Best Things to Do in England: A Complete Guide

The things to do in England can revolve around anything like history, exploring great cosmopolitan cities and charming smaller ones or wandering around a countryside that has inspired poets and storytellers! There are monuments like Stonehedge and the Hadrian's World or modern attractions and culture and an amazing local cuisine!

In this guide, you will discover the most amazing things to do in England. Not just the popular sights, but also the things that constitute the true English experience. You will also see tips on when to visit England and how to get around as well!

Let's dive right in!

England's landmarks are not only geographical markers, they are also historical records of the events that have changed the world. These sites range from archaeological sites of the distant past to majestic castles and palaces and they will certainly leave you amazed.

Stonehenge, rising up out of the open plains of Wiltshire, is one of the earth's most famous and mysterious sites. Constructed over 5,000 years ago with stones transported from more than 150 miles away, its method of construction as well as the reason behind it, remain unknown. To watch the sunrise when the light slowly unveiling the stones and the vast Salisbury Plain lying in silence around you, is an experience that will last with you.

Windsor, arguably the oldest and largest occupied castle, is an active royal residence for nearly 1,000 years. The State Apartments are among Britain's most lavishly decorated rooms. The Changing of the Guard on castle grounds is a must-see. Just 40 minutes from central London, it's a natural day trip. The visit feels rewarding and a full day can be organized easily.

Once built to keep the Scottish tribes away from Roman-controlled Britain, this massive wall runs for 73 miles across northern England. It was constructed in 122 AD by emperor Hadrian and today it cuts through some of Northumberland's most pristine and serene countryside. You can walk along sections of the wall, enjoy the views and get a glimpse of what it meant to be a Roman soldier two thousand years ago, manning a wall against some of the most ferocious enemies the empire had faced against.

The cities of England are just as diverse as its countryside and each one has a distinct character, history, and vibe. From international capitals to tiny medieval treasures, amazing and varied vibes are everywhere.

London is so famous that it hardly needs an intro, but it still continues to surprise us. The British Museum, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and the theatre scene in the West End are just the highlights of the endless list of this city's attractions. We are going to talk about the capital thoroughly in the dedicated guide of things to do in London, but to give you an idea, it really deserves every praise.

Not many cities in England can be compared to Bath. This is a double UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers an exquisite blend of hardly altered Roman Baths and beautiful Georgian buildings which are still very elegant. The Thermae Bath Spa, where one can enjoy naturally heated rooftop pools with a view of the city, is a whole new world and one of the most romantic settings for honeymoons in England. Besides, Bridgerton fans will find the golden streets quite familiar.

These two university towns must be visited for the full experience. Oxford's "dreaming spires" and Cambridge's Backs where the lawns extend all the way to the River Cam create a feeling of existing slightly outside of ordinary time. Spend an afternoon punting on the river, explore centuries-old college premises, and do not forget about Christ Church College in Oxford which is known worldwide among Harry Potter fans.

There are so many things to do in York! Taking a walk along the old city walls, discovering the Viking heritage at JORVIK, looking up at the magnificent Gothic arches of York Minster, and finally, the Shambles, some of Europe's best-preserved medieval streets can be very absorbing.

The things to do in Liverpool go far beyond its size, with a cultural prowess that sets it apart from most UK cities. As a UNESCO City of Music and the hometown of The Beatles, its cultural qualifications are beyond question, but if one digs deeper, there is more besides the Fab Four memory. The Albert Dock is a waterfront area that has been beautifully restored and is also the location of Tate Liverpool and some of the city's most excellent restaurants.

The things to do in Manchester reflect years of trendsetting British culture, from Oasis and The Smiths to a continually growing food and arts scene. The Northern Quarter, the city's creative hub, is completely filled with independent galleries, record shops, and restaurants that are so good, you'll want to make a special trip just for them.

England's countryside is a perfect holiday spot by itself. The natural beauty of the place, from charming villages with warm-colored houses to the wildness of the moorland and the refreshing stillness of the lakes, seemed to have the power to make you forget the world and live just for the moment.

The Cotswolds represent the most refined version of English countryside. Some villages such as Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Burford look so picture-perfect with their golden-stone cottages, old market squares, and lanes lined with hedges that you just want to walk there at a relaxed pace. Therefore, the ideal strategy here is to simply do less, stay for a longer time, and allow the beautiful landscape to make an impression, making the Cotswolds a perfect stop for family travel in England.

England's biggest national park is the real thing when it comes to nature's drama with shiny lakes, towering mountains and valleys that change with the light. Sail on Windermere, the longest lake in England, climb up Scafell Pike, or just settle down in a quiet corner after dark. The Lake District is one of the best destinations for adventure travel in England. The same hills that inspired the writer Beatrix Potter are still just as magical and beautiful to see.

England's first national park is a place with many scenic highlights. How about those moors for a start? They are rolling and so breathtaking, making the Peak District a highlight for nature and wildlife travel in England. But the main attraction is definitely Chatsworth House, a magnificent stately home surrounded by impressive gardens in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside. It is a defining visit whether you explore the richly furnished state rooms or just stroll around the estate.

The Yorkshire Dales are wild, gorgeous, and less crowded than you would imagine. Limestone valleys with dramatic cliffs, old field barns, and extensive hiking paths have made this natural park one of the most attractive in England for walking enthusiasts. This is the scenery that fired Emily Brontë's imagination for her novel Wuthering Heights and when you are up on the open moors, you can pretty much understand her emotions.

The coastline of England is more than 2,500 miles long, and a large part of it is truly breathtaking. It offers such diversity that one can find here anything from a garden with subtropical plants, open-air theatres carved in the cliffs to a fossil-rich beach and even gothic fishing towns.

