9

Planning Your Day Trip

White cliffs coastal path, Dover.

The range of day-trip options out of London is considerable, and sorting out the places you want to go and the logistics of traveling to them takes both planning and patience. Each chapter of this book has information about how to get to each destination, and so here we concentrate on general useful information about traveling around, and provide a few tips that might help you save some money. To help you focus on day trips that will appeal most to you, we also include a chart listing various attractions and the activities available at each destination (see “Day Trips at a Glance”).

Once you’ve chosen some trips you think you’d like to make, have a read through the relevant chapters and do some homework. Pay special attention to how long it takes to reach the various destinations and our advice on the minimum time to allot to a place; some spots can easily be tackled as half-day excursions, whereas others need a whole day.

In each of our themed chapters, we also give you specific information to help you get to your chosen destination by train, bus, or car. In this chapter, you can find more general information about each of these transportation options, as well as info on how to get around London and reach the various departure stations. Don’t feel daunted by the many options available to you as a day-tripper from London: When you start planning, you’ll discover that one of the great pleasures of being in the capital is the ease with which you can get out of town!

When to Go: Day Trips for All Seasons

Spring

English gardens are at their peak in late spring. This is the time to enjoy the amazing garden “rooms” at Sissinghurst Castle Garden as well as the gardens at Hever and Leeds castles.

It’s also a good time to go to places that tend to be overcrowded in the height of summer—Salisbury and Stonehenge, Windsor, and Stratford-upon-Avon, for example.

Summer

All of England seems to move outdoors in summer, and picnics are perfect for a warm day on the grounds of great houses such as Knole, Monk’s House and Sandringham, and Leeds Castle. The decent weather also enables you to get the most out of a visit to Rye, Lewes, and Leigh on Sea, and other places where you’ll spend a good portion of your time out-of-doors. Many destinations, Brighton and Broadstairs among them, host lively summer festivals, with the backdrop of a seaside resort.

You can also include a long walk and other outdoor activities on your day-trip schedules—walk along the White Cliffs after visiting Dover Castle, punt along the River Cam in Cambridge, or bicycle along the canal in Bradford-upon-Avon.

Autumn

The parks and gardens at great houses such as Knole, Hever Castle, Leeds Castle, and Windsor are alluring at this time of year, when the air is crisp and forested hillsides are a carpet of color. As in spring, crowds thin out in busier places, making it easier to enjoy such popular spots as Bath, Canterbury, Stratford-upon-Avon, and York.

Winter

English towns are especially welcoming in the winter. With cobbled lanes and cozy inns, Rye and Lewes are both appealing places to spend a winter’s day. York is a most Christmassy city as well, with its historic shopfronts all aglow—and the country town of Woodbridge holds a festive market at the start of the month which takes over the main high street, with homemade gifts and food stalls.

At this time of year, you’ll want to go someplace with plenty of indoor activities to get you out of the winter chill—the museums and chapels of Cambridge and Oxford are good examples, as are castles that give you the run of the place, such as Hampton Court and Dover.

Calendar of Events

If your visit to London coincides with one of the following events in our day-trip destinations, you may well want to go out of your way to take part in the festivities. For more about events throughout England, go to www.visitbritain.com.

February

Jorvik Festival, York. Two weeks from mid- to late-February, Vikings re-take the city, with costumed parades, mock battles, storytelling, song fests, food fairs, and more. For more information, contact  01904/643-211 or jorvik@yorkarchaeology.co.uk. See York,.

March

Bath Literature Festival, Bath. In early March some of the world’s most acclaimed authors are on hand for readings and discussions of their works ( 01225/463-231; www.bathfestivals.org.uk). See Bath,.

April

The Shakespeare Season, Stratford-upon-Avon. The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) opens its season in April, which then runs through to October, presenting works by the Bard on the stages of the Swan Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and Courtyard Theatre. Contact the RSC ( 01789/403-444; www.rsc.org.uk) for information and schedules. See Stratford-upon-Avon,.

St. George’s Day, Salisbury. A traditional medieval celebration of the city’s patron saint with mummers, juggling, acrobats, and fireworks ( 01722/334-956; www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/salisbury). See Salisbury,.

May

Brighton Festival. During May, the largest performing arts festival in Britain stages more than 400 events, bringing theater, dance, classical music, opera, film, and other programs to venues around the city ( 01273/709-709; www.brightonfestival.org). See Brighton,.

