England Travel Guide

More than 40 million people visit England every year, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

England is part of the United Kingdom, made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Island and has a lot to offer travellers who visit.

There’s something for everyone from stunning national parks to historical landmarks, from gorgeous landscapes to an incredible and diverse culture.

England is a popular choice for backpackers travelling across Europe or couples looking for a road trip adventure. While the roundabouts can confuse international travellers outside of London, the roads are easy to navigate, and drives between major cities are often less than two hours.

It’s often said that travel bloggers such as ourselves often neglect our backyards in favour of exciting international adventures.

However, over the past two to three years, Helen and I have made week-long trips to English towns and cities to put together this extensive travel guide.

This guide is designed to help you navigate England with ease, save money, explore off the beaten path locations and truly experience the best that the country has to offer.

When To Visit England

In our opinion, the best months to visit England are from the beginning of March to the end of September.

While this is the end of Spring, the middle of summer and the beginning of Autumn (or fall for our North American readers), the exact weather you get during your visit could be anything from a snowstorm to a summer heatwave.

However, England rarely sees any extreme weather conditions when compared to other countries worldwide. The country receives roughly 30 days worth of snow every year, with a maximum of around six inches per snowfall – the exception to these averages being on higher grounds such as the Yorkshire Pennines.

Meanwhile, summer temperatures average between 9 and 18 degrees, although there are weeks in which temperatures can reach 30 degrees and beyond. While these weather conditions are mild, the countries facilities can sometimes mean that coping with them is difficult.

As such, you may find that in a snowstorm, even of just a couple of inches, your domestic and international travel is cancelled, whether it be plane, train, bus or car.

While in the summer months, you may find that not all shops, hotels and transport offer air conditioning as standard, which can make coping with those weeks in which the temperatures surpass 30 degrees incredibly difficult.

While we believe that the beginning of March to the end of September is the best time to visit England, don’t be discouraged from visiting outside of these times.

While temperatures in England rarely drop below 2 degrees in the winter daytime, the amount of rainfall increases significantly, which can make visiting some outdoor sights and taking in some of the breathtaking views of the country challenging.

We have a packing guide for both summer and winter in England to ensure that whenever you travel to the country, you’re prepared and therefore able to have a wonderful experience.

How Long To Spend In England

How long you choose to spend in England is likely to depend on how much you want to explore.

While three days is enough to explore London, you’ll want to increase that to roughly two weeks if you’re looking to expand your trip to other popular cities such as Bath, Brighton, Liverpool, Manchester and York.

Getting To England

The form of transport and associated costs of getting to England is most likely to depend on the country you’re travelling from. I’ve broken down each method of transportation along with some important notes below;

Train

If you’re coming to England from elsewhere in western Europe, as part of an Interrail trip, you’ll come into St Pancras International.

This station is situated in Central London next to Kings Cross Station and home to the Eurostar, which connects the country to European cities including; Paris, Brussels, Lille, Lyon, Avignon, Marseille, Rotterdam and Amsterdam.

However, train travel within western Europe is costly (more on that in the typical costs section). Therefore if you’re on a budget, then budget airlines such as Ryanair, WizzAir and EasyJet or bus companies such as FlixBus may be a better alternative.

Bus

If you’re coming from elsewhere in Europe, with time to spare and a budget to meet, then travelling by bus is likely going to be one of your best options.

We’ve travelled across Europe using FlixBus, which connects major cities across England, including; London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Nottingham, with European destinations such as Paris, Amsterdam, and Brussels for as follows: little as £2.99 per person.

However, journey times are often more than nine hours and can be incredibly uncomfortable (this is the budget option, remember).

While travelling through the night on the bus can save you on the cost of a nights accommodation alongside the discounted cost of travel, many travellers on a budget opt for budget airlines instead.

Plane

If you’re coming from outside of Europe, you’ll likely fly to one of the major international airports in London, Manchester or Birmingham.

While tourists coming from inside Europe will be able to fly into international airports and smaller regional airports such as East Midlands, Leeds Bradford or Newcastle.

Flights from Europe to England can often be purchased for as little as £9.99 per person, one way on budget airlines such as EasyJet, Ryanair or WizzAir.

While the average cost of a flight from within Europe to England retailing for just £39.99 – hence the reason this transportation method is often favoured over the most expensive alternative of the Eurostar.

On the other hand, international flights from the US, Canada and Australia are often hundreds of dollars. As such, it can be worth shopping around to find alternative routes to the country if you have some extra time but not a lot of extra cash.

International airlines that commonly fly into England include British Airways, Qatar and KLM. However, we’d recommend using a search aggregator rather than going to these airlines directly to ensure you’re getting the best value for money.

Where To Visit In England

England is broken up into two key areas; the north and the south.

While many have argued about the defining boundaries between the two, history and the economic principles upon which this divide tends to be the backbone suggests it’s Watford around 80 miles north of London.

