Thanks for reading the next article in my series on traveling outside of London during your time abroad. If you didn’t get a chance to start at the beginning, make sure you read my first post here. Then you can check out my next seven trips to Stonehenge, Bath, York, Oxford, the Cotswolds, North of England, and Greenwich, and Wales before checking out 10 places I plan to go next time! 

Part 1 focused on 5 places a little further from London. These would typically be a 4-7 day trip to be the most effective. Check it out here. Part 2 will focus on 5 places closer to London that would make for a great weekend trip. Let’s get started!

Leeds

Leeds is just north of London and on the top of my list! You can get there using the Southeastern train from Victoria, which is about a 1-hour ride. While Leeds Castle is on my list, I’m most excited about the Maze they have on the grounds. If you’re up for a challenge, then this is your spot! Leeds also offers some other unique activities, such as the Dog Collar Museum. There are many great things to do here and you will be able to plan out a weekend full of activities. 

Winchester 

Winchester is not as well-known, but has some historic sites I really want to see. Winchester is southwest of London, near the English Channel. You can get there on the South West train from Waterloo, which is about a 1-hour ride. One historic site I want to see is Winchester College, which is the oldest school in Britain in continuous use. There is an immense amount of history here. Additionally, you can see Jane Austen’s House Museum. If you enjoy that museum, you may also want to travel to Northern England to check out the Brontë Parsonage Museum. 

Windsor

Windsor is one I regret not visiting while I was there. I visited Buckingham Palace but didn’t get a chance to visit Windsor and Windsor Castle. Personally, I love castles! I would highly recommend including this on your list of places to visit, especially if you love castles as well. Windsor is about a 30 minute to 1-hour train ride depending on which train you take from London. Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. 

Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon is about 2 hours northeast of London by train. As you may remember, it is the birthplace of Shakespeare. While I didn’t get a chance to check out Stratford-upon-Avon, I did visit the Globe Theatre and attend a play. In addition to seeing his birthplace, you also can check out a few other historic sites. Back in high school, I never would have imagined having the opportunity to see anything related to Shakespeare.

Canterbury

Canterbury is about an hour east of London by train. If you love architecture, then this is a must-see for you! There are 3 World Heritage Sites in Canterbury: Canterbury Cathedral, St. Augustine’s Abbey, and St. Martin’s Church. I absolutely love old architecture and can’t wait to explore all three of these sites. While I enjoy the look of them, learning about the history of them is even more fascinating. It really puts into perspective how far back history goes and so much can be learned from it.

Things to Think About

I have truly enjoyed putting together the list of places I plan to visit when I return to London (hopefully in the near future). It is really eye-opening to know that while I did visit a lot of places, there are so many more cities I can explore. Being more familiar with the country has made a difference in knowing where I want to visit the second time. That said, I hope you are able to take away a few of my suggestions and explore cities you may not have planned to visit. Just remember to plan out your time and don’t try to do everything – quality, not quantity. Trust me, you’ll regret that! 

Heather Robinette is the London Study Abroad Editor for Wandering Educators. She notes, "During the summer of 2011, I studied abroad for six weeks in London at the University of Westminster with Academics Programs International. I graduated from Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS in December 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. I currently work as a marketing analyst for a small company in central Texas. I currently work as a marketing coordinator for a real estate firm in Las Vegas, NV. I am also pursuing my MBA. While I was abroad in London, I was able to create many unforgettable memories that I will never forget! My study abroad experience helped me gain various skills, but above all else, it helped me to learn more about myself and the world around me." You can find her online at http://www.heatherrobinette.com/

Click here to read more of Heather's articles about studying abroad in London.

All photos courtesy Creative Commons