London. The most wonderful, yet overwhelming city in the World. A bold claim, but live there for a year and you’ll see why.

In England’s capital, you can find a different thing to do every day for several years. We really mean it. But why not venture out for a day or two, and see what else England has to offer?

Check out Spotahome’s list of day trips from London.

1. Winchester

I’m from Winchester, so I’m a little biased.

Four facts that I tell everyone I meet:

  1. Winchester used to be the capital of England.
  2. You can find King Arthur’s Round Table at the top of the main high street.
  3. Jane Austen is buried here.
  4. It’s got nothing to do with the gun (eye roll).

With its quaint streets, abundance of pubs, and proximity to the countryside, it’s no wonder Winchester is repeatedly named ‘The Best Place to Live in England.’ It’s also been the Christmas Capital of the country, whatever that means.

You can have a great time in Winchester at any time of year. But why not visit during a festival? The Hat Fair and Boomtown Fair are not to be missed.

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History

The Cathedral. It’s over a thousand years old, and is one of the largest in Europe. Its grassy grounds are one of the most popular places to hang out in summer.

  • The Great Hall. It’s where you’ll find King Arthur’s Round Table. This hall is all that remains of Winchester Castle, which burned down hundreds of years ago.
  • The Westgate Museum. This former prison is part of the old city walls. You can see ancient prisoner graffiti, and climb to the top for extensive views of the high street.

Shopping

Winchester has both high street chain shops, high end boutiques and concept stores. Try The Hambledon and Molly’s Den for something different.

Pubs and restaurants

Alfies, The Black Boy, and The Black Bottle are great places to grab some drinks. If you’re into live music, you can’t go wrong with The Railway Inn. For food, I’d recommend Pi, The Chesil Rectory or The Stable. Yummy.

That’s all great, but how do I get there?

Take the train from London Waterloo. It only takes 1 hour. Prices vary.

  • Take a National Express coach from London Victoria. It takes less than 2 hours. Prices start at £5 one way.
  • Use BlaBlaCar or drive. It takes 2 hours.

2. Brighton

If I moved back to England, I’d probably move to Brighton. The words ‘colour’, ‘vibrancy’ and ‘diversity’ were made for this city. It’s no surprise that half of its name is ‘bright.’