Big Ben and Westminster Bridge in London

United Kingdom · London

Day trips from London: castles, ancient stones and film sets

Leave the city for a day to see Windsor Castle, walk inside the Stonehenge circle, or step onto the sets of your favourite films. Three tours, all starting in London.

See 3 tours
Currency
Pound sterling (£)
Language
English
Time zone
GMT · UTC+0
Best time
May–September

Tours & experiences

Tours in London

Windsor Castle under a blue sky LondonDay trip

Windsor → Stonehenge → Bath

Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Bath

Three of England's best-known sights in one day from London: Windsor Castle, the prehistoric stones of Stonehenge, and the Georgian streets of Bath, home of the Roman Baths.

  • Full day
  • From London
  • Coach & guide
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The standing stones of Stonehenge in Wiltshire LondonSpecial access

Stonehenge, Wiltshire

Stonehenge Special Access Inner Circle

Walk inside the stone circle itself outside normal opening hours. On a standard visit you stay on the path around the stones; this tour takes you in among them.

  • Limited spaces
  • From London
  • Inner circle entry
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Highclere Castle, the filming location of Downton Abbey LondonFilm locations

Leavesden or the Cotswolds

Harry Potter Studio or Downton Abbey

Pick your story: the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, with the sets and props from the Harry Potter films, or a day among the villages and houses where Downton Abbey was filmed.

  • Full day
  • Choose your tour
  • From London
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London travel guide

Why take a day trip from London?

London is the easiest base for exploring southern England. Windsor is about an hour from the city, and Stonehenge and Bath are around two to three hours away by road. A guided day trip handles the driving, timings and tickets, so you see several places in one day without hiring a car or working out train connections.

Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Bath

Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and is still a working royal residence. Stonehenge, on Salisbury Plain, was built in stages starting around 5,000 years ago. Bath is known for its honey-coloured Georgian streets and its Roman Baths, and the whole city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Inside the Stonehenge circle

On a standard visit you see the stones from a path that runs around them. Special access visits take place outside normal opening hours, usually early in the morning or in the evening, and let a small group walk inside the circle among the stones.

Harry Potter or Downton Abbey

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, at Leavesden near Watford, is where the Harry Potter films were made, and it shows original sets, costumes and props. For Downton Abbey fans, Highclere Castle in Hampshire was the real-life Downton, and the Oxfordshire village of Bampton stood in for the fictional village.

Which London day trip is right for you?

  • First trip to England: Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Bath shows three very different sides of the country in one day.
  • History lovers and photographers: the Stonehenge Inner Circle tour gets you closer than any standard ticket.
  • Film fans and families: Harry Potter Studio or Downton Abbey.

Practical tips

Know before you go

Rules and conditions change, so always check official sources close to your travel date.

Entry requirements

Many visitors need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK. Check the official GOV.UK guidance before you travel.

Weather

British weather changes quickly. Bring a waterproof layer even in summer, especially for Stonehenge, which stands on open ground.

Early starts

Day trips usually leave central London early in the morning and return in the evening. Plan a light dinner on the day.

Money

The UK uses the pound sterling. Contactless card and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere.

Getting around London

Tap a contactless card or phone to ride the Tube and buses. Fares are capped daily, so you never pay more than a day pass.

Plugs

The UK uses type G three-pin plugs at 230V. Bring an adapter for your phone and camera chargers.

FAQs

London tours: your questions

Can’t find your answer? Send us a message and we’ll reply by email.

How far is Stonehenge from London?

About 90 miles (145 km) west of London, roughly two hours by road.

Can you touch the stones at Stonehenge?

No. Even on inner circle visits, touching or climbing on the stones is not allowed, to protect the monument.

Is Windsor Castle always open?

Windsor Castle is a working royal palace, so parts of it can close at short notice for official events. If it closes on your tour date, we will contact you about your options.

Is the Harry Potter studio tour good for children?

Yes. It is very popular with families, and inside the studio you explore at your own pace.

What should I wear on a day trip?

Comfortable walking shoes and layers, plus a waterproof jacket. Bath and Windsor both involve walking on cobbles and slopes.

Enquiry

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