Dover Travel Forum

Hello everyone.
I'll be visiting London in about two weeks (for the third time), and I think it's about time I pay a visit in attractions outside of London.
I'll be traveling on public transportation so would it be wise to plan a day trip combining Dover castle and Canterbury.?
If it is possible, which one should be my first stop, if my journey begins in London? What is the best route and means of transportation?

I'd appreciate some other ideas for daytrips outside of London (already traveled to Windsor, Rochester and Chatham).

Thank you very much for your time and attention,
Rony

What about taking the train to Oxford or Cambridge? If you go to Oxford, you can go on to Moreton in the Cotswolds. It's not one of the famous villages there, but I though it was very nice. And it is on the direct train line from London via Oxford.
If you go to Cambridge, you can go on to Ely, which I like very much. Cambridge also deserves a visit of at least a few hours, if you cannot stay longer.
I also liked Ipswich, though this is really not a touristy town. But the harbour area was restored beautifully.

If you only have for one day trip, I would choose Cambridge and Ely.

Sorry, I didn't see that you've asked this in the Dover forum, I thought it was the London forum, since you ask about day trips from London.

I'm rather fond of Dover we have spent many happy hours there whilst waiting for a ferry. Liked it so much we also spent several over night stays there to see more of it. But from previous Q & A's in the Forum it seems there are some divided opinions...however takes a look at the VT Travel Guides for some ideas

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/United_Kingdom/England/Kent/Dover-314028/TravelGuide-Dover.html

You will be in London as the days get really short so combining a visit to Canterbury would need a very early start to do both places justice.

I did that exact trip back in the 1990's. Went to Dover first and Canterbury on the way back to London, by train. I am sure I had a reason for the order, but I don't remember. I do remember the train trip to Dover took a long time for the actual distance traveled. I also recommend Hampton Court Palace for a day trip, it's very close to London.

I'd also suggest Oxford or Cambridge.

Or Brighton?

www.nationalrail.co.uk will give you train times and fares. Train is always faster than long-distance bus (coaches) but UK train travel is not cheap.

www.nationalexpress.com for coach routes, times and fares.

For Oxford, you can also look at www.oxfordtube.com (another coach service).

I'd put a day trip to York or to Bath higher up on my list than Dover (haven't been to Canterbury). Or Hampton Court which is only about a 1/2 hour outside of central London.

York is about 2 hours outside of London, you could easily spend a day there exploring the town and all of it's sights. Bath is about 90 minutes outside of London.

Entirely agree about York: I'd put it first in my list too (except I didn't, for some reason).

Have a look at the VT York pages for why (use the searchbox top right of this page).

We visited Canterbury on a day trip by train from London a couple of months ago, and found this enough for one day. Other options not yet mentioned include Stratford-upon-Avon and Stonehenge. Research them all, and see which most appeal. Enjoy!

Warwick too...

For Stonehenge you'd have to get the train to Salisbury and then the bus:

http://www.thestonehengetour.info/

(It's the replacement for the ordinary public transport bus, number 3 I think, which used to run from Salisbury station to the stones).

For York allow 2 hours train journey each way -remember short daylight hours - - could be dark soon after 4pm.

Very true....but an early start would allow sufficient time for the main bits, and it's a nice city in the dark evenings. Plenty of lit-up streets/sights.

A very early start to York, Bath etc also means paying the highest possible train fare if travelling on a weekday or ensuring you reserve well in advance.

Long-distance train fares in the UK can be frighteningly expensive if ticket purchase is left to the last minute.

York is just over 200 miles from London - trains run at 100mph plus, so distance is 'shortened' but fares are not.

I would agree with Oxford, Cambridge, Salisbury as possible destinations as they are much closer, much less costly to reach and each has plenty to offer until it gets dark at around 430pm then back to London for dinner. The actual journeys to all those places are very pleasant in themselves.

Canterbury would be an excellent choice also, but you would never do Dover and Canterbury any sort of justice by trying to combine the two into a short winter's day.

The last poster brings up a good point, you must reserve train tickets in advance to both Bath and York to get the best deals. You can get an early train if you reserve early enough. Look for the 2 singles may be cheaper option, I think that's how I got the best deal for both. You are locked into specific train times and date if you do that however.

Oxford, on the other hand, has buses that go regularly through the day and it's the same price if you reserve or just show up. One is the Oxford Espres and the other the Oxford tube, we went and stood at the bus stop at Marble Arch and grabbed the 1st one that came through, no problem getting on.

You don't say how many people are coming with you, another option is group saver fares, you can leave anytime on the weekend and after 9:30 on weekdays, I believe it was 3 or 4 people for the price of 2.

Cheap(er) advance train fares are available up to to 6pm the night before you travel, so it's not too hard to get them from the station whilst you are in London.

Advance purchase for the day after tomorrow (two one-way fares)is 65GBP. You may be able to find cheaper fares if you look several weeks in advance.

York is well worth the cost of a visit, imo, but is too far away to look at the cheaper coach travel option (for a daytrip).

Thank you all very much.
The tips have been very helpful.
Cheers.