Coach day trips from £18*
Sometimes it's nice to get away from it all even if it's just for a few hours and that's why coach trips are the perfect solution. With a day trip you can try something different, find somewhere you never knew existed and explore a corner of the UK or Europe.
Our coach trips feature tours to classical cities and historical sights, from London to the Lake District, coach trips to historic homes and gardens, shopping havens, rural retreats and other popular attractions. Get your friends and family together for a day out by the seaside or join a scenic tour by coach and discover beautiful countryside in the UK. Take a flight on the London Eye or enjoy a river boat cruise down The Thames. For some seriously exhilarating fun, experience new rides at one of many UK theme parks such as Alton Towers, Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures to name a few.
Coach trips don't just happen in the UK, you'll also have the opportunity to cross the Channel and visit our neighbours in Europe with a variety of trips by coach to Calais, Boulogne, Paris, Bruges and Brussels. Stock up on beers, wines and spirits with a day trip to France and a visit to the Hypermarket. Take the Eurostar to Paris and spend the day strolling along the Champs-Elysees or visiting the many wonderful sights that the city of romance has to offer. You could even whisk the family on coach trips to Disneyland Paris! Bruges is a fabulous place to visit if you like chocolates, lace and Belgian beer – you'll find an abundance of it here that's for sure.
If you are planning to go on a European day trip you will be required to have a valid passport and you'll need to take some local currency with you too, although most places do accept credit or debit cards, best to be prepared for any eventuality.
If you don't think you meet the correct entry requirements, you should contact the local embassy for advice. The following contact details could be useful for you:
French Embassy in London
58 Knightsbridge Road
London SW1X 7JT
Tel: 0207 073 1000
French Consulate In London
221 Cromwell Road
London SW7 2JN
Tel: 0207 073 1200
French Visa Office
Suite 18 Exhibition House
Ground Floor
London W14 8XP
Tel: 0845 7300 118
Belgian Embassy in London
17 Grosvenor Crescent
London SW1X 7EE
Tel: 020 7470 3700
Belgian Visa Office
1-8 Bateman's Building
London W1D 3EN
There are quite literally 1000s of places that can be visited on day trips by coach, the only problem you may have is trying to decide where you wish to go to. Here's just a small selection of places you can visit to offer inspiration the next time you are planning a coach day trip:
London
Being such a big city, there is something for everyone so take the family to The London Aquarium, ZSL London Zoo or the Natural History Museum. You could even treat the kids to a visit to MandM® World in Leicester Square. Visit historic houses and palaces belonging to the Royal Family. Hit Oxford Street and Bond Street for a shopping fix or unwind in one of the city's many open spaces such as Regents Park.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Considering this is the birthplace of William Shakespeare, you should perhaps pay homage to England's greatest playwright with a visit to Holy Trinity Church where both he and his wife are buried. You should visit Anne Hathaway's Cottage too. Take an award-winning walking tour of the city where you can learn more about the city's history and attractions. Visit Europe's largest butterfly farm or relax with a tranquil cruise along the River Avon.
Edinburgh
You should visit Edinburgh in August for the military spectacular that is the Edinburgh Tattoo which takes place in the Castle and is a must-see event for everyone. When in Edinburgh on your day trip, hit the shops in Princes Street, head over to The Royal Mile where you'll enjoy lots of street entertainment, join a sightseeing bus tour and if there's time, see the lavish apartments of Holyroodhouse – the Queen's official residence when staying in Scotland.
Liverpool
No visit to Liverpool would be the same without following in the footsteps of The Beatles with a magical mystery tour where you can discover the inspiration behind many of their hit songs. Visit the city's famous waterfront at Albert Dock and board a ferry to cross the Mersey. You can go shopping at Liverpool's newest shopping centre 'Metquarter', take a guided tour of Anfield or visit one of the many museums and galleries located in the city.
Paris
It may seem a tall order to visit Paris in a day but with a little careful planning, you can get to see all the main sights without having to rush. See thousands of exhibits on display at The Louvre, one of the world's largest museums. Take lunch at one of the city's finest restaurants Le Comptoir du Relais then walk it off in the Jardin du Luxembourg. If you're feeling energetic climb to the top of the Eifel Tower, admire the Arc de Triomphe, take a cruise along the River Seine and finish your day with a gentle stroll along the Champs-Élysées.
Bruges
Again, all that is needed is a little careful planning and you'll be able to see quite a lot of Bruges in one day. To really get a feel of the city, take a wander down the quiet cobbled side streets for authentic Bruges where you'll see traditional stepfronted houses. Visit the 15th century Church of Jerusalem and four well-preserved windmills next to the canal at Kruisvest and the folklore museum set in 17th Century almshouses on Rolweg. See Michelangelo's marble masterpiece 'Madonna with child', find out more about chocolate at Choco-Story and visit the city's only surviving brewery De Halve Maan.