5 Day Trips from London by Train

London is one of the top tourist destinations and for good reason. London is home to amazing historical sites such as the Tower of London and modern marvels such as the London Eye. While London has a lot to offer the visitor, just beyond London are some other wonderful places you should visit next time you're in London. Here are my five suggestions for easy day trips from London by train.

Hampton Court Palace (about 35 minutes from Waterloo station)

Just a short train ride out of London is Hampton Court Palace. Construction on Hampton Court Palace was started during the reign of Henry VII, but it's King Henry VII who expanded it and with whom Hampton Court Palace is most commonly associated with.

This grand palace, Hampton Court Palace was built with the intention of rivaling France's Versailles Palace. Visitors today can visit Henry's magnificent State Apartments, the Tutor kitchen, and the haunted Grand Hall among other things. Outside in the Palace's magnificent gardens, visitors can get lost in the hedge maze or spend an afternoon exploring the grounds.

Oxford (about 55 minutes from Paddington Station)

Just under an hour by train outside London is Oxford, the "City of Dreaming Spires." Oxford, is of course, home to many famous universities some of which are over 700 years old. Many of the colleges offer free tours for visitors including perhaps the most famous, Christchurch which is known for its magnificent chapel.

The town of Oxford is surprisingly lively and beautiful for a small town. There are several world class museums including The Ashmolean featuring fine art the Pitt River Museum which known for its unique science exhibits. In addition, Oxford has a many great restaurants, pubs, and shops - including the one that inspired Lewis Carroll's "Alice through the Looking Glass."

Windsor (about 55 minutes from Waterloo station)

While the Queen's official residence may be Buckingham Palace in London, she heads to Windsor on the weekends and once you visit Windsor you'll understand why. The town of Windsor is a charming village set in the rolling hills of the English countryside but the main draws are the Queen's weekend residence, Windsor Castle and, for the younger set, Legoland Windsor.

Windsor Castle is the world's largest inhabited castle at over 13 acres in size. Within the castle walls some of the highlights include St. George's Chapel (the final resting place of 10 monarchs), the Royal Apartments, and Queen Mary's dollhouse, all of which are open to the public. And just outside the of Windsor is Legoland a theme park for the children and the young at heart. Besides Lego miniatures of famous world landmarks, visitors will find Lego-themed rides and shows.

Brighton (about 1 hour by train from Victoria Station)

On England's south-eastern coast sits Brighton, one of England's top seaside resorts. Besides the rocky beaches, Brighton has a lot to offer day visitors. The top sight in Brighton is the Royal Pavilion. The extravagant palace, which was the seaside home of King George IV, is often referred to as the most extravagant palace in Europe because it looks like a palace you'd find in India, not Brighton.

Other sights in Brighton include The Lanes, a charming shopping area that houses many antique shops. The Lanes gets its name from the small winding streets that make up the area. And for some classic British seaside fun visit the Brighton Pier where you'll find rides and amusements and some of the best views of the ocean.

Portsmouth (about 2 hours from Victoria Station)

Rich with Royal Naval history, the port city of Portsmouth is home to many wonderful attractions that tell the story of England's naval past. Visit Portsmouth's historic docklands to see Nelson's flagship vessel, the HMS Victory and the HMS Warrior, Britain's first iron-clad steamship. And recently the pride of King Henry VIII's navy, the Mary Rose, was rescued from the bottom of the ocean and is on display in the docklands. And for a spectacular view of all of Portsmouth and the harbor take a ride to the top of the new Spinnaker Tower.