The Best Cities For A Day Trip If You're Staying In London

London is known and loved for its thriving arts scene with world-class museums, avant-garde galleries, and vibrant Theatreland, but equally impressive are the quaint countryside villages, wilderness areas, and cozy market towns all within reach from The Big Smoke.

Looking to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy a hike or cycle through the English countryside? Ashdown Forest — a landscape so idyllic it inspired the tales of Winnie the Pooh — is just the place. And for something a little more daring, Dungeness presents the perfect backdrop for an outdoor adventure. Marvel at the history and architecture of legendary places like Oxford and Cambridge, hop around the Cotswolds, stroll the quiet cobblestoned streets of Rye, or just lounge on the beach in Bournemouth — either way, you've got plenty of options to choose from. These are our favorite London day trip destinations, all within a couple of hours (or even just 30 minutes) by car or train, and complete with many an English pub for cold ales and ciders to bring your trip full circle.

Cambridge wows with its pretty chapels, historic university, and stunning architecture — we're looking at you, Trinity Hall, Bridge of Sighs, and King's College. For the quintessential Cambridge experience, go punting down the river to dose up on nature and history in unison while slow-sailing under charming bridges and cruising by some of the city's most iconic landmarks. 

While London's best museums are world-class, take a wander through The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge to marvel at everything from ancient Egyptian coffins to Renaissance sculptures and rare manuscripts, or pop into the Cambridge Gin Laboratory to learn more about England's ubiquitous spirit. Before you head back to London, indulge in an upscale dining experience at Midsummer House. Tucked away in a Victorian cottage on the River Cam, this double Michelin-starred French restaurant is one of England's premier culinary spots. Cambridge is 65 miles from London and can be reached in a little over an hour by train or car.

Chock full of art, history, plenty of festivals, and English pubs, Bristol has a little bit of something for everyone. As the birthplace of Banksy, it's no surprise that Bristol is brimming with art. Search for his original work, such as "The Well Hung Lover on Park Street" or "The Mild Mild West" on Stokes Croft, and carve out time for the city's many galleries and museums, such as Arnolfini and the M Shed, respectively. History buffs may also want to visit Tyntesfield House, one of the U.K.'s most stunning Gothic castles. When planning to visit, be sure to check your date options, as the city hosts a number of festivals that could take your day trip to the next level.

For a quieter day trip, stroll Clifton's streets lined with quaint, colorful townhomes or watch the boats bob on the harbor with a pint in hand. For the city's best seafood, have a meal at The Old Fish Market smack dab in Old Town, where you'll find excellent pub fare, an impressive whiskey and ale selection, and live music on some nights. Bristol is just under 120 miles from London and can be reached in two hours by car or an hour and a half by train. 

Sleepy cobble-stoned streets with little ivy-covered houses, antique shops with trinkets and rare finds, and cute little bookstores with colorful spines stacked high make Rye the perfect destination to take in English charm. Set off on a slow stroll down Mermaid Street (don't forget your camera!) with its half-timbered houses and pop in for a coffee and pastries at The Mermaid Street Cafe. 

After a leisure walkabout, pay a visit to Rye Castle Museum and Ypres Tower to get a feel for the city's medieval history. Be sure to also venture out to the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve for wetland trails and incredible coastal wildlife. Cap off the day with a tasty meal at Fletcher's House, where you'll find modern British delights, followed by a visit to Rye Waterworks Micropub to sample local ales and ciders. The charm of Rye is only 80 miles from London and can be reached in a little over an hour by train and two hours by car.

Gorgeous South Downs countryside, a sunny seafront promenade, and a lively Victorian pier are just a few reasons to add Eastbourne to your London day trip list. Sandwiched between the English Channel and South Downs National Park, Eastbourne is ideal whether you're looking to take in its historical charm or simply plan to venture around the great outdoors. 

Grab an ice cream and stroll the storied shingle shores of Eastbourne Beach or peer out at white cliffs from Holywell Beach, but be sure to save time for a quick jaunt to the nearby Seven Sisters cliffs. For delectable Turkish dishes, head on over to Meze, and for the city's best Italian dishes, go to La Locanda del Duca. Eastbourne is around 70 miles from London, and you reach the beachfront community in an hour and a half to two hours by train and two-and-a-half hours by car.

Brimming with some of the world's best academic institutions, libraries, and universities, Oxford is known for its scholarly history that spans back nearly a thousand years. Beyond the gorgeously manicured lawns of the city's colleges and the infinite halls of Bodleian Library, Oxford has plenty more to offer the London day-tripper.

Visit the Oxford University Museum of Natural History for some of the world's most renowned archeological relics or the Ashmolean Museum, which started as a cabinet of curiosities and is now the oldest public museum in the country, and then explore the grounds of Oxford Castle and Prison. Follow it up with a lunch or dinner at The Folly, a dazzling little British restaurant perched right on the River Thames. Tip: To really get the full experience, embark on one of The Folly's river cruises. About 60 miles from London, Oxford can be reached in about an hour by train or two hours by car.

Tucked away off a desolate coastal area of Kent, Dungeness almost feels extraterrestrial compared to the typical lush English countryside. Head out on a cycling adventure to explore the Romney Marsh, with its infinite desert scenery and shingle beaches, or set off on a hike along any one of The Dungeness Nature Reserve's walking trails. For something a little less daring, a climb to the top of the historic Old Lighthouse is a nice trade-off.

For lunch, you'll want to hit up Dungeness Snack Shack, where you'll find fresh, local fish — the fishcakes are a bit of a local legend, as are the lobster rolls. Carve out some time for a visit to Romney Marsh Brewery for delicious ales and lagers. Although Dungeness is just under 80 miles from London, you'll want to leave early — it's two hours by car and over three hours by train, but every bit worth it.

This sleepy little fishing town is decked out in colorful fishing huts, a shimmering shoreline, and some of the best seafood money can buy. Spend the day slurping on the oysters that put Whitstable on the map and brews at the local haunt, The Old Neptune Pub, or wander along the beach and take a dip if you dare. (It's cold!)

For a bit of history, you can also enjoy a classic afternoon tea in Whitstable Castle or just walk the grounds at your leisure. For some great local shopping, pop into the many boutiques on High Street, where you'll find everything from vintage clothing stores to record shops. After all the oysters and beer, you'll want to be sure to save room for a meal at Birdies, a family-run French restaurant loved for its seasonal dishes. Only 60 miles from London, Whitstable can be reached by either train or car in about an hour and a half.

Conveniently close to London, Guildford makes for an easy day trip and requires little planning. Visit the Guildford Cathedral, whose eerie atmosphere made for a perfect backdrop in the iconic horror flick, "The Omen," and then go for a pint of ale or cider and some pub fare at The Royal Oak.

Afterward, venture out to the picturesque Guildford Castle perched on a nearby mound for a climb to its Great Tower, where you'll be met with sweeping views. Once you head back down to High Street, carve out a little bit of time to see the 16th-century Guildhall; just look for the gilded — or should we say Guilded — clock jutting out over the street, and you've found it. Finally, don't miss the Watt's-Gallery Artists' Village to learn about the life and works of Victorian sculptor and painter George Frederic Watts. At just over 30 miles from London, Guildford can be reached in 30 minutes by train or about an hour by car.