My Favorite Day Trips from London

One of the best parts about visiting (or living in!) London is how easy it is to trade the city’s energy for rolling hills, seaside charm, or storybook villages. Some of England’s most unforgettable experiences lie just beyond London. Within an hour or two, you can wander honey-stone villages, step inside royal palaces, stroll along the seaside, or soak in Roman history, all easy day trips that add a whole new dimension to your time in the UK. Whichever type of day trip speaks to you, London is perfectly positioned for unforgettable day trips.

Here are seven of my favorite day trips from London:

The Cotswolds

If you’ve been dreaming of honey-colored stone cottages, flower-draped lanes, and cozy tearooms, the Cotswolds delivers all that and more. The region is made up of picture-perfect villages, including Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, and Castle Combe, each one more charming than the last. We’ve hosted two Atlas Adventures trips to the region, splitting our time between London and the Cotswolds.

By car: 2.5 hours
By train: 3.5 hours

Oxford & Blenheim Palace

Steeped in history and bursting with magnificent architecture, Oxford is a dream for culture lovers. Wander through medieval colleges, climb the University Church tower for panoramic views, or row along the River Cherwell in a classic punt. After you’ve had your fill, head over to explore Blenheim Palace, a grand UNESCO estate and birthplace of Winston Churchill.

By car: under 2 hours
By train: 2 hours

Highclere Castle

Step into the stately world of Downton Abbey at Highclere Castle, where England’s aristocratic past is brought to life. The stately home is just as impressive in person, with lavish rooms, sprawling grounds, and special exhibits about the real family behind the estate. After a tour, be sure to take an afternoon tea at their Coach House Tearoom.

By car: under 2 hours
By train: 1 hour plus a 15-minute taxi ride

Brighton

Brighton is artsy, vibrant, and a little quirky, in the best possible way. Spend your day browsing antiques at The Lanes, eating fish and chips on the pebbled beach, riding the amusements on the pier, or touring the wildly extravagant Royal Pavilion.

By car: 2 hours
By train: 1.5 - 2 hours

Windsor & Eton

Windsor has that magical blend of medieval charm and royal prestige. The highlight, of course, is Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. After touring the State Apartments and St. George’s Chapel, wander through Windsor’s cobbled streets. After you’ve explored Windsor, stroll across the bridge to Eton’s charming riverside lanes lined with historic shops and pubs.

By car: 1 hour
By train: 1 hour

Bath

Stroll through elegant Georgian streets and admire the natural hot springs and the Roman Baths. The city’s honey-colored stone and sweeping crescents make it one of England’s most beautiful historic destinations. For fans of Jane Austen, be sure to visit the dedicated center to the renowned writer who spent several years living and writing in Bath.

By car: 2.5 hours
By train: 1.5 hours

Hampton Court Palace

Just southwest of London, Hampton Court Palace is a treasure trove for Tudor history lovers. Explore Henry VIII’s kitchens, get lost in the famous hedge maze, and wander the elegant gardens stretching along the River Thames.

By car: 1 hour
By train: 1 hour

The beauty of London is how much there is to explore just outside its borders, little adventures that make your trip feel even richer. Get in touch with our team to start planning your perfect London trip, from seamless transport to curated experiences. We’re currently at capacity for the next few months, but reach out now to reserve your place on our 2026 calendar and begin dreaming together.

What I Bought in November 2025

November always feels like the unofficial kickoff to cozy season, which means my shopping cart ended up with a little bit of everything this month. From top drawer wardrobe refreshers and beauty finds to a few pet-parent essentials I couldn’t resist, this is a fun mix of practical and fun purchases. In this post, I’m breaking down all the things I bought in November, so let’s get into it!

Clothing

For the last few years, I’ve been working with a personal trainer, and I needed a few new workout staples. I picked up a Lululemon long sleeve Sculpt tee and tank in the palm deco color (no longer available in the tank), an Align racerback tank in black plum, and a forever staple in any woman’s workout wardrobe, a pair of black leggings.

While I was in the States at the beginning of the month, I was able to refresh my favorite top drawer essentials at Nordstrom. I love this Natori underwire bra and their comfort evolution memory foam convertible bra. I also stocked up on my favorite cotton French cut briefs. For my last top drawer refresh, I bought a new cozy pair of pajamas from Eberjey.

Over the last few months, I’ve fallen in love with the brand Jenni Kayne. I added the demi pant in olio and their Flynn cashmere sweater in ivory to my wardrobe. For those days when I want an easy yet chic matching set, I’ve been reaching for this combo from Kilte. This would make for a great travel outfit! While not a purchase in November, this coat from Sézane has been in heavy rotation the past few weeks. It’s the winter version of their ever-popular Clyde trench coat.

