European Road Trip: Exploring London and Returning with Joy

16 cities | 22 attraction(s) | total distance 60528 km

TIPS

The above travel guide is a self-drive itinerary covering London and surrounding areas, southeastern England, and the Calais region in France. It includes attractions such as Windsor Castle, the Natural History Museum, Brighton Beach, Seven Sisters Cliffs, Amiens, and Saint-Omer, concluding with a return to London. Travel suggestions include transportation tips, accommodation choices, dining recommendations, and cultural experiences. Ideal for family road trips to experience rich natural landscapes and historical culture within a short period.

Day1: Windsor

2 attraction(s) · 6027 km

A day's trip to Windsor from London starts in the morning with a visit to Windsor Castle to admire royal architecture and collections and watch the changing of the guard ceremony. In the afternoon, stroll through the town of Windsor, experience traditional British charm, and enjoy afternoon tea before returning to London.

Windsor Castle

6027 km

Windsor

Day2: London

2 attraction(s) · 5896 km

In the morning, visit the Natural History Museum in London to learn about rich natural history; in the afternoon, head to Hyde Park for leisure and enjoy the park's natural environment.

Natural History Museum

Landmark museum of animals and natural phenomena, with hands-on exhibits and animatronic dinosaurs.

5896 km

Hyde park

Day3: Cambridge

3 attraction(s) · 5274 km

This family road trip in the UK begins in London, exploring city views and museums, followed by a drive to Cambridge to visit prestigious universities. The trip concludes in southeastern England, experiencing countryside charm and coastal scenery. It combines the beauty of urban culture with natural landscapes, suitable for family-friendly travel.

Cambridge

2 km

King Open School

5272 km

RiverGranta

The River Cam is a small river surrounding the main city center of Cambridge, named after the English word "Cam", meaning "protuberance". The river flows around the main campus of the University of Cambridge, forming a large "T" shape. Chinese students who came to Cambridge in earlier years referred to it as "Jian River" because in the dialects of Fujian and Guangdong, the pronunciation of "Cam" is similar to "sword". The name "River Cam" is derived from the poem "The River" by Xu Zhimo. In fact, the River Cam and the River Granta are the same river, but locals are more accustomed to calling the upstream section the River Granta, where the banks are covered in greenery and the scenery is beautiful, and the downstream section is known as the College Backs, where the banks are lined with magnificent buildings of the University of Cambridge and the water flows smoothly. When renting a boat at the Queen's College dock, the boat owner will ask if you want to go to Granta or the College Backs. When you come to Cambridge, be sure to go boating on the River Cam, enjoy the beautiful scenery on both sides, and listen to the boatman's stories.

Day4: London > Brighton and Hove

2 attraction(s) · 5928 km

A day trip to Brighton: Depart from London in the morning to visit Brighton Pier, enjoy sea views and amusement facilities. Spend the afternoon playing on the beach, collecting stones, and strolling through alleys to experience artistic vibes and unique shops.

London

5928 km

Brighton Pier

Day5: East Sussex > Eastbourne

2 attraction(s) · 8 km

The itinerary includes a morning drive to Seven Sisters Cliffs for a hiking experience admiring natural scenery, followed by an afternoon visit to Eastbourne to experience local life, and return to the accommodation after dinner.

Seven Sisters

Series of 7 white chalk cliffs along the English Channel in South Downs National Park.

8 km

Eastbourne

Day6: Canterbury

1 attraction(s) · 0 km

This itinerary includes exploring major landmarks of London such as the British Museum and the London Eye, local restaurants and parks, followed by driving to Canterbury to visit Canterbury Cathedral and learn about religious history and culture. Stroll in Canterbury's old town to shop at unique stores and taste local food. Next, head to Calais in France and explore nearby natural landscapes and historical attractions.

Canterbury Cathedral

In 597, an Italian missionary Augustin was sent to England to spread the faith by the Pope. He built a church in Canterbury and became the first Archbishop. After the Archbishop was assassinated in 1170, Canterbury Cathedral became the destination for thousands of pilgrims, as described in The Canterbury Tales. The church is a mix of Roman and Gothic architectural styles, and its medieval stained glass windows depict various religious stories, making it one of the finest works of that time.

Day7: London > Calais > Amiens

4 attraction(s) · 6168 km

Initially, take the ferry or the Eurotunnel to Calais, France. Upon arrival, visit Amiens Cathedral and enjoy the afternoon exploring city parks while savoring French cuisine.

London

6045 km

Calais

122 km

Amien

1 km

Amiens Cathedral

Vast 13th-century Gothic edifice with 2 uneven towers, famous for lavish decorations & carvings.

Day8: Saint Omer

1 attraction(s) · 0 km

A day's itinerary includes a morning visit to Saint-Omer to see its cathedral and historic buildings, followed by an afternoon at a countryside farm where children can interact with animals and learn about agricultural production processes, then return to the accommodation.

Saint-Omer Church

Day9: London > Calais > Dover

3 attraction(s) · 6087 km

This itinerary includes visiting iconic sites in London, immersing in the port atmosphere of Calais in northern France, returning to Dover in the UK to experience coastal scenery, and finally heading back to London's northern areas and surroundings. The journey is full of European urban charm and natural beauty.

London

6045 km

Belfry of the Town Hall of Calais (UNESCO)

43 km

Port of Dover

Day10: York

2 attraction(s) · 1 km

Our one-day trip includes a morning drive from London to York, visiting York Minster. Spend the afternoon strolling York's ancient streets such as The Shambles, letting children experience British religious history and medieval charm, and choosing souvenirs.

York Minster

York Minster, also known as the St. Peter's Cathedral, is one of the largest surviving medieval churches in Europe, as well as one of the most exquisite in terms of architectural design. The church was established in 627 AD as a completely wooden structure, but was destroyed during the civil war. In 1060, the Normans ruled the York region and built the first Norman church, with the foundation stone and basement of the church still visible today.

1 km

Shambles Tavern

Quaint, popular spot with a locally focused menu of craft beer and pub fare, plus outdoor seating.

Day11: Harrogate > York

2 attraction(s) · 31 km

Drive approximately 1.5 hours in the morning to Harrogate, touring the Royal Pump Room Gardens. In the afternoon, explore the town of Harrogate, enjoy afternoon tea, and then return to York.

Harrogate

31 km

York

Day12: London

1 attraction(s) · 0 km

Recommended itinerary for the UK-France road trip: Return to London in the morning, relive beautiful moments, visit the London Eye in the afternoon for panoramic views of London, ending the trip perfectly.