London is full of activities for you and your family to enjoy. But, if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, there are plenty of attractions nearby that are perfect for a family day trip.
Whether you’re looking for an educational day out, thrill-seeking at a theme park, or some time in the great outdoors – there’s something here for everyone.
In the following article, we’ve created a list of the 10 best attractions (plus 1 bonus attraction) within a 2-hour radius of the capital. We hope it helps you to plan the perfect day trip for you and your family!
Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour
Location: Watford, WD25
Ages: All ages welcome, recommended for 7 years+
Distance from London: 1.5 hours by public transport, 1 hour by car
Tickets from £129.00 with London transportation: Harry Potter Warner Bros.
The Making of Harry Potter at the Warner Bros. Studios is a magical adventure into the world of your favourite wizard. Here, you can explore breathtaking sets, authentic props, and original costumes from the films.
This attraction is great for children of all ages, but it is probably most suited to 7-year-olds + who have read the books or seen the Harry Potter movies. Children under 4 go free and can collect themed Harry Potter passport stamps as they explore the exhibits.
There are plenty of overnight stay options in the Watford area, including Holiday Inns, Premier Inns, and AirBnb.
What the Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour reviews are saying
Harry Potter Warner Bros. has 5/5 stars from 46,674 reviews on Tripadvisor.
Many reviewers commented that it was an immersive, unforgettable day out, and families liked being able to move at their own pace.
Some visitors found that the exhibition could be crowded at peak times, so it’s worth keeping this in mind when booking and choosing off-peak tickets where possible.
Other need-to-knows
There are several cafés and restaurants on site where you can purchase chocolate frogs and butterbeer.
If you’re coming from central London, it’s a 20-minute train journey from Euston to Watford Junction. Shuttle buses run from Watford Junction to the attraction every 30 minutes from 9:20 am.
Where to book Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour
Tickets to Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour start at £53.50 per adult. Visit Golden Tours to book and for more information. Alternatively you can book this tour with return transportation from London from Viator at £129.00 per person.
LEGOLAND
Location: Windsor, SL4
Ages: 3 years+
Distance from London: 1.5 hours by public transport, 1 hour by car
Tickets from £29.00: LEGOLAND
LEGOLAND is a LEGO theme park with rides, mini LEGO villages, and 11 lands to discover. LEGO lovers can check out the minifigure factory, get their LEGOLAND driving licence, and create a LEGO mosaic.
The rides at LEGOLAND—like the new minifigure speedway—are designed for kids aged 3-12. Performances and 4D movies are also shown throughout the day.
If you’re planning an overnight stay, the LEGOLAND Woodland Village, Resort Hotel, and Castle Hotel offer family-oriented accommodation.
What the LEGOLAND reviews are saying
LEGOLAND has 4.1/5 stars from 43,980 reviews on Google.
Visitors really appreciated the knowledgeable, helpful staff at LEGOLAND Windsor and the family-friendly environment.
Some reviewers mentioned that rides had irregular opening times. So, if there’s an attraction you really want to enjoy, we recommend checking to see if it’s open before your visit.
Other need-to-knows
There are five restaurants and snack bars on-site.
The resort is easily accessed from central London — the journey from Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside takes 50 minutes. After that, you can ride a shuttle bus to LEGOLAND from the station.
Where to book LEGOLAND
Tickets start at £29.00 per person. Visit the LEGOLAND website to book and for more information.
Warwick Castle
Location: Warwick, CV34
Ages: All ages welcome
Distance from London: 2 hours by public transport, 2 hours + by car
Tickets from £22.00: Warwick Castle
Warwick Castle is a medieval castle built around 1,000 years ago. If you’re interested in the venue’s history, Warwick offers a free guided tour of the castle’s past!
There’s so much to do at this attraction. If you’re with young children, they might enjoy storytelling in the Princess Tower or getting lost in the Horrible Histories Maze.
Older kids can learn more about history at the War of the Roses Live performance or discover Britain’s largest working siege machine at The Legend of the Trebuchet.
If you want to stay overnight, Warwick Castle has 4 different accommodations – ranging from glamping and lodges to tower suites. There’s a hotel on the castle grounds, too.
What the Warwick Castle reviews are saying
Warwick Castle has 4.6/5 stars from 21,674 reviews on Google.
Reviews commend the variety of activities available at Warwick for all ages and emphasise that it’s a great place for kids to learn about history.
