10 Cities Near London + Drive Times
The 10 closest cities to London, UK, ranked by distance — with drive time, flight time and day-trip vs weekend-getaway picks, including Oxford, Cambridge, Brighton.
The closest notable city to London, UK is Oxford, about 51 mi (83 km) away — roughly 1 hr 32 min by road. Below, 10 nearby cities are ranked by distance, with real drive and flight estimates and whether each works best as a day trip or an overnight getaway.
| City | Distance | Drive | Flight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OxfordDreaming spires and historic colleges | 51 mi / 83 km | 1 hr 32 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| CambridgePunting and riverside university grandeur | 49 mi / 79 km | 1 hr 28 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| BrightonSeaside pier and the Royal Pavilion | 47 mi / 76 km | 1 hr 24 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| BathRoman baths and honey-stone crescents | 97 mi / 156 km | 2 hr 15 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| CanterburyCathedral city and pilgrim history | 54 mi / 87 km | 1 hr 37 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| HastingsOld fishing town and 1066 history | 54 mi / 87 km | 1 hr 37 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Gravesend | 22 mi / 35 km | 42 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Hemel Hempstead | 22 mi / 35 km | 42 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Woking | 23 mi / 37 km | 44 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Crawley | 27 mi / 44 km | 53 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
Day trips from London
Within about 100 miles and easy to visit in a day: Oxford, Cambridge, Brighton, Bath, Canterbury. These are close enough to go and return without an overnight stay.
Getting around
Nearby cities are usually quickest by car or train; for the longer hops a regional flight can save time. Tap any city above for its full distance, driving-time and flight-time breakdown, or plan a specific route with the tools below.
Frequently asked questions
Notable cities near London include Oxford, Cambridge, Brighton, Bath, Canterbury. The closest is Oxford, about 51 miles (83 km) away. The table above lists each with its distance, drive time and best use.