Our Favourite Day Trips Outside of London

By Megan Hills

See more of Britain with these fantastic day trips outside of London below

With an amazing range of fantastic attractions both inside and outside the city, there's plenty to see when visiting London. Venture a little further outside central London and you'll find beautiful historic castles, royal residences and nature reserves. Discover some of the country's most popular landmarks with some of our favourite day trips outside of London.

Windsor Castle

Venture beyond the city limits and see one of England's most famous castles, Windsor Castle. With 39 monarchs inhabiting its grandiose halls for over a thousand years, it was originally built in the 11th century and is the largest occupied castle in the world. Since then, it has seen a number of face lifts and additions, which make the structure a blend of Gothic, Victorian amongst other architectural styles. Queen Elizabeth still organises regular weekend visits to the castle and frequently entertains visiting politicians there - an easy way to check if she's around is to keep an eye out for her standard fluttering above the castle, which is only raised when she's in residence. Highlights include St George's Chapel, a stunning building which houses numerous royal tombs and honours the Order of the Garter, the lavish State Apartments which are decorated with artistic masterpieces by the likes of Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto.

Hampton Court Palace

Formerly the home of King Henry VIII who was renowned for his love of pomp and grandeur, Hampton Court Palace's sprawling grounds and massive medieval structure is worth a visit. In fact, King Henry VIII's crown has since been reconstructed and is now on display in the castle at the Royal Pew. There's an entire day's worth of activities: spend hours exploring the massive Tudor Kitchens, imagine Shakespeare's theatre troupe performing for the court amidst the Great Hall and get lost in the emerald hedges of its world famous maze. In the spring and summer, the Hampton Court Gardens are nothing short of beautiful with over 20,000 bulbs blooming and transforming the grounds into an explosion of colour.

Stonehenge

Take a train out to Bath, a beautiful city steeped with history and Georgian architecture. Full of popular tourist attractions like the Bath Abbey, Roman Baths and the Jane Austen Centre, it's a slower pace of life than London and a city made for leisurely strolls with something picturesque on every corner. Once you've finished in the city, make your way to Stonehenge: a gigantic stone prehistoric stone structure and one of England's greatest mysteries. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it's well protected and remains a symbol of English history.

Image via Warner Bros. Studio Tour

Harry Potter Studio Tour

Step into a world of movie magic at the Harry Potter Studio Tour, which provides a sneak peek behind the scenes of the iconic film franchise. Bringing to life iconic locations like Diagon Alley, the Great Hall and Privet Drive, this massive trove of Potter treasures includes real costumes worn by the actors, fantastic props and even a cheeky Butterbeer stand for a taste of Hogsmeade's favourite brew. Be enthralled by their recent expansion dedicated to the Forbidden Forest! Home to fantastical creatures such as Hippogriffs and Acromantula, the Forbidden Forest will take you deep into Harry Potter's world. With several hours of magical entertainment, it's a reason to get away from the bustle of central London and the perfect way to keep the whole family entertained. Remember to bring a bit of extra pocket money for the gigantic merchandise store at the end of the tour, where you'll be able to buy your own Hogwarts robes and choose your favourite wand.

Image via Shakespeare.org.uk

Stratford Upon Avon

Discover the charming hometown of William Shakespeare, one of Britain's greatest literary legends. Located further north in the Midlands, it's a quiet market town filled with old pubs, colourful boutiques and even the home where Shakespeare was born in. See the barges lined up on the River Avon and take in the old architecture before venturing to the RSC, home to the world-renowned theatre troupe Royal Shakespeare Company, and see one of Shakespeare's masterpieces come to life in its intimate theatre.

Leeds Castle

Travel a little ways outside of London and discover the hidden gems of Kent. With almost 900 years of history, Leeds Castle boasts a beautiful 500 acres of parkland that includes an intricate garden maze, grotto, adventure playgrounds and moat. Built in 1119, the castle was a royal residence for over 300 years before becoming a private country home. Used by Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon, Leeds Castle is one of the most popular historic buildings in Britain.

