The UK has endless choices of destinations to visit and enjoy, from quaint villages, thriving seaside towns, vibrant cities and the open, fresh outdoors.
The best part about taking a day trip in the UK is that you don’t even need to catch a flight, and most can be visited by a quick journey in a car or train.
So you can explore the UK stress-free, we’ve rounded up five of the best destinations for a day trip that are all less than two hours from London.
5 of the best day trips 2 hours away from London
Burford, Oxfordshire
The town of Burford in Oxfordshire is just two hours by car from London and a little bit longer by train, taking two hours and 44 minutes.
Burford is most famous for its High Street, which goes downhill and towards the River Windrush.
Ancient houses and shops fill the streets while the three-arched medieval bridge offers views of the river and the church.
Fans of shopping can explore plenty of shops, including the Cotswold Cheese Company, Slate Clothing, Amanda Hanley By Design, The Madhatter Bookshop and more.
You can also enjoy a bite at a local restaurant, pub or teahouse, like The Lamb Inn of The Bay Tree Hotel.
Wye, Kent
Wye is a medieval village set in the North Downs of Kent and is just a 48-minute train journey from London’s St Pancras International, or you can catch a train from Waterloo East, which takes just under an hour and a half.
Alternatively, you can drive to Wye from London in just under two hours.
If you’re a keen walker, you can try out one of the North Downs Way National Trail routes, including Wye to the seaside town of Folkestone or Wye to the neighbouring village of Chilham.
Wye is also home to the natural landmark, the Devil’s Kneading Trough, offering breathtaking views of Kent, including Canterbury and the local town, Ashford.
The village is also great if you want to relax with some good food and drinks, with a local pub, The Tickled Trout, highly rated.
Hambleden, Buckinghamshire
Just 30 minutes away from London is the village of Hambleden in Buckinghamshire.
The village is just a 30-minute train journey away from London via Paddington, or you can drive to Hambleden via the M4, which takes around one and a half hours.
With its traditional brick and flint cottages, church and natural surroundings, Hambleden has appeared in films such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 101 Dalmatians, Sleepy Hollow, and Into the Woods.
Nearby to the village is the Chiltern Valley Winery and Brewery, an award-winning establishment that offers tours of its vineyards and allows visitors to enjoy samples of its wine.
Hambleden has plenty of places to enjoy a meal, with pubs, The Stag & Huntsman, and The Bull & Butcher, both popular among locals.
Chilham, Kent
Just a train journey away from Central London, you can reach Chilham in Kent on a direct service from London Charing Cross, with the journey taking just over an hour and a half.
Settled on top of a hill, Chilham village is known for its well-preserved Medieval Square on the Pilgrim’s Way, along with its impressive Castle and gardens.
The village is also great for film and TV buffs, with the area featuring in Jane Austen’s Emma, Top Gear, Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple, Poirot and A Canterbury Tale.
Chilham has a great choice of pubs too, with The Woolpack renowned for its yummy food and an impressive selection of Ales.
Bath
Just over one hour and 20 minutes away from London’s Paddington Station, Bath is unlike any other spot, best known for being the home of the ancient Roman Baths.
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The Roman Baths let you learn about 2,000 years of history with guided tours, artefact collections and expeditions.
Of course, no getaway would be complete without some food, and Bath has plenty of fantastic restaurants, pubs and cafes to try out.
With options for everyone, you can try some vegan meals at The Coconut Tree or enjoy a Sunday roast at local restaurant Green Park Brasserie.
