- Visiting iconic literary destinations such as the homes of Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and Charles Dickens
- Strolling along the Thames
- Visiting the Peter Pan statue in Kensington Gardens
- Enjoying afternoon tea at Hampton Court
- Walking through the impressive Windsor Castle
- Visiting the imposing Tower of London and learning it’s dark history
- Watching a theater performance at the Globe Theater
- Driving through the idyllic countryside in Kent
- Marveling at the mysterious and enigmatic Stonehenge
- Taking a tour of Oxford University where Harry Potter was filmed and JRR Tolkien once taught.
Best Things to Do in England
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Things to do in England - Expert's guide
1. London
The city of London is an essential stop on any England tour. With spectacular museums, shopping, epic views over the Thames, and more historical and cultural sites of interest than you can shake a stick at, London is worth planning at least a few days to see everything.
And “everything” in London can mean different things to different people! Those with nerdy interests may only be after the Harry Potter sign in Kings Cross and the only blue police box left standing. Those who are more into history may have the Tower of London and British Museum on their bucket list. Or maybe it’s all about literature for you: Charles Dickens House, the Virginia Woolf blue plaque, and the Peter Pan Statue in Kensington Gardens.
The sheer amount of interests that London can cover is indeed mind boggling.
2. Stonehenge
This is a bucket list item for many first time travelers to England, and included on most tours that visit the south central England regions. Despite being heavily trafficked by tourists, the enormous visitor center and cafe, and basically being next to a freeway, Stonehenge still holds an amazing allure.
Older travelers will tell you “In my day, you could walk right up to the stones and touch them!” Which, while a unique thing to claim, also lended to the stones being mistreated. So today, the site is now well protected with a path that winds its way around the stones, designed to keep visitors several feet away. Regardless, Stonehenge is well worth seeing once. Especially for history and archaeology buffs.
3. Stratford Upon Avon
The birthplace of Shakespeare, Stratford takes his legacy on with immense pride. Shakespeare callouts are sprinkled throughout the town. Including a Royal Shakespeare company theater, which puts on The Bards plays year-round.
There are actually 5 main Shakespeare sites you can visit, including the most famous which is Shakespeare’s Birthplace. You can also see Anne Hathaway’s cottage, Shakespeare’s “New Place” which is not an old building, but a museum dedicated to the house that Shakespeare lived much of his life in. The gardens are well worth a visit! You can also visit where his daughter lived and his mothers farm.
4. Lake District
The picturesque Lake District in Central England is often a fixture in Jane Austen novels. Today this beautiful national park is home to miles of beautiful hiking trails. You can also visit the idyllic home of Beatrix Potter, author of the hugely popular children’s book series Peter Rabbit. Getting to the Lake District from north or south England is somewhat cumbersome, so if possible try to plan to stay a few days nearby to truly get in the countryside spirit.
5. Oxford
One of the oldest university towns in the entire world, Oxford has a very unique student culture. The town takes its incredibly strong literary legacy seriously and with great pride. Among the famous authors who have called Oxford home at some point or another are: J.R.R. Tolkien, CS Lewis, Lewis Carroll, and Philip Pullman. Walking the streets, one can certainly see how these authors were inspired.
Oxford University is set up as 38 extremely distinct and separate colleges. One of the most famous is Christchurch college, where some key scenes in the Harry Potter movies were filmed.
6. Bath
For those interested in the Roman Empire, the Roman Baths in Bath are an essential stop. Formed from natural hot springs, the baths are impressively large and provide just a small insight into ancient Roman innovation and technology.
Bath was also home to another famous literary figure: Jane Austen. Though she famously didn’t really like Bath, it was where she lived a good portion of her life. The Jane Austen Center is highly worth a visit for Austen fans. Featuring actors in period dress (including “The Most Photographed Man in Britain” - Mr. Bennet who greets you at the door), the center is an all ages treat where you can enjoy a sense of whimsy and fun.
7. The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds present an idyllic English Countryside image, probably like what a lot of non Brits envision when they think of England. The small villages and country roads of the Cotswolds are extremely popular for walking tours - the distances are long but not overly challenging (but not all flat either!).
You’ll notice when you visit the Cotswolds that all the buildings are a similar color and style. This is entirely intentional as in order to build a house in the Cotswolds, you must adhere to quite strict rules. The material is a particular limestone native the the area.
8. Highclere Castle
Downton Abbey fans will immediately recognize the filming site for this extremely popular BBC series. Highclere has been used in many films and television shows, but few have taken pop culture by storm like Downton.
The house is not always open for visitors, (especially in 2018, as filming for the much anticipated Downton Abbey movie has commenced) but when it is, you can wander the impressive grounds and hallways feeling like you yourself are the lord or lady of the place. One of the things Highclere is most known for is its large collection of Egyptian artifacts.
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Useful Links
- England's Weather Overview: Live Weather, Forecasts, and Averages
- Additional Information About England
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