3-Day Trips from London

Today I want to share A Lady in London’s top picks for the best 3-day trips from London with you. If you have a long weekend or you want to go somewhere slightly further afield, these trips are perfect getaways and escapes. Whether you’re looking for bank holiday breaks or just want an extra day to travel, these 3-day tours and excursions will let you explore places you’ll love.

From the English seaside to the Scottish Highlands, my list of 3-day trips from London spans geography and topography. It includes exciting getaways to Wales, Northern Ireland, and even Europe.

Whether you’re interested in city breaks, country escapes, coastal scenery, or village charm, there’s a 3-day trip from London that will fit your travel style and satisfy your wanderlust.

You can do these trips on your own, or as guided tours. I’ve done many of them with Rabbie’s, a company offering great small-group tours in the UK.

They provide the driver and you choose what to do and where to stay. It’s a great balance between a guided tour and an independent trip. You can see their tours here.

1. Edinburgh

First on my list of 3-day trips from London is Edinburgh. The Scottish capital is hard to beat when it comes to beautiful cities in the UK.

From the castle on the hill to the storybook houses in Dean Village, Edinburgh has a lot going for it.

Edinburgh makes for a great 3-day trip to Scotland from London. You can explore the highlights of the city and the best secret places in Edinburgh while you’re there.

It’s also enough time to take a day trip from Edinburgh if you want to explore the surrounding area. Places like Rosslyn Chapel are easy excursions from the city.

You can get to Edinburgh from London by train or flight. It takes around 4.5 hours either way, so it’s up to you how you prefer to travel.

Once there, my top pick for a place to stay in Edinburgh is The George. It’s in an ideal location on George Street near St Andrew Square. You can book it here.

2. The Lake District

Next on my list of 3-day trips from London is the Lake District. This is one of the best places to visit in the UK for nature lovers and fans of country walks. This part of England has spectacular scenery and great hiking trails.

It’s also home to Beatrix Potter’s house and pretty villages with gingerbread shops. Towns like Windermere and Keswick make this one of my favorite 3-day breaks in the UK, too.

You can get to the Lake District from London by train or car (if you choose the former, here are my top tips for visiting the Lake District without a car). You can also take a tour with Rabbie’s. You can book their 3-day Lake District tour here.

Once there, my top pick for a place to stay for 3 days in the Lake District is Forest Side Hotel. I stayed in a beautiful room here once and loved the restaurant. You can book here.

3. Cornwall

Out west, Cornwall is the next place on my list of 3-day trips from London. There are plenty of places to visit here, from pretty St Ives with its beaches and world-class art museums to surf-friendly Newquay and foodie Padstow.

Once in Cornwall, there’s a lot to do and see. From coastal walks to big beaches, lovers of the outdoors are spoiled for choice when it come to 3-day tours of England here.

There are also historic highlights like St Michael’s Mount and unique attractions like the Eden Project. And that’s to say nothing of Land’s End, the westernmost point in Cornwall.

You can get to Cornwall by train (I took the overnight train once), flight, or car. Once there, my favorite place to stay is St Ives. You can book a hotel in St Ives here.

4. The Cotswolds

It’s no secret that I love the Cotswolds. From villages like Bibury to landmarks like Broadway Tower, there’s a lot to love about this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

While you can do it in a day, taking a 3-day trip from London to the Cotswolds is a great way to see a range of places in the area and take in some of the surrounding cities and National Trust properties in the Cotswolds as well.

3 days is enough time to visit Cotswolds villages like Castle Combe and Chipping Campden, and also explore Bath, Cheltenham, Cirencester, and/or Oxford. You can also take your time and go for walks in places like Moreton-in-Marsh and Burford.

You can get to the Cotswolds by train or car (if you choose the former, my guide to visiting the Cotswolds without a car can help). You can also do a tour with Rabbie’s. You can book their Cotswolds tour here.

Once there, my favorite place to stay is Painswick. You can book a hotel in Painswick here.

