London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Even London veterans can feel swallowed by its sprawl. But the beauty of being in the capital is the ease of escape – most day trip gems are a train ride and an hour away. Brace yourself for a jolt of variety – from bustling towns to serene countryside. While the options are endless, we selected some of our favourites.

Brighton

Brighton is best known for its famous seaside and its amazing view of the English Channel, plus various options for entertainment.

We recommend spending time by the water, particularly checking out the Brighton Marina - right by the water, there’s plenty to do! Enjoy the views, or head to the bowling alley, casino, or the movies. There’s also the Brighton Palace Pier, with a great arcade. 

If you’re looking for a thrill there’s Brighton Extreme 360, which is an open-air walk on top of a tower (you’ll be harnessed), which costs around £20. For arts and culture, there’s the Upside Down House - great for photos and families! Tickets can be booked online. I’d also really recommend the Royal Pavilion, which was a seaside residence for King George IV that has since served as a civic building and a World War I hospital.

To get to Brighton, hop on the Thameslink from London Bridge or London Victoria to Brighton Station, which will take a little over an hour. To explore around Brighton, you can go on foot, by bike, or by bus/train. 

Tickets can be booked online for most of the activities, and cost no more than £18 (like the Royal Pavilion).

Oxford

Next is Oxford! You can get from London to Oxford from London Paddington station and the trains call at Slough and Reading. There are trains nearly every 15 minutes or so, and the journey will take about an hour. There's also trains from London Marylebone, too, though they're a little longer to reach Oxford.

Around Oxford, you can take a bus or see everything on foot. 

In Oxford, a must-not-miss is having the opportunity to explore Oxford University (some of the different colleges do charge admission). But other recommendations would be visiting the Oxford Botanic Garden (tickets cost £7.20 and can be purchased in advance or with a card at the door), Oxford Castle (upwards of £20.00, or £19.00 for students!), exploring the river - sitting by it or enjoying a cruise. 

You can book most of the tickets online in advance, and I would recommend trying to book them up to two days in advance - for example, Oxford Castle’s ticket prices go up by £1.80 when you purchase it within two days).

Bath

Take the Great Western Railway from London Paddington to get to Bath (Spa), which will take about an hour and 15 minutes, plus or minus 5 minutes. Getting around Bath is fairly easy - there are buses, and trains, or you can walk!

There are so many incredible historical places in Bath that you have to see. Firstly there’s the famous Roman Baths, with tickets available online for £27. Another historical site is the No.1 Royal Crescent, an immersive experience to allows you to see what life was like in a Georgian house in Bath in the late 1700s. Walking around and seeing the Royal Crescent or seeing the city views from Alexandra Park is a fantastic way to spend the afternoon. For literary fans there’s the Jane Austen Center and the Mary Shelley Frankenstein House, both of which have tickets available to book in advance, costing around £15 each.

Of course, more information is available at the Bath World Heritage Center!

Destinations in Cambridgeshire

Moving eastwards from London, now, with more amazing day trips to lovely places!

Cambridge

Cambridge is much more than a university city! Full of charming cobbled streets and bustling market squares, it has won the Vote for the Condé Nast Traveller Best UK City Award 2022 and is definitely worth a visit.

It is located a mere 1 hour away via express train from London’s King’s Cross Station which is within walking distance from LSHTM! You can get discounted train tickets using student apps like Unidays or even your Railcard. I recommend taking the train in the morning. The Cambridge train station is located in the city centre and within walking distance of the main tourist spots:

1.  King's College Chapel, with its stunning Gothic architecture and world-famous choir, is the main touristic attraction and a must-see.
2. Fitzwilliam Museum: free admittance houses impressive collections of art and antiquities.
3. Punting on the River Cam offers a picturesque view of the beautiful college gardens that line the waterway.
4. The Museum of Cambridge is a quirky museum that showcases the social history of the city and its residents.
5. Leper Chapel, one of the oldest surviving buildings in Cambridge, offers a glimpse into the city's medieval past. 

Are you more of a naturalist than a history buff? Cambridge has a lot to offer too!  Visit the lush Botanic Garden or, if you’re feeling adventurous and have another day to spend, visit the Wandlebury Country Park, on the outskirts of Cambridge, for quiet walks in ancient woodlands.

More information can be found here on the official Visit Cambridge website and on this amazing city, check its official 2-and-a-half-minute YouTube video.

Destinations in Kent

Now moving to the county of Kent, the garden of England, for our two other fantastic day trips from London, Canterbury and Deal. It is such a beautiful region with lots of historical sites to visit, a must-see for all LSHTM history and nature fans!

From King’s Cross station, you can take a train for a quick trip to either city.

Canterbury

It is a historic city in southeastern England, and is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and stunning architecture. The charming medieval streets, including the King's Mile, are lined with quaint shops, cafes, and historic buildings.

The Canterbury Tales immersive experience has brought Chaucer’s famous stories to life, offering a glimpse into medieval life and literature. They are kickstarting the second edition, so fingers crossed!

Make sure to pay a visit to the enormous Canterbury Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, known for its Gothic style. It is the first English cathedral. Tickets start at £17. 

If you are feeling curious about religious history in the UK, you can also visit significant sites in the early history of English Christianity: St. Augustine's Abbey tickets for £8.50; and pay a free visit to St. Martin's Church, in operation since before 597AD.

Don’t miss out on the Roman piece of the city! Pay a visit to the Canterbury Roman Museum, which showcases the city's rich Roman history through fascinating artefacts and an impressive preserved Roman townhouse - tickets are £11 each.

Another off-the-beaten-path free site is the Greyfriars Chapel and Franciscan Gardens, a peaceful oasis nestled in the heart of the city, offering a serene escape with beautiful medieval ruins and peaceful gardens. 

Deal

A true hidden gem! A charming seaside town in Kent, Deal is known for its rich maritime history and lovely streets coastal views.

Make sure to pay a visit to:

1- The Timeball Tower Museum is an intriguing relic of the importance of the town for the navy in Georgian times. The timeball, which fell at 1 pm precisely, was triggered by an electric signal so that ships could check their chronometers! Entrance fees are £3.

2- The Deal Maritime and Local History Museum showcases fascinating exhibits about the town's fishing and smuggling heritage.

3- Don’t miss the famous rose-shaped Tudor-era Deal Castle, the most iconic building in the town, and the nearby vibrant Deal Pier. It is a one of its kind castle built by Henry VIII himself! Tickets for the castle costs £9.

And for the nature lovers, make sure not to miss the nearby Sandwich and Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve. It offers a haven for birdwatching and scenic walks along its diverse habitats, from salt marshes to sand dunes. 

Additionally, Walmer Castle and Gardens: amazing award-winning gardens on the grounds of a Tudor fortress turned country house. It is just a short distance away, presents beautifully landscaped gardens and historical displays in a relaxing setting. Tickets cost £16. 

• Read: Top tips to save money as a student in London & Annalise's 4 must-go green spaces in London.
• Kaitlin also shared her 7 places to go for free in London.
• Why not explore London by foot? We put together some of the walk routes for you to enjoy the most out of London.
• Contact Kaitlin and Renata via our student ambassador pages.