Day trips from London
Feb 9th, 2019, 05:18 AM
#1
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Day trips from London
Hello,
I am planning my late April trip to London (my fourth trip) and would like to include several day trips. I would certainly prefer less than two hours train ride from London (one way).
Here are the trips that my husband and I have already done in 2014 and before. And we had done a wonderful trip to York and Scotland in September 2018.
We have been to Bath, Oxford, Cambridge, Salisbury and Stonehenge, Dover Castle and White Cliffs of Dover, Hampton Court, Windsor and Eton, St.Albans. We had also spent a whole day in Greenwich.
Here is what I am planning to include and am open to suggestions:
1. Leeds Castle (this one is on my list for sure)
2. Revisit Hampton Court (would love to do it, if time permits)
3. Arundel Castle - is it worth it? I could be wrong, but I heard that it has become a bit of an amusement park.
4. Winchester - this trip is a must for the Cathedral and
Wolvesay Castle. Good idea?
5. Would love to go to Chester, but the train ride takes at least 2 hours, so I will be losing good four hours of sightseeing on that day.
I have nine full days in London to play with on my solo trip (husband is taking a break from Europe this year and will be staying home). Have some fabulous things planned for London already, but that would be in another post, where I will seek your advice on some exciting things to do in my favorite city.
Thank you so much!
I am planning my late April trip to London (my fourth trip) and would like to include several day trips. I would certainly prefer less than two hours train ride from London (one way).
Here are the trips that my husband and I have already done in 2014 and before. And we had done a wonderful trip to York and Scotland in September 2018.
We have been to Bath, Oxford, Cambridge, Salisbury and Stonehenge, Dover Castle and White Cliffs of Dover, Hampton Court, Windsor and Eton, St.Albans. We had also spent a whole day in Greenwich.
Here is what I am planning to include and am open to suggestions:
1. Leeds Castle (this one is on my list for sure)
2. Revisit Hampton Court (would love to do it, if time permits)
3. Arundel Castle - is it worth it? I could be wrong, but I heard that it has become a bit of an amusement park.
4. Winchester - this trip is a must for the Cathedral and
Wolvesay Castle. Good idea?
5. Would love to go to Chester, but the train ride takes at least 2 hours, so I will be losing good four hours of sightseeing on that day.
I have nine full days in London to play with on my solo trip (husband is taking a break from Europe this year and will be staying home). Have some fabulous things planned for London already, but that would be in another post, where I will seek your advice on some exciting things to do in my favorite city.
Thank you so much!
Feb 9th, 2019, 05:53 AM
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Canterbury
Thank you!!! Brighton is planned for another visit to London when my husband will be joining me.
Canterbury was on my list forever. First, we wanted to combine it with our trip to Dover, but we unexpectedly spent the whole day exploring Dover Castle - too much to see and explore there. This time I was planning to combine it with my visit to Leeds Castle, but I think my day trip would be too rushed if I include both.
Maybe to skip Chester this time and go to Canterbury instead?
Thank you again!
Canterbury was on my list forever. First, we wanted to combine it with our trip to Dover, but we unexpectedly spent the whole day exploring Dover Castle - too much to see and explore there. This time I was planning to combine it with my visit to Leeds Castle, but I think my day trip would be too rushed if I include both.
Maybe to skip Chester this time and go to Canterbury instead?
Thank you again!
Feb 9th, 2019, 06:36 AM
#5
Here's a ringing endorsement for Winchester. The following is an excerpt from a trip report I wrote:
"Next morning we passed through Kingsgate, under tiny St Swithin’s Church, around the close and into Winchester Cathedral. This is a simply astounding place. Winchester was the ancient capital of England under the Saxon kings, and for a period under the Normans. Construction started in 1079 (the early Norman style was replaced with fine Gothic work in the 14th and 15th centuries). In addition to the architectural details you can examine archaeological finds from various epochs, see the mortuary chests containing the bones of early royalty, including King Canute, the 12th century Winchester Bible, a fine old library with two 17th century globes (one of which shows California as an island), a chapel in the south transept dedicated to Isaac Walton, author of “The Compleat Angler” where a corner of the stained glass window shows the master at rest on the banks of the Itchen, with the quote “Study to be quiet,” another showing him on the banks of the Dove with Charles Cotton, and his grave, where some anglers are said to touch fishing hooks to the stone in hopes of acquiring some ju-ju, the grave of Jane Austen, and another memorial which brought to mind present times, dedicated to one Edward Henry Le Marchant, who died at age 45 in 1899, “shot by a fanatic in Peshawur.” We spent over two hours in the cathedral.
