One of the most popular travel destinations in the world, England offers almost endless possibilities for vacationers seeking things to do and top attractions to visit.
Pulteney Bridge and the River Avon in Bath, England
Part of the beautiful British Isles, this small but influential country bursts with fascinating history, exciting cities, and rich cultural traditions. Historic sites are at every turn, from prehistoric megaliths and ancient Roman sites to centuries-old castles and town centers dating back to the Middle Ages.
England is also extremely easy to get around, with its most popular tourist destinations well connected by trains and buses. Alternatively, you can drive between points of interest on a well-planned system of motorways. Whether you choose to tour the country by car or public transport, you're guaranteed an unforgettable experience.
To help you get the most out of your travel itinerary, be sure to use our list of the best places to visit in England.
1. Stonehenge, Wiltshire
Stonehenge
Stonehenge, 10 miles north of the historic city of Salisbury on Salisbury Plain, is Europe's best-known prehistoric monument. It's so popular that visitors need to purchase a timed ticket in advance to guarantee entry.
Exhibitions at the excellent Stonehenge Visitor Centre set the stage for a visit. Here, you'll find displays explaining through audio-visual experiences and more than 250 ancient objects how the megaliths were erected between 3000 and 1500 BCE. They also offer fascinating insights and information about life during this time.
After walking around the various viewing points adjacent to these enormous stones, visit the authentic replicas of Neolithic Houses to see the tools and implements of everyday Neolithic life. A highlight is watching staff, and volunteers provide demonstrations of traditional skills from 4,500 years ago.
Although you can no longer go inside the circle to wander among the stones during normal opening hours, you can reserve special early morning or late evening access into the circle through English Heritage, which manages the site.
2. Tower of London, City of London
Tower of London
Prison, palace, treasure vault, observatory, and menagerie: the Tower of London has done it all and it's one of the top attractions in London. Widely considered the most important building in England, there's enough to see and do at this World Heritage Site to keep visitors busy for hours.
The centerpiece of this Thames-side fortress is the White Tower. Built in 1078 by William the Conqueror, it's home to amazing exhibits, such as Line of Kings. The world's oldest visitor attraction, the collection was established in 1652 with a remarkable display of royal armor.
Other highlights include the impressive Crown Jewels exhibition, classic Yeoman Warder Tours, the Royal Mint, and exhibits and displays regarding prisoners and executions. All told, the Tower of London covers some 18 acres, so there's a great deal of exploring to do.
If you're traveling with children, be sure to check for special events for kids. These include a fun "Knights School" and other immersive programs that provide a fun insight into the castle's history.
3. The Roman Baths and Georgian City of Bath, Somerset
The Roman Baths and Georgian City of Bath
If you only have time to visit one of the nicest small cities in England, you couldn't do much better than Bath. This remarkably beautiful city in Somerset boasts more fantastic tourist attractions than you could hope to visit in a day.
While most famous for the magnificent 2,000-year-old Roman Baths built around the city's rejuvenating hot springs, it's equally well known for its honey-colored Georgian Townhouses, such as those located on Royal Crescent. One of them, #1 Royal Crescent, is open to the public and offers a fascinating look at life in Bath during the Georgian period. Some 500 of the city's buildings are considered of historical or architectural importance, a fact that has resulted in the entire city being granted World Heritage status.
Among the most interesting to visit today are the Holborne Museum with its large collections of artworks, silver, and period furniture; the famous Assembly Rooms, star of countless period dramas on TV and home to the interesting Fashion Museum; and the Jane Austen Centre and its neighbor Mary Shelley's House of Frankenstein, which tell the stories of two of Bath's most famous residents.
Bath also makes an ideal location from which to explore some of England's most stunning countryside, including the Avon Valley, the Mendip Hills, the Cotswolds, and countless other fantastic Somerset landmarks.
4. The British Museum, Bloomsbury, London
Iron Age piece in the British Museum
With collections of antiquities that are among the world's finest, a visit to the British Museum is undoubtedly one of the top free things to do in London. This superb museum holds more than 13 million artifacts from Assyria, Babylonia, Egypt, Greece, the Roman Empire, China, and Europe. The most famous ancient artifacts are the Elgin Marbles from the Parthenon in Athens, as well as the famous Rosetta Stone.
But there are many other outstanding pieces on show here that help make this one of the best places to visit in London. The Ancient Egyptian collection is the largest outside of Cairo, and the hoard of Roman silver dating from the fourth century known as the Mildenhall Treasure, unearthed in Suffolk in 1942, is nothing short of spectacular.
If you've got time, be sure to look into joining a guided tour or participate in a workshop or lecture. Fun private after-hour tours are also available. Dining and shopping opportunities are also located on-site.
5. York Minster and Historic Yorkshire
York Minster and Historic Yorkshire
Magnificent York Minster is second in importance in the Church of England only to the cathedral at Canterbury. It stands in the center of the historic city of York, surrounded by half-timbered homes and shops, medieval guildhalls, and churches.