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World Book Day 2020: A Guide to Literary London

Celebrate World Book Day 2020 and read your way around the capital with our book lover's guide to London From Shakespeare and Dickens to Keats, Holmes and Potter, London has been home to some of the finest literary minds and most cherished fictional characters. A city steeped in literary history, with famous writers creating master works in the capital throughout the ages, you'll want to bookmark this page - we've put together a book lover's guide to London. We've assembled this lineup of London literary hotspots to celebrate World Book Day 2020, which falls on March 5th. So follow us on a literary tour of London, taking in writer haunts, literary attractions and settings from some of the country’s top tales, including... The recreation of Shakespeare's Globe A walking tour dedicated to some of the most famous movie adaptations of classic books A guide to the London pubs favoured by some of the country's most lauded writers, thinkers and drinkers The homes of three literary figures (two real, one fictional), now operating as world class museums And much, much more Shakespeare's Globe See The Bard's masterpieces performed as was intended at London's most famous theatre. The 16th century playhouse has been rebuilt to capture its former glory, close to its original location near the Thames. Shakespeare was a member of The Globe's resident theatre troupe and wrote many of his greatest works to debut at the 'wooden O'. The circular structure with a glorious thatched roof puts on Shakespeare plays during the summer. Audiences choose between the seating and a standing areas. The latter is worth the cheaper price tag, if you can stomach standing for a few hours. Outside the summer season, catch a play at the indoor Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. They're putting on The Taming of the Shrew on World Book Day 2020. With guided tours and exhibitions dedicated to spreading the love of Shakespeare, the Globe is a must-visit for any theatre lover on World Book Day 2020. Access the Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Tour with The London Pass. To find out more about the pass, click below. Keats House Visit the Hampstead home where legendary Romantic poet John Keats lived and wrote. Now a museum dedicated to this giant of Romantic poetry, see his drafts and glimmers of his personal life at the site. Take a self-guided tour of the home's restored rooms, learning about the man's life and work. And the garden is alive, a showcase of the natural world that so inspired him. But this was a tragic place too. As Keats grew ill, he was kept isolated from his love, Fanny Brawne, who was literary the girl next door. Keep an eye on their events calendar as Keats House host many cultural happenings, ranging from touring exhibitions to poetry readings. On World Book Day 2020, join a guided tour of Keats House. They run at 13.00 and 15.00 daily, subject to availability. Access to the tour and the rest of Keats House is included with The London Pass. Find out more below. The Charles Dickens Museum With over 100,000 of his personal items and even original manuscripts preserved and put on display, this is the most extensive Charles Dickens exhibit in the entire world. Housed in one of Dickens' former homes and teeming with quirky antiquities, the permanent collection embodies the lifetime of the literary great and paints a full picture of his character, lifestyle and works. It's the kind of place that betters even the greatest of expectations. His writing desk is a true highlight. And make sure you stay for a slice of cake and tea afterwards to round off your tour. Explore the only surviving London home of Charles Dickens. And do so with The London Pass. You see, if you have The London Pass, entry to The Charles Dickens Museum is included. If you want to know more about the pass, click the button below. Fitzroy Tavern The creative types sure knew how to party/drink/write whilst full of wine...and Fitzroy Tavern has long been a favourite pub of the best of them, with the likes of Dylan Thomas and George Orwell gracing its bar. Teeming with personality and covered in British artwork, slip out of the front room when it starts getting packed...head downstairs to the quieter Writers and Artists Bar for a dose of much needed inspiration to accompany your libations. Brit Movie Tours Okay, okay, we know, we know. But please hear us out. Behind most good movies is a book. And that's certainly true of many London-set movies covered by Brit Movie Tours. Sign up for their Harry Potter Walking Tour of London for heaps of Potter-related surprises. You'll see