Day Trips & Excursions in England

If you love history and the picturesque - but aren't too keen on left-side driving - experience two of England's most scenic destinations in one day on this time-saving coach tour. Spend the morning on a walking tour of the medieval city of Canterbury and see the monuments that earned its UNESCO World Heritage designation. Pass the afternoon at Leeds Castle, described by some as "the loveliest castle in the world".

Escape the city for the wild landscapes of the Yorkshire moors on this full-day tour from York. Set out on a scenic drive through the North York Moors National Park; visit sites from the Harry Potter movies in Goathland and snap photos of landmarks like Beggar's Bridge, Hutton-le-Hole and Rosedale Abbey. Enjoy free time to explore the seaside resort of Whitby, where you can learn the legacy of Dracula and try the town's famous fish and chips (own expense), before visiting the market town of Helmsley.

Combine shopping with Shakespeare on a full-day tour of Stratford-upon-Avon, the Cotswolds, and Bicester Village from London. Beginning with free time in Stratford-upon-Avon - medieval town and birthplace of William Shakespeare - you'll continue to Bourton, known as the 'Venice of the Cotswolds' due to its canals and cafes. Spend more free time browsing more than 130 high-end boutiques in Bicester Village shopping outlet.

Visit three of England's most prestigious destinations on this full-day tour of Oxford, Windsor and Eton from Brighton. Pay a visit to royal Windsor, home to the magnificent Windsor Castle, then see the centuries-old Eton college, the famous boys school where alumni include Prime Ministers and members of the royal family. Finally, enjoy free time to explore Oxford and take in highlights like the Victorian covered market, the Ashmolean Museum and the world-famous Oxford University, including Christchurch College, where scenes from Harry Potter were shot.

Discover another side of the beautiful Lake District, and follow in the footsteps of Beatrix Potter, on this immersive, half-day tour. Meet your guide at your local accommodation, and venture first to Wray Castle, a former vacation home where Potter spent time as a teenager. Continue to her home at Hill Top, see the villages she used to frequent, and learn more about her life and works. As you go, you'll also get to admire the Lake District's wealth of scenery.

Follow in the footsteps of the greats on this full-day tour of England's most famous university cities - Oxford and Cambridge. Admire the celebrated 'Dreaming Spires' of Oxford and visit the Bodleian Library and Christ Church College, where alumni include Lewis Carroll, Bill Clinton and David Cameron, and the Great Hall was used as a filming location for the Harry Potter movies. Next, journey to prestigious Cambridge, where past students include Sir Isaac Newton, Stephen Hawking and Sylvia Plath, and architectural highlights include the Cavendish Laboratory, King's College Chapel and the Cambridge University Library.

Discover three of southern England's top sights on this full-day coach trip from London to Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral and Dover. Pass the maritime historical buildings of Greenwich on your way to scenic Kent, a county known as the 'Garden of England.' Take a private look around stunning Leeds Castle before the crowds arrive, and enjoy a privileged tour of UNESCO-listed Canterbury Cathedral. End your day with views of Dover Castle and the famous White Cliffs of Dover.

Experiencing Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Warwick Castle from London in a day would be near-impossible by train, bus, or even hire car. With this private day trip, enjoy the chance to focus fully on these quintessentially English attractions. Explore Oxford, admire the Cotswolds on route to Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford, and visit Warwick Castle, all with your own guide and by private minivan. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for convenience.

Swap the bustle of London for the rural beauty of the Cotswolds on this full-day trip, including a 2-course lunch. Traveling to the Cotswolds from London by comfortable, air-conditioned coach, drink in the rolling countryside and slow pace of this enchanting region, famous for its stone-built villages, lush pastures and old-world atmosphere. Enjoy free time to stroll around gorgeous towns and villages such as Burford, Bibury and Stow-in-the-Wold; and break midway to enjoy a traditional English lunch at an old Cotswolds hotel restaurant, complete with stone fireplace and oak beams.

