What do you nominate as the "best" day trip from London? And thoughts on Stonehenge?

This is one of the recent discussion threads on the merits or otherwise, of Stonehenge as a day trip.
If you go to Stonehenge I think making it a full day allows you to explore the City of Salisbury, especially (but not exclusively) the Cathedral.
It's difficult to nominate an alternative as we don't know your interests and there are almost endless possibilities- are you interested in history, nature, the seaside, and how long do you want to travel.
It is entirely possible to do places as far as York, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, Bath, Lincoln, Norwich (for the Norfolk Broads), Ipswich (gateway for Constable Country and Benjamin Britten, composer, at Aldeburgh) and so on, in a 2 hour radius. Brits do that sort of range all the time. Walking wise the North Downs Way, the Thames Path and many other places are within very easy reach. The Thames Path all the way to Oxford has lots of day hikes by train from Paddington.
But Canterbury is inside the hour (for history), Bletchley Park (the WW2 codebreakers), Whitstable (oysters, seaside town)....

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/is-stonehenge-a-must-see-destination

Stonehenge is a pain really - you can pay for a tour (convenient but lengthy) or train it to Salisbury then bus to the stones. Either way it wipes out a day for what ends up being quite a brief visit really. If you have four or five days, is it the best use of time?

What then makes a great day trip really does depend on you - I would throw in Oxford, Canterbury, Rye, Cambridge/Ely, and many more. There is a lot within easy reach of London

I did the Salisbury/Stonehenge day trip from London that London Walks used to do a few years ago. Don't know if they still do it, there have been changes to their schedule since the pandemic. It was a good way to do it. I liked the Salisbury bit much more than Stonehenge.

I'm glad I've "done" Stonehenge, but it was meh for me.

As to other day trips from London, there are tons. Depends on your interests. I liked Winchester a lot. Also Bletchley Park is fascinating, if you are interested in that sort of thing, only takes up about 3/4 of a day. But then there's Hampton Court, Windsor, Brighton ..................

Whether Stonehenge interests you probably depends on how interested you are in neolithic history. If you are, then you should go. But I suspect that for most people that is not their primary interest and there are probably more interesting places to visit. And even if you are there is a strong argument that Avebury is more interesting - larger, much more accessible and free to enter.
But you say that you only have 5 days in London, so I suspect that there will be plenty there that you won't get to. Have you thought of the sites that, whilst still in London, are a bit out of the centre and make an excellent unhurried day out? I'm thinking of Windsor, Hampton Court and particularly Greenwich. Given the choice between Stonehenge and Greenwich the latter wins hands down for me.

I enjoyed Cambridge and Oxford as day trips very much, but check for any specific campus closures ahead of time. Each has a very good museum (Fitzwilliam and Ashmolean respectively) and interesting college campuses with nice chapels, libraries, dining halls, grounds, etc.

There are also close-in options like Greenwich and Windsor as well as Bath further out.

Will that one person be very disappointed if they don't go? You can pull in some other things to do and see in Salisbury whilst there.

The last time I went to Stonehenge the guidebook was 3/6 (17.5p). I still have it.

An easy and very worthwhile daytrip is Hampton Court Palace. The architecture outside and in, Henry VIII history, Tudor kitchens, gardens, all magnificent. You can go by land or water.

Windsor, Kew Gardens, Cambridge.

If Stonehenge is a "must see" then do it. If not and Windsor is not already on your list, then I would pick Windsor. The castle is really a very nice place to tour and so is the surrounding town. Tough call and you are right, most of the day is consumed by travel to and from.

My nomination for best daytrip is Hampton Court Palace; 2nd place isn't even close. I loved Stonehenge, but for me it wouldn't be worth a trip if we hadn't bought tickets for the sunrise opening where we could walk among the stones. You'll be fenced off and a fair distance away during the daytime. The museum is OK and takes less than an hour; worthwhile if you're there anyway. I'd much rather have 2 or 3 days to visit Salisbury to also visit the Cathedral and Old Sarum.

If you like castles, Warwick Castle is a lot of fun. I was like a 10 year old boy climbing up to the turrets and running the ramparts.

I assume the sights you've targeted over four days in London (from the guidebook) are the same as those listed on this website (London sights--click on At a Glance). There are many 1- and 2-triangle sights on that list I'd try to include in a 5-day itinerary before I took a very long side trip to a place with a short pay-off at the end, like Stonehenge. Also note that some of those 3-triangle sights are monsters (the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum, especially); you will see only a small fraction of each of those in a half-day visit. I found the Churchill Museum component of the Churchill War Rooms very interesting and time-consuming, so I spent over half a day at the CWR.