And let’s not forget about Andrew, as he made a few new purchases this month! He’s loving this new flannel shirt in off-white, a perfect layering shirt for fall and winter, and this steel blue sweater. He’s been getting a lot of wear out of these sneakers from Soludos. All of these would make excellent gifts for the men in your life!

Beauty

My makeup needed a restock, so I ordered a few of my favorite clean beauty picks. I love this Merit Day Glow Dewy Highlighting Balm (in bounce) and the Ilia Multi-Stick (in lady bird). This highlighter and blush combination is perfect for adding color, but also provides a dewy finish that’s great in the winter months, as my skin gets drier. I also re-stocked my Ilia Necessary Eyeshadow Palette in warm nude.

Home

I attended an event hosted by Martin Brudnizki at the V&A Museum and had to pick up his book My Life in Colors. The book dives into how Martin layers colors to create a story in each of his interior designs and encourages you to live in full color. It’s the perfect coffee table book and would make a great gift for the design lovers in your life.

The biggest addition this month was our golden retriever, Einstein! He is utter chaos wrapped in unbearable sweetness. We are loving every second with him! I’ve picked up a few essentials for him from Daylesford Farm. For his first bath, I picked up this dog shampoo and this daily scent spray that neutralizes odors. Of course, he’s a scarf lover like his mother, so I had to get him this tweed bandana. He’ll be the most fashionable dog in the neighborhood!

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My Favorite Travel Souvenirs

Ceramics are hands down my favorite souvenir to shop for when I travel. There’s something truly special about bringing home a piece that’s been shaped by hand, steeped in centuries of tradition, and entirely unique to its place of origin. Whether it’s Delftware from Amsterdam, pottery from Puglia, delicate porcelain in Vietnam, or aptware from Provence, every piece holds a little slice of the journey. They become not just souvenirs, but stories, little reminders of the people, places, and moments that made each trip unforgettable.

Unlike the typical trinkets that often collect dust, these finds are functional (and occasionally not-so-functional) works of art: timeless, beautiful, and deeply personal. They’re part of my home now. Little stories on my shelves and tabletops that remind me of where I’ve been.

And yes, figuring out how to get them home safely? That’s an adventure in itself (shoutout to my carry-on packing skills and an unhealthy amount of bubble wrap). Alas, it’s worth it every time! Here are some of my favorite pieces I’ve collected over the years to spark some inspiration for your next adventure.

In the top left of the photo above is a royal Delft piece that I got in Amsterdam. Amsterdam is a great place to get blue and white porcelain, also known as Delftware. I picked up this vase on our Atlas Adventures trip there last winter.

While technically not a ceramic, on the bottom row is an antique Alabaster sphinx from Egypt that I got on a trip there with Andrew. The sphinx represents health and protection, so it felt like a good omen to keep in our home.

From one of my favorite antique shops in Florence, I picked up a miniature bust. A bust is a nice, old-world, and poetic kind of souvenir. It’s such a delightful touch to keep in your home. I also have a miniature statuette from the same shop on these bookshelves (not pictured).

The painted vase in the above photo is hands down one of my favorite pieces. I purchased this hand-painted vase at an antique market in Lisbon on a scouting trip. The colors are so beautiful! Out in the garden, I have a lovely ruffled trim blue and white vase that I picked up at the same antique market in Lisbon where I found my vase.

In the kitchen, I keep a footed bowl that I got at my favorite antique shop in Amsterdam, another Delftware piece that was only thirteen euros! It’s a perfect place to store produce on the kitchen counter.

During a trip to Vietnam, I picked up two small antique bowls from the Ming Dynasty, and they have so much character! A true antique, they have a few chips, but that makes them even more charming as these have been well-loved. They’re full of life and history. I also picked up a vase on that same trip. You can see the wide selection of vases, cups, bowls, and platters from the shop below.

In the small town of Apt in Provence, I picked up a beautiful blue and white marbled plate. If the plate were cracked, you’d see the marbling all the way through. It’s handmade, and each piece is completely unique. On the same trip, I picked up a beautiful set of matching cups and saucers. The flowering detail is all done by hand. I was able to meet the woman who makes them, and every time I have my matcha or flat white in the morning, I’m transported back to that special memory.

Ceramics are some of the most unique ways that you can bring your travels home with you, and I love the way it’s brought so much personality, life, character, memories, and stories to our home. Interested in a grand tour of my favorite ceramic and antique shops? Our team can customize your next trip with stops at these shops and more. Reach out today to schedule a consultation call.