8 English Towns to Visit from London

1) Oxford

Oxford is my favourite town in all of England.  When I lived in London and even now when I visit, I usually try to make a point to visit Oxford.  With the Narnia-esque lampposts and the town's rich intellectual history, I never tire of walking through the different colleges.

2) Brighton

Brighton is another frequently-visited day trip for me.  Though the pebbly beaches of the English channel may not be a tropical paradise, it has a traditional English seaside feel and also the historical Pavilion.  

3) Bristol

Bristol was a surprising favourite for me, perhaps due its lesser-known status.  It really isn't a touristy town and on both of my trips there, I encountered no other Americans except for my friend and me.  It is full of interesting attractions too like the SS Great Britain and the Clifton Suspension bridge.

4) Cambridge

When it comes to the rivalry between Oxford and Cambridge, I am firmly team Oxford.  However, Cambridge itself is beautiful and full of historical charm as well.  Plus, you can go punting on the rivers, to get a unique look at the city.

5) Canterbury

Even if you haven't read Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales," as many times as I have (five times - I think?), you can still appreciate Canterbury.  With the famous cathedral and the stunning streets, I could have spent days here.

6) Stratford-upon-Avon

Like any good English major, I made a pilgrimage to Stratford-upon-Avon to see Shakespeare's home and town.  It was the epitome of what I pictured an English town to look like.  My favourite part was seeing the signatures of English authors over the centuries carved onto Shakespeare's windows like Lord Tennyson and Charles Dickens. 

7) Kidderminster

One of my favourite day trips of my whole year in England was a day trip to Cadbury World in Birmingham, followed by a trip on the Severn Valley Railroad.  The steam railroad has a long history and riding it was like stepping back in time.

8) New Forest

Famous for its wild horses and also the ferry to the Isle of Wight, this area is quaint and full of unspoiled countryside.  It was in Lymington, that I saw one of the gold postboxes for the first time.  All the 2012 British Olympic champions received a gold post box in their hometowns.  This area is known for their sailing and I saw a bunch of hatchling (children) sailors practicing to be the next generation of elite British sailors.

What other towns make great day trips from London?