Essential Places To Visit On A Trip To England

So, you’re planning a trip to England and wondering where to go? This guide covers the best places to visit, how to get there and what to do.

If you’re planning a trip to England, you’ve probably realized that it can be difficult to decide where to go.

As one born and bred Brit and one long-term resident, we have picked 11 places that capture the essence of this diverse country.

Our guide covers university towns, energetic cities, sleepy honey-coloured villages and dramatic scenery. There’s also British culture, our favourite pubs, iconic landmarks and world-class museums.

This is not an exhaustive, bucket-list of places in England. We’ve thought hard about destinations that give visitors the best taste of the country, while still being easy to get to from London.

Each place has been selected, not just because they offer something different, but also because several can be combined on a single trip.

With London as your base, you can see each of these destinations by train or with an organised tour. Some are good as day trips; others work best as a 1- or 2-night stay.

WHY GO

London is one of the true international cities in the world where castles and palaces sit side by side with modern art, cool neighbourhoods and leafy parks.  

London is an essential place to visit on any trip to England.

WHAT TO DO?

• See the tombs of kings, queens, poets and scientists in Westminster Abbey.
• Peer at the crown jewels in the Tower of London.
• Take a tour of the mother of parliaments at Westminster Palace.
• Take advantage of the free museums including the British Museum and Tate Modern.

HOW TO GET TO LONDON?

Most international flights from the USA arrive at London Heathrow or London Gatwick Airport. Both airports have direct train links to central London. The extensive underground (metro) system makes getting around the city easy.

HOW LONG?

You could easily spend a week, but 2 to 3 days will give you a good taste of London.

WHERE TO STAY?

Our neighbourhood guide covers all the best places to stay in London.

WHY GO?

Cambridge is one of the most beautiful towns in England. Exquisite late-Gothic architecture with medieval stained-glass windows tower over cobbled streets and immaculate lawns.

The River Cam winds through the backs of the colleges. A punting tour on the river is an iconic English experience and a history lesson in how individuals have changed the world.

WHAT TO DO?

• Admire the largest fan-vaulted ceiling in the world at King’s College Chapel.
• Punt on the River Cam passing colleges dating back centuries.
• Visit the Wren Library to see Newton’s notebook and original Winnie the Pooh manuscripts.
• Listen to the soaring voices of the King’s College Choir at Evensong.

HOW TO GET TO CAMBRIDGE?

Regular train services run from London King’s Cross (50 minutes), St Pancras, and Liverpool Street Stations.

HOW LONG?

The highlights can all be seen on our one-day Cambridge itinerary. However, 2 days will allow you to stroll around some of the museums.

WHERE TO STAY?

If you decide to spend the night, head to the University Arms Hotel.

WHY GO?

Oxford is England’s ‘other’ university town, bursting with urban energy. The golden colleges, cobbled lanes and remarkable libraries make it a wonderful excursion in England.  

Although you could say it’s less pretty than Cambridge, Oxford has more interesting architecture and a moodier and more intriguing atmosphere.  

If you only have time for one university town read our Oxford vs Cambridge comparison.

WHAT TO DO?

• Admire the circular Radcliffe Library surrounded by grand colleges and churches.
• Tour the Bodleian Library including the historic Duke Humfrey’s Library.
• Visit Christ Church College; the inspiration and film set for the Harry Potter films.
• Explore the 14th-century cloisters of New College.

HOW TO GET TO OXFORD?

Regular trains run direct to Oxford from London Paddington Station (1 hour).

HOW LONG?

You can see the highlights of Oxford on our one-day itinerary. But if you have time, spend longer and use it as a base to explore Blenheim (30 minutes by bus from Oxford) and the Cotswolds (using this well-rated day trip).

WHERE TO STAY?

We’ve covered a few accommodation recommendations on our guide to visiting Oxford.

WHY GO?

The Cotswolds is the England of picture-perfect villages. Honey-coloured stone cottages are set among rolling green hills dotted with sheep. In many respects, it’s the same place it was 500 years ago.

On its edge is Blenheim Palace, the home of Sir Winston Churchill and one of the great stately homes of the country. 

WHAT TO DO?

• Stroll the village of Bourton-on-the-Water the ‘Venice of the north’.
• Photograph the cottages on Arlington Row in Bibury.
• Grab a pint under the wooden beams of the Falkland Arms.
• Wander the halls and gardens of Blenheim Palace.

HOW TO GET TO THE COTSWOLDS?

The easiest way to explore the Cotswolds is to hire a car.

But if you don’t want to drive, you could join one of the many tours that leave from London. We suggest spending a night or two in Oxford and joining this excellent tour which includes Blenheim.

HOW LONG?

