Day Trips from London: Windsor, Oxford, Bath and Stonehenge

England's railway network radiates from London, so most classic day trips are an hour or so away by train. Buy tickets in advance for the cheapest fares, or travel off-peak, after the morning rush. If you can only do one, choose Windsor for royalty, Oxford for a walkable historic town, and Bath if you have a long day and don't mind the extra time on the train.

Windsor

The oldest occupied castle in the world, and still a working royal residence. See the State Apartments and St George's Chapel, where Queen Elizabeth II is buried. Trains leave from Paddington, with a change at Slough, or direct from Waterloo, both in under an hour. The castle is normally closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the chapel is closed to visitors on Sundays, and closures at short notice happen, so check before you go.

Oxford

About an hour from Paddington or Marylebone. Walk the centre, visit a college or two (each sets its own opening times, and some charge), see the Bodleian Library's courtyard and the Radcliffe Camera, and end with a drink in a pub by the river. Cambridge, under an hour from King's Cross, is the smaller, greener alternative, with punting on the River Cam.

Bath

Around an hour and a half from Paddington. The Roman Baths are the reason most people go, and the Georgian crescents and honey-coloured stone are the reason they stay longer than planned. It's a long day for one trip, but an easy one.

Stonehenge

The stone circle stands on Salisbury Plain, about an hour and a half from Waterloo to Salisbury, then a tour bus from outside the station. Entry uses timed tickets, and a shuttle takes you from the visitor centre to the stones. The monument itself takes about an hour. Combine it with Salisbury Cathedral, or join a coach tour that adds Bath.

Brighton and Canterbury

Brighton, about an hour from Victoria or London Bridge, is the seaside: a pebble beach, the pier, the Royal Pavilion and the lanes. Canterbury, under an hour on the high-speed trains from St Pancras, has England's mother cathedral and a medieval centre.

Closer in, Greenwich (in our things to do list) and Kew Gardens are both reached with the same contactless card you use on the Tube, though Kew charges for entry. For shoes and rain gear, see our what to wear guide.