plenty of locations from the movies, sure to delight even the most avidly 'the films are nowhere near as good as the books' Potter Head. And the Sherlock Holmes Walking Tour of London will make detectives of you all. Join your guide to piece together the mysteries of Holmes's London, featuring settings from the books and the many big screen and small screen adaptations that have followed. A walking tour with Brit Movie Tours is included with The London Pass. Simply book your tour in advance, then show your pass when you arrive. Click below for more details. The Sherlock Holmes Museum A visit to the Sherlock Holmes Museum is elementary, my dear Watson. Located close to Baker Street tube station (which has been fittingly decorated to honour the super sleuth), the museum is full of Holmes memorabilia. It's even got Holmes's study, carefully replicated from descriptions in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's books. With a fantastic gift shop for fans to take a memento of the detective home with them, you'll find the museum between 237 and 241 Baker Street. However, of course, the door says 221b, in tribute to the unlikely detective pairing and their digs. [caption id="attachment_6402" align="alignnone" width="1000"] wikipedia.org[/caption] The George Inn Another drinking establishment on the list, The George Inn is just around the corner from Shakespeare's Globe. It's thought to be where the famous playwright would go for a pint after work. This 400 year old inn has seen the twists and turns of British history, including its near destruction during the Fire of London. Today, it's deliberately preserved to remain true to its original 16th century spirit. Charles Dickens was one of its many patrons and loved it so much he included it in his novel Little Dorritt. [caption id="attachment_6401" align="alignnone" width="1000"] wikipedia.org[/caption] Poets' Corner Pay tribute to some of the biggest names in British literary history at Westminster Abbey, where a section of the South Transept is dedicated to those who have significantly contributed to Britain's cultural heritage. Over 100 writers and poets are buried or commemorated here. With tributes to a huge range of authors and poets, including Jane Austen, W.H. Auden, William Blake, the Bronte sisters, Lord Byron and more, it's worth braving the Westminster Abbey tourist crowds to see the greats for yourself. And, don't forget, entry to Westminster Abbey is included with The London Pass. Yes, it's true. So are many other big gun London attractions. To find out which ones, click the button below. The Hercules Pillars Located in the heart of Soho's rich nightlife, the Hercules Pillars is a reconstruction of a previous pub with the same name dating all the way back to 1730. It was mentioned in A Tale of Two Cities by regular patron Charles Dickens. In fact, adjacent Manette Street owes its name to Dickens' character Dr. Manette. With a distinctly Victorian feel to the interiors, it has since continued to be an important literary site for more contemporary authors. We're talking the likes of Ian McEwan, Martin Amis and Julian Barnes. So head there, make a scene, and you could be immortalised in a bestseller. Or just have a drink and look at the sculptures. A Conversation with Oscar Wilde It's only fitting that a writer with as big a personality as Oscar Wilde should have a statue dedicated to him. To find this unique sculpture, head to Adelaide Street, close to Trafalgar Square. Part bench and part artwork, fans of Oscar Wilde can sit and converse with a bust of his head as the London crowds pass by. Completed in 1998, it features one of Oscar Wilde's best known lines. It comes from Lady Windermere's Fan: 'We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.' Perhaps the bronze statue isn't to everyone's taste. Perhaps it isn't to anyone's taste. But it's nice to have a bit of London dedicated to a man of such talents. And it's nice to take the load off whilst exploring London's literary sites on World Book Day 2020. So go for a chat with Wilde on World Book Day 2020. You probably won't be the only one making the pilgrimage. [caption id="attachment_6400" align="alignnone" width="1000"] atlasobscura.com[/caption] So, that's it for our World Book Day 2020 guide to London's literary sites. However, if you have any to add, let us know in the comments below. And, of course, don't forget to check out The London Pass. See how it can help you see the very best of literary London. To find out more, click below. The button that says Find Out More. There it is. You've got it. Now click.
Megan Hills
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Where to go for the best brunches in London

