Day trips from London
One of my favorite places during my trip to England was Bath. This city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is full of stunning architecture. The city was first founded by ancient Romans as a thermal spa and the city looks like a little piece of Italy hidden within England. The best part, is that Bath is a 3 hour car ride from London making it easy to see it in a day trip. However, I wish I had more time to spend in Bath and in hindsight, I could’ve easily spent 2-3 days around this area so if you have the time, I’d highly recommend exploring it to the fullest. We chose to drive to Bath from London but driving isn’t for you, there are also many busses and trains connecting London and Bath. Along the way, there are several great stops as well: Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Castle Combe. Below you can find my 1 and 2 day itineraries as well as a description of each stop.
1 Day Itinerary
Drive from London (8:00am) to Windsor Castle (1 hour drive, arrive around 9:00) 9:30 entry time, stay until 12:00
Drive to Stonehenge (1 hour drive) 1:30 entry time stay until 3:00 pm
Drive to Bath (1 hour)
Roman Baths timed entry 4:30-6:00
Bath Abbey (2 min walk from the Baths) 6:00-6:15
Bath Abbey (2 min walk from the Baths) 6:00-6:15
Dinner in Bath 6:30-8:00
Drive back to London
2 day itinerary (I’d highly recommend this option if you have more time):
Day 1
Drive from London (8:00am) to Windsor Castle (1 hour drive, arrive around 9:00) 9:30 entry time, stay until 12:00
Drive to the Bridge Tearoom for afternoon high tea/lunch (2 hour drive) (email them for a reservation) 2:15-3:45
Drive to the Roman Baths (20 min drive) timed entry 4:30-6:00
Bath Abbey (2 min walk from the Baths) 6:00-6:15
Bath Abbey (2 min walk from the Baths) 6:00-6:15
Explore the town 6:30-7:15
Dinner in Bath 7:30-9:00
Day 2
Breakfast in Bath 8:00-10:00
Thermae Bath Spa 10:30-12:30
Drive to Castle Combe (30 min drive) Stay from 1:30-3:30 (bring snacks/to-go lunch to eat in town)
Drive back to London (2.5 hour drive) arrive around 6:00/6:30
Dinner in London 7:00 pm
This beautiful castle is the largest and oldest occupied working castle in the world and has been home to many British royals for centuries. Its history dates back to the 11th century and is covered with stunning gothic style buildings. We opted to go here without a tour and explore the grounds at our own pace. However, there are many tours of this castle if you are interested. If driving here, there are several pay to park lots within walking distance of the castle. We parked here. I’d recommend buying tickets in advance here and choosing the first time slot of the day.
This unique, neolithic monument is right between London and Bath and well worth a stop. The purpose of Stonehenge is still a mystery today, with some saying it’s a giant solar calendar or religious site. What makes this landmark so interesting is that it was built from stones transported all the way from Wales, and the site itself is built in the middle of a filed with no other trees or rocks surrounding it. While the site itself is small, the history behind it is interesting and it makes a fun place to explore. If driving to Stonehenge, there is tons of parking on site. Book tickets in advance here.
If you have any time to spend outside of London, use it to explore Bath. The Roman Baths are very well preserved and fun to explore. We chose to buy the audio guide and learn about the site’s history while exploring all the rooms. I’d recommend buying tickets in advance here. It is important to note that you cannot swim at these baths and the grounds are for viewing only. However, there is a nearby spa called Thermae Bath Spa that is heated by the same natural hot spring that heats the waters at the Roman Baths. If you have extra time, this relaxing spot is a great way to end the day and get sweeping views of the city. Book here. About a 2 min walk behind the Roman Baths, you will find Bath Abbey. Don’t miss this beautiful medieval church and get some photos!
This tiny village has to be the most picturesque place I have ever been. Wandering through the streets of this town feels like being transported back in time to a fairytale village. Every single building in town was built in the 12th century and has been completely untouched ever since. You could easily spend hours exploring this area. The only way to get here is by car and the road up to the village is a narrow, winding path so go VERY slow. There are a few hotels in this town if you are interested in spending the night here.
Unfortunately, we ran out of time to go to this high tea spot but if you have the time, consider stopping here. This is one of the oldest high tea spots in the world and the building was constructed back in 1502 and is still standing today. This spot is only a 20 min. drive outside of Bath. Find out more information on their website here. Make reservations in advance by emailing info@thebridgetearooms.co.uk
