By leah jones
London is England's biggest city with many iconic sites and an endless amount of things to do. However, it is also surrounded by incredible towns and landmarks that have their own allure.
Here are some ideas for easy day trips from London that are well-connected by train and only about two hours or less from London.
30-40 minutes by train from London is Windsor. The town is located on the River Thames and home to Windsor Castle, a residence of the Royal family.
Cambridge, one hour from London by train, is a majestic town with its incredible historic buildings, museums and gothic architecture like at King's College Chapel.
The “City of Dreaming spires” is about one hour from London. Waiting for you is the iconic Oxford University campus, the 17th century Ashmolean Museum, filming locations from Harry Potter and more.
Visit this seaside resort town for an escape from the city in only one hour by train. Take a visit to the beloved Brighton Pier and the ornate Royal Pavilion then do some quirky shopping in The Lanes.
Like its name suggests, this city has Roman baths such as the renowned Thermae Bath Spa. You can also check out the Jane Austen Center, just 1.5 hours from London.
Atop the Salisbury Plain is the UNESCO world heritage site Stonehenge. Visit this famous landmark by train from London to Salisbury in about 1.5 hours and then another 20 to Stonehenge.
If you love history, take a day trip an hour from London by train to Canterbury. Here you can get immersed in the UNESCO world heritage listed Canterbury Cathedral, the centuries old St Augustine’s Abbey and more.
Stratford-upon-Avon and its Tudor-style buildings are only two hours away from London by train. Visit this town to see Shakespeare's birthplace and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
The Cotswolds consists of stone-covered villages like Bourton-on-the-Water, peaceful walking trails and charming pubs that feel quintessentially English. Get there in about 1.5-2 hours by train.
Only 35 minutes from London is the Hampton Court Palace or the gorgeous Tudor palace of the (in)famous King Henry VIII with its lavish gardens and iconic hedge maze.