In part III of this series of looking at the best day trips from London, we will be going further afield. This time we are going to look at travelling by rail from London King’s Cross or Euston stations. Travelling by rail can be less stressful than travelling by road and you can get a lot further than you would do by a car or coach.
Roman Chester in One Day
This day trip is a full day and departs from Euston Station. It is also unescorted. However, you will meet a tour representative at Euston Station outside the main ticket office to collect your tickets and itinerary for the day.
Chester with its walled sits city on the River Dee is richer in terms of archaeological and architectural treasures and was founded as a “castrum” or Roman fort in the year 79 AD by the Roman Legio II Adiutrix during the reign of the Emperor Vespasian. The city’s four main roads, Eastgate, Northgate, Watergate and Bridge, all follow routes laid out almost 2,000 years ago.
Chester is also home to a 1000 year old Cathedral featuring Europe’s finest example of medieval carvings and a brand new Cathedral. The high towers have hidden passageways and ancient chambers which can be accessed. The city’s classic heritage includes two-tier rows of shopping galleries, the most complete City Walls, the largest Roman Amphitheatre and oldest racecourse in Britain.
Whilst you are in Chester, you can also do City Tour which will introduce you to the City Walls, the Cathedral, Roman Amphitheatre and all the things to do in the city. Chester’s history is etched into the very fabric of the city – walk where Roman Legionaries marched to war, Viking raiders wreaked havoc, a civil war siege took place and Norman invaders conquered Anglo-Saxons.
THE LAKE DISTRICT WITH CREAM TEA & CRUISE
This day trip is by train and leaves from London Euston Station. The Lake District is renowned for its breath-taking scenery, stunning natural beauty and quaint market towns and is England’s largest National Park. Enjoy a scenic cruise on Lake Windermere with traditional Cream Tea amidst the tranquil surroundings with stunning views of mountain scenery, secluded bays and the many wooded islands.
There’s a tiny medieval market town called Hawkshead worth seeing. It’s charming mix of jumbled or disorderly houses and narrow cobbled streets. This pretty village is in the heart of the Lake District and was much loved by writer Beatrix Potter and poet William Wordsworth and were inspired by its setting. You’ll also find Old Grammar School, which was founded in 1585 and is where William Wordsworth, studied.
Coniston, is a beautiful village which is well worth a visit and known for Coniston Water and is where Donald Campbell CBE broke the world water speed record of 276mph. Here you might see a Steam Yacht Gondola which is a rebuilt Victorian steam powered yacht. It offers cruises on Coniston Water.
Another visit worth going to is to the Lindeth Howe Country House Hotel, which was once owned by Beatrix Potter herself. Here you can enjoy and experience in a truly British way, to have traditional Cream Tea.
There is an option to spend a relaxing night in a Lake District accommodation and spend your second day there. There are plenty of unforgettable things to do like visiting the National Park. You can even hire a bike and ride through the pretty scenery, full of wildlife and natural wonders or hire a kayak and explore the lake for yourself!
Edinburgh – The Royal City
Yes indeed! You can get to Scotland and explore Edinburgh and get back to London in one day! This day trip is by train and leaves from London King’s Cross Station. In four and a half hours, you’ll arrive in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh ready to begin a few hours of exploration including entry to Edinburgh Castle, an Open Top Bus Tour and time for for a bit of shopping.
Edinburgh is known as Auld Reekie, which means ‘Old Smokey’ in Scots. You can get a sense of its history around almost every corner of this beautiful city. There are underground vaults and hidden passageways, relics of construction from bygone eras which you will find in and around this historic town centre, known as ‘Old Town’.
The narrow-cobbled alleyways of Old Town, the medieval heart of Edinburgh is filled with centuries-old buildings, traditional pubs, charming stores and casual eateries that line the ‘Royal Mile’, a historic street cutting through the heart of the city. St Giles’ Cathedral, the 900-year old religious focal point of the city is worthy of a visit too.
The mighty Edinburgh Castle, is a 1100-year-old fortress built on a long-extinct volcano, Castle Rock. Here you can admire the sparkling Scottish Crown Jewels and take in the panoramic views of the city’s famous skyline while exploring the long, bloody history of the castle, from its time as a military fortress, a royal residence to a prison of war.
In New Town there are beautiful Georgian architecture to be found. Also head to Carlton Hill for stunning panoramic views of the city. Ascend Castle Hill as you walk in the footsteps of famous Scottish kings and queens and see the ‘Stone of Destiny’ – a sacred stone throne that has been used for centuries in the coronation of Scottish monarchs. The Stone is displayed alongside the Crown Jewels in the Royal Palace which is on the east side of Crown Square.
If you want to save your legs, why not hop-on a guided bus tour and be driven around some of the finest and culture-rich destinations in Edinburgh. The Tour takes in locations including the Palace of Holyroodhouse, The Queen’s official residence in Edinburgh, John Knox House, a magnificent medieval building dating back to the 15th century and the Grassmarket, a historic marketplace with incredible views of Edinburgh Castle.
Edinburgh – The Royal City with Overnight Stay
There is an option to stay overnight or even better, extend to two nights in Scotland’s capital. Besides visiting the historic castles and palaces, roam the medieval streets, you can head off to experience the wild, untamed beauty of the Scottish Highlands – home of dramatic scenery and Loch Ness!
Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Highlands From Edinburgh
So! After an exhilarating first day in Edinburgh, why not make day two a trip to the Highlands? From Edinburgh you will pass the imposing Stirling Castle, whisk past the Trossachs (Rob Roy country) before crossing the wilds of Rannoch Moor and onto dramatic Glencoe. Glencoe is site of the 1692 massacre of the Clan MacDonald and one of Scotland’s most famous glens, .
The tour passes Fort William and Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain and follows the Great Glen and stopping in the village of Fort Augustus which is by the shores of the mysterious Loch Ness. You have the option to take a boat trip on Loch Ness, explore the area or simply relax in a Highland village. Depending on the tour option, there’s also a locally produced picnic lunch for free!
On the way back, you’ll pass through ‘Monarch of the Glen’ country, south to Perthshire and the historic town of Dunkeld. There’s also view a spectacular Forth Bridge on the journey back.
On the third day, you’ll have free time until mid-afternoon to explore a little bit more of Edinburgh and time for some last minute shopping before making your way back to London.
Glenfinnan, Mallaig & Glencoe Adventure From Edinburgh
This is one of many alternative day trips from Edinburgh which travels to the famous Glen featured in many films, such as James Bond’s and some Harry Potter scenes from the Prisoner of Azkaban. There’s a photo stop to learn all about the history of Glencoe, including the massacre of the MacDonald Clan in 1692.
The tour travels further north through the Highland town of Fort William then onto the Road to the Isles, or “Rathad nan Eilean”. The area is said to have some of the most spectacular scenery in the world and was run by the Clan Donald. It’s one not to be missed!
The tour then travels to Mallaig, which is a scenic port on the West coast of Scotland. The name comes from the old Norse, ‘Mel Vik’, meaning a sand dune bay. Here you can sample some of the local seafood and enjoy the beautiful sea views.
The main attraction of the day; Glenfinnan Viaduct is where you will see the Harry Potter Steam Train. Surrounded by mountains on the shores of Loch Shiel, Glenfinnan Monument symbolises one of the most important events in Scottish history; the 1745 Jacobite Uprising. Besides the Jacobite Steam Train (the Hogwarts Express), Loch Shiel was the location of the ‘Black Lake and also the setting for Buckbeak’s beautiful flight, scenes from the Triwizard Tournament.
To explore more of Scotland from Edinburgh, Glasgow or Inverness, click here.