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Introducing England

England is steeped in history. Like Greece and Rome before it, this relatively small island nation rose to become what was once the world’s most powerful empire—by 1922, the British monarchy ruled more than a quarter of the world’s population. While the empire may have diminished over the course of the 20th century, the culture of the Britons and the beauty of England’s cities and villages remain steadfast.

When is the best time to visit?
England is famous for its gloomy weather; unfortunately, this stereotype is mostly true. Fall is gray and drizzly, and winter is gray and cold. The best time of year to visit is summer (June-August) when the sun shows its face—at least for a short while at a time—and you can put the heavy layers away. If you want to beat the crowds and score lower prices on hotels, try visiting during the shoulder spring season of March-May (and remember to bring a rain jacket). Learn more

Where should I go in England?
It wouldn’t be a trip to England without spending time in London. England’s capital is one of the world's great cities, equal parts tradition, history, modernity, and kinetic energy. In a single day, you can go from the colorful street art of bohemian Camden Town to the open-air markets of Notting Hill, from the gates of Buckingham Palace to a festive working-class pub south of the River Thames.

Two hours southeast of London, in the county of Kent, stretch the famous white cliffs of Dover, and north of London, the university city of Oxford has stunning medieval buildings dating back to the city’s founding in the 12th century. There are other interesting cities in the north, such as Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool—the famed birthplace of the Beatles.

Thinking about traveling around the United Kingdom? Learn more about planning a trip to Wales or Scotland. Many travelers also combine their trip to the UK with a visit to Ireland.

How many days do I need?
You can experience the highlights of London in a mere three or four days. With a week you can enjoy the capital and make time for another city or region, be it the cliffs of Dover or a trip to Oxford. In two weeks you can spend time in London, travel around the countryside to various market towns and villages, and even visit a city or two in the north.

Explore trips by duration: 5 days · 6 days · 7 days · 8 days · 9 days · 10 days · 14 days

England Tours & Itineraries

Get inspired by trips other travelers have loved
Cotswolds
Map of English Countryside Retreat - 9 Days
English Countryside Retreat - 9 Days

England's most beautiful attribute might just be its famous countryside. It exists everywhere outside the cities: great expanses of rolling green hills, many of them home to grazing sheep dotting the horizon like fluffy white cotton balls. On this 9-day itinerary, you'll visit some of the old towns, palaces, and fishing villages found in this bucolic paradise, making for one unforgettable British vacation.

 The Jacobite Steam Train, also known as the Hogwarts Express
Map of Family-Friendly Adventure in England & Scotland - 7 Days
Family-Friendly Adventure in England & Scotland - 7 Days

This weeklong adventure around England and Scotland is terrific for families—and travelers young at heart! Start in London with a ride on the Hop-on, Hop-off Bus, and an interactive "Harry Potter" tour. Then you'll visit Kensington Palace, the Roman Baths, and mysterious Stonehenge before catching the Caledonian Sleeper train to Scotland. On the other side of the border, sample street food and local specialties on a food tour, then ride a Jeep around Cairngorms National Park on a wildlife tour. Finish the itinerary with an unforgettable train ride—best known to Harry Potter fans as the Hogwarts Express—and a boat cruise across the famous Loch Ness.

London skyline
Map of London and the English Countryside - 7 Days
London and the English Countryside - 7 Days

On this week-long itinerary, you'll immerse yourself in the cosmopolitan atmosphere of London, visiting Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, the Tower of London, and much more. Then venture out into England's fertile green countryside, which boasts some of the most scenic landscapes in all of Europe. It's the perfect mix of city and country life, allowing you to enjoy culture and excitement as well as rest and relaxation.

English village of Bibury in Cotswolds
Map of Cotswolds Road Trip - 8 Days
Cotswolds Road Trip - 8 Days

Explore the heart of England from the famous "dreaming spires" of Oxford to the Roman baths in Bath, passing by some of the most quintessentially English villages of the Cotswolds. After visiting Oxford, head north via Blenheim Palace and the Cherwell Valley to the home of Shakespeare, Stratford-Upon-Avon. Following an excursion to Warwick Castle, start winding your way through the Cotswolds Hills, passing through a host of pretty villages built from honey-colored limestone. Then explore the elegant city of Bath where you can enjoy the grandeur of its Georgian architecture.

