3 Brilliant Train Day Trips from London (Tried and Tested)

The best train day trips from London are closer than you think.

No driving, no parking, no stress. Just a train ticket and a whole day to explore!

As a Brit living in the US, and a full-time travel advisor helping clients explore more of the UK, here are three of my favourite train day trips from London I always recommend.

1. Canterbury – Best Train Day Trip From London (For History Buffs)

First up on my list of the three best train day trips from London is Canterbury.

It’s a great option for people who love history and architecture.

It’s also a great option for first-time UK visitors looking for an easy, no-fuss day trip to add to their London itinerary.

How To Get To Canterbury From London

Why Is Canterbury One of the Best Train Day Trips from London?

Canterbury is in the English county of Kent, about 60 miles southeast of London.

It’s close enough for an day trip, but far enough away to feel completely different.

The direct train from London St. Pancras makes getting to and from Canterbury really easy.

You’ll arrive in time for a late breakfast (read on for my recommendations on where to eat), and be back in London for dinner!

The city of Canterbury has been capturing imaginations for over 600 years.

It’s famous as the setting of the 14th-century English literary masterpiece, The Canterbury Tales, by Chaucer.

As you walk around its medieval streets you’ll feel some of that history, for sure!

Canterbury is also home to one of England’s greatest cathedrals – a must-see!

Top Things to Do in Canterbury

• Visit Canterbury Cathedral – either take a guided tour or allow 90 minutes to explore.
• Walk the medieval city walls.
• Explore the Canterbury Roman Museum.
• Wander around the independent shops and cafes along Palace Street.
• Stroll through the Franciscan Gardens – a real hidden gem in Canterbury!

Don’t Miss…

Don’t leave Canterbury without checking out the Westgate Towers & Viewpoint.

This is the largest surviving medieval gateway in England.

There’s also a stretch of the original Roman city wall nearby.

Both are free to visit and worth checking out.

Best Tours in Canterbury

Best Places to Eat in Canterbury

Since this is a train day trip from London, you’ll want to know where to eat and drink.

Here are a few places I always recommend.

• The Goods Shed is my top pick. It’s a daily farmers’ market and restaurant in a converted railway shed just outside the city walls.
• The Coffee Corner on Dunstan’s Street is a great spot for breakfast or lunch, and of course, coffee!
• Tiny Tim’s Tearoom (the name makes smile!) is a Canterbury institution and a good place if you’re looking for a traditional English afternoon tea.

2. Brighton – Best Train Day Trip From London (For Coastal Views)

Second on my list of the best train day trips from London is Brighton.

Brighton is the perfect choice for anyone longing for a bit of sea air, great seafood, and a buzzing community feel.

It’s not your traditional English seaside town. In my opinion, it’s better.

How To Get To Brighton From London

Why Is Brighton One of the Best Train Day Trips from London?

Brighton sits on the East Sussex coast, just 50 miles south of London.

This means Brighton is one of the fastest and easiest train day trips on this list.

Brighton has been one of England’s most beloved seaside escapes since the Prince Regent built his lavish pleasure palace, the Royal Pavilion, here in the early 1800s.

That pleasure-seeking spirit has never really left Brighton.

It’s exactly what makes a day trip here feel different from other UK seaside towns.

Fast, frequent trains from Victoria and Blackfriars mean you can be breathing in the salty sea air in under an hour!

Insider Tip: Brighton is best visited on a weekday. Weekends, especially in summer, draw big crowds from London – so if you can go midweek, I highly recommend it.

Best Things To Do in Brighton

• Walk the iconic Brighton Pier and seafront promenade.
• Explore The Lanes (former 16th century fishing lanes) filled with independent shops, cafes and hidden courtyards.
• Visit the Royal Pavilion & Garden – allow at least an hour to explore this Indian-style palace with Chinese-inspired interiors.
• Eat fish and chips on the pebble beach! Pick up a Fish Supper (with or without a side of mushy peas!) at RYBKA (the fish likes to swim). The fish is responsibly sourced and their chips are delicious.
• Browse the North Laine neighborhood for bohemian, vintage finds and excellent food.

Don’t miss: The Brighton Museum and Art Gallery on Church Street. It’s free to enter and a perfect rainy day option if the weather turns. It’s about five minutes walk from the Royal Pavilion.

Top Tours in Brighton

If you’re looking to make the most of your time in Brighton, this Secrets of the Lanes Tour in is excellent and unexpectedly good.

