Visiting Stonehenge, Bath, Windsor and beyond – Best Day Trips from London

Planning on escaping the ruckus of the city on a day trip from London? Want to see a bit of that fabled and historic countryside that makes England great? Well, London is surrounded by attractions and places of importance and visiting Stonehenge, Bath or Windsor is the perfect way to take in some fresh air and picturesque scenery.

While London itself can provide a rich, historic and gala experience, it’s the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the British Royal Castles in the surrounding areas that provide the quintessential British experience. Quaint towns famous for their teas and universities, breathtaking castles along the river banks, the baffling stone circles majestically commanding an entire landscape, monumental and intricate abbeys known for their unique architecture, visit them all on your day tour from London.

So which sites you select for your visit? How do you select the perfect experience? Which ones are the best value for money? Don’t worry, we’ve laid down the blueprint to choosing the best possible day trip from London. Whether you’re a tourist visiting England for the first time, or a local who wants to indulge in a quiet and scenic getaway, we’ve got you all covered.

Sites: Which sites do you want to cover and what to expect at the sites?

The first thing you should consider – which sites do you want to cover on your adventure into the British country. The most popular sites for day trips from London are the Stonehenge, the UNESCO World Heritage town of Bath and the visually calming town of Windsor which houses the famous Windsor Castle.

Stonehenge tours from London, when purchased with the admission to Stonehenge, allows you access to the monument along with giving you admission to the Stonehenge Exhibition Centre which allows you to take in the rich history and mystery surrounding the place. With more than 300 artefacts from the early Bronze age, you’ll discover the connecting threads of history here which links the prehistoric monument to its builders and purpose. Finally, you can unravel the mystery of the iconic Stonehenge.

Bath, is another popular town visited by individuals on day trips from London. This charming town is the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in England and is famous for its picturesque Georgian design architecture. Another famous site in Bath is the Pulteney Bridge, modelled after the world-famous Ponte Vecchio in Florence. What makes Bath a truly spectacular place to visit are the age old Roman Baths, which attract one million visitors annually. The Roman Bath is divided into four major areas which can be explored upon purchase of the Roman Bath admission tickets. The Museum within the Bath is an important historical catalogue which features Celtic curse tablets, Roman currency coins and many more relics from the past.

Another must-visit location on your day tour from London is the town of Windsor. Known for its lovely cobblestone streets, a lively High Street and the residence of the Queen – Windsor Castle – walking through this town is a stunning experience in itself. At Windsor, you will want to visit the inside of the WIndsor Castle, the world’s oldest running castle which was originally built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century. Here the walls are adorned with works from the Royal Collection, the State Rooms are known for housing prominent world figures and St. George’s Chapel is renowned for hosting some of the most important events in British history. Take in the rich culture of the land and feel the spirit of the British Empire resonate all through this lively, delightful town.

Visiting Stonehenge, Bath and Windsor is an exciting day trip from London. However, England has much more to offer. Oxford, the famous university town, is another such place. The cobbled streets along with the proximity to the oldest English-speaking university raise an individual’s intellect by just being there. Walk through the courtyard squares and take in the fresh breeze on the lush lawns of the university campus.

Time: How much do you have and how to make the most of it?

Time. The second most important thing to consider on an out-of-town visit from London. If time is of the essence, you might want to cover just one attraction completely instead of visiting multiple places for a more wholesome experience. Stonehenge tours from London are the best to save on time.

However, if you have some time at hand it’s best to cover multiple sites. We suggest taking a coach trip from London for at least a day as some sites are more than 100 miles away. You also have the added advantage of choosing to go to attractions such as the Roman Baths, Salisbury Cathedral, Stonehenge and the Windsor Castle on these tours. Pre-purchasing your attraction tickets is ideal as tickets might sell out at your time of visit as most of the attractions such as Windsor Castle and Roman Baths only allow a set amount of visitors inside the grounds.

If you’re a tourist who has multiple days open or if you’re on vacation, then we suggest you cover as much ground as possible and indulge yourself completely into the rich English countryside. The South-West Coast is a stunning stretch of land where you can see the magnanimous Durdle Door.

Money, Money, Money – How much is too much and where do you draw the line?

Needless to say, an entire day tour from London is relatively costly. However, what truly adds to the cost are the tickets of the attraction. In most cases, coach transfers to Stonehenge and Windsor cost as much as coach transfers to Stonehenge, Windsor and Bath. So the best way to save on money is figuring out which attraction you want to visit and which ones deserve just an outside look.

The best way to commute on such tours is by a private coach. Although trains might appear cheaper from one destination to other, trains not only cut down on flexibility but also ruin any tour insights and experiences you might enjoy with a guide and a group. Another major drawback of the public transport system are the timely departures. This doesn’t allow you to spend more time in an area than you originally planned and is more hassle than it’s worth.

Most day trips from London offer the services of a guide through the duration of the tour. Although these experiences are a little costlier, it’s certainly worth the extra expense as you gain terrific insights into the places you visit and learn fascinating details about these attractions.

Another tip to keep in mind while looking for a discount is managing costs on food and drinks. Carrying your own packed lunches is ideal and booking your day trips from London with pre-purchased lunch boxes is recommended. This is due to the inflated costs of edibles at the attraction sites and popular tourist areas.

If you’re a tourist, we suggest completing all the sites in a single go. Although this might appear costly, it’s much cheaper than completing all the attractions on different days allowing you to save big on money and time.

Like any other high-demand activity, there are dozens of companies eager to book your ride. The tours in this article reflect the best prices on the market and are backed by the Best Price Guarantee policy.

Season: Is a summer-time visit better than a winter trip?

Summer is a beautiful time of the year and plenty of crowds flock to the nearby attractions from London. As such, these sites become more populated and crowded during the summer months. However, winter presents its own challenges of insulation and comfort. Nevertheless, all sites are open throughout the year and a winter trip is definitely cheaper and less crowded if you’re willing to embrace the cold.

Now that you’ve clear direction regarding planning your tour, let’s find out which tour experience best suits you.

Selecting the Best Day Trips from London

FAQs

1. What is the best time of the day to visit the Stonehenge and other attractions which have an entrance fee like the Roman Baths and the Windsor Castle?
   The best time to visit the Stonehenge or any of the other attractions is the morning. All venues are least crowded at these times and if you want a more private experience, we suggest going for these attractions as soon as they open. Another brief window opens up at lunch time when other visitors are grabbing a bite. In some cases, particularly the Roman Bath, evenings are a little less crowded.
2. Is there any thing for kids to do on day trips from London?
   Yes. There’s plenty for kids to enjoy and discover on day trips from London. Even basic Stonehenge tours from London allow kids opportunities to see monumental sights and some of nature’s best landscapes, while the more in-depth tours allow them to immerse themselves in the history of the land while looking at breath-taking sights.
3. How long can I stay at the attractions upon purchase of the ticket?
   There are no time restrictions on any ticket. However, visitors at Windsor Castle are allowed to move only in one way, so if you zip through it, you will not be able to go back to see anything you’ve missed. Apart from this slight hiccup, your tickets allow you to spend as much time as you like at the attractions.
4. What can I do for food if I’m not carrying any?
   All the places have small eateries or cafes nearby to supplement any of your food and drinks requirements. However, we do suggest carrying your own lunch box as this will help you save on money.
5. Should I carry anything on these day trips from London?
   We suggest carrying just a small shoulder bag/backpack. Luggage and large backpacks are not allowed into the attractions. Please carry only the essential personal use items such as medication or sunglasses.