Hi,

I will be in London for 2 weeks in August (will have 3 days in total for the 2 weekend as I will be flying off on Saturday night on the 2nd weekend). I am just wondering if there is any nice place that I can visit as a day trip from London, I prefer a small city/village or some place with nice and authentic castle. I also like places that can offer some medieval feel (to some extend like the old town in Edinburgh).

It will be my second trip to London, I've covered the major attractions in London (except Tower of London) previously and have took a day trip to Warwick Castle (the castle is nice but just feel a little commercialised to me) and Straford and Oxford. Also been to Manchester, York and Edinburgh previously. Therefore I have covered the places that I would like to go in my previous trip, the only place that I didn't managed to visit is Costwolds and Bath.

Naturally Bath or Costwolds is high on my list but did some reading on the internet that you will need a car to best nagivate around the villages in Costwolds? Bath in August I would expect to be very busy and probably will be crowded with tourists. Is there any nice small villages that would make a it possible as a day trip from London?

Winchester, Canterbury, Cambridge, Ely

How about Sevenoaks and Knole House? Sevenoaks is only a short train journey with regular trains from Charing Cross station. The town itself is pleasant to walk around. Knole House is a short walk from the High Street and is surrounded by a large deer park as well as the more formal gardens. The oldest parts of the house date from the C15th. It originally belonged to the Archbishops of Canterbury until taken from them by Henry VIII. Elizabeth I passed it on to her cousin, Thomas Sackville. In the early C20th Vita Sackville West grew up at Knole.

The house is huge and is often described as a calendar house with 365 rooms, 52 staircases, 12 entrances and 7 courtyards. It is sumptuously furnished and redolent with English history.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knole/

Rye: http://www.castlexplorer.co.uk/england/rye/rye.html
Lewes: http://www.castlexplorer.co.uk/england/lewes/lewes.html
Arundel: http://www.castlexplorer.co.uk/engla...l/arundel.html

The townscapes will feel more Georgian - 18th century - than mediaeval. But Lewes has Tudor connections.

There are hourly direct trains to Chester from Euston. The journey takes just over two hours. It ticks your boxes, is quite small and not as touristy as Bath and York.

Here you go http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/go-by-train/chester/

Have you ben to Windsor - cute town and massive castle? Or Hampton Court Palace - wonderful activities explained by the docents and a strong tudor history?

KELVIN SSE,

Check out this guide to day trips from London - great variety:

http://www.beenthere-donethat.org.uk/

Hi ESW,

Thank you for suggesting Sevenoaks and Knole House in Kent. I hope to return to London next June and would like to take a day trip - interesting, but not too far. From reading their site, it appears an easy jaunt from Charing Cross. I would take a taxi to Knole House. Your suggestions?

"In the early C20th Vita Sackville West grew up at Knole." Now that is a character who fascinates me. I have read books by her grandson Adam Nicolson in recent years. I believe he wrote about her other home SISSINGHURST, now owned by the National Trust.

KELVIN, please report back on your day trips from London...

You could take a taxi from the station to Knole House. However it is only 1.5 miles walk - say 30 minutes. It is easy to find from the station - follow the instructions on the website.

"To walk to Knole from the station, turn right and walk up the hill, through Sevenoaks High Street, until you reach St Nicholas Church on your right. Knole is clearly signposted on your left."


Sissinghurst Castle Gardens are one of the show gardens in Kent. Unfortunately it isn't as easy to get to by public transport as you have to get a train from Charing Cross to Staplehurst (about an hour's ride) and then a taxi as the station is about 5 miles away.

There are also buses to the village of Sissinghurst, then an easy walk along a path to the garden. Catch the bus out on the road that passes the station, across the road for the bus going that direction.

I didn't managed to look at more information regarding Sevenoaks and Knole House but if it is a short train trip from London it might be worthwhile to look at.

Windsor Castle is on my list alongside Bath and Costwolds, yet to decide if I will go to any of these place.

Chester did cross my mind but since it is a good part of 2 hours away from London and the centre is a little small with nothing much to do, not sure if it is worthile to go there. I mean if I was in Manchester or Liverpool probably I will make it as a daytrip.

Hi ESW,

"You could take a taxi from the station to Knole House."

Thank you for the info. On further reading I learned that SEVENOAKS station is also suggested for those visiting CHARTWELL - about a six mile cab ride. Does that sound right to you? I have always wanted to see Chartwell so I am considering it.

KELVIN "... Windsor Castle is on my list alongside Bath and Costwolds, yet to decide if I will go to any of these place." I believe that most tourists to London would choose seeing Windsor before venturing to further climes - just my opinion. I particularly enjoyed crossing over the Thames at Windsor and strolling around the hallowed grounds of EATON COLLEGE.

Decisions, decisions....

CHARTWELL, of course, is the lovely home of WINSTON CHURCHILL in Kent which became a National Trust property after his death.

You could do both Knole and Chartwell in a day by getting a taxi from Sevenoaks to Chartwell. It's about 25 minutes drive.

This is a much under rated part of Kent and not many visitors explore this area which is a shame as there is some lovely countryside.

Hi again ESW,

Thank you for the above suggestion. I emailed CHARTWELL and received a prompt reply - taxi from SEVENOAKS in the £ 15- 20 range each way. That is very reasonable. I presume there are many trains during the day from London to Sevenoaks since it is a popular commuting destination I read.

I will be going in early-mid June so not at the height of the season for visiting these properties.

"This is a much under rated part of Kent and not many visitors explore this area which is a shame as there is some lovely countryside." I agree. I took a tour to Leeds Castle and Canterbury last year - lovely scenery.

Thanks again....

Try somewhere off the usual overseas tourist trail. Norwich is less than 2 hours by train from London. It's a small city, tick. It has a Norman castle, tick, plus an impressive Norman cathedral. In medieval times it was England's 2nd largest city, tick. Do different (as the university motto goes).