Uptown we visited the Great Hall, with its supposed Round Table of King Arthur, site of the bloody assizes under Lord Jeffries (you might remember the scene from “Captain Blood”). Then downtown for a late and quick lunch, further past the statue of King Alfred, crossd the bridge over the river Itchen where we saw a brown trout finning in his lie, past a splendid half-timber building housing a restaurant called the Chesil Rectory, through the ruins of Wolvesey Castle, and out along the river to the water meadows, with Winchester College on our right. We saw an otter (much despised by Walton) swim to our side of the stream and disappear under the bank, which made my wife a bit uncomfortable.
Our final stop was Winchester College, founded in the 14th Century by Bishop William of Wykeham, where we caught the last tour of the day. Our guide was a charming woman whose son had been a day boy there. She brought us by the quarters where the scholars live, the classrooms where they and the commoners study, the chapel with its wooden fan vaults and Fromond’s Chantry with its beautiful cloisters where even today classes are held in summer. We saw the perfect servant, a college mascot, and the school’s motto “Manners Makyth Man.” . . . Our guide had tremendous verve -- she completed each stop by directing us on, then charging before us, her blue cape flowing behind. I was reminded of Maggie Smith’s performance in “Lettice and Lovage” which we saw in London long ago. Should you ever visit Winchester, do not miss a tour of the college. We returned to our hotel past the pale yellow house where Jane Austen died."
"Next morning we passed through Kingsgate, under tiny St Swithin’s Church, around the close and into Winchester Cathedral. This is a simply astounding place. Winchester was the ancient capital of England under the Saxon kings, and for a period under the Normans. Construction started in 1079 (the early Norman style was replaced with fine Gothic work in the 14th and 15th centuries). In addition to the architectural details you can examine archaeological finds from various epochs, see the mortuary chests containing the bones of early royalty, including King Canute, the 12th century Winchester Bible, a fine old library with two 17th century globes (one of which shows California as an island), a chapel in the south transept dedicated to Isaac Walton, author of “The Compleat Angler” where a corner of the stained glass window shows the master at rest on the banks of the Itchen, with the quote “Study to be quiet,” another showing him on the banks of the Dove with Charles Cotton, and his grave, where some anglers are said to touch fishing hooks to the stone in hopes of acquiring some ju-ju, the grave of Jane Austen, and another memorial which brought to mind present times, dedicated to one Edward Henry Le Marchant, who died at age 45 in 1899, “shot by a fanatic in Peshawur.” We spent over two hours in the cathedral.
Uptown we visited the Great Hall, with its supposed Round Table of King Arthur, site of the bloody assizes under Lord Jeffries (you might remember the scene from “Captain Blood”). Then downtown for a late and quick lunch, further past the statue of King Alfred, crossd the bridge over the river Itchen where we saw a brown trout finning in his lie, past a splendid half-timber building housing a restaurant called the Chesil Rectory, through the ruins of Wolvesey Castle, and out along the river to the water meadows, with Winchester College on our right. We saw an otter (much despised by Walton) swim to our side of the stream and disappear under the bank, which made my wife a bit uncomfortable.
Our final stop was Winchester College, founded in the 14th Century by Bishop William of Wykeham, where we caught the last tour of the day. Our guide was a charming woman whose son had been a day boy there. She brought us by the quarters where the scholars live, the classrooms where they and the commoners study, the chapel with its wooden fan vaults and Fromond’s Chantry with its beautiful cloisters where even today classes are held in summer. We saw the perfect servant, a college mascot, and the school’s motto “Manners Makyth Man.” . . . Our guide had tremendous verve -- she completed each stop by directing us on, then charging before us, her blue cape flowing behind. I was reminded of Maggie Smith’s performance in “Lettice and Lovage” which we saw in London long ago. Should you ever visit Winchester, do not miss a tour of the college. We returned to our hotel past the pale yellow house where Jane Austen died."
Feb 9th, 2019, 06:54 AM
#6
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Another endorsement for Winchester.
We also enjoyed Canterbury, although we did arrive there with a car, not via train.
We loved Chester, too, but it also was with a car, on our way from Ruthin to Manchester, last day of an almost 3 week trip last June. I'd save it.
We also enjoyed Canterbury, although we did arrive there with a car, not via train.
We loved Chester, too, but it also was with a car, on our way from Ruthin to Manchester, last day of an almost 3 week trip last June. I'd save it.
