Student-Friendly Day Trips in the UK

Student life isn’t all work and no play, you know.

When the deadlines are in and the exams are over with (for now), it’s important to get some down time in.

Whether you’re studying in the UK or in Ireland, we recommend that you make the most of your spring break or your weekends to explore all that the UK has to offer. 

There are so many student-friendly day trips to be had that we wanted to share just a sample of them with you.

Here are seven of our fave UK student day trips. Enjoy!

1. London

It just makes sense to start with London, doesn’t it?

The UK’s capital is absolutely bursting with life and things to do – so many that you’ll never be able to cram it all into one visit.

Even so, there are some things you can and should do if you’re in London for the day. 

Take a walk across the River Thames and get close to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, preferably as the tower’s bells give the hourly bongs.

If you’re feeling flush, splash the cash on a ride on the London Eye to get some incredible views of the Big Smoke.

If you have lots of time, take a tour of the Tower of London. You’ll be guided around by the Beefeaters, the King’s Guards, who’ll regale you with details and fascinating stories. Tours include access to historical sites like the site where Henry VIII’s wives were beheaded, you can see the crown jewels, and the room where the Princes in the Tower were imprisoned before their mysterious disappearance.

And don’t forget to take the almost obligatory selfie at Buckingham Palace – give a wave to the King if the flag’s up!

2. Brighton

Just an hour away from London by train, this classic seaside location in East Sussex is well worth a visit.

Take a walk along the promenade, grab some scrummy fish and chips (there’s nowhere better than at the seaside!), take a ride on one of the pierside amusements, and dip your toe in the chilly sea!

Brighton is a student-friendly city with lots of atmosphere and an open-minded attitude. There are plenty of places to have a drink, and you should also definitely check out the stunning Royal Pavilion, a former royal residence in a unique Indo-Saracenic style, with its own gardens.

3. Bath

Moving over to Somerset, another one of the best student-friendly day trip sites is Bath.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is named so because it is home to the Roman baths. The baths had a resurgence of popularity in the Georgian era, and still have a big pull for tourists.

If you’re studying history or just a bit of a culture vulture, you’ll love walking around the well-preserved Roman Baths dating back to around 70 AD.

Architecture and art students will also love the gorgeous Georgian architecture throughout the city, from the imposing Royal Crescent, to Queen Square where Jane Austen used to live, to the impressive Grade I listed Pulteney Bridge. 

One thing’s for sure, your Instagram will get a massive glow-up after a visit to Bath!

4. York

Yorkshire’s capital is a beautiful historic walled city founded by the Romans in 71AD. Then it was Eboracum, now it’s known as York and is a student city packed with life and culture.

If you’re here for the day, it’s worth taking one of the many walking tours to be able to take in the fullness of this city’s rich history.

Shopaholics can get in some retail therapy at the Harry Potter-esque historic Shambles.

One of the most iconic cathedrals in the UK is to be found in York, in the form of York Minster, where the Archbishop of York has his seat. Get a selfie with this British landmark.

If you’ve got plenty of time on your hands, take a trip to the incredible Jorvik Viking Centre, a museum including life-size mannequins and a ride experience which transports you back to the sights, sounds and smells of 10th century York.

Also worth visiting are Clifford’s Tower, and the York Museum Gardens.

5. Cambridge

It goes without saying that Cambridge is a famous university city, and is therefore ideal for a student-friendly day trip in the UK.

This historic location is not only stunningly pretty, but is also rammed with impressive architecture, mainly in the form of university buildings such as King’s College Chapel, St. John’s College and the Fitzwilliam Museum.

In the latter museum, you can immerse yourself in an extensive exhibition of breathtaking works of art and antiquities from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. 

On a sunny day, Cambridge is the quintessentially English fantasy, and there’s no better activity than to have a go at punting on the river Cam, before having a picnic at the university’s beautiful 40-acre botanic garden.

6. Edinburgh

You say Edinburgh, we think: Harry Potter.

Ok, so that’s clearly not all there is to Edinburgh, but what can we say, the link is there – always.

Aside from taking a trip to one of the cafes where JK Rowling wrote the classic stories, Scotland’s capital is just about one of the prettiest places you could choose for a student-friendly day trip in the UK. It’s also one of the most culturally active.

If you go to Edinburgh in August, you’ll catch the iconic annual Fringe Festival, the largest arts festival in the world. And you can visit the famous Edinburgh Castle which dominates the skyline, climb Arthur’s Seat for spectacular views of the whole city, or take a guided tour of the creepy Edinburgh Vaults.

7. Belfast

If you’re studying in Ireland, there are of course some student-friendly day trips in the UK that are a little closer to home.

Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, has some must-see sightseeing attractions such as the impressive Titanic Museum, which is located in the dockyards where the fated steamliner was built before taking off on her doomed maiden voyage. You can take a tour around the interior of SS Nomad, the ship that ferried Irish passengers from Belfast to Southampton to board the Titanic, before visiting the lively Titanic Quarter for a pint of the Black Stuff.

Speaking of which, the Guinness Factory is in Belfast, so you can take a tour with a professional tour guide and see how it’s made.

For a chilled day out, take a tour of the beautiful City Hall or take a stroll in the serene Botanic Gardens. For something more challenging and thought-provoking, take a ‘Political Taxi Tour’ of the peace wall that divides Shankill Road and Falls Road. The taxi drivers are well-informed guides who are happy to give background details about key points of the city, including the striking murals.

Novel offer student accommodation in Cork and in Belfast, so whichever part of the Emerald Isle you call your student home, UK or Eire, we highly recommend a trip to this important city, and that you take in its significant history and culture. You’ll be the richer for it.