Glyndebourne Festival, Lewes. May through August, this acclaimed opera festival stages six productions, attracting international voices and legions of ardent fans to a stunning hall ( 01273/813-813; www.glyndebourne.com). See Lewes,.

Bath International Music Festival. During May and early June classical musicians from around the world perform in theaters and churches throughout this elegant and historic city ( 01225/462-231; www.bathmusicfest.org.uk). See Bath,.

Leigh-on-Sea Art Trail. Each June, the many artists in this seaside town open their studios to visitors, galleries hold open nights, and music fills the streets (www.leigharttrail.co.uk). See Leigh-on-Sea, .

Salisbury International Arts Festival. From late May to early June, classical music, theater, jazz, films, and other events enliven the city for two weeks ( 01722/332-977; www.salisburyfestival.co.uk). See Salisbury,.

June

Dickens Festival, Broadstairs. Every June, fans descend upon this traditional seaside town dressed in Victoriana ( 01843/861-827; www.broadstairsdickensfestival.co.uk). See Broadstairs,.

Chichester Arts Festival. Over June and early July, events covering theater and the arts take center-stage in the city ( 01243/795-718; www.chifest.org.uk). See Chichester,.

July

Hampton Court Flower Show. The world’s largest horticultural show features magnificent floral displays and show gardens. For information, contact the Royal Horticultural Society ( 0870/9063-791; www.rhs.org.uk). See Hampton Court Palace, .

Winchester Festival. Choral concerts in the city’s famous cathedral, plays at the Theatre Royal, and other musical and theatrical events are on tap the first two weeks of the month ( 01962/877-977; www.musicatwinchester.co.uk). See Winchester,.

Southern Cathedrals Festival, Chichester, Salisbury, and Winchester. Held on alternating years, in the second part of July, choirs from the cathedrals of these three cities gather for concerts, candlelight recitals, and other events; the site alternates between the three cities. For an up-to-date schedule and festival information, call  01722/555-125 or check www.southerncathedralsfestival.org.uk. See Chichester, Salisbury, and Winchester, .

Cambridge Folk Festival. One of Europe’s largest and most acclaimed celebrations of folk music brings together performers from around the world ( 01223/357-851; www.cambridgefolkfestival.co.uk). See Cambridge,.

Cambridge Shakespeare Festival. Spread over July and August, this festival celebrating the bard includes open-air Shakespeare performances in the grounds of several colleges ( 07955/218-824; www.cambridgeshakespeare.com). See Cambridge,.

Sandringham Flower Show. Toward the end of July, garden-lovers descend on the queen’s favorite house for this horticultural show ( 01485/545-400; www.sandringhamflowershow.org.uk). See Sandringham Palace,.

August

Pride in Brighton and Hove. Brighton and adjoining Hove are the settings for one of Europe’s largest gay-pride celebrations, with a big parade and lively street parties ( 01273/775-939; www.brightonpride.org). See Brighton,.

September

Balloon Festival, Leeds Castle. Scores of hot-air balloons lift off from the castle grounds and fill the skies over Kent. For information on this event, contact the castle ( 01622/871-117; www.leeds-castle.com). See Leeds Castle,.

Rye Arts Festival. Every September the festival invigorates the town with a program of concerts, lectures, and performances ( 01797/224-442; www.ryefestival.co.uk). See Rye, .

November

Guy Fawkes Night, Lewes, Rye, and elsewhere on November 5. Commemorating the day in 1605 when Guy Fawkes tried to blow up Parliament in retaliation for anti-Catholic legislation, towns everywhere celebrate with fireworks and bonfires. Lewes has the best event, but Rye’s is very good as well. Check online for scheduling and planned activities. See Lewes, and Rye.

London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, Brighton. On the first Sunday in November, Brighton is the finish line of a 50-mile (80-km) drive from London, and the streets fill with the vintage entries ( 01580/893-413; www.vccofgb.co.uk/lontobri). See Brighton.

Portsmouth Christmas Festival. With hundreds of people in Victorian costumes, music, gifts and crafts markets, food, and mulled wine, Christmas kicks off in the last week of November in Portsmouth ( 0239/283-9766; www.christmasfestival.co.uk). See Portsmouth.

