With borders across the globe closed down, international travel is looking like it is off the cards for the foreseeable future. But travellers must travel!
England is actually home to some incredible places but can be easily overlooked for more exotic destinations around the world. However, with the closure of many international borders, you may have found yourself stuck in England with no sight of escape for quite some time.
This has given you a unique opportunity to really explore your own backyard and discover the hidden gems that other travellers have travelled vast distances to see in England.
Travelling domestically will also allow you to help local businesses who have been hit the hardest recover.
If you are locked down in England here is a list of 12 of the best places to travel to in England.
1. Warwick Castle in River Avon
There are so many incredible castles and historic buildings to explore in England and Warwick Castle is one of the most famous. Warwick Castle will take you on a journey of over 1000 years of history. It has seen many famous visitors including kings, queens and knights over the years. Even ghosts are said to remain in the hallowed halls.
Warwick Castle has stood the test of time, it is one of the most well-preserved castles in England. The building is full of amazing towers and ramparts to explore. The incredibly decorated rooms and exhibitions will make you feel like you are literally stepping back in time.
The castle also features breathtaking grounds and gardens to wander around and take it all in.
Warwick Castle is an immersive experience that transports you back centuries with its award-winning interactive exhibits, reenactment staff and entertaining shows like jousting and trebuchet!
2. See The Iconic Tourist Attractions in London
Have you ticked off all the classic tourist hot-spots in London yet? Or do the crowds put you off? If you haven’t or would like to revisit them now is the best time to do it with fewer international tourists in the country.
The tourist spots in London are popular for a reason and are well worth checking out, even if it’s just to get those iconic London photos.
Some of the most iconic tourist attractions in London include:
- The London Eye
- Big Ben
- The Natural History Museum
- Tower Bridge & Tower Of London
- Buckingham Palace & Changing Of The Guard
- Westminster Abby
- London Dungeons
- Hyde Park
- Trafalgar Square
- Piccadilly Circus
- The British Museum
- Notting Hill
- Camden Market
- Kings Cross Train Station (Harry Potter anyone?)
So take a long weekend trip up to the Big Smoke and see what all the fuss is about.
3. Explore The Town Of Chester
Chester is one of England’s most historic cities. It is located in England's northwest near Wales.
Chester was founded as a Roman fortress in the 1st Century AD and is known for its red sandstone Roman walls. It is the most well preserved walled city in England with the walls making a full circuit around the town.
Chester has a beautiful old city filled with arcades and Tudor-style timber buildings. It is famous for its rows which are covered walkways on the first floor of the main streets, allowing for double level shopping. This style of architecture is not found anywhere else in the world.
The charming streets and buildings in Chester make this arguably the prettiest city in England.
You can spend your time checking out the famous Eastgate Clock, walking the length of the city walls, exploring the rows, visiting the Roman amphitheatre and taking a walk along the river canal. Beautiful!
4. Visit The Fairytale Villages Of The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is home to the most picturesque, fairytale villages in England. There are miles and miles of charming towns just waiting to be explored.
The Cotswolds is a rural area in England covering parts of 6 counties which include Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. It is famous for its rolling hills, thatched medieval villages, churches and cute homes built of distinctive yellow limestone. You will really feel like you have stepped inside a storybook.
The Cotswolds are located about 2 hours west of London and is best explored by car.
Take a few days off and tour through these beautiful villages. Make sure you stop to wander through the streets and pop into the local pubs for a pint and a hearty English meal.
Here is a round-up of the most beautiful villages in the Cotswolds that you should visit:
- Painswick:This charming hillside village is home to narrow winding lanes and beautiful stone houses.
- Upper Swell: This village incredibly cute, with many walking and cycling paths nearby. There is even a small river that flows through it, adding to the charm.
- Stanton: Most of the houses in this charming village are made from the same yellow limestone, giving it a unique look as you wander down the winding streets.
- Snowshill:This village is famous for its nearby lavender fields, which come into bloom in summer each year.
- Kingham: This village is home to stone and thatch houses and large open green fields, making it the perfect place to spend a summer afternoon.
- Castle Comb:Castle Combe has long been considered one of the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds. It has charming stone buildings set along a beautiful river.
- Bibury: This bucolic village is nestled in the rolling hills of the Cotswolds. It is famous for its ancient weavers’ cottages.
5. Brighton
Brighton has been called the happiest place to live in the UK and is the most popular seaside destination to visit, and for good reason! It is famous for its nightlife, buzzing art scene, cafe culture and so much more. It's the home of Off The Map Jewellery founder Stevie after all.
It's is also the UK's "Gay Capital", making Brighton a fun and unforgettable city to visit.
Brighton is just one hour south from London on the train, meaning it makes the perfect day or weekend trip if London is your base.
The seaside coastline is full of famous colourful sheds and the Brighton Pier. This is the perfect place to soak in all of Brighton’s happy vibes while chowing down on some classic fish and chips.
Get amongst some history at the grand Royal Pavilion and admire the work of local artists and photographers on show. Explore Kemp Town which is the gay centre and with outlandish stores, bars and performers - the home of Pride it's a place that's truly buzzing.
Don’t forget to party the night away, large gatherings permitting! After the sun goes down the beach turns into a club scene with packed bars and banging music.
6. Hike The Seven Sisters In Eastbourne
The Seven Sisters Hike in on the southern coast is one of the best hikes in England and is easily reachable by train from London.