However, some visitors say that on-site prices can be expensive. So, if you’re working to a budget, consider taking a packed lunch with you.
Other need-to-knows
There are cafés and snack stops on-site. If you prefer to bring your own food, there are several outdoor picnic areas you can use.
We recommend allowing around 4-5 hours to explore the castle and its grounds.
If you’re coming from London, there’s a 90-minute train from Marylebone to Warwick. After that, it’s a 15-minute walk to Warwick Castle.
Where to book Warwick Castle
Tickets start at £22 per adult. Visit Warwick Castle to book and for more information.
Chessington World of Adventures
Location: Chessington, KT9
Ages: 3 years + (Under 12s to be accompanied by an adult)
Distance from London: 50 minutes by public transport, 1 hour by car
Tickets from £29.00: Chessington World of Adventures
Chessington World of Adventures is the perfect theme park for families with young children.
The venue has a diverse range of rides, so there’ll be something for your kids to enjoy, however tall they are. There’s also a Zoo at Chessington, with animals from all over the world.
Preschoolers might enjoy the Gruffalo Summer Celebration or Elmer’s Autumn Adventure. The venue’s Adult and Pre-Schooler tickets allow one child (4 years and under) free entry with every adult.
You can stay overnight at one of Chessington’s hotels or glamping sites.
What the Chessington World of Adventures reviews are saying
Chessington World of Adventures has 4.1/5 stars from 27,679 reviews on Google.
Visitors often mention that Chessington has great rides for younger children and that the wait times for attractions are short.
However, some reviewers said that food on-site is slightly expensive. So we recommend taking a packed lunch if you can!
Other need-to-knows
There are 19 restaurants, cafés, and snack bars on-site for you to choose from.
If you’re coming from central London, the train from Waterloo to Chessington South takes 35 minutes. From there, it’s a short 13-minute walk to the theme park.
Parking is available and cheaper when you book in advance. On-site hotel guests get free parking.
Where to book Chessington World of Adventures
Tickets start at £29 per adult. Visit Chessington World of Adventures to book and for more information.
Whipsnade Zoo
Location: Dunstable, LU6
Ages: All ages
Distance from London: 2 hours by public transport, 1.5 hours by car
Tickets from £27.00: Whipsnade Zoo
Whipsnade Zoo has habitats and animals from across the globe. There are lions, butterflies, farm animals, elephants, penguins, and more!
This is an excellent attraction for children of all ages. Younger children will enjoy Whipsnade’s indoor and outdoor playparks. For older kids with a passion for animals, there are daily talks and demonstrations for different kinds of animals.
A mini steam railway that will take you around the site for a small fee.
You can sleep overnight at the Zoo – either in a Lookout Lodge or by camping. There are plenty of hotels and Airbnbs in the surrounding area.
What the Whipsnade Zoo reviews are saying
Whipsnade Zoo has 4.5/5 stars from 14,670 reviews on Google.
Visitors were really pleased with the variety of activities for children at Whipsnade and mentioned that there was a huge range of animal enclosures to experience.
However, the park has longer walking distances, so families with very young children should be aware of this.
Other need-to-knows
Whipsnade has 6 on-site restaurants, cafés, and snack stops. There are also plenty of places to sit down with a packed lunch if you want to bring your own food.
If you travel to Whipsnade by train or bus, you will be given a 50% discount on tickets at the gate. If you’re coming from London, trains run from St Pancras, and then it’s a 15-20 minute bus ride to the zoo.
Where to book Whipsnade Zoo
Tickets start at £27.00 per adult. Visit official ticket providers of Whipsnade Zoo to book and for more information.
Stonehenge
Location: Salisbury, SP4
Ages: 5 years +
Distance from London: 2.5 hours + by public transport, 2 hours by car
Tickets from £69.00: Half day Stonehenge tour
Stonehenge is a famous stone monument built about 5,000 years ago. While there, you can get up close to the iconic stone circle, explore a Neolithic village, and learn about Stonehenge in an interactive exhibition.
This attraction is best suited to older children, who can appreciate its history. However, the venue sometimes runs summer activities aimed at younger children – encouraging them to search for clues throughout the grounds.
A shuttle bus runs between the visitor centre and the monument, taking 5-10 minutes. Otherwise, it’s a 25- to 40-minute walk.