Beautiful views across the Jurassic Coast, Dorset.
Map of Walk England's Jurassic Coast - 8 Days
Walk England's Jurassic Coast - 8 Days

This self-guided 8-day itinerary lets you walk Dorset’s spectacular Jurassic Coast at your own pace. Start in Lyme Regis and travel east along England's south coast, taking in dramatic chalk cliffs, shingle beaches, prehistoric earthworks, and charming thatched villages before ending in historic Lulworth.

Tower Bridge amid a moody London sky
Map of Family Fun in London & Highland Adventures in Scotland - 10 Days
Family Fun in London & Highland Adventures in Scotland - 10 Days

Experience the highlights of London and Scotland over 10 days on an itinerary perfect for the whole family. Discover London's famous palaces, enjoy a "Harry Potter" tour, and see ancient archeological sites at Bath and Stonehenge. Take an overnight train to Scotland, walk the historic streets of Edinburgh, visit countryside locales seen in the "Outlander" TV series, and even ride the "Hogwarts Express" amid Highland scenery.

Make the Most of Your Time in England

Have a fixed number of days? Maximize the things to see and do during your visit
When planning a trip to England, spend a few days in London
How Many Days to Spend in England

England is an endless pageant of stunning landscapes, quaint villages, and vibrant cities teeming with fascinating historical and cultural sites. Even in as few as four or five...

Get yourself to iconic Westminster Abbey in London
Map of 1 Week in England - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
1 Week in England - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With one week in England, you can take a trip to up to four different destinations, split time between two or three, or even dedicate all of your travels to an adventure in one...

England Travel Advice

Read our detailed insights to make sure you have the best trip

Our Latest England Content

Admire the east London skyline on a 2-week trip to England
Map of 2 Weeks in England - 3 Unique Itinerary Ideas
2 Weeks in England - 3 Unique Itinerary Ideas

A two-week trip to England transports you back in time, putting you in touch with the country's rich history and culture. With 14 days to explore, you can travel at a quicker pace to approximately six destinations—like London, Oxford, the Cotswolds, and the Lake District. Or, you can move slower to visit fewer places and spend more quality time in cities like Liverpool and Manchester. Plus, thanks to their proximity, you can cross into Wales or France if you'd like to make the most out of your Eurotrip.

The London Eye and Big Ben
Map of England to France: London, English Countryside, Paris & Lyon - 14 Days
England to France: London, English Countryside, Paris & Lyon - 14 Days

This action-packed, two-week tour spans from England to France. Start by enjoying the best of London—from Buckingham Palace to high tea to a private tour of the Tower of London—along with day trips to the southeast coast and countryside. Then, head to Paris to explore the Eiffel Tower at night, cruise the Seine, and have a Euro-Disney adventure. Finally, end the trip in Lyon with a tour of the city center, delicious Lyonnaise eats, and a visit to the Beaujolais wine region for a farewell toast.

Sunrise in Chipping Campden, Cotswolds
Map of England & Wales Outdoor Tour: London, Oxford, Cotswolds, Conwy, Ambleside & Cambridge - 14 Days
England & Wales Outdoor Tour: London, Oxford, Cotswolds, Conwy, Ambleside & Cambridge - 14 Days

This two-week outdoor adventure takes you from England to Wales and back to England. Begin with sightseeing tours in London and Oxford before spending three days discovering the charming Cotswolds by car, bike, and horse. Then, venture into Wales to visit the stunning castles and northern coastline. Return to England's Ambleside for scenic adventures in the Lake District before visiting Cambridge for punting and an excavation tour.

England Travel Maps

Get the lay of land, and understand distances between the places you want to visit
England map: 5 Days in England - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
5 Days in England - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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England map: 2 Weeks in England - 3 Unique Itinerary Ideas
2 Weeks in England - 3 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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England map: 1 Week in England - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
1 Week in England - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for England
Travel specialist William Armstrong
active 20 hours ago

William Armstrong

I am your English-born, UK and French expert for all activity holidays in off-the-beaten track destinations in UK and France. I have lived, worked and traveled extensively in both the UK and...

read more...
Travel specialist Stephen Molloy
active 1 day ago

Stephen Molloy

Urbanist by training, he spent most of his twenties traveling and living overseas. Bitten by the bug, he lived in Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, California, Australia, DRC, Kenya, Pakistan...and...

read more...
Travel specialist Rachel Long
active 7 days ago

Rachel Long

Although I have always lived in beautiful Wales, I am passionate about travel. As a child I spent family holidays in Britain, touring the west coast of Scotland and the south coast of England,...

read more...
Travel specialist Eleanor Whitticombe
active 3 days ago

Eleanor Whitticombe

I have been lucky enough to travel to many places, from the USA to Dubai to Thailand. I have lived and worked in the beautiful Canadian Rockies. Eventually the draw of the coast and home,...

read more...

