jwr

We are going to be in London for 5 days in mid-February. Should we stick to seeing the sites in London, or is there a day trip that is a must see that we should try to fit in?
Thanks bunches.

Robespierre

(Donning flak suit...)

I think Bath and Stonehenge are worth a few hours' travel time, especially if you make it an overnighter. Finish up at Bath in the evening to miss the commuter rush on the train back to London. The baths are open as late as 22:00 in July and August.

MelJ

IMO, Windsor is a must. Easy 30 minute train ride from Paddington station directly into Windsor. Aside from the castle/St. George's chapel tours it is also a really lovely little town. From the center, you can take the footbridge across the Thames into Eton, as well.

A lot of people recommend Bath and/or the Cotswalds (about 76 miles), but I didn't enjoy Bath when visiting it as a day trip. However, I went back and stayed two days and really enjoyed it.

taggie

If it's your first trip there you really should just plan on spending it in London - 5 days is really not much time to see what the city has to offer. If you arrange a day trip you could find yourself regretting it as you might have to give some London attractions a miss.
If you've been before, then a day trip somewhere pretty close, like Windsor, is a good idea.

AisleSeat

One great day-trip from London is Paris. Take the early chunnel train, spend the day in Paris and take a late train back to sleep in the same bed if you like. There is plenty to do in London and surroundings but if you've never been to Paris is could be one of the big highlights of your trip to England.

janis

The Baths are not open til 10 p.m. in Feb

In any case - there are literally a hundred different places you could go as a day trip -- but w/ just 5 days in the winter, you probably shouldn't take any of them. Perhaps Windsor OR Hampton Court Palace -- but they are really in outer London so don't take more than 30+ minutes by train from the center of town.

Are you flying in transatlantic? If so you will be up more than 24 hours so you'll be taking things slow at least the first day.

London is huge and just getting around to a FEW of the major sites will fill your 5 days. if the hustle-bustle gets to be too mucg take a break by walking through one of the parks or take a boat down river to Greenwich, or hike across Hampstead Heath. But w/ 5 days you really won't have time to spend outside of town.

Tallulah

AisleSeat: I'm not sure that I shouldn't be TERRIBLY insulted that you consider a daytrip to Paris a highlight of a trip to England..!!! ;-)

BTilke

Tallulah, oh but it IS!!! ;-)

Tallulah

My tongue is in agony from me biting it so hard... or whatever the typing equivalent is..!!! Ha ha!

BTilke

Well, it was very sharp--and funny--of you to catch that.

Tallulah

Just a jolly good thing that I'm in such a good mood today!

Actually, whether highlight or not, I think that it's a great idea to do a daytrip to another country whilst you're over here. Paris is a good option, as is Amsterdam or Brussels as they're so close (on average about 50 minutes on the plane) and very cheap to get to. AND you get to experience a very different culture but which is so accessible.

Clearly London is FAR superior but I'm being magnanimous today!

Spygirl

Paris-a highlight of your trip to England-there's a new one for the Fodor's/Frommer's U.K. travel guides!