Feb 9th, 2019, 07:11 AM
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Winchester and Canterbury
Winchester and Canterbury are the winners! Fra Diavolo’s trip report inspired me. Thanks a million!
Still not sure about Arundel. In the future, we want to go to Stratford upon Avon and Warwick staying overnight. I can skip Arundel in favor of Chester or maybe Rye. Does it make sense?
We stayed for two nights in York in September last year and I am still wandering in York Minster in my dreams. We fell in love with York... I really regret we did not stay for two nights in Bath, another passion of mine.
I cannot thank you enough for your wonderful advice!
Still not sure about Arundel. In the future, we want to go to Stratford upon Avon and Warwick staying overnight. I can skip Arundel in favor of Chester or maybe Rye. Does it make sense?
We stayed for two nights in York in September last year and I am still wandering in York Minster in my dreams. We fell in love with York... I really regret we did not stay for two nights in Bath, another passion of mine.
I cannot thank you enough for your wonderful advice!
Feb 9th, 2019, 07:22 AM
#8
>>1. Leeds Castle (this one is on my list for sure)<<
Not quite sure what you expect from Leeds Castle but me personally . . . I'd definitely put Hampton Court at number 1, and Winchester also well above Leeds C. on my wish list. Warwick, Arundel, Brighton etc would also top Leeds. Leeds is a 'pretty' castle, has lovely grounds, but there isn't much there there. It really is primarily a wedding/conference venue.
Have you considered Hever? Edenbridge is a 40 minute train ride from London Bridge and then a 2 or 3 mile taxi ride from there (or it is walkable)
Or Knole - about 1.5 miles from Sevenoaks which is a 35 minute train ride fro Charing Cross
Or IN London -- Eltham Palace which is a 25 minute local train ride from central London.
Not quite sure what you expect from Leeds Castle but me personally . . . I'd definitely put Hampton Court at number 1, and Winchester also well above Leeds C. on my wish list. Warwick, Arundel, Brighton etc would also top Leeds. Leeds is a 'pretty' castle, has lovely grounds, but there isn't much there there. It really is primarily a wedding/conference venue.
Have you considered Hever? Edenbridge is a 40 minute train ride from London Bridge and then a 2 or 3 mile taxi ride from there (or it is walkable)
Or Knole - about 1.5 miles from Sevenoaks which is a 35 minute train ride fro Charing Cross
Or IN London -- Eltham Palace which is a 25 minute local train ride from central London.
Feb 9th, 2019, 07:39 AM
#9
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Hever Castle
Thank you, Janisj! I was looking at Sevenoaks... beautiful stately homes there.
Eltham Palace is a great suggestion. Researching now.
Leeds Castle and maybe Hever Castle are very weather dependent... I can book cheap train tickets now, but what if it will be pouring rain on that day?
My husband and I had been to Hampton Court and it definitely tops my list as well. I would love to revisit, if I have some time left. The problem is that my schedule in London itself is very busy, so I am struggling to fit everything I want to see in nine days.
Eltham Palace is a great suggestion. Researching now.
Leeds Castle and maybe Hever Castle are very weather dependent... I can book cheap train tickets now, but what if it will be pouring rain on that day?
My husband and I had been to Hampton Court and it definitely tops my list as well. I would love to revisit, if I have some time left. The problem is that my schedule in London itself is very busy, so I am struggling to fit everything I want to see in nine days.
Last edited by vinonobile987; Feb 9th, 2019 at 07:42 AM.
Feb 9th, 2019, 07:59 AM
#10
Oh - I misunderstood that you had been to HCP before. So It can go farther down your list and fit in a re-visit if you can.
>>Leeds Castle and maybe Hever Castle are very weather dependent... I can book cheap train tickets now, but what if it will be pouring rain on that day?<<
London to Edenbridge is only about £13 no matter when you book even at the station as the train is pulling up.
Sevenoaks is about the same or even 10 or 20 pence less.
Absolutely no reason to pre-book either one
>>Leeds Castle and maybe Hever Castle are very weather dependent... I can book cheap train tickets now, but what if it will be pouring rain on that day?<<
London to Edenbridge is only about £13 no matter when you book even at the station as the train is pulling up.
Sevenoaks is about the same or even 10 or 20 pence less.
Absolutely no reason to pre-book either one
Feb 9th, 2019, 08:21 AM
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Prebooking Train tickets
This is wonderful, Janisj! We usually plan our day trips from London, but do not tie them to a specific day because of all the weather surprises. I know we pay extra for train tickets by doing that, but at least we managed to enjoy fantastic weather on all our trips.