5. Yorkshire Dales National Park

Another great place for 3-day trips from London is the Yorkshire Dales National Park. This stunning area in the north of England has rock formations that lend it an otherworldly atmosphere, and waterfalls galore.

There are peaks to climb for the ambitious, and villages to explore for those who prefer a slower pace. There are Harry Potter filming locations like Malham Cove, too.

You can get to the Yorkshire Dales from London by train or car. Once in the area, having a car is a good idea.

My favorite place to stay for 3 days in the Yorkshire Dales is Inglefall Cottage in the village of Ingleton. It’s a lovely accommodation in an ideal location, and I had a great time there. You can book it here.

6. Belfast and the Causeway Coastal Route

Over in Northern Ireland, Belfast and the Causeway Coastal Route is another of the best 3-day trips from London. This part of the UK often gets overlooked, but it’s worth a special trip.

I love Belfast for its lively nightlife, friendly locals, and rich history, and I adore the coast around it for its stunning scenery. The Causeway Coastal Route starts in Belfast and runs north through the nine Glens of Antrim and along the waterfront.

From medieval castles and precarious rope bridges to distilleries and Game of Thrones filming locations, there’s a lot to discover along it.

And that’s to say nothing of the Giant’s Causeway, where interlocking basalt columns form a beautiful natural phenomenon. It’s worth a visit on a 3-day getaway from London.

You can get to Belfast from London by plane. You can also fly to Dublin and take a Rabbie’s tour. You can book their 3-day Northern Ireland tour here.

If you travel independently, you can book accommodation in Northern Ireland here. There are lots of good places to stay.

7. Glasgow

Glasgow is another of my favorite 3-day trips from London. I’ve been visiting this Scottish city all my life (my grandmother was from here), and its independent spirit, eye-catching architecture, and friendly locals win my heart every time.

I love exploring the lanes in the West End, soaking up the history in Merchant City, and wandering through the over-the-top tombs in the Necropolis. And that’s to say nothing of the restaurants and bars in Finnieston, which are some of the best in the UK.

You can get to Glasgow by train or flight from London. My top pick for a place to stay for 3 days in Glasgow is the citizenM Glasgow. It’s stylish and centrally located. You can book a room here.

8. Scottish Highlands

North of Glasgow, the Scottish Highlands are another of the top 3-day trips from London. It’s hard to beat this part of Britain when it comes to natural beauty. The hills and glens, lochs and coos all make for a rugged beauty rarely seen outside Scotland.

Add to that medieval castles, legendary monsters (in Loch Ness, anyway), and tragic history, and the Scottish Highlands are not to be missed.

Whether you want to visit the Hebridean islands, the Cairngorms National Park, Inverness, Aberdeen, the Isle of Skye or Glen Coe, there are a lot of options for places to travel here.

If you need inspiration, you can take a look at my guide to a 3-day Scottish Highlands tour.

Depending where you want to go, you can get to the Scottish Highlands from London by flight to Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen, or other airports.

From there you can travel by train, car, or bus to get to where you want to visit. You can also go on a Rabbie’s tour. You can see all their 3-day Scottish Highlands tours here.

If you want to travel independently, you can book accommodation here. There are lots of great places to stay in the Highlands.

9. The Peak District and Derbyshire

Another place with stunning scenery, England’s Derbyshire is not only full of natural beauty but also some of the most famous stately homes in the UK. It’s one of my favorite 3-day trips from London.

Chatsworth House is renowned in its own right, and it’s also known for being a filming location for Pride & Prejudice and other movies set in England.

Other stately homes in the Peak District have been used as filming locations for houses from Bronte sister novels. Towns like Bakewell and Matlock are lovely, too.

You can get to Derbyshire by train or car from London. My top pick for a place to stay in the area is The Cow Dalbury. It’s stylish and you can book it here.

10. South Wales

Another of the best 3-day trips from London is South Wales. From Cardiff to the Gower Peninsula, Brecon Beacons, and Pembrokeshire, there are lots of great places to visit here.