Generally speaking, the south of England is more expensive to travel. However, it’s also more popular with the countries capital, London for those looking for a city break, or Cornwall for those looking for a long weekend at the seaside.

Meanwhile, the North of England is generally more laid back and affordable large national parks such as the Yorkshire Dales.

Travelling from London to popular destinations in the north of England such as Liverpool and York can take between 3 and 6 hours by train or car, making it achievable for those visiting the country for a week or more.

The best way to visit England in our opinion is to fly into central London and spend a couple of nights exploring the unique architecture, gastronomical delights and incredible culture of the capital city before heading south, even just for a day to Newquay or St Ives.

Then after you’re few nights in the south, pass back through London and into the north of England. Spend a couple of nights in York, Liverpool, or Manchester before either continuing into Scotland or taking a flight from one of the regional airports.

Padstow

One of the smallest yet most popular places on the southeast coast is the fishing town of Padstow.

People from England visit the town to dine at one of the famous restaurants here owned by popular TV chef Rick Stein while also enjoying the variety of unique things to do.

These include crab fishing in the harbour, taking a local ferry over to Rock, or even visiting the National Lobster Hatchery, a charitable organisation educating and supporting marine conservation efforts of lobsters throughout Europe.

Brighton

Brighton is a popular seaside resort located on the southern coast of England, 47 miles south of London.

The city has archaeological evidence of settlements that date back to the Bronze Age, Roman and Anglo-Saxon periods. It is home to both the world’s oldest operating aquarium, which opened back in 1872 and the world’s oldest operational electric railway, which opened in 1883.

Bath

The city of Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, both known and named after its Roman-built baths founded in the 1st century AD by the Romans who used the natural hot springs as a thermal spa.

Situated 97 miles west of London, the city is a popular day trip location from the capital and easy to travel to by train or car.

London

London is the capital city of England and receives over 30 million visitors every year. When people think of England, they think of London, a city home to world-class restaurants, an incredible music scene, and steep history.

There are lots to see and do in London; however, the public transport network of buses, trains, and the London underground makes travelling between attractions a breeze.

Having personally visited the capital 30 times in the past decade alone, we’re always delighted by new things to experience, foods to try, and experiences to embrace. One trip to London is simply never enough.

Oxford

Oxford is a famous student city in the central south of England. Domestic and international visitors come to the city to experience its unique charm and high-class University life.

The city is home to the University of Oxford, which is ranked the best university in the world with a history dating back to 1096, making it the world’s second-oldest university in continuous operation.

The Cotswolds

The Cotswolds is an area made up of almost 800 square miles in the central south of England, covering parts of six counties, including Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire.

The region is known for its quintessential English villages filled with honey-coloured stone homes and lively market towns.

While the car is the most popular mode of transport for travelling through the region, there is an alternative in the form of the 102-mile walking trail that follows the Cotswold Edge from Bath in the south to Chipping Campden in the north.

Cambridge

Much like Oxford, Cambridge is also a city home to a prestigious University. The University of Cambridge dates back to 1209 and is the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world and the world’s fourth-oldest surviving university.

Just 60 miles North of London, the city is a great place to visit on a day trip and is easily accessible by both train or car.

Birmingham

Birmingham is a major city in the Midlands steeped in industrial history dating back to the 12th-century. Due to its extensive canal networks, the city became a manufacturing powerhouse and a key player in the global export market.

Fast forward to today, and the canals have been transformed with trendy cafés and bars popular with city workers and tourists alike.

The Yorkshire Dales

The Yorkshire Dales is a 680 square mile national park situated in the north of England made up of several small towns and villages such as Grassington, Malham and Burnsall.

Camping, walking and hiking are all incredibly popular activities here; however, if that’s not your cup of tea, not to worry as the area is of outstanding natural beauty with several waterfalls and gorges to view with awe.

If you recognise any of the regions, don’t be surprised as the Yorkshire Dales has been the backdrop to major films, including; Harry Potter, All Creatures Great and Small and Downton Abbey.

Scarborough

Seaside resorts were first founded back in the 1700s and continued to gain popularity until international travel became more affordable in the late 1980s, and at the centre of it all was Scarborough.

This resort town on England’s north coast is home to two sandy beaches split by a headland upon which the 12-century Scarborough castle. Popular activities here include visiting Peasholm Park, which first opened back in 1912, playing on the 2p machines inside a local arcade and learning to surf.

York

York is one of the most historic cities in the northeast of England. Founded by the ancient Romans, the architecture here includes a 13th-century Gothic cathedral with medieval stained glass and two functioning bell towers.

Since shortly after its founding by the Romans, the city has been defended by walls of one form and another. To this day, more miles of the wall are intact than any other city of similar historical significance in England.

While the city is beautiful year-round, Christmas time is particularly special with pantomimes, winter wonderland and Santa steam train experiences.

Manchester

Manchester is one of the largest and most famous cities in the north of England. Home to both Manchester United and Manchester City football clubs, the region is famed for its rich industrial heritage.

