allis0ncecelia

Any recommendations for a day trip from London in early December?

Love castles and history. Something preferably that has guided tours at the actual place instead of audio to get a real sense, but this isn't a deal breaker.

Also preferably easy to get to by train etc as I think those viator tours etc are overrated.

Any suggestions greatly welcomed.

Odin

Dover Castle
Hampton Court Palace
Windsor Castle

allis0ncecelia

Thanks! I should mention I've done Windsor and Hampton Court

dotheboyshall

York, Brighton, Bath, Cambridge, Oxford

PalenQ

Yes if not needing castles pick one of dotheboyshall mentions (well not so hot on Brighton in December myself) - cities that have loads of things to do in potentially funky dark weather than a solitary castle plus you've been to the easy to get to castles Windsor and Hampton Ct Palace.

Arundel Castle is an easy day trip by train:

https://www.google.com/search?q=Arun...w=1745&bih=863

But like most other castles the gardens aspect will be less in winter.

Mimar

Warwick Castle.

PalenQ

Dover is an awesome castle and so-so town and about 90 minutes each way but as castles go it is as awesome as any - could easily hit Canterbury as well and its great cathedral. Check www.nationalrail.co.uk for train info and fares, including discounted fares - for other tips on where to go by rail check www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

I enjoyed Hatfield House, a short train ride from London: http://www.hatfield-house.co.uk/

Kenwood House is in greater London: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/v...laces/kenwood/

and of course Kensington Palace on the edge of Hyde Park.

Scootoir

Canterbury has castle ruins and city walls to walk. Lots of history with the cathedral, lovely tea shop--Tiny Tim's.

oscarandpenelope

Dover Castle also has a nice exhibit about Operation Dynamo (Dunkirk) in its underground tunnels.

Gyhtson

If doing Dover Castle or any of the other castles in December, check opening hours and days carefully. Generally opening hours are very limited in the winter.

PalenQ

A popular castle for visitors, for some reason, is Leeds Castle, near Maidstone SE of London and not Leeds - it's very popular - the official site calls it 'the world's loveliest castle' a bit overexaggerated IMO but: https://www.leeds-castle.com/. Of interest especially to dog collar aficionados:

http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/dog-collar-museum

https://www.google.com/search?q=leed...w=1745&bih=885


About an hour by train to Maidstone from London or perhaps to a smaller station nearer it.