As the capital, largest and most populated of the United Kingdom’s four countries, England is home to so much breathtaking scenery and ancient history, gorgeous architecture and rich heritage. From beautiful beaches and picturesque lakes to storybook towns and exciting cities. You can explore its beautiful rolling hills and marvel at its areas of outstanding natural beauty.
England is a great place to visit, whether travelers are making their first or countless trip abroad.
There are so many stunning places to visit in England, it’s easy to see why this country brings over so many tourists from all over the world.
In England, language barrier isn’t there for English speakers, though one can hear languages from throughout the world spoken here.
If you’re planning a trip to England in the upcoming year or need some inspiration on what places and destinations to visit, here are some places where you can get the best of what England has to offer.
1. London
London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and home to the Houses of Parliament, most visitors to England will arrive in London and the universal city is worth spending in. It boasts some of the best museums and art galleries on the planet, many of which are free, check out some of the most precious treasures in the world at the British Museum. You should see attractions include the iconic clock tower housing the famous bell called Big Ben, the London Eye observation wheel, London Bridge, and Westminster Abbey.
This bustling city is history personified from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace, be sure to watch the Changing of the Guards. Shopping, from Knightsbridge to Carnaby Street, or run into a celebrity at Madame Tussauds. You’ll never be bored here with the incredible range of buzzing bars, top-of-the-line restaurants, theaters and an array of events on offer, from sports to music festivals and everything in between.
There are numerous city walking tours, including City Highlights, featuring the top ten sights of London; Dickens, showcasing the streets and secret areas from his novels; Guildhall with a Common Council meeting and the Stories of Fleet Street, a walking tour of the famous street. There are galleries, markets, parks, and gardens. Some visitors may be able to explore their family history at the London Metropolitan Archives.
London is also famous for live theatre; be sure to stop in at local pub for a pint after a performance.
2.Oxford
Oxford is a prominent city, well known throughout the world for its place in history and its legendary university. Oxford has been home to scholars and royalty for decades of years, serving the world today as a bustling cosmopolitan city with an ancient history begging to be explored.
Oxford is known as the City of Dreaming Spires, some of Oxford’s more prominent historical attractions are the Radcliffe Camera, Christ Church, Magdalen College, and All Souls College. Fencing, football, cricket, boating, cycling, and archery are a few sporting and leisure activities here. The Weston Library, Port Meadow, and The Bear Inn – Oxford’s oldest pub – are a few additional highlights of the city.
Visitors will want to spend time on the Victorian Brighton Pier, aka Palace Pier, where they’ll experience a festive fun time for the whole family. The regal splendor of the Royal Pavilion, the thrill of the world’s tallest moving observation tower at British Airways i360, and the beauty of pebbly Brighton Beach are among dozens of must-see places in Brighton.
3. Cambridge
Cambridge is an historic city, situated at the north of London, well known for its prestigious Cambridge University, alma mater to such great minds as Stephen Hawking and Charles Darwin.
Cambridge is located on the River Cam and is similar to England’s other ancient university town, Oxford, but it’s a little smaller and less busy.
After touring the university, travelers may want to take a boat ride on the River Cam,
walk across the Mathematical Bridge that some claim is better than bridges in Venice.
Tick off some of Cambridge’s top attractions on a visit, including the country’s most famous buildings, the Chapel of Kings College, where you can listen to the amazing choir at a service.
Enjoy viewing one of the best art collections in England outside of London at Fitzwilliam Museum, or just take a walk through the meadows where you can relax and sip tea at The Orchard, a tea room where time seems to stand still – and, more famous people have sipped the beverage here than anywhere else in the world.
4. Lake District
The Lake District in northwest England’s Cumbria is home to the country’s largest national park, famous for having some of the finest scenery in England, with the greenest countryside and grandest views.
If you’re interested in photography, outdoor adventures, cosy pubs with home-cooked food or visiting the homes of famous poets, then the Lake District is a must visit, no trip to the U.K. is really complete without a stop off here.
The mountainous region is known for hikes and mountain climbing. It’s a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors annually. The park has the highest mounting in England, Scafell Peak, and the longest lake, Windermere.
