The United Kingdom contains in its territory splendid cities and immense countryside green, authentic naturalistic jewels to discover among myths and legends, places that also bring with them thousands of years of history and tradition that have survived to this day.
Without a doubt, the first place on the podium among must-see destinations goes to the eternal British capital, if you have already been to the royal city this time why not take the time to visit it. London and its surroundings? You'll be visiting in no time acient towns, dreamlike landscapes and fairytale cathedrals, all within a few kilometers of travel.
Among the many places to visit outside of London you will surely have heard of the historical ones. Oxford y Cambridge, but also places immersed in the British moors or on the coasts where the English love to spend their holidays, such as the Cotswold, Brighton, the fascinating Stonehenge.
Continue reading this article to find out what to see near London, even for a comfortable day trip.
Oxford y Cambridge
Let's start with one of the most iconic places from the surroundings of London, the two university cities synonymous with culture and unique architecture: of course, we are talking about Oxford and Cambridge, the first located one hour and fifteen minutes by train from London, and the second just under two hours.
Both Oxford and Cambridge are known for their ancient universities Dreamlike, Oxford is the oldest in the United Kingdom, dating back to 1096. The Gothic architectural style survived the war years and the sumptuous spiers rising to the sky still stand out today.
The University of Cambridge has also had among its students the most illustrious English writers and today it is one of the most prestigious universities in the world, in addition to having a university with very old and wonderful buildings from an architectural point of view. If you are a fan of the most beloved boy wizard in the world, when admiring Oxford and Cambridge you will be able to recognize some places and landscapes, which have become famous thanks to the scenes shot for the film by Harry Potter.
If you want to visit the most famous dining room in the world you can go to Christ Church College in Oxford, participating in a guided tour departing from London you can stop at the most beautiful places of these ancient cities, explore the main sites and have free time to wander between the universities.
A boat trip on the Cam River and the visit can be considered complete; in a single day you can visit both thanks to the short distance that separates them, about 140 kilometers.
The charm of Stonehenge
Among the London surroundings to explore, it certainly deserves a place of honor. Stonehenge, the famous Neolithic stone circle located near Salisbury. It is a place full of charm, which can be reached in about two hours from London, and it is no coincidence that it is one of the most popular visits for those who want to explore the surroundings of London: its unique and surreal atmosphere surrounded by mystery is truly irresistible.
Some describe it as a sanctuary to worship the sun, others as an astronomical site that served as an indicator of the seasons, but all agree on the dating of its oldest remains that date back to 40 thousand years ago. Finding yourself among some of the oldest stones on the planet is an unrepeatable experience.
Stonehenge is known precisely for its stone circles with lintel, built in the Neolithic, it is not known with what type of equipment or method. This iconic place known throughout the world can be visited with the purchase of an entrance ticket, which will allow you to reach the visitor center and begin a splendid guided tour. You can book by visiting the site with a simple click.
Canterbury and the cliffs of Dover
Among the most popular tours through London and its surroundings is undoubtedly the trip to the small town of Canterbury It became famous from the stories of the same name written by Chaucer.
Canterbury is small. enchanted town of the old streets, is located in Kent and in one day you will be able to see its typical wooden houses along the river, the Unesco Heritage cathedral, built at the end of the 16th century, the Abbey of Saint Augustine and other small treasures that You can discover it by walking through the historic center.
Less than forty minutes by train from Canterbury are the beautiful cliffs of dover, highly praised by writers and poets for the extraordinary natural beauty unique in the world. The best way to get to them is always by train.
You can visit Canterbury and the White Cliffs in a single day by participating in an organized tour lasting around ten hours, including round-trip transfers. The White Cliffs are spectacular and not to be missed if you want to know more about London and its surroundings.
Brighton Coastal Trip
Brighton, the irreverent but traditional English city at the same time, awaits you an unforgettable day trip from London, to show you its typical pebble beaches that alternate with regency-style buildings.
In Brighton you will find nightlife, dfun between art, music and festivals of all kinds, and connections from London, especially by train, are fast and cheap. Precisely for this reason, the English love to come here for their weekends of relaxation and sea, spending their free time between the promenade and the iconic Palace Pier, the pier that offers recreational activities for all tastes. Here fun is guaranteed for young and old.
A visit to Brighton Art Museum and Gallery, in the elegant Royal Pavillion area, and perhaps a stop in the lush gardens where the English love to cool off in the shade of the ancient trees. For shopping, the bohemian neighborhood northern laine You will not be disappointed!
the cotswolds
When visiting London and its surroundings you will realize that it is rich in natural beauty, and the Cotswolds I'm at the top of the charts. We are talking about a mountain range located just two hours from London, characterized by rural towns, large green expanses and silent in the heart of England that you can't help but love.
Visiting the Cotswolds means taking time to enjoy each small village that is part of them, traveling between cottages worthy of a Jane Austin book and historical legends passed down from generation to generation.
This is the typical english countryside, but there is also no shortage of cities like Burford, one of the most beautiful medieval cities, and riverside towns. Take a day to participate in an organized trip departing from London, with stops at the most characteristic stops in the area.
The spa city of Bath
About 200 km from London you can reach Bath, a spa town Located in the southwest of England, where you can spend a pleasant day among Georgian buildings from the 18th century.
bathroom was declared UNESCO heritage in 1987 due to its uniqueness, there are many historical works to visit in the center. the Romans already in the year 70 AD. They built the famous spa complex that is still much loved and preserved almost intact, and today the English love to spend time relaxing in this little Roman corner.
Bath Abbey, the Bath Abbey, is an exceptional architectural building that dominates the center with its 49-meter-high tower. Climb to the top of the tower and you will have one. stunning view of the city, the last medieval building built in England in 1616.
And even walking through the streets of the city you will meet the Pultney Bridge, The circus, a circular Georgian building inspired by our Colosseum, and again the Royal Crescent, another housing estate built like the previous one, by John Wood the Younger. A series of impressive architectural works that make this city a jewel of the south of England, absolutely worth seeing although perhaps not well known by most.
Literature lovers will better remember the settings of some of his novels. Jane Austen, who after spending many years in Bath tells it to us with the unique style that characterizes him, in his novel "Persuasion".
If you want to know more about Bath you can book a guided tour with an expert, combining the city tour with entry to the spa. Book your personalized tour in advance here.
Places to visit near London The places worth a visit are all within easy reach and can be reached by train or car at reasonable prices. They are ideal destinations for both a day trip and a long weekend, they are places full of tradition where you can deepen your knowledge. Anglo-Saxon culture.
The capital of London attracts many tourists from all over the world every year and there are many things to see, but a trip to London is a must. If you love the countryside you will have many options to choose from, if you prefer an urban trip you can choose between the different cities that surround the capital.
From the oldest to the most modern, you can now choose places to visit outside of London in advance and plan a guided tour that includes everything you want to explore. In just one weekend you can try some of them. The best places to visit outside London.!