When in London, it’s mandatory to do a tour of London through both sight and taste, as we explored with our Dine by Borough post, previously. There are so many places to be explored from the city’s top attractions down to the best street-side eateries to combine the two for a tasty, sightseeing adventure. As we’re lapping up the rest of the summer sun and making the most of the long days, we’re getting up earlier and starting our days on a high; happy with full bellies. This month we’re all about the brunches. For a unique tour of London, why not munch your way around the capital with the city’s best brunch spots. From West to East, Central to Soho, there are plenty of eateries to choose from. Here are some of our favourite brunches (to suit every budget!): Chiltern Firehouse: ££££ Chiltern Firehouse is the place to be at the moment. If you’re au fait with the British celebrity scene, there isn’t anyone who hasn’t been papped at the Chiltern Firehouse recently, or who isn’t on the waiting list to get in. A pre-booking-is-essential kind of place, it’s truly worth it though as at brunch time pretences are dropped and all you’re left with is excellent service. At the weekends you can enjoy a tasty brunch from 11am-3pm – great for the late risers – and should the sun be shining and there be a table, you might be able to eat in the quaint courtyard outside, too. Tuck into simple dishes given a Chiltern flair and you’ll be guaranteed one of the best brunches in town. 1 Chiltern St, W1U 7PA – Marylebone tube www.chilternfirehouse.com The Wolseley: £££ One of London’s most loved, and longest-standing, institutions, The Wolseley is a must-do on your tour of London. Even if it’s just to have a slice of toast and a pot of Earl Grey, sit back and enjoy your first meal of the day in one of London’s most traditional and upper class establishments. From 7am-11.30am on weekdays, opening an hour later on the weekend, it’s the best place to go to kick off your day of sightseeing bright and early. From freshly baked sweet pastries to continental dishes, book your place now for a breakfast to remember. 160 Piccadilly, W1J 9EB – Green Park tube www.thewolseley.com/breakfast The Riding House Café: £££ Tucked away behind the bustling high street, Oxford Circus, in the quieter streets of central London, this place is great for those after a spot of shopping. The Riding House Café is a hot spot for locals and those in-the-know, with breakfast kicking off at 7.30am on weekdays, served until midday, and 8.30am on the weekends, until 11.30am. If you're after more than that, you can also tuck into a brunch specific menu which runs until 3.30pm and 4pm respectively. It’s great for the healthy eaters, too, with a wide range of granolas and energising smoothies for an all-natural pick-me-up. 43-51 Great Titchfield St, W1W 7PQ – Oxford Circus tube www.ridinghousecafe.co.uk Muriel’s Kitchen: ££ Right in the heart of town, Muriel’s Kitchen is London’s answer to a hearty American-style brunch without the grease. Tuck into wedge-thick blueberry pancakes and maple syrup, or try an open sandwich with scrambled eggs, avocado and bacon. There’s a huge choice and something to suit everyone, especially those with a sweet tooth. With a variety of smoothies and milkshakes, too, think hearty American breakfasts with a Cath Kidston country-feel. Muriel’s is family friendly and a safe bet for the kids – no need to book either, brunch is served until 1pm Mon-Sat, or 2pm on Sundays. Soho - 36 - 38 Old Compton Street, W1D 4TT – Leicester Square tube South Kensington - 1-3 Pelham Street, SW7 2nd – South Kensington tube Leicester Square - 7-9 Leicester Square, WC2H 7NA – Leicester Square tube http://www.murielskitchen.co.uk/home Gail’s Artisan Bakery: ££ For those on-the-go Gail’s Bakery is the perfect answer. No need to book, there are a handful of Gail’s dotted around London from Goodge Street to Queen's Park so you’re more than likely to bump into one on your travels. Its artisan-ethos means most things are organic and freshly made that day; it’s basically London’s homemade step up from Starbucks. You can either sit down or take away and enjoy freshly brewed coffee, a variety of herbal teas and flavoured breads, muffins and a wide range of hot food, too. Most Londoners can locate their nearest within 5miles and it’s a great alternative for those who don’t want to splash too much cash. Barnes, Battersea, Belsize Park, Bloomsbury, Chiswick, Crouch End, Dulwich Village, Exmouth Market, Fulham Road, Hampstead, King’s Road, Notting Hill, Queen’s Park, Soho, South Kensington, St John’s Wood http://gailsbread.co.uk/
Vanessa Teo
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