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While London itself is amazing, there are also so many fantastic places nearby that make really wonderful day trips. For a first time visit to England with kids, I highly recommend leaving at least a couple days for the best London day trips to get out of the city and experience something a bit different.
Here are some of the very best day trips from London with kids – all are accessible enough to manage in a day, and have plenty to do for a variety of ages!
A day in Bath is a perennial favorite for visitors to London, including and especially families. With beautiful architecture, fun tours & playgrounds, and lots of green space, it’s perfect for travelers with kids. For a day trip to Bath from London, see our full Bath Day Trip Itinerary with Kids.
About 1h40 by train, 2h30 by car
If you’re staying overnight in Bath, here are a few options for accommodations with kids:
Turns out Oxford is far more than just a spot for the highly educated. There’s tons to do for families, and the city is beautiful to walk around. Things to do in Oxford with kids: If you have Harry Potter lovers, don’t miss taking the HP-themed tour – it’s really excellent and so fun to see places the movies were filmed. The Ashmolean Museum of Art & Archaeology is highly regarded and perfect for any budding paleontologists, as is the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. Spend some time walking around the university botanic garden, visit Christ Church for Evensong and see the dining hall, take a photo with the Bridge of Sighs, and step into the awe-inspiring Bodleian Library. Highly recommend a London day trip to Oxford with kids!
About 1h by train, 2h by car
If you decide to stay in Oxford longer, here are a few family-friendly accommodations:
Portsmouth might just be the best hidden gem for families that’s near to London. I had heard of the HMS Victory, who served as Lord Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar and in the American War of Independence, and is also the world’s oldest commissioned naval vessel. So we visited the Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth intending to visit the ship, but imagine our shock when we found a whole host of incredible ships and museums to visit all included in the same ticket.
By the recommendation of one of the employees in historic dress, we headed over to the Mary Rose Museum knowing nothing about it, and were amazed to discover that it quickly became one of the best museums we’ve ever visited as a family. The recovered vessel is displayed in the museum over 3 levels, surrounded by many interactive and kid-friendly displays of perfectly-preserved artifacts. Be sure to add it to your list of places to go in Portsmouth!
The whole area was an absolute gem and we can’t wait to return as a family!
2h15 via train, 2h30 by car
If you want to make it a Portsmouth weekend check out these places to stay, including boutique hotels in Portsmouth:
If you’re looking for nature with a side of adorable ponies, New Forest is the place to go. It’s hard to believe this gorgeously green area filled with walks and adventures is only a couple hours from London. New Forest is high on our list of best national parks for family vacations and best national park road trips for families. We loved walking around viewing ponies (all technically owned in common by the residents), visiting the delightful Furzey Gardens to hunt for fairy houses, and to adventure around the incredible playground trail at Moors Valley Country Park.
While you can get to this area via train, it’s much more complicated to explore the many different areas, so I highly recommend renting a car. About 2-2.5h from London depending on where you head.
If you’re not up for camping New Forest National Park, check out these family-friendly accommodations:
If you’re looking for an easy seaside escape, Brighton is a great choice. For things to do in Brighton with kids: Head to the beach & pier, poke around the town’s museums, experience the aquarium, and check out the world’s oldest electric train line. The kids will love getting ice creams, running in the sand, and taking some rides! A day trip to Brighton with kids makes for the perfect adventure!
About 2 hours by train, and a few minutes more by car
To stay overnight in Brighton with kids, check out these options for places to stay:
The first time I saw the White Cliffs, I was surprised at how impressive they really area – it’s such a beautiful spot! A London to Dover day trip is a memorable UK road trip with kids. There are a number of trails on top of the White Cliffs that are perfect for walking and observing the gorgeous coastline. After getting your fill of nature, check out some of these Dover attractions: head off to explore an abandoned fortress, visit the castle, or head over to the Dover Transport Museum. There’s plenty of family-friendly activities for a London day trip to Dover!
About 1h15 hours by train, and about 2.5 by car
A few ideas if you’re staying overnight in Dover with kids:
A visit to Shakespeare’s birthplace might not sound very exciting, but Stratford is actually a lovely place for a family visit. For family-friendly activities in Stratford, Mary Arden’s Farm is a wonderful place to visit – it’s the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust’s offering specifically geared to families. Come for nature trails, farm animals, presentations, and more. Bancroft Gardens is also perfect for a run around, and there’s also a small ferry, canal boats, and ducks. Finally, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre often has family-friendly programming – don’t forget to head up the tower for your London to Stratford-upon-Avon day trip!
About 2.5 hours by train or car
Some family-friendly options if you’re staying overnight or for a weekend in Stratford with kids:
Eastbourne is wonderful for any families looking to explore coastal nature – hiking the Seven Sisters trail is a true natural beauty in England. There are trails for various fitness levels and amounts of time, from a short 3.5 mile trail from the visitor center to Birling Gap, or the 8 mile circular walk. For smaller visitors, the Miniature Steam Railway Adventure Park is a great choice, and Beachy Head is a lovely place to explore. Below are a few more attractions in Eastbourne UK to check out with kids!
About 2h by train, 2h30 by car
For a weekend in Eastbourne, there are some lovely options for family-friendly accommodations:
There are few more quintessentially beautifully English towns than Cambridge. A few ideas for a Cambridge day trip with kids: You can’t miss punting on the river (if you’re adventurous, you can try yourself, or have a guide take you), and explore the market and Fitzwilliam Museum. Don’t forget to stop into Fitzbillies for a bun – it’s very much steeped in the tradition there.
About 1h by train, 2h by car
Top family-friendly accommodations in Cambridge:
Windsor castle is one of our favorites to visit – there’s just so much to see! The audio tour is fantastic, and there are tons of family-friendly activities. Don’t miss watching the guards march, stop into St. George’s Chapel (where Harry & Meghan were married), and take some time to explore the sweets and antiques shops in town. You’ll love a London to Windsor adventure with kids!
About 1.5 by train, 1.5 by car
Henry VIII’s beloved home where all 6 of his wives lived is a perfect spot for a family day out. The rooms themselves are fun to tour and have a great family audio guide, but the grounds are really what make the visit even better. Check if any special events are taking place – jousts, ice skating, falconry displays, and more are common and very exciting. It’s also very close to London and easy to access a day trip to Hampton Court!
About 1h by train,1.5h by car
Where to stay in Hampton Court with kids:
If you have anyone who is even a moderate Harry Potter fan, visiting the Harry Potter Studio location is an absolute must. It’s incredible seeing the actual sets used and to learn the behind-the-scenes work that went into every detail. Getting close ups of goblin masks and getting to be involved in interactive activities like riding the Hogwarts Express and picking up a broom are, well, magical.
You can book a tour that provides transportation, or take public transit there.
There are lots more fantastic options that are great for wandering in nature and cute village settings. Some excellent ones are Whitstable (darling seaside town), Deal (food & markets), and Ashdown Forest (home of Winnie the Pooh filled with green space & bluebells).
You’ll notice I actually did NOT put the Cotswolds on here, which is unusual – while it’s a really lovely area, my unpopular opinion is that the classic towns are honestly not that interesting for kids (or some adults, ahem). There’s a lot of walking between shops, stopping into different cafes and restaurants, and simply admiring how cute they are. While I think it would make a lovely couples’ or girls’ trip, the typical Cotswolds towns are not my favorites for families. That said, there are plenty of parks and nature areas contained within the Cotswolds (even Stratford, included in this list, is on the northern edge of the Cotswolds). I think those are great for families if you’d like to rent a car and explore!
