11 Day Trips from London (under 1h by train)

Looking for day trips from London which don't need a car? Here are the best day trips from London which take under 1 hour by train!

Getting There: It is under 30 minutes from London Bridge station (direct train)

A market was first established at Sevenoaks back in the 13th century. It's also where you find Knole Park: In 1456, the Archbishop of Canterbury purchased the estate and built Knole House there, now one of the 5 largest houses in England.

The house has since been owned by various Tudor monarchs, including Henry VIII before the Sackville family took over in the early 17th century. It is surrounded by a free-to-enter 1000-acre medieval deer park, though entry to the house is ticketed.

Where to Eat: Dulce’s Patisserie is a good place for fancier sweet treats, while Sevenoaks Bookshop has a hidden cafe that serves £2.50 cakes and £2.90 tea to enjoy amongst the books. (Dulce's Patisserie has a host of Goos Taste Awards but I'll be honest and say the cake didn't really blow me away.)

Or why not get a pint of Kentish beer from The Restoration Pub, which also dates back to the 1616.

Getting there: There is a direct train from London Bridge, London Blackfriars, Farringdon, St Pancras and West Hampstead. In fact, it's only 1 hour from West Hampstead!

St Albans has Roman Ruins as well as a nice High Street, with both independent shops and chains. I also recommend Sunday roast at a gastropub.

Getting there: You can get to Greenwich in various ways, but my favorite is by boat. It's also the most pricey so if you want to save money, you can take a bus, tube or train.

There is SO much to do at Greenwich- the town centre, Royal Park, and some institutional buildings are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The walks by the river are beautiful, there are vintage markets (also Greenwich Market, which doesn't sell just vintage), the beautiful Painted Hall (see above).... so you really have your pick of things to do!

Getting There: Direct train from London Bridge

Unlike Sevenoaks, Royal Tunbridge Wells has a real community feel and is not just a London commuter town.

Don't miss the Pantiles, a lovely Georgian colonnaded walkway.

Getting there: Direct train from London Waterloo.

The main claim to fame is Windsor Castle. You're not allowed to take photos of the inside of the castle- only the grounds- so you'll have to visit if you want to see it for yourself! The ticket is pretty pricey (£30+)

Although Windsor town is not bad, I personally find it much too busy. The nearby Eton is quieter and much cuter- definitely worth a visit!

Getting There: One of the most popular day trips from London, you can reach Oxford by direct train from London Paddington.

This University town is a must- visit for fans of English Literature, as Oxford was home to J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis. Percy Shelley (Romantic poet), Oscar Wilde, Lewis Carroll (Alice in Wonderland) and more.

If you're deciding between a day trip to Cambridge or Oxford, there's slightly more to do in Oxford, so can be kept for a longer weekend trip.

Getting There: This University town is only 50 minutes from Kings Cross (direct train.)

Cambridge is a great place to punt down the river (in a flat bottomed boat), enjoy the stunning architecture, or bike round town.

Tip: visit in June to catch the spectacular May Ball fireworks!

Getting There: Direct train from London Bridge

The White cliffs of Dover, need I say more?!

Having said that, Dover works better as a day trip for people who enjoy nature and is less suited for people who are looking for a nice town centre to explore/ shopping.

The village is very quiet, with not many shops and restaurants.

It's a good day out from London if you're interested in visiting Hampton Court Palace or experiencing a quiet day away from the London crowds and taking a walk along the river. Otherwise, there's not much else to do in the area.

Getting there: There are direct trains from London Victoria (58 minutes), Gatwick Airport and London Bridge (1h 3-8 minutes).

Brighton is a quirky seaside town south of London where you can also find lots of independent shops.

I've been visiting since I was 4 years old and love the arts scene which some call "hippie." Just know that if you're looking for a quiet escape, Brighton may not be the place for you- it's quite packed with tourists!

Getting There: There are 2 train stations in Canterbury that you can get to by direct train from London, so choose the one that's closest to where you stay. (e.g. London bridge (journey time: 1 h 7min) or St Pancras International (51 min).)

Home to England's oldest cathedral, Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury is part of many pilgrimage treks.

Unmissable for Harry Potter fans!

Any questions about the best day trips from London by public transport? Let me know in the comments!