To me the issue is broader than the issue of Stonehenge itself. (I have less than zero interest in Stonehenge and have never been there.) As you suggest, it's more a question of the best use of limited time. Not only does Stonehenge require a lot of travel time, it takes you to an area with many other interesting sights you wouldn't have much, if any, time for. I'd definitely postpone it till a later trip when you can spend some days out in that part of England (Salisbury, Bath, Wells, Cotswolds, etc.)

You’re right, there’s no one right answer for the best day trip from London. It depends what you’re interested in. Do you want to see cathedrals, do you want to be out in beautiful countryside, are you interested particularly in history? Are you trying to get a broader sense of England beyond London?

In 12 visits to London I have never made it out to Stonehenge and probably never will. I have enjoyed day trips to Winchester, Saint Albans, Windsor, Hampton Court palace, Kew Gardens, Cambridge, Bletchley Park, and a particularly fun day trip visiting Cotswolds villages with Beckys Secret Cottage tour (which is sadly not operating this year). Also Greenwich and Hampstead Heath/Hampstead/Kenwood house, which are both technically still London but felt like a day trip.

As a previous poster said, I’d look at Rick’s list of two-star London sights just to make sure you won’t miss something you’ll regret.

First, Babbarali25 reported to webmaster.

I can tell you the "best" day trip from London......the one you mostly want to go on. No one here can decide for you. Make a list of the day trips that interest you and pick the one that stands out the most. If it's Stonehenge, go to Stonehenge. If something else, then do that.

(Personally, I liked Stonehenge but I was staying is Salisbury. I wouldn't make it an all day trip from London. Instead I might do a half day trip to Hampton Court or Greenwich or Kew Gardens (if you are into gardens.)

My other suggestion is get your nose out of the guidebook. If all you want to do is check off places Rick Steves suggests, fine, do it that way. But if you really want to see London, wander around, take a walking tour with London Walks, look at a different guidebook that might suggest things RS doesn't.

London is a great city with lots to do. Remember what Samuel Johnson said: "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life."

I have visited quite often. Over the years, I have spent over one full year of nights in London. And I have yet to tire of the city.

BTW--I'll be back next week.

I am in agreement with Frank. I really like Stonehenge and have been numerous times BUT I've always been staying in Salisbury before and after and have had plenty of time otherwise in London and elsewhere. Salisbury Cathedral is one of my favorites as well. I'm also very interested in neolithic sites but if most of your group is just "meh" on it, I'd save it for another trip. I have a huge list of things I want to do "next time" because I can never fit it in during one trip. This upcoming trip I am determined to get to Bletchley Park as I am also interested in WWII history. Greenwich is also on the day trip list for the next trip.

I also vote for Windsor Castle for your day trip for 1/2 day, Hampton Court for 3/4 of a day or Kew Gardens (if you enjoy that sort of thing) for a full day!

BTW, my thought about adding in sights from a guide book (ANY guide book) is that you need to make sure they are of interest to you, not just the writer of the guide book.

I just had a look at Rick's 3 star attractions in London. there are 8 of them and all pretty much need a half day, some a lot longer. Just fitting them into a 5 day schedule would completely exhaust me. I'm not sure you need anything else, although I think I would drop a couple to fit in some of the other suggestions and just allow yourselves to stop, slow down. look around and talk to people.

Stonehenge--glad I saw it, wouldn't have been sorry if I didn't; part of a guided day trip, but by far not a favorite nor the best.

My best day trip was a guided tour to Highclere Castle that also included time in Bampton and a working farm used in Downton Abbey, Cogges Manor Farm. Loved seeing the other places and countryside, and had 4 hours at Highclere, a fascinating glimpse into a historical home well beyond its TV show fame.

Then there's Bletchley Park, easy to reach by train. Greenwich makes a quick & fulfilling day trip.

By train I loved my visits to Brighton, Canterbury and Bath.

Stay in London. Been visiting there since 1972. Always changing, always the same. Always find something new to explore each visit.

My suggestions for a “ day “ out:

Bletchley Park
Wimbledon
Hampton Court Palace
Kew Gardens
Oxford or Cambridge
Whitsable
Richmond and Richmond Park
Mudchute Farm

EDIT: saw Stonehenge nearly 40 years ago. No one there but my two friends and I. Oh and 4 others dressed in white robes who stepped over the rope and tried to enter the inner circle before guards surrounded and removed them. They were sure it was their time to ascend ….. somewhere.

