Written by Kelly Herdrich

Don't spend your trip to the UK cooped up inside of London. Once you've strolled through Covent Garden, watched the changing of the guard, crossed London Bridge and toured the Tower of London, hop a train and see what these 10 destinations outside of London have to offer.

1. York

One of my favorite cities in England, it's worth the 3 hour train ride from London. Take the first train of the day and you'll have plenty of time to walk along the city walls, visit Clifford's Tower, the York Castle Museum, and shop The Shambles. No trip would be complete without a tour of York Minster and a stop for tea at Betty's.

2. Bath

Grab the train in London and head to Bath, only 90 minutes away. You can stroll across Pultaney Bridge, see the gardens, and visit the Roman Baths. Bath Cathedral has a beautiful exterior, ideal for brushing up on your photography skills.

3. Windsor

No trip to the region would be complete without a quick trip to Windsor. See Windsor Castle, and even consider a jaunt to nearby Legoland for the kids if the weather cooperates.

4. Stratford-Upon-Avon

Shakespeare's old stopping grounds are the perfect choice for a day trip from London by train or car. Visit the home where he was born and the church where he was buried, among a variety of other literary landmarks.

5. Bristol

Take the kids to the Bristol Zoo Gardens, see the Clifton Suspension Bridge, and take a Treasure Trail Tour through the city. The train ride to Bristol from London is just over an hour and you'll love this coastal city.

6. Oxford

If you're looking for the quintessential British experience, you'll want to make time for a daytrip to Oxford while you're in the UK. You might not have been admitted to the university (though by a slim margin, I'm sure) but you can at least say you've seen it.

7. Harrogate

If you see one city in the Yorkshire Dales, this is the one. It's about four hours from London by train, so if you can, consider an overnight journey. Flowers bloom year round, you can head out for a stroll on the Stray, and there's easy access to the Dales at large if you choose to venture out (consider Pateley Bridge or Skipton, for instance). Make sure to rent a car and see nearby Fountains Abbey, too.

8. Nottingham

You won't see Robin Hood and his band of merry men strolling about anymore, but Nottingham still makes an ideal destination for a daytrip from London. The train can get you there, and you can rent a car if you want to branch out to explore the region at large once you arrive. Make time for Sherwood Forest, Nottingham Castle and the Robin Hood Audio Trail if you're interested in learning more about the legend and the region.

9. Brighton

Walk along the boardwalk, see the shore, shop, and more in beautiful Brighton. Easily reached by train from London, it's ideal for a short day trip. It's especially delightful if the weather cooperates!

10. Salisbury

Head to Salisbury by train, where you'll be able to see Salisbury Cathedral and plethora of historic homes that litter the region. Salisbury is also the perfect location to launch your journey out to see nearby Stonehenge by bus or car.

Content provided by Yahoo! Voices