Day Tripping

If you want to spend a weekend away from the city, there are plenty of places to go just a few hours away.

Oxford

Home of the famous university for over 800 years, Oxford is both a commercial centre and a town of quiet cloisters and peaceful gardens. The Oxford Tube coach runs every 10-20 minutes and stops at Victoria, Marble Arch, Notting Hill Gate, and Shepherd's Bush. The Oxford Bus Company leaves from Victoria every 20 minutes. And there are Thames trains two times an hour from Paddington.

Cambridge

Can't go to one University town, without seeing the other. While in Cambridge, visit the Botanic Gardens or punt on the River Cam. WAGN trains leave from King's Cross and Liverpool Street and take 55 minutes to get to town. National Express coaches depart hourly from Victoria.

Bath

Just two hours west of London is Bath, a quaint city famous for its Roman baths and pump rooms. Get a Bath bun or drink a Bath ale while you're there. Great Western trains leave from Paddington station, and National Express coaches leave from Victoria every 90 minutes.

Canterbury

As one of the most famous and oldest of England's cathedral towns, Canterbury is full of history and spiritual depth. While there, be sure to visit the Chaucer Centre and Canterbury Tales visitor attraction. Connex trains leave from Waterloo East, Victoria, London Bridge and Charing Cross. National Express coaches make the 1 1/2 - 2 hour journey every hour from Victoria.

Edinburgh

Acknowledged as one of Europe's finest cities, Edinburgh has always been a cosmopolitan melting pot drawing visitors from all over the world. There are 19 weekday trains that make the 4 1/2 - 5 hour journey from King's Cross.

Windsor

Here you can see Windsor Castle, the largest inhabited castle in the world, which has been a royal residence for over 900 years. But don't forget to visit Legoland and Eton College as well. Thames trains run from Paddington every 30 minutes and National Express coaches make the 50 minute journey from Victoria at 10am and 12pm.

Hampton Court

Home of the infamous King Henry VIII, Hampton Court is a short train ride from Central London. Not only is the castle interesting in its own right, but there are also gardens and one of those mazes you can get lost in. Although you have to pay to get into the castle, there are free tours offered by guides in period costumes.

Stratford-upon-Avon

If you love Shakespeare, go. If you don't love Shakespeare, go somewhere else. Thames trains run from Paddington and coaches leave from Victoria.

Beach?

Missing the beach? England's seaside towns include Brighton, Portsmouth, and Bournesmouth. Although Bournesmouth is reputed to be the best British beach, if you want a real beach, you have to get over to the Continent as it ain't no Bondi! Brighton is easily accessible by Connex trains leaving two times an hour from Victoria and London Bridge, and by Thameslink trains leaving from King's Cross and Blackfriars.

Tour companies

Tracks offers a variety of tours at student prices. Currently, there are day trips for 10, bank holiday weekends starting at 59, and a 9-day trip to Pamplona for the Running of the Bulls for 179. With Tracks, you can go anywhere from Stonehenge to Stratford, from castles to theme parks, from wine tasting tours to horse races. Recently, I took the day trip to Bath; the double-decker bus was great and all the other "trippers" were in the "student age range". Magic Tour Company also offers a variety of tours. The Original London Walks offers day trips as well as walking tours in the London area. There's a day trip every day - the walks meet at the railway station and take you on a full tour through the city of your choice whether it be Oxford, Bath, Stonehenge, or Canterbury, among others. Walking tours around London last around two hours and range from nightly pub walks and Jack the Ripper walks to daily walks of London neighbourhoods and museums. It's a great way to learn more about your home away from home. Unfortunately, the day trips are a bit more expensive since you'll have to pay for rail fare. You can get a complete listing at the London Walks website or look for a brochure in any hotel.

Weekend trips

Want to really get away for the weekend? With low-cost airlines, ferries, and trains, there's no excuse not to get away during your time in London.

Low-cost airlines

There are a number of these, so you're sure to continue to see low prices because of competition. These airlines fly to different cities so try all of them until you find the city you want. And don't rule out the "full-cost" airlines which may have flights just as cheap as the "low-cost" ones. Try RyanAir and EasyJet.

Internet travel sites

To make your travel plans, look at the sites for Expedia, Traveljungle, Lastminute.com, and ebookers.

Unsurprisingly enough, one of the cheapest places to go from London is Paris. For as low as 69 return, you can take the Eurostar from Waterloo station directly to the Gare du Nord station in Paris in around 3 hours time. Eurostar offers specials in conjunction with newspapers as well as holidays which include both train and hotel. Because of one of these special offers, I'll be off to Paris for two nights this weekend for 150. Tracks and Magic Tours also offer trips to Paris every weekend for something crazy like 99. And there are tons of tour books you can pick up which offer similar holiday deals.

Amsterdam is also a favourite spot to go from London and also one of the cheapest city breaks with flights around 80/person.