Where to Go in England

One of the greatest cities in the world, London is well-worth at least a few days exploring, with a long list of things to see and do. Everyone from art lovers and history buffs to nightlife enthusiasts will find something to love here. You can shop ‘til you drop, stroll through vast green spaces, and enjoy plenty of fine dining, along with tasty casual eats in cozy pubs. You might start by getting a perspective of it all from the London Eye which rises 443 feet (135 meters) above and then explore some of the most renowned museums like the British Museum which displays the Rosetta Stone among many other precious treasures. You won’t want to miss the Tower of London, a monarch’s residents during times of peace, and a castle in wartime, which holds the glittering crown jewels and the executioner’s block that beheaded two of Henry VIII’s wives.

The hilly Cotswolds is a region that’s been designated an “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty” in the south-west and west-central England, spanning Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire counties as well as stretching into Wiltshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, and Somerset. Lush and green, it’s dotted with sheep and crisscrossed with hedgerows while being home to some of the prettiest villages that look as if they’ve been stolen from a storybook. There are plenty of hidden gems like Stanton and Stanway that are often missed by visitors who head straight from famous villages like Castle Combe, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Stow-on-the-Wold. Bibury is a favorite not-to-be-missed as one of the most picturesque, with River Coln dominating its main street while ancient stone cottages with steeply pitched roofs are backed by lush meadows. While spring and summer are lovely with lots of colorful flowers in bloom, autumn is ideal for leaf-peeping, especially in the Batsford and Westonbirt arboretums.

Nestled in England’s far southwest, Cornwall is characterized by a breathtaking coastline with 300 miles of dunes and cliffs, white sandy beaches, forested creeks, and medieval harbors. The Cornish Riviera as the south coast is referred to features rolling green headlands, sandy coves, and crystal-clear aquamarine water. It’s a place for those who want to relax and enjoy the scenery as well as for active adventurers with everything from climbing steppingstone cliffs to exploring rock pools, coastal walks of a lifetime, and swimming with seals to bodyboarding and surfing. Fuel your exploits with exceptional food prepared by celebrity chefs in a fine dining establishment or dig into tasty fish ‘n chips while your legs dangle over a quay. Even in the winter, this is an incredible place to be, with the light ideal for artists and photographers who want to capture the rugged beauty.

The world’s first industrial city, a couple of centuries ago, Manchester was best known for producing cotton. Today it pays homage to its roots with well-preserved historic buildings and several museums, but it’s more of a modern city defined by music, with bands like Oasis, Blossoms, and The Smiths all getting their starts here. It hosts a long list of outstanding nightclubs and has a glorious sporting history, best known for Manchester United Foot Club. Fans can not only cheer on the team but take a trip to the training ground at Old Trafford. The city is fervent about its football with the team one of the most revered in the world. When it comes to food, this is a great place to be with a revitalized restaurant scene that includes many vegetarian and vegan options.

Offering some of England’s finest scenery, the Lake District, nestled in northwest England, famously seduced Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth. Its green landscapes are dotted with sparkling lakes, meadows that shimmer with wildflowers, lush valleys, mountains, hills, and woodlands, providing an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise and the perfect setting for artists, photographers, and wordsmiths. In the summer sailing, canoeing, and windsurfing are popular water sports while country lanes are ideal for biking, and the 2,000 miles of scenic trails are popular for hiking, while autumn brings brilliant leaf-peeping with the lakes surrounded by rub- and gold-hued hills. There are many charming villages and towns with plenty of pubs for ducking into when the notoriously unpredictable weather turns, providing a perfect excuse to enjoy a pint of the local cider or ale.