why go to Hadrian’s Wall?
11. Whitby
Best factor to do in Whitby: Visit Whitby Abbey
Who doesn’t love spending a day at a basic British seaside city that nearly by no means guarantees seaside climate? Whitby is precisely that for cities in Yorkshire like Leeds and York. Luckily, there are many different issues to do right here apart from stubbornly consuming ice cream on the seaside because the sturdy wind throws sand in your face.
Some sources declare that Whitby’s Gothic Abbey was the inspiration for Dracula’s citadel within the authentic Bram Stoker novel. Captain Cook 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 pretty coastal vistas. And when the solar is shining, Whitby Beach with its multicoloured seaside huts is definitely a surprising place to spend the day.
Read extra: An ideal Whitby Travel Guide
12. Chester
Best factor to do in Chester: Admire the distinctive ‘rows’
Chester is a small historic metropolis close to the Welsh border and it’s an ideal, simple 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 comparable. Also constructed by the Romans, Chester’s metropolis partitions are so well-preserved, you may nonetheless stroll alongside them!
It will need to have one of many prettiest excessive streets in England with a number of Tudor-style half timber buildings and an attractive Victorian clock because the centrepiece. If you go to in the precise season, you may take pleasure in a day at Chester Races or take pleasure in a stroll alongside the canals and thru Chester Meadows.
Read extra: 100 issues to do in Chester
13. Suffolk Coast
Best factor to do alongside the Suffolk Coast: Go strolling alongside the wild seashores
The Suffolk and Essex coastal cities are so underrated! Places on the seaside like Gorleston-on-Sea, Clacton-on-Sea, and Frinton-on-Sea may not sound as attractive as Brighton or Eastbourne however they’re so fairly and nice locations to take pleasure in a day on the seaside.
Plus, the Suffolk Coast is far more handy for a day journey in case you are primarily based in Norwich or Cambridge. You’ll discover Victorian bandstands and piers, funfairs, and lengthy stretches of fresh and protected white sands.
14. Cambridge
Best factor to do in Cambridge: Go punting alongside the river
Speaking of Cambridge, it’s probably the greatest day journeys round England for those who’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 College and King’s College Chapel together with Trinity College are a few probably the most spectacular University of Cambridge buildings it is best to go to.
Like Oxford, you may strive punting alongside the river the place you’ll see Cambridge’s personal Bridge of Sighs. But for those who’re visiting in winter, take a look at 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 may give you an perception into uni life!
15. Seven Sisters Cliffs
The White Cliffs of Dover is perhaps probably 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 can stroll alongside the seaside to the Coastguard Cottages for probably the most gorgeous views. And don’t overlook to drive a couple of minutes down the street to take a look at Beachy Head Cliffs and the Beachy Head Lighthouse too.
You can take a day journey from London to the Seven Sisters Cliffs which is best for those who don’t have a automobile.
16. The Yorkshire Dales
Best factor to do within the Yorkshire Dales: Visit Ingleton Waterfalls
The Yorkshire Dales is the second greatest nationwide park in England after the Lake District. While the Lake District possibly 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.
Explore the charming market cities like Settle. Hike huge geological formations like Malham Cove and stroll alongside the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail. Witness the gorgeous Nineteenth-century 24-arch Ribblehead Viaduct and be amazed at how a lot there’s to see on this usually ignored a part of England.
17. Isle of Wight
Best factor to do on the Isle of Wight: Visit the image good city of Shanklin
Not lots of England’s islands are shut sufficient for a day journey, however the Isle of Wight is barely a 45-minute ferry experience (or ought to I say hovercraft experience!) from Southampton or Portsmouth.
It’s like a miniature England with a number of seashores, hikes, pubs, and historic monuments. If you’ve children, hop on board the Isle of Wight Steam Railway or the Monkey Haven animal rescue centre.
18. Stratford-Upon-Avon
Best factor to do in Stratford-Upon-Avon: Visit Shakespeare’s childhood residence
Stratford-Upon-Avon is a market city that dates again to medieval occasions and is understood for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare. It’s probably the greatest day journeys round England for cities within the Midlands area like Birmingham.
You can really go to Shakespeare’s childhood residence and roughly 5,000 different buildings and monuments devoted to the Bard. If 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
Best factor to do in North Wessex Downs: Visit the filming location of Downton Abbey
This space of excellent pure magnificence is true in the course of Bristol and Bath to the west and London to the east, so it’s a perfect day journey from London. Nature lovers ought to go to White Horse Hill, which includes a white horse that was etched into the panorama throughout prehistoric occasions.
Fans of lavish stately properties and gripping TV dramas haven’t any alternative however to pay Highclere Castle in Newbury a go to. This Victorian nation home remodeled into Downton Abbey for all six seasons of the present and it’s much more spectacular in actual life.
20. Stonehenge
Overseas travellers are most likely extra eager to go to Stonehenge on a day journey than Brits. But these UNESCO standing stones are such an iconic landmark, it needed to make the checklist!
Bath 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 motive. We know the stones have been transported from Wales throughout the Neolithic interval round 2500 BC. But to today, nobody is aware of why! Stonehenge is someplace everybody in England has to go to a minimum of as soon as and for those who’re going to do it, do it proper and head down throughout the summer season solstice for that attractive midsummer gentle.