5 of the best day trips from London to visit in 2023

London has a crazy amount to offer locals and visitors alike in the way of cuisine, entertainment and history. However, as much as we love our capital city, sometimes it’s nice to take a break and change up the scenery.

One of the many benefits of living in London is the incredible access offered to other cities within the country, with comfortable, fast and easy transportation that makes travelling simple and stress-free.

With this in mind, the team at Student Luxe has come up with some day trip ideas for our guests to visit in 2023. Just be aware that during the Autumn and Winter months, it starts to get darker earlier, so do leave earlier if you plan on visiting these cities during those seasons. Let’s go exploring!

Windsor

How to get to Windsor

Departing trains from London Paddington or London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Central.

Travel Time

Between 20 minutes to an hour depending on the service and departure station.

A popular day trip destination for locals, tourists and students alike in the UK is Windsor, home to the famous royal residence, Windsor Castle. Despite this being a major highlight of the city, there’s actually a lot more to explore in Windsor than just visiting the castle, and therefore allow yourself a full day that includes travel time.

Windsor is a quaint little town with little cobbled streets, dainty tea shops, cute boutiques and beautiful scenery that students can explore by foot on bike. Upon arrival at the station, head to Windsor Castle, previously home to 39 past monarchs and now weekend residence of the King. Here you can view the Changing of the Guard at 11am (included in the admission price), before visiting the stunning State Apartments, St. George’s Chapel where Prince Harry and then Princess Eugenie got married, the flourishing gardens of the castle as well as a number of elegant rooms, each displaying striking painted ceilings and featuring paintings from world renowned artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Rembrandt. 

To experience Windsor in true royal fashion, students can even take a horse-drawn carriage down the ‘Long Walk’, the iconic 3 mile tree-lined avenue that leads to Windsor Castle from the Copper Horse Statue, commissioned by George IV to commemorate his father George III.

After touring Windsor Castle, indulge in some retail therapy across from the castle at Windsor Royal Station, previously a Grade II listed Victorian railway station, now a charming shopping centre boasting a fabulous range of  contemporary restaurants, independent stores and quirky cafés. Take a well-deserved break with a spot at lunch at one of the many typically British pubs dotted around. The Duchess of Cambridge is a good option for food, with fine wines and a range of gluten-free dishes, whilst The Horse & Groom provides a rustic setting to relax in, with outdoor seating and views overlooking the castle. 

After you’ve finished eating - and if the weather is good - spend your afternoon walking around Windsor Great Park (the entrance of which is located on the Long Walk) and the gorgeous Savill Garden which is bursting with an assortment of colourful flowers and rare flora from different countries. You can also take a boat along the Thames, which travels upstream to Boveney Lock. Here you can admire views of Windsor Castle, Windsor Racecourse, Brocas Meadows, Mill House and Eton College.  A popular company to use would be with The French Brothers. If you’ve got room for more food before you head back to London, treat yourself to afternoon tea at The Christopher Wren, a stunning riverside hotel which provides delicious finger sandwiches, a selection of cakes, scones and free flowing tea and coffee in either the sun-drenched Brasserie or on their beautiful outdoor terrace. Walk 7 minutes and you reach Windsor & Eton Central, ready to board your train back to London.  

Student Luxe’s Top Tip

Make sure you book your Windsor Castle tickets in advance. Book your tickets here.

Student Luxe’s Top Tip

The Christopher Wren offer gluten-free and vegan afternoon teas that need to be ordered 24 hours in advance. 

Canterbury

How to get to Canterbury

Departing trains from London St. Pancras International, London Victoria or Charing Cross to Canterbury West or Canterbury East stations. Either station is centrally located and close to all the main Canterbury attractions.

Travel Time

Between 50 minutes to 1 hour, 45 minutes depending on the service and departure station.

Home to the Archbishop of Canterbury, this stunning medieval city attracts tourists from all over the world, due to its charming ambience, unique architecture and three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Upon arrival, we recommend students kick start their day trip with a detailed tour around the famous Canterbury Cathedral or stroll around the grounds on a self-guided audio tour - both provide a fascinating insight into the history of the Cathedral and allow visitors to admire the striking romanesque and gothic architecture. Afterwards, visit the two other UNESCO sites in the city, St Augustine’s Abbey - where you can view the tombs of the first Archbishops of Canterbury, and St Martin’s Church, the oldest church in England. 

Walk to the high street and take a short break for lunch at Oscar & Bentleys, an award-winning bistro which serves up modern British dishes. When you’re finished, it’s time to admire the sights of the city and discover its hidden secrets with a relaxing river tour, courtesy of Canterbury Historic River Tours. Make sure you book ahead of time as these tours are quite popular!

If you have time, visit the beautiful Westgate Gardens, which actually follow the direction of the ancient Roman city wall and have a history dating back over 200 years. The gardens are idyllic and relaxing to walk around before you head back to the station, less than a 15-minute walk away.