You wander a maze of historic alleyways and ‘twittens’ (narrow passageways) at the heart of the old town learning about Brighton’s history.

Best Places To Eat in Brighton

• Burnt Orange is a great eatery serving a sharing style menu. It’s MICHELIN Bib Gourmand listed so you know you’ll get good quality food at a decent price.
• Cin Cin on Vine Street in Hove is a small, lively Italian with handmade pasta and a great wine list. It fills up fast so book ahead if you can.
• Terre à Terre on East Street has been Brighton’s best vegetarian restaurant for over 30 years. Even if you’re not vegetarian, it’s worth checking out.

3. Rye – Best Day Train Trip From London (To Escape The Crowds)

Lastly, if you’re looking for the best train day trip from London that feels truly off the beaten path, Rye is a fantastic choice!

It may not be as famous as Cambridge, Oxford or the Cotswolds, but if you want history, charm, and (almost) no tourist crowds, Rye should be high on your list!

Just be aware that Rye is small. In fact, you’re able to walk from one end to the other in about 10 minutes.

But combined with a trip to Camber Sands (read on for more info), you’ve got yourself a wonderful day trip.

How To Get To Rye From London

Why Is Rye One of the Best Train Day Trips from London?

To start, Rye is a small, ancient town in East Sussex, just a few miles from the coast, and about 65 miles southeast of London.

It’s one of the best-preserved medieval towns in England, and one of the least visited.

You find steep cobbled streets and timber-framed Tudor buildings.

And, delightfully, you won’t find any brand name chain stores!

The high street is all independent cafes, bookshops, galleries, and pubs that look like they been there forever (because they almost have).

Rye is rich in history. For centuries it was one of England’s most important ports and a notorious haven for smugglers.

The train journey from St Pancras (with one easy change at Ashford International) gets you to Rye in just over an hour.

Best Things To do in Rye

• Wander the cobbles of Mermaid Street, one of England’s most photographed streets. Think if it as the equivalent of Acorn Street in Boston, MA!
• Climb St Mary’s Church bell tower for views across Romney Marsh (a 100 sqare-mile wetland)
• Visit the Rye Castle Museum‘s two locations – the Ypres Tower and East Street.
• Browse independent bookshops, galleries and antique shops.
• Eat freshly-caught seafood at one of the harbor restaurants.
• Visit the Rye Harbor Discovery Center and Nature Reserve

Don’t miss: Camber Sands. This is a stunning stretch of sand dunes is just a few miles from Rye.

Learn More About Rye

If you want to go deeper and learn more about this charming town, head to the Rye Heritage Center.

You can watch a 15 minute sound and light show called “Story of Rye” that features a model of the town.

After, spend time wandering through Rye’s medieval, cobbled streets and hidden passages.

Best Places To Eat in Rye

• The Mermaid Inn is one of England’s oldest inns in dating back to 1420. Warning, it’s haunted!
• The Fig is a favorite with locals and visitors alike. If you decide you want to do an overnight stay in Rye, book a room at The fig! It’s a darling boutique hotel, serving amazing food. A great value stay!
• The Union Rye is located in a beautiful 15th century building at the heart of Rye. Food is seasonal and sourced from local farms.

Final Thoughts

One of the joys of visiting London is realizing just how much of the UK is within easy reach.

In under two hours you can swap the city for a medieval cathedral town, a pebble beach, or a cobbled Tudor town. All by train.

Canterbury, Brighton and Rye are three destinations I’d recommend to anyone, whether it’s your first time exploring England or your fiftieth!

Each one of these places delivers something completely different, and all three are worth every minute of the (short) train journey.

If you want even more inspiration for exploring the UK beyond London, check out my guide to the 5 Best Day Trips from London Without a Car.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth doing a day trip from London by train? Absolutely! The UK’s train network is one of the best in the world, and some of England’s most beautiful cities, coastlines and historic towns are within 90 minutes of the city.

What is the easiest train day trip from London? Brighton is hard to beat for ease. It’s under an hour from London Victoria, trains run frequently, and everything you need is a short walk from the station. Canterbury is a close second, thanks to the fast high-speed service from St Pancras.

How do I get the cheapest train tickets from London? Book six to eight weeks ahead for the best advance fares. Advance tickets can be up to 70% cheaper than on-the-day fares so planning ahead is advised. Travel after 9:30am on weekdays to avoid peak pricing. Always check whether two singles are cheaper than a return. Use Rail Europe to compare prices and book your tickets.

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