Our Favorite Day Tours From London (Plus the Best Tours In the City)
London is one of our favorite cities in the world, and it's one we keep coming back to. Whether it's your first visit or your tenth, the city has an energy that pulls you back. Its history, food, and culture make every borough feel like a different London.
But some of our best days in England have started with an early train or coach out of the city. Seeing the towering rocks of Stonehenge, the majestic castles, the White Cliffs of Dover: these are the places that show you a completely different side of the country. Whether you are visiting London for a few days or a week-plus, we highly recommend exploring outside of the city to see the quieter side of England and experience some incredible places.
Looking for some ideas to book? Below are 9 ideas we think that will make your time exploring England even more enjoyable.
Below are our favorite day trips from London, plus the in-city tours we think are worth booking. Some we've done ourselves, and a few are still on our list for next time.
Day trips from London at a glance
Short on time? Here's the quick version.
| Tour | Best for | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windsor, Bath & Stonehenge | First-timers who want the big three in one day | Full day | Check prices |
| Canterbury & the White Cliffs of Dover | History lovers and coastal views | Full day | Check prices |
| Oxford & the Cotswolds On our list | Storybook villages and university history | Full day | Check prices |
| Windsor Castle | Royal history without a 12-hour day | Half day | Check prices |
| Harry Potter Studio Tour On our list | Potter fans of every age | Half to full day | Check prices |
| Greenwich | Easy half-day escape by river | Half day | Check prices |
| London in a Day On our list | Seeing the icons on a short trip | Full day | Check prices |
| Thames sightseeing cruise | Resting your feet while you sightsee | 1–2 hours | Check prices |
Our favorite day trips from London
1. Windsor Castle, Bath & Stonehenge
If you only have one day to leave London, this is the one. You'll visit Windsor Castle, the oldest occupied castle in the world, then wander the Georgian streets of Bath (Jane Austen lived here for a few years) and its Roman Baths. The day ends at Stonehenge, the 5,000-year-old stone circle that still has no complete explanation. This is a great tour if its your first time to London (and England) because you pack in ancient history, Roman history, and recent history all in one tour.
Why we love it: Three of England's most famous sights in one day, with no driving on the left and no train connections to juggle. This was the very first tour that we took the first time we visited London. We loved the history and the variety of sights without feeling overly rushed. We had adequate time to explore each sight without feeling like we were being hurried. Honestly, we loved every stop, but seeing the Roman Baths in Bath was exceptionally amazing, plus wandering one of the most iconic ancient history sights of Stonehenge made it especially memorable. Even if you aren’t a history buff, this tour is iconic.
Good to know: It's a long day, roughly 12 hours, so bring snacks and a portable charger.
2. Canterbury Cathedral & the White Cliffs of Dover
Canterbury is a medieval city with cobbled lanes, half-timbered buildings, and a cathedral that has drawn pilgrims for over 900 years. From there it's on to the White Cliffs of Dover, where on a clear day you can see France across the Channel. This is a perfect tour if you want to see the old town of Canterbury, the historic Dover castle, and the natural beauty of the White Cliffs.
Why we love it: It pairs one of England's great cathedrals, and incredible castle with some of its most dramatic coastline. We loved the variety of this tour. We came on a perfectly warm sunny day and really enjoyed the incredible views across the English Channel and the dramatic cliffs. While we aren’t exactly huge literature nerds, we still really enjoyed the explanations about the Canterbury tales and the history of the Canterbury cathedral. The added bonus was the visit to the Dover castle, this well preserved hill top castle offers an amazing glimpse into medieval life and provides sweeping views of the English Channel. If you want a great mix of history and natural beauty this tour is a great choice.
Good to know: Wear proper shoes; the cliff-top paths can be windy and uneven. Expect a lot of walking around the castle as well.
3. Oxford & the Cotswolds
Oxford's college quads and libraries have inspired writers for centuries, and fans will spot filming locations from Harry Potter. The Cotswolds next door are pure postcard England: stone cottages, tea rooms, and villages like Bibury and Bourton-on-the-Water. This tour offers a classic view of England, beautiful countryside and quaint villages that are Instagram worthy.
Why it's on our list: The Cotswolds are hard to reach without a car, so a tour is the easiest way to see several villages in one day. The cotswolds look postcard worthy at every turn with charming houses and bubbling creeks and rivers. Oxford has also been on our list because it is the oldest English speaking college in the world, plus the historic college town and campus look historic and beautiful. This tour offers the opportunity to see a quieter side of England than the busy hustle bustle of London.
Good to know: Villages get busy on summer weekends; a weekday tour is calmer.
👉 Book an Oxford & Cotswolds tour
4. Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle has been a royal home for nearly 1,000 years and is still used by the royal family. You can tour the State Apartments and St George's Chapel, then stroll the riverside town. If you are looking to visit the iconic castle in England, look no further. If you are short on time and don’t feel like taking a full day tour somewhere, definitely consider taking a quick half-day tour to Windsor castle.
Why we love it: It's only about an hour from London, so it works as a relaxed half day instead of a 12-hour marathon. The castle history is incredible. We loved wandering through the ornate rooms and jaw-dropping halls. It’s incredible to wander through an actual functioning castle that the Royal family still uses.
Good to know: Check the castle's opening calendar before booking; it closes for some royal events.
Our favorite tours for exploring London
5. Greenwich
Greenwich feels like a small riverside town inside London. Stand on the Prime Meridian at the Royal Observatory, board the Cutty Sark, and browse Greenwich Market for lunch. The view of the skyline from the top of Greenwich Park is one of the best in the city. This is a great way to spend a half day or a full day exploring this historic borough.