A one-day tour of the Cotswolds would allow you to get a feel for the area. But if you are including it on a road trip, you could easily spend 2-3 days exploring all the best places to visit in the Cotswolds.

WHERE TO STAY?

We’ve covered all the best places to stay in the Cotswolds which includes a handy breakdown of each of the main regions.

WHY GO?

In Northanger Abbey, Jane Austen wrote of aristocrats negotiating a day trip to Bath ‘to see and be seen’. It’s so beautiful, the whole place has been certified a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Part hipster, part posh, Bath straddles the divide between quirky independent shops and glamorous boutiques. With excellent Roman ruins, a towering abbey, and sweeping Georgian architecture, it is not short of grand sights either.

WHAT TO DO?

• Visit the Roman Baths, one of the best-preserved Roman remains in the world.
• Soak in a thermal spa as pilgrims have done for centuries.
• Sip tea in a Georgian townhouse and learn about Jane Austen’s life.
• Stay in the Royal Crescent, one of the premier addresses in England.

HOW TO GET TO BATH?

Direct trains run from London Paddington to Bath Spa station (1 hour 20 minutes). From Oxford the train also takes about 1 hour 20 minutes, with a change at Didcot Parkway.

There are plenty of day tours from London, but they include Windsor and Stonehenge which, in our opinion, is cramming too much in.  

HOW LONG?

You can see the highlights on our one-day Bath itinerary, but it’s worth spending a night to explore at a more leisurely pace.

WHERE TO STAY?

For a grand stay in a remarkable building head to The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa.

WHY GO?

Possibly the most famous prehistoric monument, Stonehenge is the only surviving lintelled stone circle in the world. Perched on a hill on the Salisbury Plain it conjures images of druids and pagan ceremonies.

WHAT TO DO?

• Stroll around the iconic Stone Circle or join a special tour to get inside them.
• Learn about the 5,500-year-old man in the onsite exhibition.
• Explore a Neolithic Village and wonder at how they moved these massive Sarsen Stones.

HOW TO GET TO STONEHENGE?

Stonehenge is in a slightly remote location and it’s not the easiest place to get to. Trains run from London Waterloo to Salisbury (90 minutes). From here you can get a taxi or a bus to the site (12 miles).

The easiest way to get to Stonehenge, particularly if you’re visiting from the US would be this morning tour from London. If you have more time, this full-day tour includes Bath and Windsor.

HOW LONG?

It only takes about 2 hours to look around the complex. It will take much longer to get there and back. It’s an important historical sight, but if you are short on days in England, this is probably a good one to skip.

WHY GO?

Windsor Castle is the longest-occupied palace in Europe. Built in the 11^th century under William the Conqueror, it has been a Royal residence since Henry I (1100-1135).

WHAT TO DO?

• Be wowed by the luxurious decoration of the grand State Apartments.
• Watch the changing of the guard at 11 am each day.
• See the tombs of 11 monarchs including Queen Elizabeth II in the St. George’s Chapel.

HOW TO GET TO WINDSOR?

Trains to Windsor from London Paddington take 40 minutes with a change at Slough, making it a very easy day trip from London.

If you would prefer to join a tour, it can be combined with either Stonehenge, Bath or Oxford.

HOW LONG?

It takes about half a day to explore Windsor Castle. However, the Windsor Great Park that surrounds the castle is a great location for a country walk near London. If you have a stroll in the grounds then lunch at a pub, you could easily be there all day.

WHY GO?

St Augustine, the first Archbishop of Canterbury, put the city on the map when he made it the base of Christianity in England.

Almost a thousand years later, it remains a charming medieval city. The highlight is Canterbury Cathedral, but surrounding it are half-timbered buildings, ruined abbeys and a wealth of independent art stores and cool cafes.

WHAT TO DO?

• Explore the grounds of Canterbury Cathedral, the home of Christianity in England.
• Join a punting tour along the River Stour through the heart of the medieval town.
• Potter the creative and independent quarter called the King’s Mile.

HOW TO GET TO CANTERBURY?

Direct trains to Canterbury depart from London St Pancras taking 55 minutes. You can also visit Canterbury on a tour which includes the White Cliffs of Dover.

HOW LONG?

One day is perfect for exploring all our favourite things to do in Canterbury.

WHY GO?

The White Cliffs of Dover are the best-known of England’s white cliffs. However, they are slightly underwhelming unless you are seeing them from a boat.

In our opinion, a much better experience is to hike along the Seven Sisters in the South Downs. The trail along the top of these majestic chalk cliffs offers excellent views over the English countryside and the remarkable white coastline.

This is a great day out, but it does involve a bit of hiking which you can read about on our Seven Sisters hike guide.

WHAT TO DO?