What the Stonehenge reviews are saying
Stonehenge has 4.5/5 stars from 53,086 reviews on Google.
Reviewers often commented on how friendly and knowledgeable the Stonehenge staff were and learned lots about its history from informative exhibits.
However, this venue gets particularly busy at weekends and in the summer. So, consider visiting during off-peak periods.
Other need-to-knows
There’s an on-site café serving lunch and refreshments. The venue encourages visitors to bring picnics – you can sit and eat within view of the stones!
You’ll need about 2.5-4 hours to explore the stones and the exhibition. If you are considering an overnight stay, there are Airbnbs, hotels, and B&Bs nearby.
Parking is available on-site and free for ticket holders.
If you’re coming on public transport from London, there are trains from Waterloo to Salisbury. After that, it’s a 50-minute bus ride to the attraction.
We recommend checking out round-trip Stonehenge tours from London to take the stress out of travelling.
Where to book Stonehenge
Tickets for a half-day tour start at £69.00 per adult: Stonehenge half day tour. Alternatively you can combine Stonehenge with a tour of Bath and an optional Roman Baths visit: Stonehenge and Bath day trip.
Thorpe Park
Location: Chertsey, KT16
Ages: 3 years+, ideal for teenagers
Distance from London: 1 hour by public transport or car
Tickets from £29.00: Thorpe Park
Thorpe Park is a popular theme park among thrill-seekers. It’s got nail-biting rollercoasters, log flumes, delicious food, and sugary snacks.
For safety reasons, Thorpe Park rides are managed according to height restrictions. Attractions are slightly limited for children under 110cm.
For that reason, we recommend this venue for families with older children who will be able to make the most of the park’s rides.
You can stay overnight on site, at the park’s Shark Cabins or Themed Rooms.
What the Thorpe Park reviews are saying
Thorpe Park has 4.3/5 stars from 32,217 reviews on Google.
Visitors to Thorpe Park enjoyed the huge variety of thrilling rollercoasters available and the option to buy Fastrack tickets for individual rides.
Reviewers mention that the wait times can be very long without Fastrack tickets. We recommend keeping up-to-date on wait times through the Thorpe Park app.
Other need-to-knows
You can spend about 4-6 hours in Thorpe Park. There are 22 restaurants and snack bars throughout the park.
If you’re coming from central London, get the train from Waterloo to Woking. After that, it’s a 30-minute bus ride to the theme park.
Alternatively, book on-site parking in advance or on the day.
Where to book Thorpe Park
Tickets start at £29 per adult. Visit Thorpe Park to book and for more information.
Windsor Castle
Location: Windsor, SL4
Ages: All ages welcome
Distance from London: 1 hour by public transport or car
Tickets from £30.00: Windsor Castle
Open to visitors throughout the year, Windsor Castle is the world’s largest and oldest working castle.
The site is excellent for learning more about British history and exploring a real-life, working castle. You can discover the Castle Defences, the State Apartments, St George’s Chapel, and the Changing of the Guard.
There are plenty of activities for families to enjoy — including a free multimedia tour, trails around the Castle site, and an extensive bank of learning resources for all ages and abilities.
There are several hotels and Airbnbs within walking distance of the castle.
What the Windsor Castle reviews are saying
Windsor Castle has 4.5/5 stars from 14,219 reviews on Tripadvisor.
Visitors appreciated the helpful customer service and engaging family activities at Windsor Castle.
One of the only downsides was that they couldn’t take photographs when inside the amazing venue!
Other need-to-knows
There’s an on-site café at Windsor Castle, and there are plenty of eateries in Windsor itself.
If you’re coming to Windsor Castle from London, it’s a 30-minute train journey from London Paddington to Windsor Central Station.
Where to book Windsor Castle
Tickets start at £30 per adult. Visit Windsor Castle to book and for more information.
Lapland UK
Location: Ascot, SL5
Ages: 4 years +
Distance from London: 1.5 hours + by public transport, 1 hour 20 by car
Lapland UK is an immersive Christmas experience aimed at families with young children. Kids can make toys in Santa’s workshop, explore an Elven village, ice skate, and meet Santa himself!
After you book, a handwritten invitation arrives from the Elves. At the venue, storytelling performances will guide you through a Christmas adventure and Lapland UK’s beautifully decorated sets.
If you plan to stay overnight, there are plenty of hotels and Airbnbs in the area.