December

Christmas Concert, Oxford. Christ Church Cathedral is the setting for a concert, in which the Cathedral Singers are joined by other choirs and soloists from around the world ( 01865/305-305; www.cathedralsingers.org.uk). See Oxford,.

Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, Cambridge. This Christmas Eve service is broadcast around the world, and features the voices of the King’s Chapel Choir ( 01223/331-313; www.kings.cam.ac.uk). See Cambridge,.

Ice-Skating at Hampton Court. From the beginning of December through mid-January, you can skate on the banks of the Thames in the shadow of Henry VIII’s palace ( 020/8241-9818; www.hamptoncourtpalaceicerink.com). See Hampton Court Palace,.

Getting Around London

Although this guidebook isn’t about London, you may still be traveling across the city to get to a train or bus station for the start of your trip. For general London travel information, contact Transport for London ( 020/7222-1234; www.tfl.gov.uk).

The first London word that any visitor needs to learn is “Oyster.” The Oyster Card is a plastic smartcard that’s your gateway to pretty much every form of London public transport, from the Underground (the “Tube”) and the buses to surface rail networks. You can still pay to use all these services with cash, but an Oyster offers substantial savings on just about every journey (see “Saving with Travelcards & the Oyster” below for more information).

The London Underground

Eleven Underground lines criss-cross the city and intersect at various stations where you can change trains. On Underground maps, every line is color-coded. All you need to know are the name of your stop, the Underground lines that go there, and the direction you’re heading. After you figure out which line(s) to take, look on the Underground map for the name of the last stop in the direction you need to go. The name of that last stop on the line is marked on the front of the train and often on electronic signboards that display the name of the arriving train and when it’s expected to arrive.

The Underground system operates with automated entry and exit gates. You feed your ticket into the slot, the ticket disappears and pops up again, the gate bangs open, and you remove your ticket and pass through. Or, you touch your Oyster card (see “Saving with Travelcards & the Oyster” below) to panels at the entry and exit gates. At the other end of your journey, you do the same to get out. If you’re using a ticket, the machine keeps the ticket (unless your ticket is good for more than one trip, in which case it’s returned).

Underground service stops around midnight (a little earlier on less-used lines); keep that in mind if you plan on arriving back in London on a late train.

You’ll also encounter many service disruptions and temporary closures, especially on weekends, as major improvements are fairly constantly underway on Underground lines.

Money in England

Britain’s decimal monetary system is based on the pound (£), which is made up of 100 pence (written as “p”). At press time, the exchange rate was £1 = US$1.65 (or US$1 = 60p), though fluctuations are constant. Currency-exchange services can be found in railway stations, at most post offices, and in many tourist information centers. Note, however, that you’ll almost always get the best exchange rate by withdrawing funds from an ATM (automated teller machine) or using a debit card, although both of those can result in additional charges. It is best to avoid carrying large amounts of cash when traveling.

Buying Underground Tickets

You can purchase Underground tickets at the ticket window in the station or from one of the automated machines found in most stations. (Machines can change £5, £10, and £20 notes, and some take credit and debit cards.) Tickets are valid for use on the day of issue only.

For fare purposes, the city is divided into six zones. Zone 1 covers all of central London. Zone 6 extends as far as Heathrow to the west and Upminster to the east. Make sure your ticket covers all the zones you’re traveling through, or you may have to pay a £20 penalty fare.

At press time, a one-way ticket within one zone cost a whopping £4. Yes, that’s exorbitant and no, you don’t have to pay it every time you hop on the Underground. Instead, buy a multiuse Travelcard or Oyster card and save a bundle.

Saving with Travelcards & the Oyster

Paying a full-price one-way fare every time you use the Underground is needlessly costly. To save money, consider buying a Travelcard, which allows unlimited travel by Underground and bus, or an Oyster card, about the size of a credit card and easy to use—you just preload it with a set amount of money (usually £20) and swipe it over an electronic pad when entering and leaving the Underground or a bus. Both of these options result in you paying significantly less for each journey than if you buy a ticket every time you travel.

You can purchase Travelcards at any Underground station ticket window, or from vending machines that take credit cards. At press time, the following Travelcards are available:

• A 1-Day Travelcard for Zones 1 and 2 (everything in central London) costs £8 for an adult and £4 for children 5 to 15. A card valid only during off-peak hours (after 9:30am Mon–Fri, all day Sat–Sun, and public holidays) costs £6.60 for adults, £3 for children.

