The 9 Best Travel Destinations in England

The 9 Best Travel Destinations in England: A Trip for Two

England is one of the most visited countries in Europe, attracting around 40 million tourists each year, and with its rich culture, ancient history, staggering monuments and stunning pastoral landscape it’s easy to see why.

The romance of the English countryside is known around the world and the picturesque villages and iconic cottages nestled in woodlands and deep valleys draw the attention of pretty much every wannabe traveller.

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Opulent manor houses and aristocratic families took over the television scene, royal weddings captured the attention of billions and cobbled streets with mismatched Tudor houses and seemingly impossible history are the highlights around the country; but how are you supposed to choose from the very best holiday destinations in England?

Take a look at these incredible destinations that are the ultimate examples of the beauty and history that England has to offer; take a road trip around the country, explore the British Isles by sea, or just visit some of the most downright beautiful locations imaginable.

Let’s take a look at the best destinations in England.

1. The Lake District

The Lake District is not just one of the most beautiful destinations England has to offer, it’s also one of the most beautiful locations in Europe. Soaring mountainous peaks ascend over the largest lakes in the country offering mind blowing walking, endless outdoor activities and sheer peace.

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The black rocky peaks offer undisturbed views of the dales beyond, and luscious life thrives before you at every turn; brooks babble and rivers course through valleys that seem too beautiful to be true, and the unmistakably English accents elevate the Lakes to particularly lofty heights of beauty.

Incredible pubs nestle themselves deep within picturesque towns offering warm food and good drinks, cobbled streets host markets and tumble-down dry stone walls stretch as far as the eye can see.

For any outdoor enthusiast, nature lover or sightseer, the Lake District is pretty much unbeatable. Take a trip with the family on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Steam Railway and enjoy the stunning scenery of the the Lake District UNESCO World Heritage Site.

2. Oxford

There can be no doubt that Oxford is one of the premier visitor destinations in the country. It’s an ancient city holding one of the world’s most prestigious universities and has attracted some of the greatest minds in history.

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The city Itself is a gorgeous example of architecture with some stunning buildings, cobbled streets and bustling alleyways. Cafes and independent shops line the roads, and a collection of incredible boutique hotels litter the city centre.

The County of Oxfordshire makes for a great day trip from London, England’s countryside does not get much better, and the staggering Blenheim Palace is one of the very best things to see in Oxford, England.

3. The Cotswolds

The Cotswolds is yet another area of outstanding natural beauty in the long list of gorgeous English countryside, spanning five counties. It holds a collection of small towns surrounded by stunning quintessential landscapes, rolling hills, lush forests and running rivers.

Best explored by car due to the vast area and country lanes; some of the highlights are Bourton-on-the-Water where you’ll find a village built around several interconnecting waterways, Upper and Lower Slaughter that are much less gruesome than they sound, and the impossibly cute Bibury.

Make a visit to one of the country’s premier farm shops, Jolly Nice, for a fantastic coffee, some delicious food and a good old bit of shopping.

4. Cambridge

Cambridge is another university town that is known around the world for its academic credentials and its gorgeous city centre.

It has remained largely unchanged since Charles Darwin himself studied here, and the magical twists and turns of the cobbled city streets are enough to put anyone in mind of a certain wizarding hero.

Gothic churches and stunning cathedrals are intertwined with gorgeous colleges where some of the best students in the world improve their acumen. For fine art lovers, The Fitzwilliam Museum showcases a large collection of antiquities and fine arts making wider Cambridgeshire truly one of the best holiday places in England.

Enjoy a walk or bike ride along The River Cam, the main river flowing through Cambridge and is one of the most famous in the UK.

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If you’re looking for a unique and relaxing way to see some of Cambridge’s most iconic landmarks and learn about its history, it is worth taking a punt down the River Cam:

• Traditional Punting Company – offers shared or private punting experiences, hen parties, and romantic picnic punting. They also offer evening punting so you can experience Cambridge at night and see how this historic city lights up.
• Scudamores – Enjoy a 90-minute session taking you past King’s College Chapel, the Wren Library, New Court, the Mathematical Bridge, Clare College, the Bridge of Sighs, and Jerwood Library.

5. Bath

Bath is one of England’s most popular Roman cities located in Somerset and is perhaps the very best of the bunch with the Roman Baths one of the most popular day trips.

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Bath is rather small as cities go, but it packs a serious punch. The heart of the city has been pedestrianised and updated as one of the premier shopping destinations in the country, and the iconic architecture and unique building materials of the area mean it is instantly recognisable to many around the world.

The Royal Crescent stands proudly at the top of Victoria Park, its Edwardian facade having become synonymous with the city, and the Roman baths in the city centre that have remained practically unchanged for 1,500 years are one of the major attractions.

Standing at the foot of the gigantic Bath Abbey on the flagstones laid by hands nearly 2,000 years ago is really a special experience.

6. St. Michael’s Mount

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Not to be confused with Mont San Michel in France, St Michael’s Mount is one of the most beautiful spots on the UK coast. Just off the shore from a gorgeous little village called Marazion, the castle stands proudly atop a small hill about 100 metres off the coast. Rather uniquely, when the tide goes out a causeway appears and the island is actually accessible on foot.

Visitors can tour the island and even enter the lavishly decorated castle and its grounds. The crystal clear blue waters surrounding the island are perfect for swimmers and water sports enthusiasts and the beach is a haven of white sand and rock pools.

7. Windsor

Windsor is located just 40 minutes drive from the centre of London and is one of the finest towns in England. Places to go are in great supply near London, but none offer what Windsor has. Windsor has been the official home of Britain’s Monarchy for nearly 1,000 years and plays host to the miraculous Windsor Castle.

Built in 1066 by William the Conqueror, this is the largest and longest lived-in castle in the world, and it is exactly as grand and as opulent as you might expect. You can tour the state rooms, the royal apartments, the castle grounds and see the famed Changing of the Guard Ceremony. You can also enjoy Legoland Windsor for the ultimate family day out with the kids.

8. St. Ives

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St. Ives is one of the very best seaside destinations in the country, and people flock to it every year for their summer breaks.

An old fishing town with access to some of the best sandy beaches and surf breaks on the Cornish Coast, this little slice of heaven nestled in the hills offers stunning views over the harbour, amazing art galleries, fantastic attractions and some of the best food in the south of England.

Travel destinations don’t get much better than a place where you can soak up the sunshine, enjoy world class food, staggering views, gorgeous coastal walks, and visit one of the finest modern art museums in the world; Tate, St. Ives.

9. York

York is located in the heart of what is known as ‘god’s own country’ simply because it is an impossibly beautiful area; we’ve heard that somewhere before!

In North Yorkshire this mediaeval city is deeply rooted in the UK’s Viking history and boasts one of the country’s finest cathedrals.

You can wander ancient alleyways and watch as artisanal masters hand make fudge, dip in and out of some of the most fantastic independent shops and explore the ancient city walls. The timber framed buildings and narrow roads will put you in mind of yesteryear as you explore one of the most fascinating cities in the country.

The surrounding countryside is filled with rolling hills, deep valleys, dry stone walls and gorgeous villages hidden in nature; it’s one of the most spectacular locations you could ask for.

The Very Best of England

So there you have it, 9 of the country’s finest places to visit. If you are lucky enough to travel the length of this magnificent land, then ticking off as many of these locations as you can would ensure a fantastic trip, and if you can only choose one, you may need to come back again!