Cardiff has an amazing castle, the Gower shows the Welsh coastline at its finest, the Brecon Beacons National Park has amazing hiking, and Pembrokeshire has some of the best beaches in Britain.

Worm’s Head and Rhossili Beach are particularly beautiful spots, Castell Coch is a fairy-tale, and hiking Pen-y-Fan is a great experience.

You can take a look at my guide to weekend breaks in Wales or my itinerary for this part of Wales if you want more ideas.

You can get to South Wales by train or car from London. Once there, it’s best to get around by car. You can book accommodation here.

11. North Norfolk

Next on my list of 3-day trips from London is North Norfolk. From Burnham Market to Wells-next-the-Sea, this area is brimming with places to visit. Whether you love shopping, beaches, stately homes, or pubs, there’s something for you.

Its proximity to London also makes this part of England one of my favorite places for a long weekend in Norfolk.

It’s easy to get to North Norfolk from London by car or train, but it’s best to have a car once you arrive in the area. You can book accommodation here.

13. The Eden Valley

Up north near the Lake District, the Eden Valley in England is another of my favorite 3-day trips from London.

This part of the UK is just as pretty as its better-known neighbor, but it’s free of the tourist crowds that can make the Lake District overwhelming in high season.

I visited this area one summer, and I had the most amazing time walking through the countryside, communing with sheep, and falling in love with historic pubs. I even saw a red squirrel.

You can get to the Eden Valley by train or car (the Settle-Carlisle railway is incredibly scenic, and I highly recommend it). You can book accommodation in the Eden Valley here.

14. Northumberland

Northumberland comes next on my list of 3-day trips from London. I used to spend a lot of time in this county in the north of England, and it remains one of my favorite under-the-radar places to visit in the UK.

There’s a lot you can do in Northumberland. From castles by the sea to country walks, the priory on Holy Island to the fortified walls of Berwick-upon-Tweed, there’s something for everyone.

My 3-day Northumberland itinerary will show you everything from Alnwick Castle to Bamburgh, and my list of Northumberland destinations can help inspire you, too.

You can get to Northumberland by train or car. It’s easiest to get around by car once you’re there. My top pick for a place to stay is The Cookie Jar in Alnwick. I loved the interiors as soon as I walked in, and the breakfast is great. You can book it here.

15. Yorkshire Coast

The coast in Yorkshire is another of the best 3-day trips from London. There are beautiful places to visit along the North Sea here, from fishing villages with smuggling lore to abbeys with Dracula connections.

There are lots of places you can visit on the Yorkshire Coast, including Robin Hood’s Bay, a seaside village with pretty cottages, narrow paths, and wood-paneled pubs.

Whitby is full of scenic views and hilltop ruins, and Scarborough has sandy beaches and a castle. There’s a lot to do during 3-day breaks in the UK here.

You can get to the Yorkshire Coast by train or car. Once there, it’s easiest to get around by car. You can book accommodation in the area here.

16. Fife, Scotland

Just north of Edinburgh, Fife is another of my top picks for 3-day trips from London. This county features everything from stunning coastline to famous universities and pretty villages.

There are lots of places you can visit in Fife, including Falkland, which was an Outlander filming location, Pittenweem, a pretty coastal village, and St Andrews, which has a historic university, golf courses, and cathedral ruins. Auchterarder and Gleneagles are great, too.

You can get to Fife by train or plane from London. I recommend taking the train (or flying to Edinburgh) to get there, then driving while you’re in the area.

My top pick for a place to stay in Fife is The Gleneagles Hotel. I loved my visit to this famous place, and you can book a room here.

17. Scottish Borders

I used to spend a lot of time in the Scottish Borders, and I still consider it the most underrated place in the UK.

Just south of Edinburgh, this area is deserving of 3-day trips from London for its beautiful landscapes, stately homes, pretty coastline, and historic abbey ruins.

From coastal walks in St Abbs to Walter Scott’s fairy-tale house at Abbotsford and the famous ruins of Melrose Abbey, there’s a lot to love here. Villages like St Boswells are fun to explore, and Floors Castle is stunning.

