5 lovely day trips from London

August 22, 2016
Art and Culture Favourite Memories London Student Experience Travel
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You will probably find out that London is one of the loveliest cities in the world at some point. But there are also some astonishing places you can reach from this incredible city which are absolutely affordable. So, if you are in a need of an inspiration for some day trips, here are my five recommendations to inspire you! 🙂

1. Windsor

Certainly, a day visit to Windsor is one of the most popular day trips to take from London. What an adorable city located only 30 minutes away (depending on the train)!

There are some trains from Paddington that cost only £20 (including the return). The visit to the Windsor Castle is a must! But I strongly encourage you to buy your ticket in advance. Otherwise, be prepared to face the endless lines.

There are so many amazing restaurants, cafes and pubs there. They surely suit all tastes and budgets. And do not forget the gardens! Windsor has gardens that have different seasonal displays. If you are visiting Windsor in the summer, pay a visit to the Summer Gardens or to the Summer Wood in the Savill Garden. You can’t miss the cherries in the Savill Garden if you are visiting in the autumn. Also you can’t miss the magnolias in the Valley Gardens in spring. 🙂

2. Bournemouth

This beautiful city is located only 2 hours away from London by train. You can get tickets from £30 (including the return) from Waterloo.

Bournemouth has seven miles of sands and sparkling sea that you can enjoy especially in the summer. Also, it hosts the Bournemouth Air Festival, which normally takes place in August. What an incredible air display festival! There also a wide range of choices of fresh seafood, delicious pork and lamb. Plus a vibrant atmosphere that will steal your heart!

3. Folkestone

If you appreciate visiting small galleries and funky shops, as well as having incredible fresh seafood and relaxing on the beach… well, Folkestone is my recommendation for you. 🙂

It takes around 1 hour to get there and you can get a train ticket from £18 (including the return) from Victoria Station or St Pancras. I really recommend you to have a beautiful coffee at Steep Street Coffee House and lunch at the Red Cow. You won’t be disappointed.

4. Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon is the Shakespeare’s birthplace, where you can not only visit his house, but also incredible venues such as the romantic Anne Hathaway’s cottage and Mary Arden’s farm.

You can get train tickets for less than £15 (including the return) and it takes around 2 hours to get there. I would recommend the Vesuvio Caffe to enjoy a nice hot chocolate and the The Garrick Inn pub to have a nice lunch. If you have time, do visit the Royal Shakespeare Company & Theatres and try the sightseeing cruises that run daily. 🙂

5. Cambridge

The last but not least lovely city recommended is Cambridge, which is one of the most beautiful historic cities in England indeed. There are some train tickets that cost less than £15. It is an amazing opportunity to visit astonishing museums and galleries, and explore the college buildings. If you are a “foodie” like me, you might find irresistible some food and wine experiences that Cambridge provides. 🙂