The 9 Best Places To Visit in England

England is home to hundreds of magical places. Up and down the country you’ll find charming villages rich in history, UNESCO world heritage sites, national parks perfect for outdoor adventures, and cosmopolitan cities filled with stunning architecture, to name a few.

But with various destinations, deciding where to go in England isn’t easy. So we’ve created a list of England’s popular tourist destinations that will take your breath away. Take a look to learn more!

London

London needs no introduction. Flaunting the status of one of the world’s most desirable travel destinations, this vibrant city delights visitors with an array of experiences and attractions.

In central London, you'll find the Neoclassical-style Buckingham Palace, the dazzling Big Ben, and, of course, Westminster Abbey, which is the final resting place of notable English kings, statesmen, poets, scientists, warriors, and musicians.

London also features are also art galleries and great museums catering to every age and interest. Must-visits include the British Museum, which boasts 8 million objects documenting 2 million years of human history, the Natural History Museum, and the National Gallery, home to 2,300 paintings by artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Van Gogh, Diego Velázquez, and Sandro Botticelli.

Add the London museums to a selection of award-winning restaurants, tempting shopping streets, and a plethora of family-friendly attractions, and you have a city worth visiting more than once!

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Stratford upon Avon

Developed along the banks of the River Avon, Stratford upon Avon is a picturesque town best known for being the 16th-century birthplace of William Shakespeare, the most famous writer in the English language.

Here, make sure to visit the carefully restored Shakespeare’s Birthplace, where the writer was born (the interiors remain unaltered); and Anne Hathaway’s cottage, a twelve-roomed farmhouse where Anne Hathaway, the wife of William Shakespeare, lived as a child. This cottage still contains original features and furnishings and is surrounded by beautiful gardens.

If you have some spare time, stop by the Church of the Holy Trinity in which Shakespeare is buried. The writer’s tomb is located in the chancel between the pulpit and the high altar.

Oxford

There is plenty to see and experience in Oxford. Located in the historic county of Oxfordshire, this alluring university city is worldwide famous for harboring some of the world’s most universities, as well as lush green spaces, charming cobblestoned streets, and historic buildings in every style of English architecture.

No matter what your plans in Oxford are, be sure to visit the renowned Oxford University, which is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. The institution comprises 38 colleges, the most famous of which is the Christ Church College, founded in 1546 by King Henry VII.

Christ Church is home to a stunning Great Hall (used as a set for several Harry Potter movies), a monumental bell church, the Tom Tower, and a gorgeous cathedral with a large rose window.

After discovering the magnificence of Oxford University, allow time for a few hours to visit Blenheim Palace, where Sir Winston Churchill was in 1874.

Cambridge

Cambridge is a small university town located on the River Cam. This charming city is home to an array of lauded upscale universities that educated notable alumni like Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin.

Some of the city’s main attractions include the Queen’s College Cambridge, famous for its medieval and modern architecture and sprawling gardens, and St John’s College, founded in 1511 by the Tudor matriarch Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII.

While in Cambridge, make sure you also visit the distinguished University of Cambridge, which dates back more than 800 years, and it’s the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world. Many notable alumni, such as Stephen Hawking and Charles III, King of the United Kingdom, have studied there.

Tip: A walking tour with a student guide is a great way of learning everything about Cambridge University.

Other top attractions in Cambridge are King’s College, which harbors a stunning chapel decorated with 12 large stained glass windows and a rood screen that was a gift from Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn; and the dreamy bridges that cross the River Cam.

Lake District National Park

Known for its outstanding natural beauty, Lake District (aka Lakes, or Lakeland) is a popular tourist destination among adventurers. Regarded as England’s largest national park, this sprawling destination covers an area of 912 square miles and encompasses glacial ribbon lakes, rugged mountains, rolling hills, and forests.

Tried and true activities in the Lake District National Park include driving through the exquisite countryside to marvel at the park’s gorgeous landscape, hiking over 500 scenic trails, cycling, and indulging in watersports like rowing, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, and paddle boarding.

Stonehenge

Stonehenge is a remarkable historic monument located in southwest England, just a short drive from Salisbury train station.

This picture-perfect UNESCO World Heritage Site is believed to have been a burial ground and was built over 1,500 years. It consists of an outer ring of 100 massive upright stones, each around 13 feet high, seven feet wide, and weighing around 25 tons.

The whole monument, now ruinous, was built to align with the sun on the solstices. Every June 21st, the sun rises behind the Heel Stone in the northeast part of the horizon, and its first rays shine into the heart of Stonehenge.

Bath

Named after its natural hot springs, the city of Bath has been n oasis of well-being and relaxation since Roman times. Located in England’s West Country, in the valley of the River Avon, the city is home to luscious spas, incredible Georgian architecture, sprawling gardens, and precious museums.

Thanks to its cultural and historical significance, Bath is the only city in the UK to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

One of the city's landmarks is the Roman Baths. These well-preserved remains of a grand Roman bathing complex still flow with natural hot water, and visitors can even drink the hot spa water at the fountain, which contains 43 minerals.

There's also the Bath is the Thermae Bath Spa, a historic spa located at a state-of-the-art contemporary building with an open-air rooftop pool and an indoor Minerva Bath.

From Thermae Bath Spa, visitors are able to indulge in show-stopping views of Bath Abbey, a Gothic-style cathedral that boasts an artfully designed ceiling that is considered one of the finest examples of fan vaulting in England.

While wandering around Bath, make sure to stop by the Pulteney Bridge, one of the most photographed spots in the city, and the Royal Crescent, a row of 30 terraced houses designed in the 18th century by famed architect John Wood the Younger.

Canterbury

A European pilgrimage for over 800 years, Canterbury is one of the most beautiful and historic cities in England. This medieval city lies on the River Stour and is filled with dazzling historic buildings and alluring green spaces.

Some of the other best things to do in Canterbury include exploring the narrow cobblestone streets of the Old City and exploring the ruins of the UNESCO-listed St. Augustine's Abbey, originally created as a burial place for the Anglo-Saxon kings of Kent.

Don’t forget to visit the Canterbury Cathedral, the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England, and the beautiful Westgate Gardens, which runs both sides of the placid River Stour and provides a beautiful place for a breezy picnic.

Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle is a bucket-list English destination for history buffs. Built by William the Conqueror back in the 11th century and is the longest and largest occupied castle in Europe – 40 monarchs called it home throughout the ages!

Located in the town of Windsor on the River Thames, the magnificent home to the British Royal Family is filled with otherworldly treasures. Its lavish 19th-century state apartments are finely decorated with

paintings by Holbein, Van Dyck, and Rubens, while the Grand Reception Room boasts beautiful chandeliers and a large malachite urn, presented to Queen Victoria by Tsar Nicholas I in 1839.

While exploring this dreamy castle, which is home to 1000 years of royal history, you’ll also come across fascinating examples of porcelain, furniture, paintings, armor, silver gilt, and sculpture.