The best day trips in England

Discover England’s top destinations by train, from buzzing seaside resort Brighton to the ancient capital of Colchester. Whether you're visiting London or already based in the capital, you can easily explore historic cities, coastal towns, countryside escapes and cultural attractions in just one day. Read on for inspiration on the top places to visit across England without needing a car.

1. London

Served by excellent transport links from pretty much anywhere in the country, a day trip to London is always a memorable experience. History buffs can alight at London Waterloo and be within walking distance of the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and the Imperial War Museum. Hop on the tube or take a leisurely stroll to Buckingham Palace or the Tower of London and immerse yourself in Britain's royal history.

Travelling to London by train

It’s easy to travel by train to London from all over the UK, or even Europe via the Eurostar.  Apart from Waterloo, other major stations include London Victoria, London Paddington, and London Kings Cross.

Route	Fastest journey time	Main London station
Brighton to London	54 minutes	London Victoria
Oxford to London	52 minutes	London Paddington
Reading to London	25 minutes	London Paddington

2. Oxford

Another popular day trip in England – especially from London – is a visit to Oxford. This city charms visitors with its pedestrian-friendly streets and gorgeous architecture. See the world-famous Oxford University, with the iconic Bodleian Library and the dome of the Radcliffe Camera tower. They're regarded as being among the most beautiful buildings in the country and will give snap-happy visitors plenty to share with envious friends online. The Oxford University Museum of Natural History is also well worth a visit, not least for its dinosaurs and other incredible creatures.

London to Oxford by train

Oxford is one of the easiest and fastest day trips from London, with regular direct trains throughout the day.

• Journey time: from 50 minutes
• Departure stations: London Paddington and London Marylebone
• Arrival station: Oxford station
• Distance from city station: short walk

3. Bath

Another treat for history lovers, Bath is a unique destination in England, known for its wonderfully well-preserved Roman ruins. Naturally, the Roman baths are among the most popular attractions in the city, and they're the country's only natural mineral hot springs. The other side to Bath is its Georgian heritage, and you'll notice the many beautifully built redbrick homes around town. The Royal Crescent is one of Bath's most famous streets and an excellent place to go for a walk and take in the architecture that enchants visitors here.

Getting to Bath by train

Bath Spa station is located in the centre of the city, within walking distance of Bath’s main attractions, shops and restaurants.

Route	Fastest journey time
London to Bath	1h 34m
Bristol to Bath	15m
Cardiff to Bath	1h 7m

4. Brighton

Often cited as one of the best places to go in England, Brighton really does have something for everyone. In warm weather in particular, it's a superb place for a family day out. You'll soon discover why the Victorians flocked here for their holidays when you're sat with your loved ones on the beach, munching a stick of rock or enjoying a pint in the seaside pubs. The Palace Pier features several arcades and rides where you can lose yourself for hours year-round in covered buildings. The Royal Pavilion is a former royal residence, built in a uniquely Indian style and featuring treasures from across the world inside. By night, Brighton comes alive and caters for every style of music lover in its gig venues, clubs and bars.

This is one of the best places for day trips from London by train. London to Brighton takes around 50 minutes, departing from London Victoria. Brighton station is a short walk from the seafront and city centre.

London to Brighton by train

Brighton is one of the most popular seaside day trips from London and is easy to reach by train.

• Journey time: around 50 minutes
• Departure station: London Victoria
• Arrival station: Brighton Station
• Station location: short walk to the seafront and city centre

5. Manchester

The largest city in the North, Manchester is easily reached from several surrounding cities. Once you arrive at Manchester Piccadilly, you'll be right in town and ready to take in the city's football heritage. Visit Old Trafford, home of Manchester United, and also check out the Football Museum while you're here. Manchester is a fantastic place for a night on the town too. Head to the Northern Quarter for bars and clubs, and Canal Street for the best of Manchester's LGBTQ+ scene.

How to get to Manchester by train

Manchester is well connected by rail, with fast services from several major UK cities.

Route	Fastest journey time
Liverpool to Manchester	53m
Sheffield to Manchester	51m
Leeds to Manchester	47m
London to Manchester	2h 4m

6. Cambridge

Another of England's famous university towns, Cambridge is close to the capital. Cambridge station is where you'll arrive by train, within easy reach of the city centre. Of course, like Oxford, the university is one of the main attractions here. Famous chapels open to the public include King's College Chapel, with its magnificent soaring vaulted ceiling and mesmerising stained glass windows. The Fitzwilliam Museum houses a number of treasures including antiquities and, fittingly for the city of the great university, rare books. As with Oxford, the student presence makes Cambridge a great place for a night out, with a number of traditional pubs alongside swanky bars in the city centre.

London to Cambridge by train

• Journey time: 47m to 1h 17m
• Departure station: London Liverpool Street
• Frequency: regular direct services

7. Birmingham

England's second city, Birmingham, is an excellent place for a family day trip in England. Thinktank is a world-class, hands-on science museum which will keep visitors of any age busy for hours. Cadbury World remains one of the city's other major attractions, offering a chance to taste the chocolate and see how it's made. Birmingham is also one of England's major shopping destinations, with the enormous Bullring shopping centre and a number of interesting boutiques dotted throughout the city. Birmingham New Street is the main station here, located right at the very heart of the city. Birmingham International is the train station connected to the airport if you're flying straight here and using Birmingham as your springboard for train journeys around the rest of England.

London to Birmingham by train

Birmingham is a major UK rail hub with fast, direct connections from London and key northern routes.​

• Journey time: around 1h 20m
• Departure stations: London Euston, London Liverpool Street
• Arrival station: Birmingham New Street

Other train routes to Birmingham

• Manchester to Birmingham: 1h 27m
• Liverpool Lime Street to Birmingham: 1h 38m

8. Colchester

Easily accessible from London, Colchester is one of the most often overlooked, yet historically and culturally interesting cities in the UK. Closely associated with ancient Queen Boudica, this is a beautiful Essex town with a splendid castle and several great museums. It was also previously the national capital and houses a number of beautiful buildings. Hollytrees Museum in particular is a gorgeous example of traditional Georgian architecture and features hands-on exhibits suitable for every age group. Colchester is the home of the University of Essex, so you'll find a number of wonderful bars and clubs to explore by night.

London to Colchester by train

• Journey time: from 45 minutes
• Departure station: London Liverpool Street
• Arrival station: Colchester

Other train routes to Colchester

• Ipswich to Colchester: 19 minutes
• Norwich to Colchester: 1h 2m

Whether you're heading to London to see world-famous sights or exploring the other historic and cultural corners of the country, England is full of destinations for exciting day trips. Train travel makes zipping back and forth easy and quick, so start planning your day trips in England with us today.