We're heading back to London in October for a week. We've done the Windsor/Bath/Stonehenge tour last visit. We'd like to plan a day trip or two out of town. Any good suggestions? Is Northumberland/Hadrian's Wall feasable? Thanks.

Hadrian's Wall is almost 300 miles North of London; unless you intend to fly, that's a hike for a day trip. Of course, you could spend two days by stopping in York for a day along the way. It'sa great old walled city (reminiscent of Italy) with wonderful alleys (York Shambles, particularly), tea houses, restaurants, shops and York Minster, of course.

Farther West and closer, yet, you could visit Oxford in a day. A very walkable town with lots of architecture, the colleges of Oxford University and the whole English Civil War story. The train West out of Paddington Station, through Reading, would get you there in about an hour.

I think you can do just about anything, depending on how motivated you are.

That being said, for most people, the point of this trip is to walk a section of the wall, see some natural beauty, see a few sites. And that probably calls for at least an overnight to be enjoyable.

Check out the Nation Rail web site for rail schedules and see if it's at all feasible.

If you draw a circle around London to include all the possible destinations of places that are enjoyable for a day, the possibilities are limitless.

You also haven't given any clues as to what you're looking for (houses? gardens? history? general tourism greatest hits? music?) and if it's you, you and partner, you and friends, kids etc.

One suggestion I enjoy is Charleston Farmhouse/Berwick Church/Monk's House/Lewes in Sussex.

It's best if you have a car (or if you are a good walker you can walk the path to Monk's House, Virginia Wolf's final residence, as she used to do to visit her sister at Charleston) as it's an all-day affair to travel the 2 miles by train.

The houses and church are wonderful on their own, even if you're not a lit or art fanatic.

And the area is beautiful. There's even a giant chalk man on a hillside. Not a naughty one. A G-rated one.

Also, take a look at the National Trust site. They have many suggestions for days out, though their "getting there" information is generally pretty inadequate if you're coming by public transportation.

Have fun planning!

Thanks. There are 3 of us, myself and my 2 brothers-in law. We're visiting my neice who is on semester abroad (again!) in London. Two of us have been last year, one has not. Thanks for the suggestions, much appreciated.

OK. Then 3 guys, probably not looking for decor or stately mansions! (Though I shouldn't judge. My dad liked Charleston.)

Maybe Portsmouth, with its Navy connections, you can see the HMS Victory, where Nelson died, and some other ships, though I think they moved the remains of the Mary Rose, Henry VIII's flagship.

You can also visit the D-Day museum there. They have something I think is kind of funny: a textile artist embroidered the Normandy Invasion. There'll always be an England ...

(Seriously, it's pretty remarkable. Panel after panel. They built a whole museum for it. The Overlord Embroideries.)

The town is pretty, with a nice waterfront promenade, and plenty of pubs and restaurants to make a day of it. I'm sure there is transportation and tours, if that's what you're looking for.

The Mary Rose is still there as far as I am aware (and I am sure I would have heard if they'd moved it). I really enjoy the Royal Navy Museum (the 3rd ship is the Warrior dating from the 1860s) and particularly the museum of artifacts recovered from the Mary Rose. Otherwise the walk along the promenade is quite pleasant - many of the Tudor era fortifications still exist, and there are plenty of information boards regarding local history, DDay info etc.

One of my other favourite places is Dover - I could spend a whole day at the Castle. Not only are there Roman ruins, but the Medieval Castle is virtually intact, and you can also explore the tunnels in the White cliffs which acted as a hospital in WWII.

TImW

Also, hate to sound like I think Men = War, but this and Portsmouth are places male friends have particularly wanted to go, so ...

How about the Imperial War Museum at Duxford. That's where they keep all the old WWII planes at an old air base outside Cambridge.

I'm told there's a little pub down the road where airmen used to write their names in candle smoke on the ceiling.

I have never been though, so I'm not sure what else is in the area, or exactly how close it is to Cambridge (so, if you rented a car, for example, if it would be feasible to pop in to the city for dinner).

Cambridge itself is beautiful, and more relaxed than Oxford, but probably not much more car-friendly these days in the city center. But if you checked out the Good Pub Guide I bet you'd find something you'd like.

Thanks again! As a US Navy veteran, that does appeal to me. All the help is much appreciated. Pete

Oxford could also be a day trip from London. There are easy bus connections if you want to travel cheap or you can use the train.

Brighton is another option for a day trip, although I loved Portsmouth when I went there.

Brighton is fabulous! One hour and your at the seaside!

Thanks to all! Looks like Portsmouth will be on the calendar (2 vets, we have to!) & maybe another out to Brighton! Much appreciated.

Not very far from Portsmouth (about 40 to 45 minute drive) you can find this wonderful little village called Buckler's Hard. It's a small 18th century hamlet with lovely Georgian cottages and has a rich shipbuilding history (it's where Nelson had his ships built). It's definitely worth discovering.

Thanks!