Day trip from London - York or Bath?

What other day trips are you taking? York & Bath are both wonderful, but seem too far to go and return in one day and have any time to see anything at the destination.

I would not consider either a relaxing "day trip". (although I know some do such trips) Without knowing your itinerary, why not focus on London's many different options? I have been traveling to the city for over 4 decades and still have a list of "unseens" for the next visit.

Take a look at possible train connections and ticket prices to York or Bath (Bath Spa) here. Are you comfortable with the timing and length of train rides and the cost? Last minute distance tickets can get pricey.

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk

Bath is a 90-minute direct train ride from London’s Paddington station. Get an early start and make sure you’re organized when you arrive. Take an evening train back to London.
York is not a day trip and makes a great stop if traveling between London and Edinburgh. You want to spend a minimum of one night in York.

York is only about a 25 minute longer journey than Bath (just under 2 hours). Both generally have half hourly service (York a few more) and both have first trains there at around 6am, and last back around 10pm. Many trains to York it is non stop from/to London.
So if Bath is possible (and it is) York is, as well.

The two are very different - what are your expectations and what sort of things do you want to do/see?

Bath has the Roman Baths, the abbey and splendid Georgian architecture along with the Jane Austin connotations. .

York is a walled medieval town (do go for a walk down the Shambles with its overhanging buildings), Clifford's Tower, the Minster with crypt and Roman remains in the Undercroft, as well as many other churches (do go and find Holy Trinity Church tucked away between Goodramgate and Low Petergate) There's the National Railway Museum, Castle Museum and many others...

After reading travel books, I think that York and Bath is not easy to navigate compared to Edinburgh.

Roman Baths and Bath Abbey are quite far away from The Circus and Royal Crescent.

As for York, some interesting places are far away from the train station. Gosh. I'm worried that i might not find my way to the accomodation in evening/night.

Many thanks all! We have been to London before and are actually going to be there twice, at the beginning and end of this journey. We have two extra days in London before we fly home, and didn't venture any farther than Oxford on our last trip. Love seeing the history, cathedrals, fun pubs etc. I don't think we can manage to see both York AND Bath but both sound so interesting!

After reading travel books, I think that York and Bath is not easy to navigate compared to Edinburgh.

Roman Baths and Bath Abbey are quite far away from The Circus and Royal Crescent.

As for York, some interesting places are far away from the train station. Gosh. I'm worried that i might not find my way to the accomodation in evening/night.

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You are incorrect on both counts. Please have a look at Google maps. Plus, the OP would be there during the day/evening.

Both are easy day trips from London and you can’t lose with whichever you choose. From the train station in either city, there is a walk to get to the main sites. The walk from the station in York may be a little further, but very doable unless there are mobility issues involved.

Bath and York are both small cities and it’s extremely easy to walk to all the main sights. If you’d like to visit both then maybe just go for Bath because it’s slightly closer. Either would make a great day trip.

Like everyone says both are great, but if you are into cathedrals I would go to York. It would be a long day, but what is travel for?

Tour the Minster, walk through the Shambles, walk along the river/take a boat cruise, the York Chocolate Experience is interesting, have lunch at one of the old pubs or Betty's Tea Room/make a reservation, then head back to the Minster for evensong (5:30 during the week-but get there early, check times for the weekend). If you have never been to an evensong it is an experience. At one point at the Minster it was like angels were singing.

By the way you can also go to evensong at Westminster and St. Paul's while you are in London. We plan on doing that when we are in London in a month, will also go to the Minster again for its evensong.