Best Day Trips and Road Trips from London: Scenic Spots Within 3-Hour Drive

London is fantastic and all, but did you know that there’s so much to explore in the surrounding area? Think: unique natural formations, quaint towns, and scenic countryside landscapes… all under an easy three-hour drive from the capital city!

We don’t know about you, but we like to plan our trips way in advance. Get your car rental sorted with Klook, which has a trifecta of competitive prices, reliable customer support, and quality assurance.

Even better: you can easily add on anything you might need, such as insurance or car seats, and even enjoy free cancellations should your plans change (depending on your chosen plan). Ready to get going?

In the UK, children must use the correct car seat until they are 12 years old or 135cm tall, whichever comes first. Check with your rental company about the availability of appropriate car seats and whether they can be pre-installed. Not adhering to these regulations can result in fines and put children at risk. Navigating London Traffic

London is known for its bustling streets and can experience heavy congestion, particularly during rush hours from 7 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 7 pm. Plan your routes to avoid main thoroughfares during these times. Be mindful of the congestion charge zone in central London, which requires a daily fee for driving within certain areas at specified times. Cost-Effective Travel

While London offers extensive public transportation options, renting a car can be a more economical choice for group travel or longer stays. Equipped with GPS navigation, rental cars make it easier to navigate the city and reach destinations like the picturesque Kew Gardens or the historic Greenwich, without the higher costs associated with taxis or rideshares.

Stonehenge is one of the UK’s most iconic landmarks, and can be easily reached on a day trip from London! There are lots of speculations surrounding the origins of this site; the thousands-of-years-old stones are shrouded in an enigmatic mystery, with no one knowing exactly how or why they were built. 

However, gone are the days when you could just rock up to the stones as and when you like; in a bid to protect the UNESCO World Heritage site, you’ll have to take a shuttle bus from the new visitor centre. Set aside some time for exploring the visitor centre, which houses interactive exhibits, artefacts, and more. Want to learn more? Sign up for an on-site tour, or listen to an audio tour.

#KlookTip: Don’t forget to book your tickets in advance! Walk-up tickets are available, but book online for a 15% discount.

Just a 20-minute drive from Stonehenge, Salisbury is a charming medieval city that can be easily discovered on foot. The city revolves around the Salisbury Cathedral, which is home to one of the four copies of the original Magna Carta, as well as the world’s oldest functioning clock that dates all the way back to the 1300s. Spend the day strolling around the historic centre, visiting the Salisbury Museum, and checking out the Old Sarum ancient ruins. 

#KlookTip: If you happen to visit on a Tuesday or Saturday, don’t miss out on trawling the Salisbury Charter Market that has been held at Salisbury Market Place since 1227. Imagine that!

Nestled in the scenic Cotswolds, Bourton-On-the-Water is known as the Venice of the Cotswolds. The star of the show is River Windrush, which cuts through the village itself. It has a reputation for being one of the best family-friendly destinations: entertain the entire gang at the Model Village, Birdland Park and Gardens, Cotswold Motoring Museum, and more.

Stretching over a region of 800 square miles, the Cotswolds is the closest you’ll get to the classic English countryside. Go on a leisurely walk along country footpaths, frolic in sprawling meadows, and simply breathe in all that crisp fresh air.

Immerse yourself in culture at Canterbury, a picturesque city lined with medieval streets. Don’t miss out on the UNESCO World Heritage Canterbury Cathedral, and marvel at its intricate Gothic architecture. Trawl the Beaney House of Art and Knowledge, stroll along the River Sour, visit the Canterbury Heritage Museum, check out the ruins of St. Augustine Abbey, or catch a show at Marlowe Theatre. 

A great thing to do is to go on a punting tour along the tranquil waterways, and see the city from another perspective! 

Travel back in time at Stratford-Upon-Avon, which is best known for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Watch one of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s plays at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre; see where he’s buried at the Holy Trinity Church; learn more about his life at the Shakespeare’s Birthplace museum; and visit Anne Hathaway’s cottage, where Shakespeare stayed with his wife and three children. 

It’s not all about Shakespeare here, however: little ones will love the Stratford Butterfly Farm, the Mechanical Art and Design Museum, and the Teddy Bear Museum. 

Do you know of Anne Boleyn, the Queen of England from 1533 to 1536? Interestingly, her marriage to King Henry VII and subsequent beheading due to treason has made her a person of interest to many.