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Trip Reviews for England

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

London Fun and Soccer!
England | Dec 26 - Jan 2, 2023

K
Kate W.
Rochester Hills, MI | Reviewed on Jan 13, 2023

We had an excellent time in London. The house was exactly as advertised with plenty of space. We met with Ann on our first day and enjoyed excellent weather with our walking tour. Ann was kind and very flexible as we did cut the tour a bit short due to exhaustion.
Each day we used the Tube as there were suspensions of other services and frankly the tube was swift and easy to use.
We went to Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery on the second day before enjoying our Chelsea game. They... read more

We had an excellent time in London. The house was exactly as advertised with plenty of space. We met with Ann on our first day and enjoyed excellent weather with our walking tour. Ann was kind and very flexible as we did cut the tour a bit short due to exhaustion.
Each day we used the Tube as there were suspensions of other services and frankly the tube was swift and easy to use.
We went to Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery on the second day before enjoying our Chelsea game. They even played our American player!
The following day we traveled to Westminster. Our tickets were excellent and we were able to quickly enter. It was crowded but beautiful. We walked the rest of the day - over to Seven dials to get lunch and onto St. Paul's. We LOVED climbing the the top. After, we through the financial district (my eldest son's dream location due to his university interests). We then walked along the river to see the Tower Bridge light up. We walked around the Tower of London which had beautiful lighting and, then across the Tower Bridge. We ended up returning home via the Tube and had to change trains at Kings Cross, so of course, we went into the train station to see 9 3/4. Boys were bored and sitting in the corner and my daughter was gleeful!
On our free day the boys slept. Joe and Lizzie went to the British Museum and met up later with the boys for the Harry Potter Tour. Kate spent hours in the William Morris museum and then walked the Walthamstow Wetlands. It was beautiful.
Our tour of Stonehenge and Bath was lovely. It was nice to get out the the city and Lawrence was delightful. It was a comfortable ride, we found food (essentials for the boys) and the weather was cooperative (enough - just a bit of rain). Long day at the end as Bath was far from London and traffic was awful, but this was not unexpected.
The following day, Joe, Lizzie and Patrick went to the Tower. Kate and Dominic went to the Science Museum to the gallery of mathematics - this was Dominic's favorite as he studies this at university. We met later to travel to the Shard.
We stayed in New Year's Eve. We had no idea that there would be so many fireworks. Fireworks are common in the USA in the summer at July 4, but not at New Years.
On our last day, we slept and traveled early to the Tottenham game. Kate was so excited. The food was excellent and the stadium was beautiful - now if only Tottenham would have played better :(
Many thanks to Eleanor for planning our dream vacation.

Hotel Review
Victorian Sunbeam
London

This house was spacious (for London). The photos are accurate and the owners left good instructions. They cleared out generous space for food in the fridge and the temperature was very comfortable. Beds were large and comfortable and having 2.5 bathrooms was excellent (and the main reason that we selected the house). Being from the USA, we were completely clueless on how to work the microwave and the washing machine. Many thanks to YouTube for assistance. Directions would have been helpful. I'm not sure we ever really understood the washing machine. Special Note: The house is clearly owned by artists who enjoyed modern and avant garde art. There were artistic drawings and photos of semi-nude women in the house. They were beautiful but a bit shocking and my sons informed me where each drawing/photo was as they wandered the house. Younger kids would likely not notice and adults may appreciate them, but teenage boys are likely not the audience for these photos. We were not offended but I know many a USA family who would be unappreciative of these decorations.

Authenticity & Character
I wasn't really looking for character, just space, but I'm 5 starring this one.
Location
About 7 minute walk to the Victoria Line of the tube. Grocery store on the way. Very end of Victoria line so it takes a bit of time to get to many city central sites.
Staff
Nice notes and directions from owners
Cleanliness & Comfort
House was very clean. Towels were laid out. Easy places to put shoes and coats. Space in fridge and easy to use kitchen.
Activity Reviews
Shard Viewing Platform
London

This would be great, if the weather would cooperate. My kids liked the view but it was considerably cloudy, so buying tickets ahead of time is a gamble. We have done it once, so don't need to repeat this experience.

Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa - Kick-Off 2pm
London

Wonderful stadium and food. Lovely atmosphere but our tickets were DIRECTLY in front of opposing team fans which was an odd experience. Now if only Tottenham had played well. Since Villa won the game there was much taunting by these fans directed towards Tottenham fans. My kids thought that this was amusing and not typical of the USA.

Quality of Experience
Private Half Day Walking Tour
London

Our guide was Ann. She was knowledgeable and flexible, adapting to what we wanted to see. It was a lovely day and a great experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Chelsea v Bournemouth - Kick-Off 5.30pm
London

Great food and lovely seats. A bit high up, but good view of the field. You can arrive early and also stay after the game.

Quality of Experience
Discover Bath & Stonehenge - Full Day Tour
London

This was an excellent day but a long drive home afterwards. I wish we had done Bath first and then Stonehenge (or just skipped Bath and found some closer place.) The museum at Stonehenge is interesting and the walk around the stones was lovely. Our entire family really enjoyed Lawrence and he was a helpful and responsive guide. I highly recommend him for future tours. His car was comfortable and he had a lovely personality.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Westminster Abbey
London

This was a lovely place although we attended at peak tourist season, so a bit crowded.

Quality of Experience
St Paul's Cathedral
London

This is a lovely church. We thoroughly enjoyed climbing to the top and enjoying the views. All three teenage kids really liked that experience.

Quality of Experience
Local specialist: Eleanor Whitticombe
Eleanor
Eleanor Whitticombe
Local specialist in Pembrokeshire, Wales | Reviewed on Jan 17, 2023

Hi Kate,

Thank you so much for this fantastic and detailed review. I am so pleased to hear you had a fantastic time in London and this feedback is extremely useful for us. If you ever plan a future trip to the UK, Ireland and France we would love to assist. I am delighted you had a dream vacation and managed to experience two soccer games.

Warm wishes,
Eleanor

Amazing Trip to England
England | Sep 12 - Sep 17, 2022

L
Leigh F.
Canada | Reviewed on Sep 20, 2022

We had a great trip to England during a very unprecedented time of the Queens passing. Owen literally took care of every detail of our trip from the time we stepped off the plane until the time we stepped back on. It was such a relief to be able to have someone handle all the details and for us to just be able to enjoy our short time there. I would recommend Owen and his team over and over and I would not hesitate to use him again when I return.

Local specialist: Owen Davies

We had a 30 day trip so it involved quite a f...
England | Aug 8 - Sep 5, 2022

Deborah
Deborah J.
Rohnert Park, CA | Reviewed on Sep 11, 2022

We had a 30 day trip so it involved quite a few hotels. We loved the variety of places that were selected and really enjoyed all the locations. Our guide in the Caingorms Steve Beddick was excellent. He had great knowledge of the history and the wildlife in the area. Our guide Chris on the Isle of Lewis was equally as exceptional and provided an excellent tour. Our accommodations in Lewis the Broad Bay House was one of our favorite locations. The Inn keepers were very skilled and provided a... read more

We had a 30 day trip so it involved quite a few hotels. We loved the variety of places that were selected and really enjoyed all the locations. Our guide in the Caingorms Steve Beddick was excellent. He had great knowledge of the history and the wildlife in the area. Our guide Chris on the Isle of Lewis was equally as exceptional and provided an excellent tour. Our accommodations in Lewis the Broad Bay House was one of our favorite locations. The Inn keepers were very skilled and provided a relaxing stay. The activities that were scheduled for us were all interesting and enjoyable. I wouldn’t have left any of them out. There were a few hiccups but someone was available to put things right cheerfully and in good order. You provided what we hoped for, a trip of a lifetime and we made many memories that we will cherish.

Local specialist: William Armstrong
William
William Armstrong
Local specialist in UK | Reviewed on Sep 12, 2022

Dear Deborah and Conrad,

Thank you for this 5-star review. It was a pleasure creating the itinerary pre-Covid, and then being able to finally put it all in place this Summer. We are really happy that you had a great time in Wales, Scotland and England.

Thank you again for choosing us.

Regards
William & the team at High Point Holidays