• A 1-Day Travelcard for all zones costs £15 for adults and £7.50 for children. The off-peak versions cost £8 for adults and £3 for children.

• The 7-Day Travelcard for Zones 1 and 2, which is issued as an Oyster, is valid at all times and costs £27.60 for adults and £13.80 for children.

• A 7-day Travelcard for travel in all zones, also issued in Oyster form, is £50.40 for adults and £25.20 for children.

An Oyster card automatically gives you substantial discounts every time you travel. The cost of a trip in central London on the Underground, for instance, drops from £4 to £1.90, and a bus fare from £2.50 to £1.20. In addition to providing substantial discounts for each trip, the price for a day’s worth of travel is capped—you never pay more than £8 for a day’s worth of travel around central London, no matter how many trips you make in that day. You can purchase an Oyster at Underground stations and other outlets. The Visitor Oyster, issued only to international visitors, comes preloaded with £10, £20, £30, £40, or £50. Aside from being able to purchase the Visitor Oyster before you leave home, there aren’t really many advantages over the regular Oyster. Plus, the system for purchasing a Visitor Oyster is fairly convoluted, and the cards are available only at such diverse and limited outlets as the Gatwick Express train office, National Express bus stations, on board Eurostar trains, and from Visit Britain offices overseas. The card costs £2, and so a card with a £10 balance costs £12. You can add credit to the cards at any Underground station.

Using Your All-Zone Travelcard for Day Trips

We’ve discovered that, with some careful planning, it’s often cheaper to buy an All-Zone Travelcard and pay supplemental rail fares to day-trip destinations than to buy a multiday BritRail pass. Show your All-Zone Travelcard at the ticket window of a London train station and tell the clerk you want to pay the “supplemental fare” to your destination. This way, your fare doesn’t begin until you reach the end of Zone 6. You can often get to places such as Knole, Hever Castle, Windsor, Dover, Lewes, and Brighton for less than £15 round-trip this way, and the costs of some longer-distance day trips may also be reduced.

Day-Tripping by Train & Bus

Tripping by Train

When all goes well, traveling by train is fun and convenient. In cities outside of London, the train stations are never more than a few minutes’ walk or a short bus ride from the town center. Although all our information, including fares, was correct at press time, train information and fares change often and so check before you travel:

• Always call National Rail Enquiries ( 08457/484-950) the night before your train trip to verify departure times and departure stations. Ask about any possible interruptions in service and how to avoid delays. For example, track work might delay trains to Dover from Victoria, though trains from Charing Cross might be running on time.

• Whenever possible, choose a direct train over one that requires a change along the way. In some cases, trains can get you to the same destination from more than one London station, but trains from one station may be much faster. It’s always wise to ask National Rail Enquiries or ticket agents at the railway stations for the quickest and most direct routes.

• Arrive at the station several minutes early—at least 30 minutes early if you need to buy a ticket or have your BritRail pass (see “Using BritRail Passes” below) validated.

• At the station, the departures board will tell you when your train is leaving and from what track or platform. Each track has an electronic sign listing the train’s destination—double-check these signs before boarding the train to make sure it’s the right one.

• On some lines, Sunday is now one of the worst days to travel because there are fewer trains and they tend to be slow. Repair work is often undertaken on Sunday, sometimes causing long delays or requiring you to complete part of your journey on a bus on some occasions.

Train Types

Privately owned train companies run the train lines in England. The sleek, high-speed, long-distance trains are the most dependable and comfortable. These fast trains now go to York, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Bath. For shorter trips, such as to Brighton, Oxford, Leigh-on-Sea, and Cambridge, you often take regional commuter trains. In some cases you may need to transfer to an even smaller local train to reach your destination.

Smoking isn’t permitted on trains or anywhere in any train station.

Scheduling Your Day Trip

For the most current train schedules and fares, call National Rail Enquiries at  08457/484-950 in the United Kingdom. You can also find timetable information and fare schedules online at www.nationalrail.co.uk.

You can purchase tickets on this site, and with most day trips it’s a good idea to buy well in advance—for destinations such as York, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Bath, tickets are cheaper if purchased a few weeks, or even just days, before you travel.

