Get out and explore

While there is no denying the excitement of London living, you may sometimes feel like you need a break from the city. Day trips can be a perfect way to relax, either solo or with your mates, as well as an opportunity to explore a new area. Day trips don't have to break the budget either. This article includes a few suggestions of places to visit and things to do when you get there!

• Top Tip! For any students looking to travel around the UK, a Railcard is a must. For £30 a year, the Railcard gets you a 1/3 off the cost of all train travel around the UK. All the ticket prices included here are with a Railcard discount, but of course, you can still travel to all these destinations without one. 
• Use the Trainline app or website to see the different train times and schedules available for the day you wish to travel.

Whitstable

Famous for its Oysters, Whitstable is a seaside town in Kent. It's the perfect place to enjoy some fresh air at the seafront. Explore the town, take a walk along the beach and stop for lunch at The Forge to sample some fish and chips, a British Classic. 

Setting off from London Victoria and St Pancras International the journey to Whitstable takes around an hour and fifteen minutes, with a return ticket costing between £13-16. Check out this TikTok for inspiration! 

Greenwich

Situated in southeast London a day trip to Greenwich is a must. You can get there by train from London Blackfriars, Cannon Street and Liverpool Street. The journey takes between 12-26 minutes with a return ticket costing between £4-8. However, you can also travel to Greenwich by Uber boat!

• For lovers of history head to the Free National Maritime Museum
• Or visit the Greenwich market for some shopping or to explore the food market
• Greenwich park boasts some stunning views of the Thames and the city and is also home to the Royal Observatory but bear in mind you have to book tickets for this attraction.
• Take in some history at the National Maritime Museum (free!)

Stonehedge

A prehistoric monument, one of the World’s Heritage Sites, and a British cultural icon. This one’s got a lot of mysteries and theories associated with it, so if you’re into that, make sure to look it up before you go!

Seven Sisters

These cliffs located in East Sussex are a sight to behold! Just make sure you've got your walking shoes so you're prepared to hike the different trails.

Cotswolds

This area located in south‑central England, covers 6 counties. There's a lot to do here from gardens to water parks, so better plan ahead to make the most of your day!

Waddesdon Manor

This country house situated in Buckinghamshire is a great backdrop for some pictures. It's got an aviary, a wine cellar, and many many art collections.

York

Only 2 hours away from London by train, this city has many quaint streets to stroll through, and a lot of history to unpack.