Intrigued? Get insight into her early years at Hever Castle, which was Anne Boleyn’s childhood home. The castle and its grounds look straight out of a fairytale: explore the rose gardens, 100-year-old maze, lake, and Japanese teahouse. On a hot day, challenge yourself at the water maze — where you can try to reach the stone grotto at the centre without getting wet by hidden water jets.

#KlookTip: Plan your visit for spring to see the gardens explode in colour!

Do your kids need to burn off some energy? Take them to the fantastic Tudor Towers Adventure Playground, Acord Dell play area, or the Woodland play area. There’s lots to do here: see the miniature model houses at the Hever shop, rent a row or pedal boat, try your hand at archery, or attend the vibrant Summer Festival.

Are you a Harry Potter fan? Make a beeline for Lacock, where the stunning Lacock Abbey was featured in a few of the films. Previously a nunnery and country house, the abbey now functions as a museum. Lacock has also been used as a filming location for Downton Abbey, Pride and Prejudice, as well as for the Hollow Crown series. 

The whole village seems to exist in a bubble preserved in time; indeed, the National Trust has preserved the village’s history by ensuring that no new building has been built since the 18th century! Pop in and out of the quaint village shops, visit St. Cyriac’s church and grab a cute Harry Potter-related souvenir from Watlings Gift Shop. 

Castle Combe is rumoured to be one of the Cotswolds’ prettiest villages, and rightly so. We mean, just look at it! Lined with rustic honey-stone cottages, the village offers a snapshot of olden England. Take lots of photos, go on a nature walk, and pack a picnic from The Little Picnic Shop as a mid-way pick-me-up. Movie buffs will also be delighted to know that the village has been featured in films like Stardust, Dr. Dolittle, and Wolfman. 

#KlookTip: Only residents are allowed to park inside the village; park your car at the free carpark along Dunns Lane, and take a 10-minute walk to Castle Combe.

Amble along the streets, and you’ll find lots of honour shopping boxes outside houses. For the uninitiated, honour shopping is where the locals set up tables peddling flowers, eggs, bread, and the works along the sidewalk. The tables are unmanned; buyers either place money in a box, or in the postbox. The whole thing essentially runs on honesty, honour, and mutual trust!

Can’t get enough of Stonehenge? Make a trip out to Avebury, which is also famous for its Neolithic stone circles. The outer stone circle is said to be the world’s largest prehistoric circle of standing stones, with the remains of two smaller stone circles within it. Slowly walk among the stones, making your way along West Kennet Avenue to reach Silbury Hill (which is Europe’s largest prehistoric mound!). 

Get your cameras ready for the Sanctuary, which used to be a temple made of concentric stone rings. In fact, it’s said to date back to 2500 BC!

#KlookTip: Avebury is just a 25-minute drive from Lacock, and a 15-minute drive from Castle Combe. Why not combine all three destinations on a day trip?

True to its name, Bath is one of England’s most famous spa towns. Discover the gorgeous Roman Spring Baths, and pamper yourself at Thermae Bath Spa’s rooftop pool. Indulge in a traditional English afternoon tea at The Pump Room, complete with spa water from the fountain (which is said to contain around 43 different minerals). 

A fan of Bridgerton? Various spots have been featured, such as The Royal Crescent and Bath Street. Famed novelist Jane Austen also spent several years writing and living in Bath; step into her shoes at the Jane Austen Centre exhibition. If you’re the active sort, embark on the six-mile Bath Skyline hike.

#KlookTip: Parking costs within Bath itself can chalk up to quite a hefty sum. Take advantage of the park-and-ride service, where you can park nearby for free, and take a bus to the city centre for a small fee.

Feel like royalty at Windsor, which is best known for its magnificent castle. Despite it being the longest and oldest inhabited castle in Europe, Windsor Castle is actually open to the public for visiting! Don’t miss the Changing of Guard ceremony, which happens on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 11am (weather permitting). 

Once you’ve had your fill, saunter or go boating along the River Thames, explore Windsor Great Park, take a tour of Windsor & Eton Brewery, and let the little ones loose at Legoland Windsor.

Get your cameras ready! Escape from the cities to the White Cliffs of Dover, which stretch out from the town of Dover. Besides their striking appearance, the cliffs have a greater significance to them: when an English solider went to, and returned from, war, the cliffs were his very last, and first, sight of home. 