What the Lapland UK reviews are saying
Lapland UK has 4.6/5 stars from 1,449 reviews on Google.
Reviewers emphasise how magical the immersive experience is at Lapland and agree that it’s worth the ticket price.
However, some mention that the car parks can get busy during peak hours. To avoid this, consider travelling by public transport or staying overnight nearby.
Other need-to-knows
There are 4 eateries on-site at Lapland UK. Parents should note that food and drink from outside the venue isn’t permitted.
You should allow around 5 – 6 hours for the whole experience.
From central London, the Elizabeth line runs from Paddington to Slough. After that, it’s a 1-hour bus ride and a short walk to the venue.
Where to book Lapland UK
Tickets for Lapland UK are released in March and sell out quickly. To secure your place, we recommend signing up for the Lapland mailing list and checking your inbox regularly.
Tickets start at £60 per person. Visit Lapland UK to book and for more information.
Brighton Beach
Location: Brighton, BN2
Ages: All ages
Distance from London: 1.5 hours by public transport, 2 hours by car
Brighton Beach is a 2-mile pebble beach, safe for shallow swimming and protected from the wind. Nearby, there’s plenty for all ages at the Palace Pier, including a four-storey soft play and arcade games.
With older children, check out Brighton i360, an observation tower on the seafront. There’s also the Royal Pavilion & Garden and the Hove Museum of Creativity if you want a more educational trip.
There are plenty of overnight options throughout Brighton and on the seafront, including hotels and Airbnbs.
What the Brighton Beach reviews are saying
Brighton Beach has 4.5/5 stars from 5,375 reviews on Google.
Visitors mentioned how beautiful and relaxing Brighton Beach is and were happy to find so many restaurants and cafés in the surrounding area.
However, reviewers also note that the beach can get busy in the summer and on weekends. For that reason, we recommend visiting during off-peak periods if possible.
Other need-to-knows
There are plenty of eateries throughout Brighton and near the beach.
The council will recruit lifeguards East of Brighton Palace Pier from mid-July to early September 2024.
If you’re coming from central London, you can get the train from Victoria or St Pancras. From Brighton station, it’s a 20-minute walk to the beach.
Find out more about Brighton Beach
Visit the Visit Brighton website for more information.
And a bonus day trip for adventurous families:
South Downs National Park
Location: West Sussex, BN1
Ages: recommended for 6 years+
Distance from London: 1 hour 50 minutes by public transport or car
The South Downs National Park offers 628 square miles of natural beauty and over 2,000 miles of trails to explore. There’s cycle hire, horseriding, zoos, historical sites, and museums to enjoy.
In Lewes, you can learn about history at Lewes Castle and Anne of Cleves House. If you want to get active, bike hire is available at Cycleshack, which is a great way to explore the surrounding area.
Arundel is home to a Wetland Centre, where kids can learn about local wildlife. Or, you can get on horseback at the Arundel Riding Centre, which has South Downs hacks available for more experienced riders.
Airbnbs, hotels, and bed and breakfasts are available to book throughout the National Park.
What the South Downs National Park reviews are saying
South Downs National Park has 4.7/5 stars from 16,782 reviews on Google.
Reviewers say the park is an excellent place to explore the great outdoors and encourage visitors to take advantage of the site’s various activities.
However, long walks are a big part of the South Downs experience – so this attraction might be challenging for young children.
Other need-to-knows
Plenty of family-friendly pubs, restaurants, and cafés are dotted around Lewes and Arundel.
You should put aside 5-6 hours to enjoy your trip to the South Downs National Park.
Trains run directly from Victoria / Clapham Junction to Arundel and Lewes and take 60-90 minutes.
Where to book South Downs National Park
Entry to the park is free. Visit South Downs National Park for more information.
What is the best family day trip from London?
The best family day trip from London really depends on what you and your family enjoy doing the most.
If you like rides and entertainment, then Thorpe Park is good for older children, and LEGOLAND or Chessington World of Adventures for younger ones.
If your children have seen Harry Potter and enjoyed the films, then the Making of Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studios tour might blow them away.
Alternatively, if your children are animal lovers, Whipsnade Zoo or the South Downs National Park would be a fun day out for them.
Whatever your preference, remember there’s plenty to do outside the city.
Day trips from London can offer you the chance to learn about history, meet and greet animals, explore the great outdoors, and much more!