It’s English Tourism Week, so today we’re taking a look at some of England’s best travel hotspots. Now I’ll admit, although I live in England, I have a tendency to think pretty badly of it when it comes to travel. I think it’s mostly the fact that I enjoy the feeling of being away, submerged in a different culture, but I must confess that when coming to write this list, I realised there are some awesome places to visit here in England.
London
This list couldn’t be written without England’s capital and largest city – London. Filled with culture, museums, stunning sights and good old British pubs, it’s a definite English must-see.
Some of my favourite spots include Leicester Square for its energetic city-centre vibes, the walk along the Thames from the London Eye to Big Ben, Hyde park, and Camden Town for its creativity and bustling markets.
If you’re in the mood for a drink or two – and by if, I mean when – then be sure to check out the Alchemist for its fun and unique drinking experience, or head to the Sky Garden Bars for a spectacular view. If rooftop bars are your thing, check out this list of London’s best!
London’s also home to some great museums, including the British Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Tate Modern Art Gallery (yeah ok, not technically a museum, but it fits in too well with this category). They’re all relatively central and are easily accessible by tube, so it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re nearby.
Cornwall
One of, if not the nicest beach-y area in England, Cornwall has lovely coastal areas, seaside towns and is home to the almighty Pasty. If you’ve never had a pasty, I could recommend you to visit Cornwall on that basis alone, but there are certainly more than enough reasons that make a trip absolutely worthwhile.
Cornwall is surrounded by coastal walks, beaches and stunning cliffs that easily make for several days’ worth of adventure. Visit Kynance Cove, Porthcurno Beach and Sennen cove for fine-sand, blue-water beaches. Several beaches – Fistral Beach, Gwithian Beach, and Praa Sands Beach to name a few – are known for their great surfing.
Other iconic landmarks in the area include:
- Eden Project – a large eco environment that hosts tropical plant species
- Land’s End – literally where the land ends, the final point of England
- The Minack Theatre – an old open-air theatre with sea views
There are also several coastal towns filled with English culture, pubs and restaurants that definitely make it onto Cornwall’s must-see list. Some of the most renowned include St Ives, Padstow, Falmouth and Newquay.
Brighton
Brighton is another English city on the southern coast of the country, that has a vibrant and energetic culture. There are loads of interesting spots scattered all over Brighton that make it a great place for a fun weekend trip.
Along the coast, you’ve got long stretches of beach to spend the day (providing that the weather permits). A fun fact about Brighton’s beaches is that you’re actually allowed to barbecue on them, so grab a disposable BBQ from any of the nearby shops and set up on the beach for a seaside meal!
Other activities to enjoy along Brighton’s coast include the renowned Brighton Pier, and the British Airways i360 tower – the world’s tallest moving observation tower. On certain days you can even dine and enjoy a drink up there, which makes for a stunning evening meal.
In the city itself you’ll find even more cool spots to fill your day, including the iconic Royal Pavilion, the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, Brighton’s open market and the Street Diner BN1 – a street food market hosting a variety of emerging and established stands.
Check out some of Brighton’s best food and drink spots on this day tour!
As you can see, there’s more than enough to keep you busy during the day! Then, fill your nights will Brighton’s best bars for a fill of delicious cocktails and craft beers. Check out some of the city’s best bars here.
Lake District
The Lake District National Park boasts 912 square miles of mountains, lakes, and some of England’s most stunning countryside. Situated in North-west England, this park is perfect for long hikes through some of the country’s most stunning nature!
Climb to the top of Scafell Pike, England’s tallest peak, or hike along Cat Bells High Ridge for some breath-taking views, and great exercise of course. At 978m and 451m high respectively, you’ll get a great panoramic view of the surrounding nature!
The Lake District is also home to – you guessed it – a large number of lakes! Some of the top lakes to visit include:
- Windermere – which offers great views, watersports, lake cruises and is England’s largest lake.
- Derwentwater – which offers stunning lakeside walks and is situated near to the friendly market town of Keswick.
- Ennerdale Water – which, although harder to access, makes up for it by being much quieter. It offers stunning lakeside walks and views.
- Wastwater – which is perhaps the hardest to access and explore due to a lack of roads, but again offers stunning views and some great walks.
- Ullswater – which offers a quieter environment than Windermere, yet is packed with all you could want: boats, water sports, great walks and amazing scenery.
Yorkshire & Leeds
Yorkshire covers a huge area that’s home to stunning nature and seven cities, each with their own scenes and unique attractions. There’s so much variety here that I couldn’t leave it off the list of England’s best travel spots.
If it’s a nature-filled day that you want, head to the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the North York Moors National Park and Sheffield’s Winter Gardens. Both national parks contain expansive areas of wild moorland, rolling hills, limestone caves and cliffs, and waterfalls. Sheffield’s Winter Gardens consist of an indoor glass house – one of the largest built in the last century – that hosts over 2,500 plants in a warm and peaceful environment. A perfect escape in Sheffield’s city centre!
As already mentioned, Yorkshire is also home to a number of bustling cities and picturesque towns. Whitby, located on the coast of East Yorkshire is a small seaside town, with a traditional feel and beach access (that’s if you’re brave enough for the North Sea!).
Yorkshire’s largest city is Leeds, vibrantly filled with both modern and traditional sights. See some of Leeds’s older spots at the Kirkstall Abbey Ruins, and Harewood House, where you’ll find art, bird gardens and a stunning 18th Century mansion. Next, visit the Corn Exchange – a retail space and food hub built into a stunning Victorian-era building. You’ll often find street food festivals and craft fairs taking place in this buzzing environment. If you’re in the mood for some night time fun, check out the renowned Call Lane, which hosts an extensive array of bars and nightclubs that will keep you up into the early hours of the morning!
Bristol & Bath
Bristol and Bath are two cities located on England’s West coast, situated closely to Wales. Bristol’s got something for everyone, with museums, art galleries, nightclubs, great food and so much more.
Take a trip to The Harbourside – Bristol’s former harbour that has been transformed into a modern cultural hub. Here you’ll find bars, cafes, restaurants shops, and markets. It’s also home to the Arnolfini Arts Gallery, and the M Shed Museum if that’s more your style.
Other areas of interest around the city include Bristol’s Shopping Quarter, the SS Great Britain, Clifton Suspension Bridge and Bristol Zoo Gardens. If you’re around in August, be sure to check out Bristol’s International Balloon Fiesta, where over 100 hot air balloons take off above the horizon! Bristol is also has several markets and a range of fun bars and nightclubs that are perfect evening entertainment.
Bath is a nearby city, filled with thermal baths and limestone buildings, making it a picturesque destination well worth a visit if you’re in this area. Enjoy the day relaxing in warm Roman Baths, or simply tour the city to enjoy the Georgian Limestone buildings. The Royal Crescent, Pulteney Bridge and Circus are some of the most renowned spots to visit.
Which of England’s best travel spots do you want to visit the most? My current number one has to be the Lake District as I’ve never been, but it looks awesome!