Student Luxe’s Top Tip

Make sure you have a read of ‘The Canterbury Tales’ by Geoffrey Chaucer, which gives readers an indication of life in Canterbury during the Middle Ages with humorous stories from 29 pilgrims. 

Student Luxe’s Top Tip

Looking for an in-depth city tour? Book ahead of time with CT Tours who provide a thorough history of Canterbury. Click here for further information.

Ardingly Amble, West Sussex

How to get to West Sussex

Departing trains from London Victoria to Haywards Heath Station.

Travel Time

Approx. 45 minutes depending on the service and departure station.

For those that love to walk, hike and immerse themselves within nature, the beautiful Ardingly Amble is the ideal day trip. An absolute must for the summer months, students can board a train from London Victoria and start the 13km (8 mile) walk from Haywards Heath Station. On the walk, admire the pretty Ardingly Reservoir and take a picture at the Insta-famous Ouse Valley Viaduct, whose origins trace back to 1838. The walk takes approximately four hours, so make sure you take water and snacks before you finish up at Balcombe Station. From here, you can jump on a train to London Blackfriars or Victoria - look at the times in advance! Check out this brochure for more information.

Student Luxe’s Top Tip

The walk can be muddy at parts so take a good pair of walking shoes.

Eastbourne, West Sussex

How to get to Eastbourne

Departing trains from London Bridge or London Victoria to Eastbourne.

Travel Time

Approx. 1.5 hours depending on the service and departure station.

Sometimes, the UK is blessed with a heatwave, and if it happens on a weekend, then students should make the most of exploring some of the UK’s most beautiful seaside resorts. One of Student Luxe’s personal favourites is Eastbourne, home to a historic Victorian pier, an impressive marina, some breathtaking cliff top walks and a three mile stretch of shingle beach - and that’s not all. 

Upon arrival at Eastbourne station, you can pop in to visit the Towner Eastbourne, an award-winning art gallery which showcases outstanding exhibitions of modern and contemporary art, before laying down your beach towels at Eastbourne Beach, a short distance away. This part of the beach is popular with families, locals and tourists alike - make sure you pick up an ice cream whilst revelling in the warm sunshine. You can also explore Eastbourne Pier, a popular film location which is home to a variety of shops and even The Victorian Tearooms where you can indulge in a simple afternoon tea. 

If you’re eager for a hike, then head to Beachy Head, which sits at an impressive 530ft and is the highest chalk sea cliff in the UK. The climb to the top takes roughly about an hour and is quite steep, but the outstanding views over Eastbourne and the English Channel make every step worth it - don’t forget some good hiking boots!

Hungry for lunch? You have to try the fish when you’re at the seaside, and there’s nowhere better than The Belgian Café which serves up some of the most exquisite seafood dishes, delicious cocktails and craft beers in a relaxing ambience with stunning views of the pier and across to Beachy Head - so you can really see how high you’ve just climbed!

Cambridge
How to get to Cambridge

Departing trains from Kings Cross or London Liverpool Street to Cambridge.

Travel Time

Approx. 1 hour depending on the service and departure station.

Cambridge is not only home to one of the most famous and oldest universities in the world, but is probably one of the most picturesque cities in the UK. With its cobblestone streets, striking architecture, variety of attractions and pretty flowing river, Cambridge is perfect for a day of exploration - it’s no wonder that 20% of the city’s entire population are students!

Start the day trip with a tour of the beautiful Trinity and Pembroke Colleges with a university graduate. Not only do they provide a detailed overview of the history of these buildings, but they also offer a fascinating insight into student life in the city - which is great when you’re a student yourself! Make sure you’ve chosen the tour which includes a visit to the famous King’s College, otherwise, make a private trip there yourself to admire the striking gothic architecture and the gorgeous grounds. Try to visit King’s College Chapel which features magnificent stained glass windows and a spectacular vaulted ceiling. Book a ticket here.

For those eager for some impressive views of Cambridge, climb the Tower of Great St. Mary’s Church. Be warned, 123 steps to the top might make you feel a bit tired, but the panoramas of Cambridge are worth it. Tickets can be purchased at the gift shop. 

Break up the day with a bite to eat at The Market House, which offers exceptional food in smart surroundings - even the exterior is impressive, as it’s a Grade II listed building. Afterwards, why not explore the quintessential city centre or book a classic punting tour where you can soak up the sights of Cambridge in the most traditional way. 

Happy exploring!

…So, who are we to know about the best day trips from London?

We are Student Luxe, a luxury student accommodation company that houses guests in hundreds of deluxe apartments in and around Central London. We’re a group of adventurous people who adore the city, but love to explore the rest of the UK.

We’re foodies at heart, love to travel and you’ll probably catch one of us hiking up a mountain somewhere on the weekend. We know our stuff, and now, we’re sharing our favourite UK cities that are easy to travel to from London, so you can the best UK adventure.