Nearby cities to travel to outside of London, UK?

Hi Sung, 

Wow, you have so many options!!! First off, just remember that rail travel in the UK is super easy and quite affordable (nationalrail.co.uk). National Express buses (and others) also cover close by destinations comfortably... albeit the bus takes longer. 

Where to go really depends on your activity and travel preferences. Below are a few options but if you give me a better idea of interests I am happy to suggest others. 

Kew Gardens (tube accesible) 

Okay, technically still very much in London, but often overlooked. Kew is a sleepy residential neighborhood dominated by the UNESCO inscribed Royal Botanical Gardens. Well worth a visit on a sunny day. 

Richmond (tube accessible) 

A royal borough of greater London, Richmond is a stunning neighborhood along the river Thames. It has great little boutiques, tea shops and fab historical pubs by the water. Moreover Richmond Park is a vast green space and boasts it's own herds of wild deer. The Old Deer Park is the closest thing to a true wilderness in London.

Windsor Castle (train 1hr)

Just in the outskirts of London, Windsor is one of the official residences of of the Queen. The city is dominated by its ancient 11th century fortress and castle, the city along the Thames is a historical delight, charming and inviting, easily visited on foot. Perfect for a day trip, rain or shine!

Hampton Court Palace (train 1hr)

One of Henry VIII palaces and very well preserved in its Tudor grandeur, Hampton Court will keep any history buff excited throughout the day. For me though, the real gem are the vast palace grounds, perfectly manicured and sculpted gardens tamed by expert gardeners, this is the perfect place in which to indulge on a summer picnic.

Brighton (England) (train 1hr)

The seaside university town of Brighton is a vibrant city that mixes the charm of an 19th century bathing sea resort with a creative modern hub. The city is a delight for any architecture buff, the Royal Pavilion alone will impress with its strange interpretation of Mughal styles. Yet the large student populations keeps the environment young and innovative, Brighton is an important arts hub and hosts the largest arts festival in England. Last but not least, the large stretches of sandy beaches make this city a favourite among summer revelers. 

 Cambridge (England) (train 1hr)

Arguably the most awe-inspiring university town in Europe (alumni of Oxford, Lucca, Coimbra, Leuven, Toulouse, etc will have to forgive my bias), Cambridge is the perfect day visit from London's Kings Cross.

The architecture in the old colleges is sure to impress as much as the history of knowledge and genius nurtured there -- this is, afteral, a town where one may in fact run into Stephen Hawkins. If museums are your thing, then the Sedgwick, Fitzwilliam and Scott Polar will keep you enthralled. Steeped in 800 years of tradition, it is no surprise that afternoon tea can be had in excellent establishments across town yet it is unexpected to find such a concentration of delicious restaurants including a Michelin Starred Alimentum. 

The one thing one must not miss out on is punting in the river Cam, at the College Backs. This is a rather flat version of a gondola ride but you can take your own punt for a ride, if you have the right balance ;)

Salisbury (England) (train 2hrs)

Most tourists pop into Salisbury to catch a tour to nearby Stonehenge. But the city itself is an impressive site, continuously inhabited throughout history from the Neolithic, Roman occupation (Old Sarum) to its Medieval heyday as one of the main market towns in England. The Cathedral dominates the town, a stunning and complete example of the English Gothic and the charming gardens by the river avon make for a relaxing end of day stroll.

Bristol (train 2hrs)

A stunning industrial era city, Bristol is the sixth largest urban area in England. A good sized city that mixes all the amenities of a major metropolitan area with old town manners and charm. As Bristol fully emerged as a great port on the Severn Estuary during the Industrial Revolution, it keeps its engineering routes as a major player in the aerospace and tech industries. However, it gains a unique perspective from its strong creative and media sectors, a unique mix of science and arts. If you are looking for history, culture and excellent food, Bristol combines all three.

Bath (train 2 hrs)

One of the most charming day trips from London, Bath is a veritable living museum town. Made famous by its manicured Victorian urban planning and architecture, the city has a history that dates back to the height of the Roman Era, its name comes from the elaborate Roman spas that are still functional and open to visitors. This is a place to visit slowly, leisurely, to be enjoyed in a bygone pace and, once filled with history and sights, you can get fat on some excellent fare from the city's buzzing restaurant scene.

I hope this give you plenty of options for your upcoming trips!

Cambridge (England)and Oxford are a must! You can get a quick train to Cambridge from King's Cross station and the 'Oxford Tube' to Oxford which is a bus from nearby Victoria Station!

Bath is totally worth it. 

York.  York all the way.  Take the train (may have a connection in Leeds) but it was the most beautiful, small medieval town in all of England. The York Shambles is the oldest preserved 14th century street in G.B. and is so much fun to shop and explore.  I went in March and the weather was mild and I lucked out and had a blue sky day.  The daffodils were blooming everywhere.  The town is surrounded by a medieval wall and you can walk the whole thing. York Minster is a breathtaking cathedral.  There was a small outdoor market and I had a 30 minute conversation with the cheese lady.  Everyone was delightful!  I spent all day poking around and couldn't get enough.  I can't say how much I love the beauty, history and people of this town enough.  It is a must see! 

Hi Sung Yoon,

If you are up for travelling a bit further, just over two hours, I would suggest York.  While it's slightly further than some of the places already suggested to you, it's a lovely city, easily walkable, with many things to see including the York Minster.  York is also still surrounded by city walls that you can easily walk. Trains leave regularly from King's Cross station and are direct.

I hope this helps, and enjoy your trip.

Hello- the city of Bath is a great day trip from London. The Roman baths are a must see and the city is charming. The train leaves from Paddington and drops you right in city centre of Bath. No rental car and easy walking.

Bristol, Oxford or Brighton (England) are good day trip choices

Bath is a fantastic trip and beautiful city! It's almost 2 hrs away but so worth it--and Oxford is not that far away either. It's different enough from London that you won't feel like you've seen everything before--it has its own unique charm. The Roman baths are, of course, a great attraction and there are nice places to stay, the The Royal Crescent Hotel is a great walk and there are beautiful parks in and throughout the city. The shopping and dining is fantastic, and the architecture and history are just breathtaking. It has so much to see and do but you never feel crowded or rushed, it's a good pace of life and not overflowing with people all the time. They have good museums as well and wonderful walks along the riverfront!

Hi guys Chelmsford is the next closest major city outside of london with only being 40 miles away from the centre of london and 12 miles from Shenfield where the london Travlecard zone stops. It take roughly 20-25 minutes to get there by train from Liverpool St.

Take the train to Oxford.

Hi Sung Yoon,

If you're going when the climate is warm, think about checking out Frinton-on-Sea. It's way out on the east side of Essex - totally off the beaten path. It's got a fantastic sand beach - one of the best in England.

It's about a 90-120 minute train ride, depending on connections. You can take a train from London Liverpool Street to Colchester. Then, jump on a train from Colchester to Frinton-on-Sea.

Grab a quick pint or some food on your way to the beach at Lock & Barrel - Shepherd Neame pub.

I'd recommend Winchesteras somewhere that is an easy train ride from London, picturesque market town with lots to do and set in beautiful countryside. You can read about my weekend here http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/10-ways-to-spend-a-weekend-winchester/

Brighton (England) 

Take the train, walk the lanes and eat delicous vegetarian food at Iydea. 

Windsor is very nice - with the royal connection etc. St Albans is worth a visit too with its Roman museum, market town thang going on. Brighton for the beach and the generally trendy air and either of the University towns of Oxford and Cambridge.