In turn, York's romantic streets are surrounded by three miles of magnificent town walls that you can walk atop for spectacular views over the city and its surroundings. While here, visit the National Railway Museum, one of England's most visited tourist attractions.
York is also a good base from which to explore northeast England, in particular the rugged beauty of the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors. Elsewhere in this corner of the country, you'll find some of England's most beautiful historic towns and cities, including Durham, famous for its castle and cathedral, and Beverley, which also boasts an attractive minster.
6. Windsor Castle, Berkshire
Windsor Castle
England is a country that's deeply rooted in tradition, history, pageantry, and pomp. Little surprise, then, that some of the biggest draws for tourists here revolve around the Royal Family, who have played an important role in shaping the country, along with many other parts of the world, for centuries.
If you've only got time to squeeze in one royal attraction, make it Windsor Castle. An easy 40-minute train ride from Central London, Windsor Castle is famous as one of the Royal Family's official residences, and throws its doors open to visitors regularly when the King is away.
And it's rich in history, able to trace its roots all the way back to the 11th century, when a triumphant William the Conqueror had a fortress erected on this very spot. Highlights of a visit to Windsor Castle include the castle's chapel, the State Apartments, as well as the magnificent Queen's Gallery.
And bring your walking shoes. The grounds are huge, stretching for some six miles around the castle and providing some of the best selfie opportunities anywhere with this historic building as a backdrop.
Address: Windsor Castle, Windsor, Berkshire, England
7. Chester Zoo, Cheshire
Zebra at the Chester Zoo
Located in Upton in Cheshire, just over a mile north of Chester city center, Chester Zoo is England's most visited attraction outside of London and is one of the best places to visit in England for families.
The more than 11,000 animals living in this 125-acre site represent about 400 different species. But the zoo's appeal reaches beyond just animal lovers, with prizewinning landscaped gardens also available for visitors to enjoy.
You can tour these extensive grounds on the zoo's monorail system to reach highlights that include Chimpanzee Island, a penguin pool, and Europe's largest tropical house. There's plenty of other fun things to do at Chester Zoo, too, so expect to easily spend a day enjoying this top-rated tourist attraction.
While in Chester, take time to walk its old city walls, the best preserved of their kind in Britain. You should also spend time exploring Chester's other distinctive feature: its galleried walkways. Known as the "Chester' Rows," these impressive medieval architectural gems run the full length of stone and half-timbered buildings dating from the 14th century, and make for a unique and picturesque setting.
Chester Cathedral is also worth exploring if you can squeeze it into your travel itinerary. So, too, are Lower Bridge Street and Watergate Street, both of them home to numerous picturesque old buildings.
Address: Cedar House, Caughall Road, Chester, Cheshire, England
8. Lake District National Park, Cumbria
Lake District National Park
Covering some 900 square miles, Lake District National Park is a must-visit destination for travelers to England. With 12 of the country's largest lakes and more than 2,000 miles of rights of way waiting to be explored, there's little wonder the region continues to inspire, with its magnificent views and scenery straight out of a painting.
Other things to do include visiting the park's many fells, including Scafell Pike which at 3,210 feet is the highest mountain in England. Be sure to also spend time exploring some of the lovely little towns and villages dotted throughout the region, such as Grasmere.
Better still, hop aboard a tour boat excursion across Lake Windermere and Ullswater, and you'll be rewarded with some of the best scenery anywhere in the country.
9. Canterbury Cathedral, Kent
Canterbury Cathedral
Located in the heart of the historic city that bears its name, Canterbury Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to the Archbishop of Canterbury and is the cradle of English Christianity.
It all started when St. Augustine converted the pagan Anglo Saxons here in 597 when he became the first bishop. Excellent guided tours of the cathedral are available, and for a truly memorable experience, consider booking an overnight stay in the grounds at Canterbury Cathedral Lodge.
But there's much more to this beautiful medieval city than just its cathedral. Canterbury is also a popular cultural and entertainment destination with great shopping, galleries, and cafés, as well as attractions such as those focused on Chaucer's medieval England and the city's Roman past.
Some of the other best places to visit in Canterbury include the Old City, the ruins of St. Augustine's Abbey, and medieval Beaney House.
10. Liverpool & The Beatles, Merseyside
Penny Lane in Liverpool
As English as an afternoon tea, references to The Beatles are everywhere in Liverpool. Located in the northwest of the country, Liverpool is around three hours from London by rail and offers music fans plenty of opportunities to soak up some city sites, along with Fab-Four-related attractions.
Topping your list should be The Beatles Story. Located in the revitalized Albert Dock area of the city, this fun museum features enough facts and exhibits to keep the biggest fans busy for hours. Other related points of interest in Liverpool include visiting the famous Cavern Club, along with the real places about which they sang, including Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane.
Other must-dos include themed walks and guided tours, visiting the former homes of Paul McCartney and John Lennon, and getting in some souvenir shopping at The Beatles Shop, located just steps away from the Cavern Club.
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