Go on one of the many cliff-top walks, all of which come with sweeping views of the surrounding area. For a deeper dive into history, go underground to the Fan Bay Deep Shelter, which was built as a safe shell- and bomb-resistant accommodation for soldiers. If you have the time, include the nearby Dover Castle in your itinerary. Fun fact: the castle and Dover town have been showcased in the Avengers: Age of Ultron film!

#KlookTip: What say you to enjoying a picnic with a view? There are plenty of green spaces along the cliffs that are perfect for a picnic.

Best known as the home to one of the world’s most prestigious colleges, Oxford is a dreamy university town that’s best explored without a map. Wander aimlessly along the streets; go on a tour of the iconic Oxford University; channel your inner Harry Potter Geek at Christ Church College, which Hogwarts was inspired by; get lost in the Bodleian Library; cross the Bridge of Sight; and visit the Pitt Rivers Museum.

Another way to experience Oxford is from the water: float along on a sightseeing river cruise, or have an indulgent afternoon tea onboard a sightseeing cruise.

Cambridge — together with Oxford — makes up the other half of Oxbridge, which colloquially refers to United Kingdom’s two oldest and most prestigious universities. Go on a tour of Cambridge University, which comes with optional entry into King’s College — the chapel at King’s College has a stunning interior that makes for a great photo.

What say you to exploring on two wheels? Rent a bicycle, and discover the town at a leisurely pace. Other things to do include climbing up the St. Mary’s Church Tower for a panoramic view, finding your zen at the Botanical Garden, or punting along the river. 

Located 20 minutes from Oxford, Blenheim Palace is every bit as grand as it sounds. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the palace dates back to the 18th century. In fact, the palace even functioned as a hospital during both the World Wars. Go on a tour to view the ornately decorated rooms, including the room that Winston Churchill was born in. The Churchill exhibition is also well worth a visit, where you can learn about the life of Winston Churchill.

The palace grounds are huge as well, filled with beautiful water terraces, a butterfly house, an adventure playground, a miniature trian ride, and different types of gardens. Venture further to discover the Marlborough maze, which is great for families. Any Harry Potter fans in the house? The palace was also featured in several scenes of the ‘Order of the Phoenix’ film.

#KlookTip: Blenheim Palace is a 20-minute drive from Oxford, so why not pop over for a look?

Bristol is one of those hidden gems that don’t get much tourist footfall. However, isn’t that all the more reason to visit? In fact, it’s the largest city in Southern England after London. Today, it revolves around the University of Bristol, the Bristol Cathedral, the historic King Street, and the bustling St. Nicholas Market.

The Clifton suspension bridge is the most iconic attraction of the city, with almost 10,000 vehicles a day crossing it. Imagine that! Learn more about the city’s history at the M Shed museum; be amazed at the ‘We the Curious’ interactive science museum; and see the SS Great Britain, which was the world’s first steam-powered passenger liner.

Yearning for a seaside escape? Put Brighton in your itinerary. Get a tan at Brighton Beach, and traipse along the promenade. Snap a photo of the Brighton Pier, which dates back to 1899. Challenge your family and friends to a variety of games, sit on an array of rides, and ascend the observation tower for some pretty fabulous views. 

The Lanes also entices visitors with a labyrinth of alleyways packed with unique shops, quaint boutiques, art galleries, and cafés. Love vintage shopping? Snooper’s Paradise, with its almost 100 flea market stalls, might be right up your alley.

The whimsical town of Rye has an intriguing past: Once one of five Cinque Ports, which were ports found in British coastal towns used to defend against French attacks, Rye also has a notorious smuggling history. Start your trip by exploring the quaint Mermaid Street; many of the houses here have really cute names, such as ‘The House with the Secret Garden, and ‘The House Opposite’. 

#KlookTip: Don’t miss out on popping into the 600-year-old Mermaid Inn for a meal.

Scale the bell tower at St. Mary’s Church for a sweeping view of Rye, before heading to Rye Castle and Ypres Tower. If you love birds, you’re in luck: the scenic Rye Harbour Nature Reserve (five-minute drive) is home to more than 280 recorded bird species! The Tillingham Vineyard is also set just a 10-minute drive from Rye.