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Best time for a day trip from London?

We will be in London for 10 days in the first half of August and want to use two of those to head to Windsor and Canterbury for a day each. I am in the process of booking tickets and wonder if it's better to stay in the city during the week and head out on the weekends, or vise versa. Or, perhaps, it just doesn't matter in high season as everything is busy all the time. What would you do - book a day trip on a weekday or a weekend? (I believe there is a bank holiday on Aug. 6 and we will stay in the city for that.) Thanks.

Posted by
61 posts

Thanks for the correction on the bank holiday, Emma! I will proceed with booking and avoid rush hours.

Posted by
713 posts

If you're traveling by train, be aware that weekend schedules can be disrupted for "engineering works," which as I understand it means maintenance/repair work (I assume on the tracks or other parts of the system). I think the various train operating companies have updates on their websites, and will let you sign up for email alerts as well.

Posted by
2775 posts

You book your train tickets for Canterbury go to Canterbury East, as you exit the station cross the street, you will see Canterbury East Station Bridge walk up it to the Roman Wall, turn left onto wall and it will take you to the city center where the Cathedral is. It’s a 10 minute walk.

Leave London Paddington Station to Windsor, you will change trains in Slough, just change platforms.
When you exit train, turn left walk up to High Street and the castle is across the street.