England

England is a small country that punches way above its weight. London alone could fill a month. But outside of London there’s a completely different country that most visitors never see. Medieval cities like York and Bath that look like film sets. The Lake District with mountains and mirror-still lakes. The Cotswolds with honey-coloured stone villages. Cornwall with wild coastline and surf beaches. University towns like Oxford and Cambridge with architecture that’s been there since the 1200s.

The honest truth is that England is expensive. London especially. A pint in central London costs $7-8. A basic hotel room costs $150+. But outside London, prices drop significantly and the value improves. The countryside is free to walk, the smaller cities have incredible food scenes, and there’s more history per square kilometre than almost anywhere else in the world.

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When to go

May through September is the main season. June and July have the longest days (sunset after 9pm) and the best weather, though rain is always possible. August is peak tourist season in London and the Cotswolds.

September and October offer great weather, autumn colours, and fewer crowds. April is unpredictable but can be beautiful when the sun comes out.

November through March is cold, wet, and dark. But London at Christmas is magical, and accommodation prices outside of the holiday period are at their lowest. The countryside is quieter and moody in a good way if you don’t mind layering up.

What it actually costs

England is a high-cost destination. London is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Outside London it’s more reasonable. All prices in USD.

Budget ($80-120 USD/day per person) Hostels ($25-45/night), pub meals and street food ($8-15), Oyster card for London transport ($8-12/day), free museums (the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, V&A, and Natural History Museum are all free). Walking is the best way to see most cities.

Mid-range ($120-250 USD/day per person) Hotel ($100-180/night for a double), restaurant meals ($15-30), train travel between cities ($20-60), some paid attractions. Comfortable for most visitors.

Comfortable ($250-400+ USD/day per person) Boutique hotels, fine dining, West End theatre tickets ($40-150), private tours, first-class trains. London can absorb any budget.

Trains are the best way to get between cities. London to Bath takes 1.5 hours, London to York takes 2 hours, London to Edinburgh takes 4.5 hours. Book on trainline.com 4-8 weeks ahead for the cheapest advance fares. A London to Bath ticket can be $20 advance or $80 on the day.

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Where to go

London (4-5 days minimum). The Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Westminster, the South Bank, Camden Market, Shoreditch for food and nightlife, Notting Hill for colourful streets and Portobello Road Market. The free museums alone could fill three days. Stay in Shoreditch, Southwark, or King’s Cross for good value with easy tube access.

Bath (1-2 days). Georgian architecture, the Roman Baths, and the best scone you’ll ever eat at Sally Lunn’s. Small enough to walk in a day. Easy day trip from London or stay overnight.

Cotswolds (2-3 days). Honey-coloured stone villages like Bourton-on-the-Water, Bibury, Stow-on-the-Wold, and Castle Combe. You need a car here, public transport is very limited. Best in spring and early summer when the gardens are blooming.

York (2 days). Medieval city walls you can walk around, York Minster cathedral, the Shambles (the oldest shopping street in Europe), and some of the best pubs in England. The Viking Museum (Jorvik) is worth a visit.

Lake District (2-3 days). Mountains, lakes, and hiking. Windermere, Ambleside, and Keswick are the main bases. The walking is world-class and free. Pack layers and waterproofs because the weather changes constantly.

Cornwall (3-4 days). Wild Atlantic coastline, surf beaches (Newquay, Sennen), fishing villages (St Ives, Padstow), and some of the best seafood in the country. Feels like a different country from London. You need a car.

Oxford and Cambridge (1 day each). Both have stunning university colleges, incredible libraries, and that classic English academic atmosphere. Punting on the river is the tourist thing to do and it’s genuinely fun. Easy day trips from London by train (1 hour each).

Liverpool and Manchester (2-3 days combined). The Beatles, football, and two of the best music and nightlife scenes outside London. Liverpool’s Albert Dock and Manchester’s Northern Quarter are both worth a day each. Much cheaper than London for food, drinks, and accommodation.

What to skip

Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus. There’s nothing there except overpriced chain restaurants and crowds. Walk through once, then head to Soho or Covent Garden which are right next door and infinitely better.

Changing of the Guard if you’re short on time. You’ll stand behind a crowd of thousands and see almost nothing. Watch a YouTube video and spend that hour at a free museum instead.

Chain restaurants in tourist areas. England has an incredible independent food scene. Skip the Nando’s and Pizza Express near attractions and use Google Maps to find the local spots a block or two away.

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Must-do experiences

Walk the South Bank in London. From Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge along the Thames. Free, about 3km, and passes the London Eye, Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe, and Borough Market. The best walk in London.

Eat at Borough Market. London’s most famous food market. Go hungry and graze. Everything from Scotch eggs to Ethiopian stews to fresh oysters. Open Thursday to Saturday (limited Wednesday). Get there before 11am to beat the worst crowds.

Have a Sunday roast at a pub. Roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, gravy, and vegetables. Proper English comfort food. Almost every pub in the country does it on Sundays. $12-18 with a pint.

Walk Hadrian’s Wall or the Lake District. England has world-class hiking and it’s all free. The Lake District has peaks and lakes. Hadrian’s Wall has 2,000-year-old Roman history. Both are stunning.

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Practical tips

The currency is the British Pound (GBP). Cards and contactless payment are accepted everywhere. Some markets and small pubs are cash-only but this is increasingly rare.

Citizens of the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, EU, and most Western countries can visit for 6 months without a visa.

The London Underground (the Tube) is the easiest way around London. Get an Oyster card or use contactless payment directly from your bank card. Daily capped at about $10.

Tipping is not required but 10-12% at sit-down restaurants is standard if service is not already included. Check the bill for a service charge before adding a tip. Pubs with table service sometimes expect a small tip. Pubs where you order at the bar do not.

The weather is unpredictable year-round. Always carry a light jacket even in summer. It can be 25C and sunny at noon and 14C and raining by 3pm.

Driving is on the left. Rental cars are manual transmission by default. If you need automatic, specify it when booking and expect to pay more.

Planning your trip

1 week London and day trips: London (5 nights) with day trips to Bath, Oxford, and Stonehenge by train.

2 weeks England highlights: London (4), Bath + Cotswolds (3), York (2), Lake District (3), Liverpool or Manchester (2).

1 week countryside focus: Cotswolds (2), Bath (1), Cornwall (3), London (1 at the end).

Book your trip

Use the search tools above to compare prices on flights, hotels, tours, and rental cars across England.

More destinations from travlperks: For similar history at lower prices, check out Portugal or Ireland. For a completely different experience, see our Japan or Bali guides.