See More of England on Day Trips from London

London is all hustle and bustle -- there are some quieter areas to visit in the surrounding country. Essex, Suffolk and Kent are easy day trips from London and feature beautiful countryside and manor houses that come with their own history lesson.

London travel is notoriously difficult, but get out of the city and you’ll find things much easier.

Stonehenge is the most famous stone circle in Europe, where Druids still hold ceremonies today. From there it’s possible to take in the beautiful Salisbury Plain and Gothic cathedral, as well as the old English thatched roof villages along the way. Oxford is along the way, which offers plenty to the history buff or scholar. All these are within easy reach of London for a day trip

Further north of London is Stratford-upon-Avon, or Shakespeare country, as it's known. It does take a little longer to get there, but make sure you catch a matinee performance at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre before you head back to London for dinner.

Looking for something more extravagant? How about a day of shopping in Paris? The Eurostar will take you to the City of Lights in just two hours and 35 minutes.

Windsor Castle is the closest of all day trips from London. Now restored after the fire that threatened to destroy much of it, Windsor Castle is what most English castles are not today -- inhabited by royalty. Windsor Castle is home to Queen Elizabeth! Combine this trip with lunch in an old English pub and you have a quieter break from the busy city.