So seeing it then was very intriguing. Couldn’t pay me now to go. Would remind me of Disneyland.

I think Windsor is an easy choice. I am one of many who was disappointed by Stonehenge although glad we did it. Maybe if you were really into the history & mystery of it, would it have been more interesting. For me, it was less than 30 minutes walking among the selfie-horde at the stones, and 1+ hour at the museum/gift shop waiting for the rest of the group. I would have been more unhappy if we'd been doing it as a long day trip from London.

Travel-Lite, how many people are in your group? Would it be feasible to split up for a day? Those interested in Stonehenge could make that trip, and everyone else could do something else.

Recently returned, and would suggest the best day off sightseeing in London, is exploring a neighborhood or two. Portobello Road Market, Brixton, a Beatles tour, a rock history tour, a walk around Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, the East End, etc.

We spent 3.5 days doing some intensive sightseeing in London, and I could easily have spent more time at: The Tower, The War Rooms, The British Museum, Westminster Abbey, and maybe the National Gallery. We had a day scheduled to go out to Kew Gardens, but opted out, and instead bopped around Kensington and Notting Hill, hitting the Leighton House Museum (*** imho) and Portobello Road.

On our eventual return, we will hit the Tower for the things we missed there, the British Museum for the things we didn't get to see in our window, and maybe take a day trip down to Cambridge or Greenwich. But seriously want to hit the VnA, get some jerk chicken in a neighborhood, explore Borough Market, and get EAST.

I enjoyed Stonehenge but we had a car and were staying in Bath so it was an easy trip. I personally would do Windsor then Hampton Court and lastly Stonehenge. Just my personal.preference. but as someone said if it is a must see for you, go for it.

It's been many years but my wife and I found ourselves in a similar situation. We booked a day trip that went to Oxford, Stratford and Warwick Castle and thoroughly enjoyed getting out of the city for a day....

My daughters and I did a London Walks daytrip to Salisbury and Stonehenge and we loved it. I highly recommend it if it's still available. I also went to Hampton Court with my husband years ago and enjoyed that very much.

Christa, I'm going to Downton Abbey in May and I hope it turns out to be my favorite daytrip! It also includes the village and Yew Tree Farm.

I was in England as trip co-leader for a high school group from the States. From London we went to Stratford Upon Avon (where we saw King Lear with a very jet-lagged group), Bath, Salisbury, Windsor Castle, Warwick Castle, and Stonehenge. I really liked the public market in Salisbury, and walking all the way around the cathedral at night. Bath was nice to stroll around. I have a very vivid memory of Stonehenge because we were the first group there the morning we went, and we had it to ourselves for a glorious twenty minutes. I had wanted to see it since I was a kid, and I loved it. Windsor tour was interesting historically and impressive of course, though Warwick sticks in my mind more because of the archery/sword demonstrations. Would have loved to do Oxford or Cambridge, or a countryside hike.

We have a driver and are starting with a 10:00 tour of Windsor Castle followed by a lunch in Windsor then onto Stonehenge. I can't say I'm excited about seeing a bunch of stones in a circle but I relented since the people I am going with are going to the Normandy area on a day trip from Paris. Enjoy it! I would never personally go n see it but at least by being forced to go I can say I was there.

I recommend attending a performance at Shakespeare's Globe. We've done this our last two trips to London, and have another booked for this summer. It's a great experience, there's a range of prices, and both evening and afternoon performances are available.

Borough Market is right around the corner; that's an interesting way to spend some time, and a great place to grab a light meal before the show.

As you say, there's no real right or wrong answer here, but our personal experience with Stonehenge last summer was positive. Our family of four was staying in London (Paddington area) and took a day-long bus tour from central London that took us to Bath, Lacock, and finally Stonehenge. The bus ride to Bath was a couple of hours, and we spent a couple of hours there touring the museum. We stopped in the medieval village of Lacock for a late pub lunch before arriving at the stones in late afternoon. We paid an extra fee for the after-hours tour that actually allows you to walk among the stones--normal daytime tours are restricted to roped-off footpaths. We found this up-close, guided tour well worth our time, and our 11 year old granddaughter still talks about it to her friends. The highlight was the photo I was able to capture of the sun setting atop one of the cross stones. Bottom line--I recommend it, but that's just my opinion.