Eltam Castle looks wonderful, so I will most likely go there and maybe add another attraction in London for that day.
The beauty of traveling solo - I do what I want, I play it by ear, I spend as much time as I need exploring art: a full day in the National Gallery (second visit) and National Portrait Gallery (first visit) is already planned and then off to the ROH for the “Romeo and Juliet”...
I had done a fabulous solo trip to Paris last year (on business but with plenty of my own free time as well), went to NYC on my own last month and loved it... Solo trips are really not too bad, if you know the city you are going to.
Eltam Castle looks wonderful, so I will most likely go there and maybe add another attraction in London for that day.
The beauty of traveling solo - I do what I want, I play it by ear, I spend as much time as I need exploring art: a full day in the National Gallery (second visit) and National Portrait Gallery (first visit) is already planned and then off to the ROH for the “Romeo and Juliet”...
I had done a fabulous solo trip to Paris last year (on business but with plenty of my own free time as well), went to NYC on my own last month and loved it... Solo trips are really not too bad, if you know the city you are going to.
Feb 9th, 2019, 09:13 AM
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Have you been to Hatfield House? If not, I would recommend it. Really easy to get to from London, 30mins from Kings Cross. The House is right opposite the station.
House | Hatfield House
Ham House might also be interesting, its close to Richmond which is a very nice area of London, if you like gardens, Kew Gardens is worth a visit
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ham-house-and-garden
https://www.kew.org/
House | Hatfield House
Ham House might also be interesting, its close to Richmond which is a very nice area of London, if you like gardens, Kew Gardens is worth a visit
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ham-house-and-garden
https://www.kew.org/
Feb 9th, 2019, 09:19 AM
#13
>>I know we pay extra for train tickets by doing that<<
That applies to longer distance train tix (like probably Bath on one of your previous visits. But those trip it Motingham (for Eltham), Sevenoaks, etc) are really commuter trains/distances not costly at all.
If you are going to the ROH right after visiting the National Portrait Gallery -- you might looking into booking the Portrait Restaurant's pre-theatre dinners. Terrific views, really good food and service, and quite close to Covent Garden.
That applies to longer distance train tix (like probably Bath on one of your previous visits. But those trip it Motingham (for Eltham), Sevenoaks, etc) are really commuter trains/distances not costly at all.
If you are going to the ROH right after visiting the National Portrait Gallery -- you might looking into booking the Portrait Restaurant's pre-theatre dinners. Terrific views, really good food and service, and quite close to Covent Garden.
Feb 9th, 2019, 09:23 AM
#14
Didn't see Odin's post -- Hatfield House and/or Ham House are quite good ideas
Also have you been to Kenwood House on Hampstead Heath? f it is a nice day you could walk up from Hampstead across Parliament Hill (Wonderful views across all of London), to Kenwood and then a late lunch or early dinner at the Spaniard's in walking back down into Hampstead.
(See - you have to add 10 days to your trip
)
Also have you been to Kenwood House on Hampstead Heath? f it is a nice day you could walk up from Hampstead across Parliament Hill (Wonderful views across all of London), to Kenwood and then a late lunch or early dinner at the Spaniard's in walking back down into Hampstead.
(See - you have to add 10 days to your trip
)
Feb 9th, 2019, 09:58 AM
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Hatfield House, Ham House, Kenwood House
Hatfield House, Ham House, Kenwood House - all look gorgeous and I am definitely skipping Arundel in favor of one or two of them. Thanks a million!
And a pre-opera dinner at the Potrait Restaurant sounds great. I am not too used of eating alone in good restaurants though... When I travel alone, I usually grab something quick, but it is just a habit which I am more than willing to change.
Great advice for the train tickets purchase, Janis. It makes my plans more flexible.
Interesting that I booked really good seat for £106 at the ROH. The same seat at the Met Opera or Lincoln Center in NYC would have cost me at least $250.
Now booking my ticket for the “Price” with David Suchet. I loved his performance in the “The Way We Live Now” TV series.
And a pre-opera dinner at the Potrait Restaurant sounds great. I am not too used of eating alone in good restaurants though... When I travel alone, I usually grab something quick, but it is just a habit which I am more than willing to change.
Great advice for the train tickets purchase, Janis. It makes my plans more flexible.
Interesting that I booked really good seat for £106 at the ROH. The same seat at the Met Opera or Lincoln Center in NYC would have cost me at least $250.
Now booking my ticket for the “Price” with David Suchet. I loved his performance in the “The Way We Live Now” TV series.