The Seven Sisters are a series of chalk cliffs along the English Channel and is one of the most Southern points in England. These white cliffs are topped with a carpet of green grass that plunge dramatically into the sea, providing one of England’s most striking landscapes.
Hiking on the coastal trail from Seaford to Eastbourne is the best way to experience these cliffs. The trail is 21.9km long and is relatively easy, making this a perfect one day adventure.
7. Whitby
There is something special about Whitby! Whitby is an English seaside town located at the mouth of the River Esk in North Yorkshire. Tourism and fishing are the two biggest businesses in Whitby.
Most people know Whitby for its connection to Dracula. Visit and you will understand why it inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula. It is charming, mysterious and full of history. But Dracula is not the only famous connection to Whitby, Captain James Cook, the famous explorer did his apprenticeship in Whitby!
Whitby is home to a picturesque harbour, the majestic Whitby Abbey ruins and eerie churchyards. Climb 199 steps to the top of the cliff where St. Mary’s Church and the Whitby Abbey are located and you will be treated to majestic views of the harbour. Unwind with a relaxing stroll along Whitby Beach and pay a visit to the Captain Cook museum!
8. Cornwall
Cornwall is a beautiful part of England and one of the best seaside destinations in the country. It is located on the rugged southwestern tip and is filled with beautiful beaches, national parks and quaint harbour villages. The south coast has been dubbed the Cornish Riviera and the north coast is lined with towering cliffs and seaside towns known for surfing.
St Ives is one of Cornwall’s most popular beach towns, no trip to Cornwall is complete without visiting St Ives. Head to Newquay for some top-notch surfing (yes you can surf in England!). There is even a museum of witchcraft in Cornwall if you want to see the creepy side of Cornwall.
Make a trip to the most southern point in the UK known as Land’s End. Penzance is a beautiful harbour town near Land's End which is protected by Mount’s Bay. Mount’s Bay is around St Michaels Mount which is a striking tidal island which should not be missed! You can walk across to the island at low tide, which is linked to the town of Marazion by a man-made causeway.
Polperro is another charming seaside village in Cornwall that is worth visiting. It is a former fishing village with beautiful whitewashed houses and a calm harbour.
Cornwall is one of the first places to come alive when spring and summer arrives in England. So pack up your car and head down to Cornwall this summer!
9. The Lake District
The Lake District is a region in Cumbria in northwest England. England isn’t known for its lakes and mountains however this region delivers just that! The Lake District is famous for its glacial ribbon lakes and rugged mountains. It is home to the highest mountain, deepest lake and largest national park in England. It has even been dubbed a mini Scotland!
The scenic towns of Kendal, Ambleside and Keswick are the best bases for exploring the district and are full of quaint inns, local art galleries and outdoor shops.
The Lake District has some of the best hiking in England as well as many more outdoor activities, making it a must if you are an adventure seeker.
Keswick is near amazing trails which take you to the peaks of Skiddaw and Blencathra that offer amazing views of Derwentwater. You can visit the beautiful Aira Force Waterfall, the ancient Castlerigg Stone Circle and the strikingly high and mighty Honister and Kirkstone Passes.
10. Dover
Dover is a coastal town in the county of Kent, located in southeast England. It was built to repel invasions from across the English Channel. The medieval Dover Castle overlooks the town and has extensive secret wartime tunnels. Dover is also home to the iconic White Cliffs of Dover which are symbolic safeguards of England.
Dover is easily accessible by train, taking just 1 hour from London, making this the perfect spot for a weekend getaway.
When visiting Dover you must walk along the famous White Cliffs for some of the most breathtaking views in England.
Step back in time with a visit to Dover Castle which played a crucial role in England’s defence for 9 centuries. Take a tour through the caste and wartime tunnels to soak up some epic English history and beautiful views.
11. Devon
Devon is another incredible part of England to visit. It sometimes falls in the shadow of nearby Cornwall but it shouldn’t! The county of Devon is located in southwest England and features sandy beaches, fossil cliffs, medieval towns, national parks and charming harbour towns. The Exmoor coast boasts towering cliffs and incredible rock formations.
One of the best things to do in Devon is to explore the Exmoor National Park. This national park is home to wildlife, breathtaking landscapes and hiking trails. The Valley of the Rocks is an epic spot in Exmoor National Park. The walk there will take you through forests, over hills and around giant rock peaks for sweeping views of the cliffs and ocean. It is also a dark sky reserve, making it one of the best places in England for stargazing.
Devon is also an amazing summer destination. There are beautiful beaches where you can lounge the day away like Hope Cove and Salcombe Beach.
12. Dorset
Dorset is another county located in southwest England and is most famous for the Jurassic Coast. The Jurassic Coast is a long stretch on the English Channel where the cliffs contain fossils and rock formations, displaying millions of years of geological history. The Jurassic Coast has now been named a world heritage site and stretches for 100 miles along the southwest coast.
When visiting Dorset you can’t miss Durdle Door which is a natural stone arch formation on a cliff dipping into the rugged ocean. You can walk from Durdle Door to the layered cliffs of Lulworth Cove, which is another epic natural formation in Dorset. Poole, Weymouth and Swanage are popular seaside towns with beautiful beaches to explore.
There you have 12 epic places to travel to in England! England is home to some of the most iconic tourist attractions in the world as well as incredible history and lesser-known nature so take the time to explore this wonderful country!