Cornwall is a whole different world. It moves slowly, and that's exactly what makes it so different. Perched on the cliffs and carved into the rock, the Minack Theatre is a spectacular open-air venue surrounded by the vast Atlantic. The performing arts at this setting are as stunning as the music arts at the Eden Project that houses vast biomes representing different ecosystems of the world. The beaches are sandy, the seafood is of very good quality, and those who want to experience more than the usual can take a short flight to the Isles of Scilly - where you can find white sands and the clearest sea!

Stretching 96 miles along the coast of Dorset, the Jurassic Coast is a natural UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a walking timeline of 185 million years of geological history exposed in the cliffs and rock formations along its length. Its most famous landmark, Durdle Door, is a natural limestone arch that plunges straight into the sea and is one of the most photographed scenes in the country. The best way to enjoy it is to be on foot, at golden hour, with as few other people around as possible.

Whitby is one of the very few English towns that can create such a haunting atmosphere. Situated right on the North Yorkshire coastline with a harbor below, its worn down abbey on top of the cliff and the narrow cobbled streets gave Bram Stoker the inspiration for Dracula and it is only natural that on a cloudy morning you get the feel of the story. Beyond that, this town is among the top locations in England where you can have your fresh fish and chips meal accompanied by views of the North Sea!

Not many places on Earth can boast of such a deep culture and history as England. The Beatles, Shakespeare, Churchill are but a few names that immediately come to mind. There are queens and kings, with whole eras defined by them, like the Victorian or the Tudor eras. History is not locked behind glass here but walked through and lived in, making cultural and historical travel in England an experience unlike anywhere else.

Shakespeare's Birthplace on Henley Street in Stratford-upon-Avon is very carefully maintained and Anne Hathaway's Cottage - the thatched farmhouse of Shakespeare's wife - is also a very pretty sight. The main reason to be here however is to see a play at the Royal Shakespeare Company's riverside theatre, where the plays feel as alive and urgent as they ever have.

Discover the magical Wizarding World that goes far beyond the pages of the books and the films. On the Warner Bros. Studio Tour near London, you get a fully immersive behind-the-scenes view including the great halls, original costumes, and the very sets used for filming. Not only that, in Alnwick Castle Northumberland Harry Potter got his first broomstick flying lesson and you can have one too! Also, the grand staircase of Hogwarts was inspired by the one at Christ Church College, Oxford.

England's country houses are world-class masterpieces in art and landscape designing. One of the leading examples is the Chatsworth House in Derbyshire, the residence of Duke of Devonshire, which eloquently demonstrates magnanimity with English nobility, best explored through private guided tours in England that bring its history to life.. Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire is a historical monument protected by UNESCO, the birthplace of Winston Churchill and one of the most magnificent baroque buildings in Europe.

England's screen heritage is, for American tourists, a very appealing extra feature that makes almost every place worth their visit. Bath's Royal Crescent stood in as London during the Regency period in Bridgerton. The industrial areas of Birmingham served as the setting for Peaky Blinders. The picturesque countryside of England introduced Downton Abbey's story.

Moreover, the harsh and wild moorland of the Yorkshire Dales was the excellent background for the filming of Wuthering Heights. So, planning a trip with a viewing list in mind will turn the whole country into one vast, very beautiful set.

Many of the best things to do in England have nothing to do with museums, landscapes, landmarks and attractions. Rather, they are about diving deep into English culture and savouring all the things, big and small, that make it special. Be it tea, pubs, gardens or enjoying English cuisine, it's all the rituals that make this country distinct.

Afternoon tea is really more of a ceremony than a simple meal. You can expect light finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones served with both clotted cream and jam, along with a richly varied selection of different teas, all beautifully arranged with a silent and unhurried grace. Betty's Tea Rooms in York is a very well-known place whereas London is home to quite a few superb hotel locations with The Ritz and Claridge's taking the experience to an even higher level.

Far from being merely bars, traditional English pubs are more like a living room, a dining room, and a community center all in one. You could have a proper cask ale or a standard gin and tonic, take a seat in an old comfortable leather chair next to the fireplace, and just enjoy the passing time. Especially when you are in the countryside, a really great pub lunch roast lamb, local cheese, freshly baked bread is something good enough to organize your day around.

More than ever, England is home to a record number of Michelin-starred restaurants. Their chefs focus on drawing from largely seasonal ingredients, Cornish fish and seafood, aged beef, artisan cheeses, that help their creative culinary works stand tall across Europe. London is undoubtedly the gastronomic capital hosting the highest quality dining establishments, a cornerstone of luxury travel in England, but another wide variety of destination restaurants have also sprung up in the countryside!

England hosts many gardens that are famous worldwide. Kew Gardens in London, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is actually home to one of the most comprehensive plant collections on the planet. Hidcote Manor Garden in the Cotswolds is a small masterpiece. And if you happen to visit the spectacular outdoor horticultural extravaganza known as the Chelsea Flower Show in May, you will be joining thousands of other people from around the world who are interested in that same kind of garden creativity.

England rewards visitors in every season, so there's really no such thing as a wrong time to visit the country.

England's train network links major cities quickly and smoothly. London to Bath takes about 90 minutes, and the trip to York is just over two hours, making senior travel in England remarkably comfortable and accessible. For rural areas, a car offers better access. In London, the tube is still the best option for getting around the city as it covers wide areas and gets you where you need to go fast and comfortably.

The things to do in England are as varied and interesting as the country itself. You can visit ancient landmarks like Stonehenge or witness England's history through its palaces, stately homes and architecture. You can explore the beautiful countryside or indulge in the local culture and rituals! No matter if it's your first or fifth time in England, there is always something new to discover!

Ready to experience it for yourself? A local expert from Tailored by Locals can help you plan an England trip built around your interests, your pace, and the experiences that matter most to you!