Embark on a tour to Oxford, Windsor and Eton. You will visit Windsor and Eton in the morning before traveling to Oxford at lunchtime where you will spend the afternoon. In the Oxford center you will find a wide range of shops in the Westgate and Clarendon shopping centers and the old Victorian covered market. Or you can alternatively visit some free museums or Oxford Castle.

The University City of Oxford and the idyllic countryside of The Cotswolds are two of the most popular day trips from London, but visiting on a large group tour can mean less time to explore. This full-day small-group tour ensures a personalised experience, with free time to admire Oxford landmarks like the Bridge of Sighs, Christchurch Cathedral, and the Ashmolean Museum, and visit the villages of Bampton, Burford, and Bilbury.

See two of England's most in-demand destinations - both UNESCO World Heritage Sites - on this full-day, small-group tour from Oxford. Following pickup in the city center or from the Oxford train station, head first to Bath: famous for its Roman-era origins as well as its Georgian architecture. See highlights like the Royal Crescent and Bath Abbey before continuing to Stonehenge. Once there, see the sights, learn the theories about its creation from your guide, and discover more in the visitor center.

Maximize your time and budget on this full-day tour from London, starting with a tour of Leeds Castle, Henry VIII's grand Tudor palace. Next, explore the medieval city of Canterbury, famous for the magnificent Canterbury Cathedral. After lunch, head to the coast to visit the mighty White Cliffs of Dover, then return to London to discover more of Britain's maritime history in Greenwich. Then, cruise along the River Thames, past landmarks like Tower Bridge and St. Paul's Cathedral.

Discover the rugged beauty of rural north England on this 8-hour North York Moors and Whitby day trip from York. Explore the medieval town of Helmsley, home to quaint shops and a medieval castle. Delve into the North York Moors National Park for panoramic views over the rolling countryside. Soak up Whitby's seaside atmosphere at your leisure, perhaps visiting Whitby Abbey, the port or the Captain Cook Museum. Return via the Hole of Horcum and enjoy personal attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to 16 people.

Save time compared to the coach and money compared to the train on this cost-effective day trip to Oxford, the "City of Dreaming Spires". Travel directly to the heart of Oxford, then soak up the history on a walking tour of the city's signature attractions. Enjoy time to explore museums, historic colleges, and parks before returning to Bournemouth.

Don't let limited time in London stop you exploring further afield. Tick off top attractions, including Stonehenge, Bath, and Oxford, with ease on a small-group tour led by Oxford University alumni. As well as receiving personalized attention in an intimate group limited to eight, you'll travel between each sight in climate-controlled comfort and benefit from the first-hand knowledge of your guide throughout the tour.

Don't let limited time in London stop you visiting Oxford and Cambridge, home to England's oldest and most prestigious universities. Explore both historic cities on a full-day tour from London, ideal for travelers short on time. On a walking tour of Oxford, you'll see the University of Oxford and its colleges before heading to Cambridge to climb the tower at Great St. Mary's Church and enjoy free time.

Escape the city for a sojourn in the British countryside on this full-day tour of Oxford, Stratford and the Cotswold Villages from London. Visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare and Ann Hathaway's cottage in Stratford-Upon- Avon, then drive through the idyllic Cotswolds, stopping to snap photos of the thatched-roof cottages and historic villages along the way. Finally, enjoy a walking tour of Oxford and discover the 'City of Dreaming Spires,' home to the oldest university in the English-speaking world.

Spend Christmas Eve exploring the English countryside on this full-day tour of Canterbury, Dover, and Greenwich from London. Ideal for those visiting England during the festive season, this tour covers UNESCO World Heritage Site, Canterbury Cathedral; the 12th-century Leeds Castle in Kent; the iconic White Cliffs of Dover; and the maritime landmarks of Greenwich. A festive lunch is included.

First time in London? Visit the capital's most iconic landmarks on this full-day London tour, including a Thames River cruise and a ride on the famous London Eye. You'll stop for photos at Westminster Abbey, take a tour of St Paul's Cathedral and admire panoramic views of the capital from your air-conditioned coach. There's a chance to get a taste of Royal London too, as you tour the notorious Tower of London, view the Crown Jewels and watch the traditional Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace.