Top Places To Visit In England

You’ve decided to visit England, great choice. 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. Although the majority of them stop in the gorgeous capital city of London, there are many other gorgeous places to visit in England if you wish to explore more.

See vibrant cities, visit picturesque villages and explore the endless countryside. Drive through narrow lanes lined with perfectly trimmed hedges, or cycle through ancient woodlands. Picnic on the meadows and relax by the long, sandy beaches.

England is home to so much breathtaking scenery and ancient history, gorgeous architecture and rich heritage. Whether you are after cultural attractions or want to enjoy a young and vibrant food scene, then this is the country for you. Come explore its beautiful rolling hills and marvel at its areas of outstanding natural beauty.

Here are the top places to visit in England.

London

Bookending most travellers’ trips to England, London inspires with its James Bond-cool image, its iconic snapshot sights (from red London buses to black cabs), and enough sights to make any guidebook bulge. You can easily spend at least 4 days in London, visiting art galleries and the lovely Georgian architecture in central London.

If it’s your first time in this bustling city, and you want to ‘cover the classics’, make sure you take in Big Ben, a show in the West End and a curry on Brick Lane. Do some shopping on Oxford Street, and take a royal tour that covers Buckingham Palace, then check out the crown jewels at The Tower of London. The British museum and the natural history museum are ideal for history buffs, and they are one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.

If you’re not new to the city, why not try out one of the less touristy neighbourhoods, like cool Camden, buzzing Notting Hill, or trendy Shoreditch for a more local London experience.

Remember that there are many cool things to do in London, which is why many tourists come to visit the city. It’s wise to check where to stay in London well in advance.

Bristol

Bristol, the city that brought the world the author JK Rowling, the artist Banksy and the Game of Thrones actress Maisie Williams isn’t just famous for its alumni. Arguably the West Country’s capital, its maritime history (which saw it as a trading point for everything from cotton to slaves) left behind stories of a local pirate, Captain Blackbeard, and helped inspire Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe and Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island.

Voted one of the Best City to Live in Britain in a Sunday Times guide , this is no ‘stuck in the past’ city, with Michelin starred restaurants and new attractions like the man-made surfing lagoon, The Wave. It even has its currency (although don’t worry, they do accept pound sterling too).

Make sure to visit the city centre and walk by the harbourside. It’s definitely one of the best places to visit if you love a thriving music scene and lots of unconventional art.

Bath

One of the main reasons travellers leave London and head west, Bath is a city that deserves its reputation. The elegant honey-hued Georgian houses of the Royal Crescent, the photo-favourite Pulteney Bridge, and the stained-glass windows and fan-vaulted ceiling of Bath Abbey all make Bath’s top visited sights.

But you haven’t experienced Bath properly if you haven’t sunk yourself into one of the city’s thermal pools, fed by the natural springs which drew in Roman travellers back in AD43.

When you visit Bath, make sure to walk around the historic town, then sit down for a traditional afternoon tea. If you visit during the winter, Bath is even more stunning with its lively Christmas market.

Bath is of the best places to visit if you are a fan of the Bridgerton series.

Lake District

Don’t let the name fool you, the Lake District may be home to 16 breathtakingly beautiful lakes (or meres), but England’s largest national park frames these with more than 150 peaks, including the nation’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike.

This makes it a mecca for walkers and climbers wanting to tick off the peaks or seek waterfalls. But there’s still plenty to do if you haven’t packed your hiking boots (plus we think mountains look better from the bottom anyway).

There are steam train rides. There are grand castles and country houses. There are Beatrix Potter-inspired sights. And there are lake cruises and water sports on the bigger meres like Windermere and Ullswater.

Not only it is the most popular national park, but the Lake District also became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017.

The Lake District national park is a must and there are so many things to do in the area, you’ll never get bored. It’s one of the most beautiful places to visit in England. Because it’s such a popular tourist attraction, remember to book your accommodation well in advance.

York

One of the most beautiful places to head in northern England is York. This is a historic town with so much to do and admire.

Make sure to walk on the ancient city walls, take in the Gothic beauty of the York Minster, and stroll down The Shambles (a labyrinth of cobbled streets, now lined with cute cafés, bars, and boutiques).

For history lovers, visit the JORVIK Viking Centre, then take your lunch in the city’s cute tearooms and old-fashioned pubs, with their traditional ales, low-slung beams, and cosy fires.

In the evening, join a dark tour to learn about the bloody history of the city. Most tours take place around the city centre, and give you a chance to learn more about the ghosts of York.

Peak District

If you’re looking for outdoor adventures, head to the Peak District, a delightful national park in the north-west of the country.

This northern nirvana sits between Manchester and Sheffield, but is a world away from their industrial spirit and urban delights.

Here you can lose yourself in market towns like Bakewell (be sure to try the eponymous cake) and spa towns like Buxton. You can go beneath the peaks into the famous cavern networks like Castleton caves.

And you can get out into the national park’s landscapes with walks, bike trips, and horse rides – with Kinder Scout the highest point and the must-do ramble for the hardiest of visitors.

Brighton

One of England’s coolest seaside cities, Brighton is an ever-evolving city just over an hour’s train ride from the capital. It still has its Regency seafront homes and Royal Pavilion (an OTT palace that’s well worth a visit).

Visit the Victorian pier and retro shopping quarter, The Lanes. Then check out the hip image bestowed on it during its ‘Quadrophenia’ days, which brought in the Mods and the Rockers.

Brighton is a beautiful city and an ideal place to visit in England if you love happy people and colourful streets. It’s an LGBTQ+ friendly city so make sure to add it to your wish list for a few days visit.

Dorset

When Englanders are looking to ‘escape to the country’ (for a retreat or a retirement), Dorset is often their ‘go to’ choice.

It’s got the endless rolling countryside. It’s got the captivating coastline (whether you prefer the golden sands of busy Bournemouth or the dramatic coastal viewpoints like Durdle Door). And it’s got English history in spades, with forts like Purbeck’s Corfe Castle, churches like Sherborne Abbey, and old-world towns like Dorchester and Shaftesbury.

Dorset is the perfect destination in the Southern England.

Devon

Dipping into rural English life, Devon brings together the fishing villages and beaches of The English Riviera, charming bucolic towns like Totnes, and off-the-proverbial-beaten-track scenery in the wild wildernesses of Dartmoor and Exmoor.

It’s not all peaceful pastures and quaint village life here though, with exciting tales of pirates and smugglers to be found. But even those blood-curdling stories have nothing on the age-old argument with its neighbour, Cornwall, over how to serve scones. In Devon, they say it’s cream first. In Cornwall, they plump for jam first (so the cream’s closest to heaven). We suggest you try it both ways – just to be sure.

Exmoor

One of England’s less-known national parks, Exmoor has all the dramatic mist-draped landscapes, wild walking routes, and quirky inns you’ve seen in those brooding English dramas. You can easily picture yourself in an 18th-century novel, as you stand in the heather-carpeted moors, as the wind whips over your face and wild Exmoor ponies graze in the distance.

If you’re after a bit more human company, Exmoor also comes with tourist-favourite Ilfracombe, the quaint coastal towns of Lynton and Lynmouth, and a neighbouring heritage steam railway.

The Cotswolds

If one picture could sum up England, it would be of The Cotswolds. Postcard-pretty villages. English country gardens. Grand manor houses. Stately castles.

You can experience the chocolate box charm, virtually for free, by driving around the countryside and stopping off at honey-coloured hamlets and villages like Bourton on the Water, The Slaughters, and Bibury.

But I’d still splash out on a day at a Cotswolds classic, like Blenheim Palace, Westonbirt Arboretum, or the Price of Wales’ own Highgrove Gardens.

Make sure to take day trips to Gloucestershire and visit Cheltenham and Gloucester.

Stratford Upon Avon

Shakespearian sights come thick and fast in Stratford Upon Avon, birthplace of England’s most treasured playwright. Official historic hotspots include Anne Hathaway’s cottage, Shakespeare’s timber-framed birthplace, and Holy Trinity Church, where the bard was buried.

You may pay a little more because of the location, but the experience of watching a Shakespeare play in his home town is well worth the extra pennies – especially as there are three Royal Shakespeare Company theatres in town.

Cambridge

Only open to England’s elite scholars, Cambridge might be hard to access as a student, but for the right fee you can visit many of its 31 colleges as a traveller, and taste student life at this historic university. The most famous are Trinity, King’s, and St John’s, which might feel familiar thanks to its cameos in the Oscar-winning The Theory of Everything.

If you want the city to live up to its romantic image, make sure you ride bikes through the old streets and take a punt along the Backs (literally where the colleges back onto the River Cam) and under the covered Bridge of Sighs.

Oxford

On the map thanks to its world-famous Oxford University, Oxford’s not just for students. Its campus and surrounding city streets give travellers the chance to stroll around the uni’s botanic gardens, punt along River Cherwell, take peace under the vaulted ceiling of Bodleian Library, and amble around the artefact-packed Ashmolean Museum.

There’s no escaping the history here (and you wouldn’t want to), but every new generation of scholars adds a modern layer to this city, with cool cafés, eclectic restaurants, and contemporary exhibitions at Modern Art Oxford.

Oxford is dotted with independent shops, ideal for purchasing authentic English souvenirs.

Manchester

Manchester is home to two of England’s most famous football clubs, one of its best-loved soap operas and a multicultural spirit that defies its size. It’s one of my favourite cities in England, and for good reason.

Even if you visit the city for just one day, make sure to visit the Manchester art gallery, one of the coolest free galleries in the country. The city center is packed with restaurants, bars, and cafes. There’s always a spectacle going on or some festival to attend. Home to three universities, during term, the city is full of life and colour.

If you’re a football fan, then visit the Manchester stadiums. Shopping enthusiasts should head to the Bohemian Northern Quarter, and foodies must visit one of the restaurants on Curry Mile.

Want to celebrate the LGTBQ+ community? You’ll want to enjoy a fantastic night out on Canal Street in Manchester’s buzzing Gay Village.

Stonehenge

A popular pitstop on any reputable tour of England, Stonehenge is a perennial favourite thanks to the mystery that surrounds it (and thanks to its proximity to Salisbury).

One mystery is how the unfathomably large stones that make up the prehistoric circle were transported – with many coming from more than 150 miles away in the Preseli Hills. Another mystery is why it exists at all – with theories including a Druid temple, a coronation site, and even an astronomical device for predicting solar events. Keeping with the solar theme, the most magical times to visit are sunrise and sunset if you want to snap stunning photos.

Jurassic Coast

Most come to England for its history, but not many expect the sights to be 185 million years old. The 95-mile Jurassic Coast snakes along the south, linking the seaside town of Exmouth (with its rock pools and golden sands) with Old Harry’s Rocks on the Isle of Purbeck (where chalk cliffs create a dramatic finale).

Between the two, layers of sedimentary rock and fossil finds on the beaches take you through the history of England. You can even scavenge for your fossils in spots like Charmouth. But make sure your eyes aren’t just focused on the floor, the views at Durdle Door, the shopping at Dorchester, and the seafront of Lyme Regis are well worth a break from the fossil hunting.

Windsor

If anything’s going to bring in the tourists, it’s a royal wedding. And last year’s nuptials of Meghan and Harry put Windsor firmly back on the global travel circuit. And, let’s face it, if it’s good enough for them…

Only an hour from the capital by train, Windsor Castle tops the town’s attractions. Open to tourists (when the Queen’s not in town), this regal relic dates back more than 1,000 years to William the Conqueror. You can follow in Meghan and Harry’s tracks with a horse carriage ride down the Long Walk in Windsor Great Park. Or hop in a boat to sail along the River Thames past another English Institution, Eton College, where the boys still wear tailcoats and most royal children are educated.

Liverpool

A pilgrimage place for Beatles buffs and football fans, the city of Liverpool is much more than Penny Lane and Anfield. Under the watch of the Liver Birds that perch on the city’s Royal Liver Building, it’s Instagram-ready with its monolithic cathedral, photogenic Albert Docks, and gorgeous Georgian town hall.

Of course, if you’re there for the Fab Four, you might just use up all your memory by shooting snaps on a Beatles tour: you’ll be taking in the Penny Lane street sign, Strawberry Field, the childhood homes of McCartney (on Forthlin Road) and Lennon (on Menlove Avenue), and The Cavern Club.

Cornwall

The go-to corner of England for Brits on holiday, Cornwall is packed with pretty seaside towns, wave-washed surfer’s beaches, and perfect spots for ice creams, Cornish pasties, cream teas, and fish and chips.

In recent decades, the locals’ recognition of their enduring tourist trade means big-ticket attractions have been added to the historic fishing villages and the long-time lure of Lands’ End.

Make sure to add the domes of the Eden Project to your list as well. If you’re visiting England during the summer, the Cornwall is the place to see stunning beaches. It’s definitely one of the best places to visit in England.

Yorkshire Coast

The Yorkshire Coast is a place of surprise, located on the east coast of England. It is an incredible place to visit because of the variety of things you can do and visit.

You have coastal towns such as Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay, gorgeous cliffs with puffins, miles of sandy beaches and epic trails in place such as the North York Moors National Park.

Make sure to add Filey to your wishlist, the Flamborough head, and the Sandsend beach. Popular amongst tourists and locals alike is Scarborough, a resort town on England’s North Sea coast.

The Yorkshire Dales

The Yorkshire Dales is a over 680 square miles of scenic dales and rustic villages. It’s home to the Bronte country and stunning landscapes with hills, tarns, and crags.

Visit the impressive village of Hawes and make your way across the Trans Pennine Trail. See the remarkable Hebden Bridge with its stone cottages and National Trust attractions. Marvel at the Malham Cove, known as an epic Harry Potter location.

Nearby, visit Harrogate, Ripon and Knaresborough for epic days out with the family.

Essex

Essex is a lovely county in southeast England, between London and the North Sea. You’ll see a stunning rural market town, national nature reserves and outstanding natural beauty.

There will be lots of great food, outdoor adventures and colourful beach huts. Essentially, you’re going to have a lot of fun exploring Essex and you will want to keep on coming back for more.

Essex is the place where a number of talented artists call home, such as Depeche Mode, Alison Moyet and The Prodigy.