Bex's 10 Best Day Trips from London

I've been taking advantage of the recent sunny weather in the UK to revisit some of my favourite destinations outside the capital — Margate was particularly delightful in yesterday's heat! Today, I'm sharing ten of the best day trips from London. Whether you're hoping for history, craving culture, seeking the seaside or going for gastronomy, you're bound to find your next escape on this list. The best part is that you can reach all of them by public transport in under two hours.

BATH

Go for: Georgian architecture, Roman history, thermal spas.

Top experiences: Roman Baths, Thermae Bath Spa, Mayor's Guides tour.

Food & drink: OAK, Olive Tree, Sally Lunn’s, Landrace, The Dark Horse.

Coffee: Colonna & Small's, Society Café, Mokoko Bakery, Good Day Café.

Getting there: Train from Paddington (1h20).

Read more: Bex's Bath guide. Bex's Bath specialty coffee guide.

BRIGHTON

Go for: Seaside strolls, unique shops, nightlife.

Top experiences: Take to the beach, shop the Lanes, Royal Pavilion.

Food & drink: Riddle & Finns, Embers, Flint House, Fatto a Mano, Plotting Parlour.

Coffee: Triple Point, LOAM, Dandy, Dharma.

Getting there: Train from London Bridge or Victoria (1h).

Read more: Bex's Brighton guide. Bex's Brighton specialty coffee guide.

BRISTOL

Go for: Harbour views, street art, food culture.

Top experiences: Banksy tour, Clifton Suspension Bridge, M Shed.

Food & drink: Little Hollows, Bulrush, Wilson’s, Burra, Harts Bakery.

Coffee: Full Court Press, Sweven Coffee, Small Goods, Little Victories.

Getting there: Train from Paddington (1h35).

Read more: Bex's Bristol guide. Bex's Bristol specialty coffee guide.

CAMBRIDGE

Go for: Colleges, punting, history of science.

Top experiences: Punt tour, visit Cambridge colleges, Fitzwilliam Museum.

Food & drink: Vanderlyle, Fancett's, Mercado Central, The Eagle, The Lab.

Coffee: Hot Numbers, Bould Brothers, Stir.

Getting there: Train from King's Cross (50 mins) or Liverpool Street (1h20).

Read more: Bex's Cambridge guide.

CANTERBURY

Go for: Medieval history, heritage, riverside.

Top experiences: Canterbury Cathedral, river tour, Canterbury Tales Experience (reopening soon).

Food & drink: The Goods Shed, The Foundry Brewpub, Korean Cowgirl, Fordwich Arms.

Coffee: Lost Sheep, Garage Coffee.

Getting there: Train from St Pancras (55 mins), Victoria (1h30) or Charing Cross (1h45).

Read more: Bex's Canterbury guide.

MARGATE

Go for: Beautiful beaches, creative scene, food & nightlife.

Top experiences: Viking Coastal Trail, Turner Contemporary, vintage and indie shops.

Food & drink: Dory's and Angela's, Dive, Buoy and Oyster, Daisy, Little Swift. 

Coffee: Curve Coffee, Forts Café.

Getting there: Train from St Pancras (1h30) or Victoria (1h40).

Read more: Bex's Margate guide.

OXFORD

Go for: Colleges, museums, literary history.

Top experiences: University tour, Pitt Rivers & Natural History Museums, punting tour.

Food & drink: Arbequina, Oli's Thai, Pompette, The Chester Arms, Hamblin Bread.

Coffee: Missing Bean, Jericho Coffee Traders, Society Café, NewGround.

Getting there: Train from Paddington (50 mins) or Marylebone (1h20); coach from Victoria (2h).

Read more: Bex's Oxford guide. Bex's Oxford specialty coffee guide.

RYE

Go for: Cobbled streets, antiques shops, coastal walks.

Top experiences: Explore the historic streets, Rye Castle Museum, Camber Sands beach.

Food & drink:

Getting there: Train from St Pancras (1h10).

Read more: Bex's Rye guide.

WINCHESTER

Go for: History, markets, medieval charm.

Top experiences: Winchester Cathedral, Great Hall, Christmas markets.

Food & drink: Chesil Rectory, Pi Pizza, Overdraft, The Wykeham Arms.

Coffee: Coffee Lab Academy, Kavi Coffee.

Getting there: Train from Waterloo (1h).

Read more: Bex's Winchester guide.

WINDSOR

Go for: Royal history, river trips, pub walks.

Top experiences: Windsor Castle, Windsor Great Park, boat cruises.

Food & drink: The Loch and the Tyne, The Boatman, Two Brewers, The Greene Oak.

Getting there: Train from Paddington (40 mins, change at Slough) or Waterloo (55 mins).

Read more: Bex's Windsor guide.

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