Feb 9th, 2019, 10:21 AM
#16
Probably 3/4 of my travel is solo and I try to have at least a few upscale to very upscale meals every trip. In London I 'eat posh' many evenings but some of the top tier places won't take a booking for one. The Portrait doesn't blink an eye -- I've eaten there probably 8 times or more over the years. Another place in the same area is L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon -- singles are usually put at the bar but that is great because it is an open kitchen and it is a great place to sit. And Outlaw's at the Capitol is wonderful for solo diners -- a VERY nice room. Also done single bookings at the Ivy -- but I seem to recall last time I checked the website only allowed for 2 or more. Probably a phone call would work though. The Wolseley always accepts singles.
The nice restaurants at the galleries and museums (the Portrait, the Rex Whistler @ Tate Britain, Level 9 @ Tate Modern, etc) will all take single bookings. And the nice venues in all the Department stores
(I had to lie my way into Gordon Ramsay Hospital Road -- could only book for 2 and when I arrived it was unfortunate "your friend had to return to the States unexpectedly. . . but sorry we'll have to charge you £200 for the no-show"
. But in the end they didn't and it was never mentioned again.)
The nice restaurants at the galleries and museums (the Portrait, the Rex Whistler @ Tate Britain, Level 9 @ Tate Modern, etc) will all take single bookings. And the nice venues in all the Department stores
(I had to lie my way into Gordon Ramsay Hospital Road -- could only book for 2 and when I arrived it was unfortunate "your friend had to return to the States unexpectedly. . . but sorry we'll have to charge you £200 for the no-show"
. But in the end they didn't and it was never mentioned again.)
Feb 9th, 2019, 10:30 AM
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Great dinner suggestions
I am very tempted to change my “eating solo” habits after reading your post, Janis😊.
Actually, my favorite places to eat are in the museums. I had a fabulous lunch at the “Cafe Campana” in Musee D’Orsay in Paris, terrific lunch at the National Gallery in Washington and a nice one at the Met. In my home town (Boston, MA - US) we have a fabulous cafe at the Museum of Fine Arts and a good one at the Isabella Gardner Museum. It is always so atmospheric and convenient...
I am going to Tate Modern this time - never been.
Actually, my favorite places to eat are in the museums. I had a fabulous lunch at the “Cafe Campana” in Musee D’Orsay in Paris, terrific lunch at the National Gallery in Washington and a nice one at the Met. In my home town (Boston, MA - US) we have a fabulous cafe at the Museum of Fine Arts and a good one at the Isabella Gardner Museum. It is always so atmospheric and convenient...
I am going to Tate Modern this time - never been.
Feb 9th, 2019, 11:53 AM
#18
" Wolvesay Castle " I live not far from Winchester, and have always found this to be somewhat of a disappointment. You mention Arundal castle, and doubts over it becoming an amusement park - If you want a "pure" Castle, can I recommend Portchester?
It is less than an hour from Winchester - a direct train and about half a mile walk. It is a slab sided Norman Keep within the Roman walls. The audio guide is very quirky - the whole tour narrated by two ghosts, one English, one French (It sounds ludicrous, but it is very well done, and quite funny at times).
It is less than an hour from Winchester - a direct train and about half a mile walk. It is a slab sided Norman Keep within the Roman walls. The audio guide is very quirky - the whole tour narrated by two ghosts, one English, one French (It sounds ludicrous, but it is very well done, and quite funny at times).
Feb 10th, 2019, 05:17 AM
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I love Winchester, I used to work there on occasions and ran many of my cases at the Crown Court. I loved taking my lunch break touring the Great Hall and never tire of it, it's certanly a city I recommend as a day trip.
I don't think Arundel Castle has turned into a theme park of sorts. Sure, they've tried to make it more engaging and interesting for children but it's certainly not in the same vein as Warwick Castle.
I also completely agree with the suggestion about Portchester Castle. Fortunately for me I only live 15 minutes away and have probably overdone it with ny visits however it can easily be combined with a visit to Portsmouth in general, mainly a trip to the excellent Historic Dockyard.
I don't think Arundel Castle has turned into a theme park of sorts. Sure, they've tried to make it more engaging and interesting for children but it's certainly not in the same vein as Warwick Castle.
I also completely agree with the suggestion about Portchester Castle. Fortunately for me I only live 15 minutes away and have probably overdone it with ny visits however it can easily be combined with a visit to Portsmouth in general, mainly a trip to the excellent Historic Dockyard.