Why we love it: It's an easy half day that feels like a getaway, especially if you arrive by boat. If you like to nerd out like us, visit the Greenwich observatory to visit the Prime Meridian (AKA 0 degrees longitude). While the historic observatory is well worth a visit, be sure to wander the beautiful riverfront and stop in to the National Maritime Museum to learn about all things British Naval History.
Good to know: Pair it with the Thames cruise below and you'll get there the scenic way.
6. Buckingham Palace & the Changing of the Guard
The palace's State Rooms open to visitors only for part of the year, usually summer, and this tour pairs a visit with the Changing of the Guard. Some options add afternoon tea, which is about as British as a day gets.
Why we love it: A guide gets you a good spot for the ceremony, which is otherwise a crowded scramble. Honestly, it feels like quintessential England to see the changing of the guard . Old. Historic. Awesome. We loved watching the ceremony and would highly recommend it for first time visitors or visitors who haven’t experienced it in the past.
Good to know: The Changing of the Guard doesn't run every day, so check the schedule for your dates.
👉 Book the Buckingham Palace tour
7. London in a Day: Tower of London, Westminster Abbey & the Changing of the Guard
On a short trip, this tour packs the city's headline sights into one guided day. You'll see the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London, the coronation church at Westminster Abbey, and the guard ceremony.
Why it's on our list: Entry and logistics are handled for you, which matters most on a first visit or a short layover. If you are short on time and want to pack in the London highlights, this is the tour to take. Expect a long day, but you will get good glimpse of the main tourist attractions, plus you’ll be able to map out places for your next visit!
Good to know: Westminster Abbey is closed to tourists on Sundays except for services.
8. Westminster to Greenwich Thames Cruise
This cruise takes you down the river past Big Ben, the London Eye, St Paul's, Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London before docking in Greenwich. The live commentary adds stories you won't get from a guidebook.
Why we love it: It's the best way to see the city's skyline, and a welcome break for tired feet. Seeing London from the water gives an entirely different perspective and makes for some incredible pictures.
Good to know: Sit outside on the upper deck for photos (and grab a coffee, tea, or a hot toddy), and bring a layer; it's breezy on the water.
9. Warner Bros. Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter
Just outside London in Leavesden, this is where the films were made. Walk through the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, and Platform 9¾, and see the props and costumes up close. If you are a Harry Potter fan or just interested in seeing how movie magic is made, this studio tour offers the behind the scenes experience that will bring back all the nostalgia.
Why it's on our list: We can't wait to walk through the real sets, and the tour includes return transport from central London. This is on our list the next time we visit London. We have heard nothing but glowing reviews about the incredible job the studio does with making you feel like you are stepping into the movies.
Good to know: Tickets sell out weeks ahead, especially in school holidays, so book early.
Tips for booking day tours from London
Book popular tours in advance. Harry Potter, Buckingham Palace, and Stonehenge tours fill up fast in summer and school holidays.
Check the meeting point. Most coach tours leave from Victoria or central London early in the morning, so stay nearby or plan your Tube ride, otherwise you may need to take a frantic taxi to meet the tour on time.
Look for free cancellation. Many Viator tours offer it up to 24 hours before, which helps with unpredictable English weather or if your plans change.
Think about the season. Summer brings long days and the palace opening, while winter means fewer crowds and cozy pub stops but earlier sunsets.
Don't overbook. Leave a free day between big trips to wander London itself. Some of our best memories came from unplanned afternoons.
Price compare between GetYourGuide and Viator. Both partner with tour companies with a wide variety of tours and tour types to choose from.
Day trips from London: FAQ
What is the best day trip from London?
For first-timers, a combined Windsor, Bath and Stonehenge tour covers three of England's most famous sights in one day. This was one of our favorite day tours. If you prefer villages and scenery, Oxford and the Cotswolds is our pick. To be honest, there is no “best” tour, but for iconic England Windsor, Bath, and Stonehenge would be our top pick.
Can you visit Stonehenge and Bath in one day from London?
Yes! While you could rent a car and drive, if driving on the left intimidates you, then we would recommend taking a guided tour. Guided coach tours visit both in a single day of about 12 hours (yes it is a lot of driving), and most include Windsor Castle too. If you are super short on time, you can easily visit Windsor Castle from downtown London, but you will need to take a train or a bus to get there.
Is it better to take a tour or the train for day trips from London?
The train works well for Oxford, Windsor, Canterbury and Greenwich. A tour is easier for Stonehenge and the Cotswolds, which are hard to reach without a car. For Canterbury and Dover, you can take a train, but if you plan to do both, we would recommend taking a guided tour. If you want to visit a single location (Oxford for example) then it would be better to take the train on your own and spend however long you would like. You want to visit multiple destinations or prefer a more structured approach, then a guided tour is worth it for the logistics and time savings.
How far in advance should I book the Harry Potter Studio Tour?
Book several weeks ahead, and earlier for summer or school holidays. Tickets regularly sell out.
What is the closest day trip from London?
Greenwich is the closest. It's within London and easy to reach by Thames cruise, DLR or train. The second closest is Windsor Castle, which you can easily reach by train or bus.
Making the most of your time in London
Every time we go back to London, we find a new neighborhood, a new restaurant, or a new event, and that's what keeps us returning. The city changes with the seasons too: a summer visit and a winter visit feel like two different trips (London has incredible summer markets and festivals and an up and coming Christmas market scene).
You could easily spend your whole vacation wandering London's streets enjoying its rich history and trying every pub with a cool facade. But a day or two outside the city shows you a side of England the big city can't.
We hope these day trips help you make the most of your time in London. Have a favorite we missed? Tell us in the comments!
Planning more of your UK trip? Check out our Favorite Scotland Day Trip posts for Edinburgh and Inverness.
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Planning a London trip? Here are the best day trips from London, from Stonehenge and Bath to the White Cliffs of Dover, with tips and booking links.