England holidays

In the heart of the UK, England boasts one of the world’s greatest capital cities and a countryside so pretty you’ll want to roll it up and take it with you. A holiday to England is a unique cultural experience. Its 130,000 square kilometres are easy to navigate and full of famous landmarks, from ancient stone circles and royal castles to the mother of all parliament buildings.

Top destinations in England

London

The UK’s capital lives up to the hype. See Roman ruins, soak up world-class art, shop at stylish boutiques, then sit down with a pint and plot your next visit.

Manchester

Northern England’s post-industrial metropolis is one of the UK’s most talked-about travel destinations, with indie shopping, bohemian cafes and a thriving arts scene.

Newquay

England’s surf capital has more than perfect waves. Explore nature and history, feast on fresh seafood and enjoy the nightlife scene on your holiday in Newquay.

England: fast facts

Language

English

Currency

Pound sterling (£)

Time zone

London - UTC+0 (GMT) and UTC+1 (BST)

High season

June – August; December

Low season

January – March

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England holiday highlights

England
VisitBritain/Chris Orange

Follow in royal footsteps

Stepping into the past is an easy thing to do in England. The colourful legacy of its kings and queens is beautifully preserved in the country’s castles, palaces and stately homes. Visit fortresses that have stood for a thousand years, climb iconic towers where traitors were held, or get up close to the Crown Jewels.

Hike the countryside

England is a great walking destination. Ancient rights of way allow you to roam a vast network of footpaths, even across private land. The country is fairly flat, with rolling hills that get bigger the further north you go. You’ll find tremendous views across its verdant landscape, while its extensive coastal path offers nearly 4,900 kilometres of walking routes.

Experience village life

Stone churches, thatched cottages, red-brick farmhouses — England’s villages have a centuries-old charm. Get off the main roads and into the countryside, and you’ll soon find yourself winding through places whose quaint buildings and traditions can date back all the way to the Middle Ages. To feel like a local, stop for a pint in a traditional pub.

Things to do in England

Albert Memorial

Top attractions

Revel in history and pageantry at Buckingham Palace, the King’s official London residence. Windsor Castle, still used for royal events, offers another glimpse of royal life. Marvel at the mysterious monoliths of prehistoric Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain. Or follow in the footsteps of poets in the Lake District, from Wordsworth’s Windermere to Coleridge’s Keswick.

Beaches

Whether you’re surfing off the southwest’s sandy coves or walking a windswept wilderness in the northeast, beaches in England offer plenty of variety. Many seaside resorts date back to the 18th and 19th centuries, with entertainment like theme parks and end-of-pier shows. And while the waters can be brisk beyond the summer months, the coastal drama of white cliffs and fossil-laden landscapes lasts year-round.

Nature

From the Lake District to the South Downs, you’ll find a tranquil beauty in the English countryside. Ten national parks cover 10% of the country, including old-growth forests, granite peaks, purple moorland and bird-friendly wetlands. Spot deer, squirrels and badgers in the ancient woodlands or otters and kingfishers along the rivers and canals.

Cuisine

There was a time when many of the best restaurants in England were French. Now, ‘modern British cuisine’ is a badge of honour. Hearty dishes like pies and pasties sit alongside the global flavours of its multicultural population — expect some of the best masala curries outside India. Try a traditional Sunday roast, or indulge in an English breakfast.

Culture and museums

You’ll find first-class entertainment here, from world-famous music scenes to the largest theatre district on the planet. Many museums in England were established during the days of empire and are reckoning with the legacy of their vast collections. Many of the largest and best-known are free. There’s great art too, with more than 800 galleries to enjoy in London alone.

Nightlife

The nightlife in England stretches from the capital to the coast. See a show in London’s West End, where you can catch world-class theatre, opera and music every night of the week. Manchester is renowned for its storied clubs and gig venues. Or head to Brighton for the country’s most vibrant LGBTQ+ scene.

Find the best time to visit England

Weather in England through the year

March – May: Spring is unpredictable in England. Temperatures fluctuate from lows of 2°C to highs of 15°C, and rain is never far away. Pack layers, carry an umbrella, and know where the nearest pub is.

June – August: Summer is the best time to visit England’s coast. With long sunlit evenings, London buzzes with al fresco eating and late-night activity.

September – November: Autumn starts off mild, with October bringing vibrant colour to the countryside. This is a great time for forest walks in Kielder, Sherwood and Hampshire.