In the summer, canoeing, windsurfing and sailing are all popular, and while you can take a dip to cool off after a long hike, the water is generally too cold to stay in for any length of time. Riding down the country lanes on a bike or taking a hike across the lush hills are popular activities any time the weather allows. In the fall, the beautiful autumn light makes it even more breathtaking, with the lakes surrounded by gold and ruby-colored hills.
5. Chester
Chester sits along the banks of the River Dee in Cheshire, close to the border of Wales. Chester has a rich history, along with stunning architecture that spans several eras. The Roman walls encircling the city are one of its biggest tourist attractions, while the historic clock on Eastgate Street is the second most photographed clock in the country and Chester’s best-known landmark. Explore the city via the water with a half-hour cruise on the River Dee, longer cruises go to the Eaton Estate, home of the Duke of Westminster, to Ironbridge, as well as the village of Eccleston on the Grosvenor Estate. If you like to shop, Chester has been named one of England’s best shopping cities, boasting a wide variety of smaller, independent shops as well as big-name chain stores.
6. Manchester
Manchester is famous as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and is one of the most charismatic and cosmopolitan cities in the United Kingdom. The city’s unique character welcomes visitors to explore its culture, history, architecture, and spirit through its premier interactive attractions, events, and tour opportunities. An excellent way to get the inside scoop of the city is with a walking tour of Manchester. On the tour, guests will learn about the city’s landmarks like the town hall and hidden gems like Albert Hall, a chapel that remained undiscovered for over 40 years. Additional impressive attractions are the John Rylands Library, Barton Arcade, and St Anne’s Church.
7. Brighton
Brighton is a fantastic city you would love to visit, much of its popularity is due to the proximity to London, making it popular with day trippers. The beachfront is lined with graceful old Victorian homes that today provide tourist accommodations. Visitors will want to walk out on the famous Palace Pier or admire the traditional English gardens. The city has a vibrant night life, and is home to many entertainers and athletes.
Brighton is home for everyone, whether you’re a couple looking for a romantic getaway, a family in need of some seaside fun or a group of friends wanting to party the night away. We love wandering around the streets and often you don’t need to plan what to do in order to have a good time, the markets, graffiti art, and street entertainers are some of the things that make this city so lovable. Keep an eye out for events when you’re planning to visit.
8. Liverpool
Liverpool is well known as the place that birthed The Beatles. The city offers a combination of maritime-heritage architecture, world-class museums and cultural attractions that are easily accessed within a one-mile stretch along the Mersey. Spend time in the pubs chatting with the locals, check out the stunning cathedrals, go shopping at Liverpool One and enjoy the area beaches. If you’re into clubbing, you’ll find a hopping nightlife, and art lovers will appreciate Liverpool’s excellent art scene.
9. Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is a city of gently sloping green hills and ancient, pretty towns and villages in south-western and west-central England that look as if they’ve stepped out of the pages from another era. The area is crisscrossed with hedgerows, dotted with sheep and storybook villages, like the tiny and alluring villages of Stanway, Stanton and Snowshill that are often missed by travelers who head to the more famous places like Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water. Autumn is an especially wonderful time to be here, when visitors can enjoy colorful leaf-peeping, particularly at the two great arboreta, Westonbirt and Batsford, though the wonderfully uncrowded winters are ideal for fireside pub sessions. It’s also full of charming hotels where you can stay
overnight to explore the region more
10. Devon
Devon is obviously a fanciful place you should stop at, visitors are usually drawn to Devon because of its scenic beaches on the north and south coasts as well as excellent surf breaks, but it offers a lot more than the sand and the sea. History buffs can explore Tintagel castle, a legendary birthplace of King Arthur, and the seat of the kings of Cornwall, while music lovers will find a myriad of festivals held here every year, like the St Ives Festival, Rock Oyster Festival and countless others. Feast on fine food made from the rich array of offerings right at Devon’s doorstep, like venison, lamb, pork, pheasant and seafood, along with outstanding local produce that can be found in the many farmers’ markets. The capital of Devon, Exeter, is an ideal place to base your stay, with close proximity to area beaches, an array of shops and fantastic street food from pulled pork wraps to spicy curries that can be sampled every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the courtyard of the Guildhall Shopping Centre.