Buying Your Train Ticket

You can buy your ticket online in advance or on the day of travel. If you buy in advance, you have the option to choose “collection,” which means you collect your tickets from a machine at the station or at the ticket desk any time before your journey. You need to bring with you the credit card you used to purchase the ticket.

If you have a BritRail pass (see “Using BritRail Passes,” below), you must have it validated at a ticket window before your first journey. After that, you don’t have to bother with buying tickets; just board the train. At the platform barrier, you sometimes have to feed your ticket through a turnstile or show your BritRail pass in order to enter.

In England, a one-way train ticket is called a “single,” and a round-trip ticket is a “return.” If you go on a day trip and are coming back the same day, ask for a day return. After 9:30am you can often, but not always, get a discounted ticket called a cheap day return. When purchasing your tickets, be sure to ask if any time restrictions might affect your plans.

When you buy your ticket, you must choose between first and standard (second) class. First-class tickets cost about one-third more than standard class. The first-class cars have roomier seats, but you can travel quite comfortably in standard class, and some commuter trains have no first-class cars. If you want a first-class ticket, you must request one—otherwise the agent will assume you want a standard-class ticket.

First-class service on some long-distance train routes includes free coffee, tea, beverages, and snacks, plus a free newspaper. Standard-class passengers can buy sandwiches and drinks in a cafe car. On some lines, an employee comes through with a food and beverage trolley.

Using BritRail Passes

If you’re from outside the UK and you plan to travel around England extensively by train, consider purchasing a BritRail pass. These must be purchased before you arrive in England. BritRail passes are convenient because you don’t have to stand in line to buy train tickets; if a train is in the station, you can just hop on. BritRail passes can be ordered through a travel agent or by contacting BritRail ( 866/BRIT-RAIL [274-8724]; www.britrail.com). The BritRail passes most pertinent to day-trippers are:

BritRail London Plus Pass This pass is good for 2, 4, and 7 days of travel and covers a large area around London. It gets you to Bath, Brighton, Cambridge, Canterbury, Dover, Oxford, Salisbury, Stratford-upon-Avon, Winchester, and everywhere in between—so, it will get you to many of the day trips in this book. Whether or not it’s a cost saver depends on how many trips you plan to make.

BritRail Flexipass This pass allows you to travel any 3, 4, 8, or 15 days within a 2-month time period. Savings-wise, it makes sense only if every one of your day-trip destinations is to a place some distance from London, such as Stratford-upon-Avon, Bath, or York. The Flexipass allows you to visit Wales and Scotland, in addition to every place we list in this guide.

London’s Train Stations

London has 11 major train stations, all served by the Underground. (Throughout this book, we always tell you which London train station serves the particular destination we’re describing.) In every station, a large overhead display, usually near the platforms, lists the departing trains and platforms.

It’s sometimes possible to use more than one station, and services may change depending on day of the week, track work, and other considerations. It’s always a good idea to check with National Rail Enquiries ( 08457/484-950) before setting off.

If you’re day-tripping from London, you’ll depart from one of the following stations (you can locate each station on the “Central London Train Stations” map):

London Bridge Station Use this station for Hever.

Charing Cross Station Trains from here travel southeast to Canterbury, Dover, Rye, Sevenoaks (for Knole), Staplehurst (for Sissinghurst), and Tunbridge Wells.

Fenchurch Street Station For Leigh-on-Sea.

King’s Cross Station Head here for trains to Cambridge, York, and Kings Lynn (for Sandringham).

Liverpool St. Station Use this station in East London for East Bergholt and Dedham Vale, Ipswich (for Woodbridge), Norwich, and for Sudbury (for Lavenham).

Marylebone Station Use this small station for trains to Stratford-upon-Avon.

Paddington Station This station is for trains to Windsor, Bath, and Oxford.

St. Pancras Station Use this grand station near King’s Cross for trains to Ashford (for Rye).

Victoria Station Head here for trains traveling to the south and southeast of England, including Bearsted (for Leeds Castle), Brighton, Canterbury, Chichester, Lewes, Sevenoaks (for Knole), and Whitstable.

Waterloo Station Use this station for trains going to the south of England, including Hampton Court, Portsmouth and Southsea, Salisbury, Winchester, and Windsor.

