Although London is, hands-down, one of the most fabulous cities on the planet, that's not all there is to see in England. There are plenty of fantastic day-trips that take you out of the city life and into the country where you can really see what life in England is all about. Some places of interest are only an hour or so away, others are a bit longer.
Bath: Listed as a World Heritage City, Bath is only about an hour and twenty minutes away by train from Paddington Station (or there are also a variety of tour buses that leave from Victoria Station). Architectural buffs can immerse themselves in the impressive buildings and famed Pump Rooms, as well as the Roman Baths. Literary enthusiasts should take note - Jane Austen once made Bath her home and the house still stands. Explore the city on foot to get a real feel for it - you may recognize it as the background for the film "Vanity Fair" or Jane Austen's "Persuasion". It's beautiful landscape makes it a natural as a film location for period dramas.
Stratford Upon Avon: You can't come to England and not visit the birthplace of the granddaddy of all modern literature - William Shakespeare. The Royal Shakespeare Company still performs here, so if you have the time make sure to take in a show. Stop by the Holy Trinity Church, where Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway are both buried, to pay your respects. There are also some non-Shakespeare related attractions, like the Teddy Bear Musuem, where hundreds of ancient teddy bears from around the world are displayed. Stratford-upon-Avon is a little over two hours from London - you can get a fast train from Marylebone.
Cambridge and Oxford - Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of these two towns famous for their academia. Cambridge is about an hour from London and it's home to over 30 colleges. You can tour some of these colleges or just wander the town, soaking up all the ambiance of a town steeped in tradition and intellectual pursuits. Oxford is another gem not to be missed. It's like walking back in history when you visit this town - a place where students have come to learn since the 12th century. Besides the allure of the colleges in town, there are also interesting theaters, a botanical garden and the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. You can reach Oxford by train from Paddington Station or take one of the many buses going to the town.
Brighton - A quick hour away by train from Victoria Station is Brighton, could take up to two hours by car. It has a stony beach but its tempting to have a quick dip in the sea and you may even enjoy some sun that London is missing which makes for a wonderful stroll on the seaside promenade to the Pier. The Royal Pavilion is simply over the top and should not be missed. There is also an opportunity to do some outlet shopping down by the marina.
Canterbury - A historic Cathedral city, capital of the Kent and 55 miles from the South East of London. It will take about an hour to get there by car. There are numerous car parks as well as two park and ride schemes. Canterbury Cathedral is the head church of the Anglican Community and the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Founded in 597 AD, its a World Heritage Site, along with the Saxon St. Martin's Church and the ruins of St Augustine's Abbey. It has over one million visitors per year, including most of the school children from France. Other surviving structures from the Roman times include Queningate, a blocked gate in the city wall. The ruins of the Norman Canterbury Castle and St Augustine's Abbey. The narrow streets within the vicinity of the Cathedral lead to shops and cafes and are buzzing with tourists.
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