Day trips from London
 

Hi, Can you please advice me on possible day trips from London. I have already done Stratford upon Avon, Bath, Oxford, Windsor, Canterbury and Dover. One of the places I am planning on is Brighton. Any other suggestions will be appreciated. I will be in London from 27th Sept to 6th Oct.

Hampton Court Palace, Kew Gardens, Ham House, Eastbourne & Beachy Head area, Ramsgate.

Cambridge - similar to but different than Oxford - not such a busy city it always seemed to be - York - 2 hrs by train but one of finest British cities

Salisbury and Stonehenge - Salisbury neat city with awesome cathedral. Winchester also neat city with awesome cathedral. Royal Tunbridge Wels, Manchester -loved that city on a day trip from London - so so many-

Oh wow, thanks a lot for all the suggestions. Will start looking at these options. I will come back if have any queries.

Chester?

How many day trips are you planning?If 3 or so consider the London Plus Railpass that covers a wide area of southern England - over to Bath and Bristol (another neat city) to Stratford and all of southeast England. and just show up at stations - also included return trips on airport express trains - for lots on that and rail travel for day trips check www.nationalrail.co.uk; www.seat61.com; BETS-European Rail Experts and www.ricksteves.com.

Greenwich is a nice day trip in London itself - lots to see and do and a unique Thames-side setting.

Why Brighton? Especially in autumn when it could be cool and windy - oh it's an interesting place with two classic old piers with an assortment of attractions on them but would be very low on my list and many others per past comments.

shopping is fantastic, the royal pavillion is worth a trip for the architecture and of course the alternative life style in London-by-the-Sea

We did a London Walks tour of Salisbury and Stonehenge. It was great and the cafe at the cathedral had delicious food.
We also went to Kew and the garden was beautiful. Have a great trip.

I totally agree with PalenQ, definitely see Cambridge - it was one of our favorite cities in England. So lovely and a great college vibe with quaint shops and eateries. We liked it more than Oxford. Stonehenge is a definite must. It's definitely do-able as a day trip! We took an all-day bus tour from Earl's Court/Kensington area out to Stonehenge for the entire day and saw the region and were back in London by early evening (7pm ish). We were just in London in January and also went to Greenwich. We took the Thames River boat (they operate year-round) down the river for an enjoyable different view of London sites from the river side. It was great to visit the National Maritime Museum, Royal Observatory and the palaces of the monarchs (King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I were born here). It's a cute little town as well. Nottingham is another city to consider if you like the Robin Hood lore.

I would emphatically 2nd the suggestion of Hampton Court Palace being a great easy short day trip from London - one of most interesting palace interiors I've ever seen - all kind of special things like folks in period costumes and re-creations of the Tudor kitchens and big gardens and parks with amazing Maze, formal gardens, a vast deer park and the Great Vine - originally planted by Capability Brown centuries ago.

Plus in a neat area of the Thames - the Mosley Lock a short walk upstream being interesting to watch and pubs overlooking the Thames - a short train ride covered by Oyster Cards.

Assuming this thread is still active (and knowing you have not left for London yet): ditto Hampton Court. If you have never been there, it is a must and a real treat.
ssander

And 2 for 1 entry good at Hampton Court too like in many London paying sights - if OP still around be sure to take advantage of that.