Tripping by Bus

The main, long-distance bus company is National Express ( 08717/818-178; www.nationalexpress.com). Their comfortable buses are equipped with reclining seats and a toilet. Tickets usually cost around half of what the train fare costs but the journey often takes twice as long.

If you travel by bus from London, you’ll depart from Victoria bus station, Buckingham Palace Road ( 020/7730-3466; Underground: Victoria), two blocks from Victoria train station—signs point you to it. On your way back, the bus normally picks you up near each town’s train station.

National Express offers several Brit Xplorer passes for unlimited travel on their extensive network, which covers all of England. A 7-day pass costs £79, a 14-day pass costs £139, and a 28-day pass costs £219.

Day-Tripping by Car

Although not impossible without a car, if you want to visit castles (including Leeds Castle, Hever and Sandringham) and smaller villages, such as those in Dedham Vale, you’ll find it much easier if you have your own wheels—local bus service is sporadic and taxis can get pricey.

Before You Rent a Car

If you’re visiting England from another country, remember that you must drive on the left and pass on the right.

Renting a Car

If you rent a car in London, bear in mind that if you drive in the center of the city you must pay a daily £8 “congestion charge,” although the rental company will explain how they handle this. If you want a car to explore the countryside for just a day, it might be easiest to rent it at Heathrow or Gatwick airports so you don’t have to navigate London’s traffic.

Americans, Canadians, Australians, and New Zealanders renting a car in England need a valid driving license from their home country that they’ve had for at least 1 year. In most cases, depending on the agency, you must be at least 23 years old (21 in some instances, 25 in others).

Rental Car Costs

Prices of cars in England are fairly reasonable—expect to pay £29 to £40 a day, including insurance, but you can get a better deal if you book in advance online.

Insurance for Car Rentals

Standard insurance is usually included in the prices quoted on car rental company websites. The Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), which limits your liability for damages caused by a collision, is covered in many cases if you pay with a credit card. Check with your credit card company before you go so you can avoid paying this fee unnecessarily (it can be as much as US$15 per day).

Car Rentals on the Internet

Here are a list of car rental agency websites:

• Alamo www.alamo.com

• Auto Europe www.autoeurope.com

• Avis www.avis.com

• Budget www.budget.com

• Dollar www.dollar.com

• Enterprise www.enterprise.com

• Europcar www.europcar.com

• Hertz www.hertz.com

• Kemwel (KHA) www.kenwel.com

• National www.nationalcar.com

• Thrifty www.thrifty.com

Where to Rent a Car

Note: For contact details on major car rental agencies operating in Britain.

You’ll save yourself time, bother, and expense if you rent a car at one of London’s two major airports, Heathrow or Gatwick. Both are connected to the city by excellent public transportation: You can reach Heathrow on the Underground or via the Heathrow Express, which makes the trip from Paddington Station in just 15 minutes. The Gatwick Express connects Victoria station with Gatwick Airport in 30 minutes. A regular train service runs from Gatwick to Victoria station about every 20 minutes and takes a bit longer, 44 minutes, but costs a bit less.

From both airports, you can easily get onto the M25, the ring road that encircles London; and from it you can reach the major roads out of the city.

Motorways, Dual Carriageways & Roundabouts

The biggest roadways are called motorways (indicated as “M” plus a number on maps). A two-way road is a single carriageway, and a four-lane divided highway (two lanes in each direction) is a dual carriageway. Country roads, some of them paved-over tracks, are full of twists and turns and some are barely wide enough for two cars to pass.

One element of British roads that invariably throws non-native drivers is the roundabout—a traffic junction where several roads meet at one traffic circle. On a roundabout, the cars to your right (that is, those already on the roundabout) always have the right of way.

Reading a map and navigating all of this can be a bit difficult, but most rental companies will rent you a GPS to do the map-reading for you. This is highly recommended.

Rules of the Road

• All distances and speed limits are shown on signs in miles and miles per hour (mph).

• Speed limits are usually:

30 mph (48kmph) in towns

40 mph (65kmph) on some town roads where posted

60 mph (97kmph) on most single carriageway (two-way) roads

70 mph (113kmph) on dual carriageways and motorways

• The law requires you to wear a seat belt. If you have children, ask the car rental agency about seat belts or car seats.

• You can pass other vehicles only on the right.

• Parking in the centers of some towns is hard to come by. Read all posted restrictions or park in a carpark.

