The biggest mistake an American tourist can make in London is never leaving London.
London may be in England, but it’s far from the only representation of the country. Just like the Big Apple is only a small fruit in New York’s bushel, there’s much more of England to savor outside of the metropolis.
You could visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon, marvel at Stonehenge, and waltz around Oxford University’s campus—all less than two hours from London.
Quiet coastal towns, regal estates, and charming towns perfect for a quiet cup of tea, these weekend trips from London by train will introduce you to England’s other gems outside the capital.
Best day trips from London by train (Under 3 Hours)
Birmingham: best for city slickers (90mins)
Hit the streets of England’s second largest city. Cycling trails and calm canals snake through Birmingham, leading you to places like the National Motorcycle Museum, National SEA LIFE Centre, and the chocolatey goodness of Cadbury World.
Liverpool: best for music lovers: (2hr30mins)
The Fab Four aren’t the only musicians from Liverpool. From A Flock of Seagulls and The Wombats to Her’s and Carcass, Liverpool has a diverse music scene you must check out.
The Cotswolds: best for outdoors (90mins)
Charming villages and rolling green hills make the Cotswolds a draw for even Londoners. Take the train to Moreton-in-Marsh to explore the Cotswolds Falconry Centre and the Batsford Arboretum and Garden Centre.
White Cliffs of Dover: best for dramatic views (1hr)
Leave London behind, turn your phone off, and get lost in the dreamy vistas of the White Cliffs. Take one walk along Dover’s stunning coastline and you’ll forget that you’re only an hour from London.
Whitstable: best for beach bums (90mins)
Oysters. Cockles. Mussels. Proper fish and chips. The only thing better than spending the day swimming in the sea is tasting all of the delicious seafood Whitstable’s restaurants serve up.
Oxford: best for the academic (1hr)
Soak up all the smarts as you wander the prestigious university. From the Ashmolean Museum and The Story Museum to the Pitt Rivers Museum and the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, you’ll have plenty of fun facts to share on the train ride back to London.
Stonehenge: best for the unashamed tourist (90mins)
You’ll need to hop a bus tour or taxi to reach Stonehenge from Salisbury Station, but the last leg of the trip is just as effortless as the train ride.
Windsor Castle: best for fans of the royals (30mins)
A 20 minute train ride and a 10 minute walk takes you to this royal weekend retreat. Explore Windsor Castle on a guided tour and appreciate Eton’s other architectural beauties like St. George’s Chapel and the Cliveden House.
Stratford-upon-Avon: best for the Bard brigade (2hrs)
With just enough time to sleep — perchance, to dream — the train ride to Shakespeare’s birthplace is shorter than most of his iconic works. Nod off in London and wake up refreshed for a show at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Watford: best for Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour (30mins)
A train ride so fast that it puts your old Nimbus 2000 to shame, every Potterhead must take the eponymous studio tour showcasing The Boy Who Lived. Better yet, add a few minutes onto your journey and take the train to Watford North directly from Platform 9 ¾ at London King’s Cross.
Cardiff: best for the country counter (2hrs)
If you cannot resist checking another country off of your map, head to the Welsh capital to see the Cardiff Castle and the free St. Fagans National Museum of History.
Driving vs taking the train
Driving on the other side of the road is one thing; driving on the other side of the car is another.
Add in the limited availability of automatic transmission rental cars, tons of roundabouts, and the need for both rental insurance and an international driving permit—suddenly that easy road trip through England got a whole lot more complicated.
Trains connect virtually everywhere in Great Britain to London in one form or another. It’s so much easier to hop on a quick train ride and spend a few hours enjoying the scenery than it is to go through the hassle of getting a rental and wasting precious vacation hours cooped up in a car.
Download the Trainline app to discover how easy and affordable it is to take the best weekend trips from London by train.