I’ve written about the Scottish Borders a lot, and you can take a look at my guide to places to visit in the Scottish Borders if you want more ideas.

You can get to the Scottish Borders from London by taking a train to Berwick-upon-Tweed, a flight to Edinburgh, or by car. Once there, driving is the best way to get around.

I recommend staying at SCHLOSS Roxburghe Hotel in the Borders. I’ve had great experiences at this place, and you can book a room here.

18. Devon

Next on my list of 3-day trips from London is Devon. This county in the south of England is known for its stunning coastline and beautiful landscapes, and it’s worth a special trip.

There are lots of great places to visit in Devon, from the seaside in Salcombe to the tower in Glastonbury. National Parks like Dartmoor and cities like Exeter are lovely, too.

You can read more in my blog post about a tour of Devon. I went with Rabbie’s, and you can book the tour I went on here.

If you go independently, you can get to Devon by train or car. Once there, it’s easiest to get around by driving. You can book accommodation in Devon here.

19. Dorset

Next on my list of 3-day trips from London is Dorset. Right next to Devon, this county is known for its dramatic coastline and scenic interior.

There’s no shortage of places to spend 3 days in Dorset. From the Jurassic Coast on the English Channel to the ancient stone arch at Durdle Door and the cliffs at Lulworth Cove, it’s a seaside-lover’s paradise.

Places like Poole, Weymouth, and Swanage have sandy beaches, and Bournemouth is a popular resort town.

You can get to Dorset by train or car from London. Once there, it’s easiest to get around by car. You can book accommodation in Dorset here.

20. Channel Islands

Another of my favorite 3-day trips from London is the Channel Islands. Just off the coast of France, these isles are known for their aquamarine water, beautiful beaches, pretty towns, and unique history.

I’ve enjoyed visits to Guernsey and Sark, and Jersey and other islands in the archipelago are equally worth visiting.

You can get to the Channel Islands on a flight from London. Once there, it’s easiest to get around by car.

My favorite place to stay in the Channel Islands is the Duke of Richmond Hotel in Guernsey. It’s a beautiful place in a great location in St Peter Port. You can book a room here.

21. Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight is another of the best 3-day trips from London. This island off the south coast of England is famous for everything from sailing to stately homes.

I visited for the annual regatta during Cowes Week on the Isle of Wight, but it’s a great place to travel at other times of year as well. From Queen Victoria’s Osborne House to miles of walking paths, there’s a lot to entertain here.

You can travel to the Isle of Wight from London by train and ferry. Once there, it’s easiest to get around with a car. You can also go on a tour with Rabbie’s. You can book their 3-day Isle of Wight tour here.

If you travel to the Isle of Wight independently, you can book accommodation here.

22. North Wales

North Wales is another of the top 3-day trips from London. This part of the UK is known for its dramatic landscapes, fairy-tale castles, and stunning coastline.

There are a lot of places you can visit in North Wales. Snowdonia is great for hiking, Llandudno is a fun resort town, Anglesey has beautiful island scenery, Caernarfon has a huge castle, and Portmeirion feels like an Italian village on the Welsh seaside.

You can read more in my blog post about a road trip in North Wales. It has lots of ideas for places to visit in the region.

You can get to North Wales from London by car or train to Chester. Once there, it’s easiest to get around by driving. You can also take a tour with Rabbie’s. You can book their 3-day North Wales tour here.

If you travel independently, you can book accommodation in North Wales here.

23. Paris

Last on my list of 3-day trips from London is Paris. I know, I know. It’s not in the UK.

But given it’s one of the most popular places to travel from London (all my travel planning clients want to go there on a twin-city trip with the UK capital), I can’t help including it in my list.

The City of Light has enough to do for a lifetime, but 3 days in Paris is enough time to see the sights and take in some of the cultural highlights. From Paris landmarks to events and exhibitions, you’re spoiled for choice.

You can get to Paris by train or flight from London. You can see my top picks for accommodation on my guide to the best area to stay in Paris.