• You must stop for pedestrians in crosswalks marked by striped lines (called zebra crossings) on the road. Pedestrians have the right of way.

Emergencies on the Road

If you break down or have an accident and need help, your rental company will provide you with information about who to call for recovery. In a severe emergency, dial the police, fire, and ambulance services on  999.

Filling the Tank

Petrol (gasoline) stations are self-service. Prices vary wildly, but petrol is usually more expensive farther from large conurbations, and so it pays to fill up before you hit the road. You purchase petrol by the liter (3.78 liters equals 1 US gallon). Expect to pay about £1.35 per liter (around US$7 per gallon) for unleaded fuel.

Traveling Locally from Your Destination

Using Local Buses

In some day trips we list major attractions several miles outside of towns or cities. To reach these places—Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, for instance, which is 17 miles (28km) from Winchester—your cheapest option if you don’t have a car is to take a local bus. The local bus information we provide is current as this book is being written, but double-check times and services—either on the bus company websites or at the local tourist information office (in Winchester, for example, if you’re going to Chawton). Local bus services are reliable, but timetables change frequently.

If your train station is a little way from the town center and you don’t want to walk, there will almost always be a local bus that travels between the station and the center of town. Have some small change with you because drivers usually don’t take bank notes.

Taking a Taxi

If you don’t mind paying a little extra, an alternative to grappling with local bus systems is to take a local taxi. Usually taxis wait outside train stations, but in some small towns you’ll need to reserve one in advance. In the “Getting Around” section in every day trip, we provide the numbers for local taxi companies. The amount you pay obviously depends upon the length of the journey, but for journeys under 10 miles (16km), expect to pay £10 to £15.

Escorted Tours

Maybe you only have time for a trip or two outside of London and don’t want to bother with train schedules, admission hours, and other details. If so, traveling by tour bus is a good option. Prices usually include admission fees as well as pickup in central London and at some central London hotels:

• Premium Tours ( 0207/713-1311; www.premiumtours.co.uk) offers day trips from London to Stonehenge, Leeds Castle, Canterbury, and Dover, among others. Prices start at £19.

• Evan Evans Tours ( 0207/950-1777; www.evanevanstours.co.uk) offers similar trips, including to Stonehenge and Bath, Windsor Castle, Leeds Castle, and Canterbury. Prices start at £25.

• First Festival Travel ( 0208/896-6070; www.firstfestivaltravel.com) offers similar trips, usually combining destinations—Windsor, Eton and Oxford, for example, or Stonehenge and Bath. Prices start at £40.

• Great Expectations Tour Co. ( 0870/225-5303; www.welcome2britain.com) offers busy-day tours that pack a lot in—like Salisbury, Old Sarum, Stonehenge and Avebury for £85. These usually include a pub lunch and all entrance fees.

• Best Value Tours ( 0208/133-8378; www.bestvaluetours.co.uk) offers unique tours such as a trip to Stonehenge that gets you past the ropes and up among the stones. This trip also includes time in Bath and nearby Lacock. Prices around £90.

Traveler’s checklist

When setting out on a day trip, be sure you have:

• Your passport (and driving license if you’re renting a car).

• A credit card other than those issued by American Express; many establishments outside London don’t accept Amex.

• An extra set of camera batteries, and enough memory card space.

• AAA and AARP cards, student IDs, and other cards that might entitle you to discounted admissions.

• Called ahead or checked websites to verify the place you plan to visit will be open.

• Checked with National Rail Enquiries (or the bus company) to make sure there are no delays or cancellations.

Saving Money on Admissions

If you plan to make several day trips and visit a number of historic properties, consider arming yourself with the Great British Heritage Pass (www.britishheritagepass.com). The pass gives you free entry to hundreds of National Trust and English Heritage properties, including many listed in this book. Included are Blenheim Palace, Dover Castle, Hampton Court, Hever Castle, Knole, the Roman Baths and Pump Room in Bath, Shakespeare’s Birthplace in Avon, Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Stonehenge, and Windsor Castle.

A 3-day pass costs £39 and a 7-day pass £69.

Before you jump in and purchase the pass, check admission fees for the properties you might want to visit and do the math. Fees vary but usually run between £9 and £18 per property. If you plan to visit only one or two properties, the pass might not be for you. If, however, you plan to make several trips out of London and visit four or more properties, the pass could save you a bit of money.