Great day trips from London

London is one of the world’s greatest cities. With attractions like Big Ben, London Bridge and Buckingham Palace, there’s plenty to keep you pulled into the city centre. However, time never seems to stop in London, and that brings with it a whole lot of noise, tourists and journey to England isn’t complete unless you venture out into the countryside, full of rolling green hills and quaint villages.

Book a hire car from Heathrow Airport and head out on one of these five great day trips.

Stonehenge

Drive two hours south west of London and you’ll find one of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments. Many mysterious still remain about Stonehenge, which is more than 5000 years old. A visit to the site allows you to walk in the footsteps of our Neolithic ancestors and you can even step inside a Neolithic House to discover what everyday life was life. For the best pictures, try to book a Stone Circle Access tours, which occurs either very early morning or late evening.

Bath

This charming city is set in rolling countryside, about two hours west of London. Bath is most famous for its natural hot springs and 18^th Century Georgian architecture. People have been visiting the city for thousands of years, and it’s no less spectacular today. The iconic attraction is the original Roman Baths, including the Great Bath, statues and a temple. Once finished, make sure you take a stroll through the vibrant Prior Park Landscape Gardens.

Blenheim Palace

England is full of beautiful palaces, but all are unique and nothing compares to Blenheim Palace. Drive about an hour and a half north west of London, where you’ll find one of the country’s largest houses. The UNESCO World Heritage Site was built between 1705 and 1722 and was designed in the rare English Baroque style. Much history has been witnessed inside these spectacular walls, including the birth of Sir Winston Churchill. From Monday to Saturday there are guided tours of the State Rooms and gardens.

Osea Island

Osea Island is about a two hour drive North East of London. It offers nearly 400 acres of beautiful countryside. It also has a stunning village, which is surrounded by four miles of beaches and coastline. This luxury island is worth staying overnight, but it still makes for a lovely day trip, with plenty of relaxing activities. The island also has a fascinating history which spans 5000 years. Here, you’ll discover the remains of Neolithin villages, Viking burial grounds and Roman occupation.

Mayfield Lavender Farm

Fields of gorgeous purple await about an hour south of London. At Mayfield Lavender Farm you have 25 acres to walk through and photograph. It’s a family-run farm, which is open from May until September.The best months of the year to visit are July and August, when the lavender is in full bloom, and an annual photo competition is held.

BRIANNA PIAZZA

Brianna Piazza

Brianna Piazza is an Australian television reporter and part-time travel blogger. Originally from Melbourne, she's currently living in Cairns where she works for WIN News and spends her weekends exploring the outdoors Far North Queensland.

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