• Hike the Seven Sisters from Seaford to East Dean on one of the best walks in England.
• Grab a pint in the village of East Dean, sitting on the village green.
• Photograph the Cuckmere Cottages and the lighthouse at Beachy Head.

HOW TO GET TO SEVEN SISTERS?

To get to the start of the Seven Sisters hike, catch the train from London Victoria to Seaford Station which has one change in either Lewes or Brighton. Alternatively, you can do this organised tour.

HOW LONG?

The Seven Sisters is a one-day excursion in England.  

WHY GO?

York is one of England’s finest medieval cities. Well-preserved city walls surround cobbled lanes, traditional half-timbered houses and moody inns. It’s no surprise that York inspired Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley.

The remarkable York Minster was recently restored retaining most of its medieval stained-glass windows. It’s one of the must-visit historical sites in England.

WHAT TO DO?

• Stroll the cobbled lanes of the Shambles, inspiration for Diagon Alley.
• Peer up at York Minster’s east window, the largest medieval stained glass in the world
• Walk the city walls imagining England a millennia ago.

HOW TO GET TO YORK?

York is quite a long way north, but fast trains from London Kings Cross take a mere 2 hours. The train is much faster than buses or tours that often take 4 hours to drive each way, which we wouldn’t recommend.

HOW LONG?

The centre of York is compact, and the highlights can just about be visited in a day. But with 2 hours each way on the train we suggest spending the night and exploring York’s cellar bars in the evening.

WHERE TO STAY?

The four-star Grand Hotel is very well located between the station and the old town.

WHY GO?

The Lake District has the best mountain scenery in England. Craggy mountains frame shimmering lakes and dry stone walls bound fields dotted with sheep.

Its distinctive landscape has made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

While this is the most scenic destination on our list, it is also the most difficult to reach. I’ve been going every year since I was a kid and it’s Paul’s favourite place in England. It’s safe to save we’ve been to the Lake District more times than anywhere else, except for London where we live.

WHAT TO DO?

• Head to our favourite views in the Lake District, some of which require very little hiking.
• Hike up Scafell Pike the highest mountain in England.
• Take an old steamer on Ullswater (one of the many great things to do in the Lake District).
• Explore the homes of literary giants Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter.

HOW TO GET TO THE LAKE DISTRICT?

Fast trains run from London Euston to Penrith (2 hours 45 minutes), from where you can get a bus to Keswick (40 minutes). Keswick has a good bus network, making it possible to do several hikes without a car.

Read more on our guide of how to visit the Lake District by public transport.

Driving from London takes about 5 hours.

HOW LONG?

We suggest at least 3 days and 2 nights to visit the Lake District. If you are a keen hiker be sure to add extra days.

Our list of the best day hikes in the Lake District includes 15 walks ranging from easy to challenging.  

WHERE TO STAY?

Our guide to the best areas to stay in the Lake District includes a description of the main regions, the facilities in each, and what you can do in the area. 

CHOOSING WHICH PLACES TO VISIT

If you are visiting from another country, you are unlikely to be here long enough to see all these places. However, some stand out to us as unmissable places to visit in England.

Here are some of our thoughts for where you should go based on your interests.

London – Most visitors to England will arrive via London. But if not, it’s a wonderful city and an essential stop on your visit.

University Towns – We strongly suggest you visit either Oxford or Cambridge. But, if you only have time for one, our suggestion is Oxford which you can include with a visit to the Cotswolds. For more details read our comparison of Oxford vs Cambridge for visitors.

Pretty Villages –No trip to England is complete without seeing the picture-perfect villages of the Cotswolds. The best way to see them is to stay in Oxford for the night and join a tour (see above).

History – Stonehenge and Windsor Castle are two very different but impressive historic locations. In our opinion, Windsor Castle is a better overall experience. Stonehenge is not easy to get to and is over quickly, however, you can visit both on an organised tour.

Scenery – The Lake District is the best scenery in England, but the White Cliffs of England’s south coast are more dramatic and iconic. Seven Sisters is more impressive than Dover, but Dover can be combined with Canterbury on a tour making it a little easier.

Cities – Bath, Canterbury or York made it on our list as the best cities in England we think visitors should see. However, if you have to choose, our order would be: Bath, York, Canterbury. 

MORE GUIDES FOR YOUR ENGLAND TRIP

• Put your England trip together with our 7 to 10-day itinerary.
• Plan your stay in the capital with our area & hotel guide to London.
• All our top places to see in England are here.
• Feeling adventurous? Try these outdoor experiences in England & the UK.
• These wild swimming spots in the Lake District are perfect after a long hike.
• Find more great things to do in the Cotswolds here.
• Enjoy one of these country walks in the Cotswolds.
• Our guide to the top places to see in the UK might give you some ideas for your next trip.