December – February: Winter welcomes lots of cloudy, rainy days as well as occasional snow. Expect it to be colder the further north you go.

Events in England

Chelsea Flower Show (May): This horticultural display is also one of London’s biggest social events. Royals and celebrities mingle with green-fingered hobbyists as the Royal Hospital Chelsea is full of blooms.

Wimbledon (June and July): The only thing more elegantly English than a flower show is this fortnight of tennis and strawberries in southwest London. Pack a picnic and join the famous queue that gathers before dawn to secure entry to the Grand Slam tournament.

Bonfire Night (November): Fireworks light up the skies across the UK to mark the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605. The town of Lewes hosts the most dramatic celebration, with a fiery torchlit parade and the burning of giant effigies.

Know before you go

Budget

While London can be expensive, it’s more than possible to have a cheap holiday in England. An inexpensive meal at a pub or a restaurant will cost you less than 20 British pounds (£), and the cities are well served with food trucks and street markets. You’ll find coffee for under £4 and beer for around £5.

Health and safety

Taking out travel insurance is a good idea, as many countries no longer have reciprocal healthcare agreements with the UK since it left the EU. And always be prepared for conditions when you’re hiking. Whether you’re in Dartmoor or the Yorkshire moors, the weather can turn fast. Carry food, water and suitable clothing, and let people know where you’re headed.

Free things to do

Make the most of London’s world-class art and artefacts. From the Tate galleries to the British Museum, many of its collections can be visited for free. Take in a service at one of the hundreds of historic churches and cathedrals for choral music with no charge. Or explore the wilds of the national parks, from the Peak District to Exmoor.

Family friendly

Join the thrill-seeking rollercoaster riders and theme park crowds at Alton Towers or LEGOLAND. Say hello to pygmy hippos, red pandas and more at Whipsnade Zoo, and meet the scientists working with them. Take the family to South Kensington for some of the country’s most hands-on exhibitions, including the Wonderlab at the Science Museum.

Getting around England

Leicester Square

Public transport

Buses: England’s towns are well served by affordable bus services, especially London, with its iconic red double-deckers. Rural services are far less frequent, so check timetables in advance.

Trains: Trains are one of the fastest and most scenic ways to travel long distances in the UK — London to the Scottish border takes under four hours. Most towns are connected by rail, but it’s a good idea to book early for the best fares and availability.

Boats: A short ferry from the south coast takes you to the charming throwback of the Isle of Wight. Ferry ports around the coast link England to Ireland, France, the Netherlands and more.

Domestic flights

Domestic airports are spread across England, from Bristol and Birmingham to Newcastle and Newquay, though trains are often a quicker option. London is the country’s main air hub, served by five major airports — Heathrow, Gatwick, City, Luton and Stansted — offering extensive domestic and international connections.

Find domestic flights

Driving and car hire

Driving distances are generally short. After all, England is only 965 kilometres north to south. But roads can get congested, so check traffic info before you set off. The M25 around London is known for delays. And rural roads, especially in Cornwall, often narrow to one lane. Plan ahead and drive with care.

Check car hire

FAQs about England holidays

London is the best place for first-timers — you’ll find plenty of day trip potential from the capital. Looking to explore the North? Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester are all good bases. And Dorset and Devon are great for quiet countryside holidaying in beautiful scenery.
England’s capital city could keep you occupied indefinitely. Samuel Johnson famously said that the person who is tired of London is tired of life. It deserves at least a long weekend, and if you’re going to travel to other cities and take in the countryside, you’ll need a week or more.
July and August attract holidaymakers to the festivals, beaches and tourist hotspots. But May and September can be just as warm, with fewer crowds. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit England for wildflowers and russet colours. The cold, wet winters are more than made up for with festive traditions throughout December.
England is a reasonably safe place to travel. Its urban areas and popular tourist destinations do see some petty crime, so keep an eye on your belongings. Phone snatching by thieves on bikes is a problem in London. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid walking around looking at your phone.
This is the native home of English. Accents vary widely — Sheffield and Manchester are about 60 kilometres apart, but their citizens sound very different. In England’s polite, self-deprecating culture, expect to hear the words ‘please’, ‘thank you’ and ‘sorry’ a lot.
England uses the British pound (£), which is made up of 100 pence — though you won’t see many of those these days. Most places take cards, and many London spots are now cashless. It’s still handy to carry some cash for tipping (about 10%) or parking.

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