I often refer to Manchester as the London of the north due to its fantastic range of high-end contemporary dining experiences, cutting-edge art exhibitions, and unique museums.

With a major international airport located just outside of the city centre, it’s well worth looking to see how you can incorporate a night or two in the city into your trip.

Liverpool

Situated 35 miles west of Manchester is the maritime city of Liverpool. The city was made famous back in the 1960s as the home of The Beatles, and today fans of the band can come to the city to visit The Beatles museum and other Beatles related attractions.

Other major tourist attractions in the city include Liverpool Cathedral, Walker Art Gallery, Tate Liverpool and Royal Albert Dock.

Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne is situated on the River Tyne in the northeast of England. Together with its twin city, Gatehead, it was the major shipbuilding and manufacturing hub during the Industrial Revolution.

Today, however, the city has been reformed and is now a University City with a large business, art, and science centre.

Lake District

The Lake District is the largest national park in England and is situated in the country’s northwest. The area comprises rugged fell mountains, ribbon lakes and market towns such as Kendal, Ambleside and Keswick.

Popular with English tourists looking for a staycation, the region is the perfect mix of outdoor adventure with paddleboarding, cycling, hiking or boating and history with historic sites, houses and gardens.

Carlisle

Carlise is the border city between England and Scotland and is popular with tourists visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hadrian’s Wall.

Due to its northern location, you’re unlikely to visit Carlisle on a dedicated trip. However, it’s a worthy stop if you’re planning on heading through England north into Scotland, thanks to its unique markets and historic castles.

Things To See & Do In England

Regardless of whether you’re in the hustle and bustle of a city or quaint village town, travelling solo or as a family with children, there’s plenty of things to see and do in England.

The Eden Project

If you’re in the southeast, then consider visiting The Eden Project. The attraction was founded on a reclaimed china clay pit transformed into a global garden between 1998 and 2001.

Today The Eden Project hosts a variety of plants from around the world in tropical biomes that nestle in a crater the size of 30 football pitches.

Canterbury Cathedral

Canterbury Cathedral is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England. Situated in Kent, 60 miles east of London (around a 2-hour drive), the cathedral is steeped in over 1,400 years worth of history, featuring a Romanesque crypt and medieval stained glass.

Notable nearby locations to Canterbury Cathedral also worth visiting include; the coastal town of Whistable and Margate, home of the Turner Contemporary art gallery.

Tate Modern

The Tate Modern was founded in 1897 and is situated in Bankside, London. The attraction is the most visited in the United Kingdom and is free to enter – although pre-booked tickets are required.

The 34,500msq building is home to four art galleries and houses the United Kingdom’s national collection of British art and international modern and contemporary art.

Famous works here include; Marilyn Diptych (1962) by Andy Warhol, Nude Woman With Necklace (1968) by Pablo Picasso and Tiny Deaths (1993) by Bill Viola.

The British Museum

Founded in 1753 and situated in the famous Bloomsbury area of London, The British Museum is dedicated to human history, art and culture.

Alongside special exhibitions, the museum holds a permanent collection of almost eight million pieces and is among the largest and most comprehensive in existence.

While entry to the museum is free, tickets are required to be reserved online in advance.

Legoland

If you’re visiting central London as a family, then consider heading 30 miles west to Legoland Windsor.

Travelling to Legoland can be done by car, bus or train in just over an hour. However, it may be worth spending a day at Legoland and another day exploring Windsor town for those interested in the British Monarchy.

That’s because Windsor is home to Windsor Castle, a residence of the British Royal Family, which was built by William The Conqueror in the 11th century.

Public tours of the castle take place daily, in which guests can see the State Apartments featuring highly opulent furnishings and paintings from the royal art collection.

Stonehenge

Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, 85 miles west of central London and is one of the most visited attractions in England.

The monument consists of an outer ring of vertical sarsen standing stones, each around 13 feet high, seven feet wide, weighing around 25 tons, topped by horizontal lintel stones.

Given the attraction’s popularity, day trips are available from London, which also includes a visit to the nearby city of Bath, a Unesco World Heritage site.

We’d recommend opting for one of these trips if you don’t plan to hire a car during your visit to England as travelling by public transport between these two locations can be difficult, time-consuming and expensive.

Warwick Castle

The medieval Warwick Castle is situated in the county town of Warwickshire, England and was initially built by William the Conqueror in 1068.

Warwick Castle is built upon a cliff that drops down to the River Avon. This location was chosen to make it almost impossible for the castle to be attacked from this side with weapons unable to get close enough to the castle due to the water.

Today the castle is open daily to visitors looking to explore more of British History. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or upon arrival at the castle (subject to availability).

Chester Zoo

Chester Zoo is the most popular zoo in England, situated in Chester, 200 miles north of London. Opened in 1931 by George Mottershead and his family, the zoo covers 51 hectares and is home to more than 35,000 animals.

The zoo receives no government funding and instead is a charitable organisation. As such, all ticket sales go into the cost of running the zoo and the vital conservation efforts of animals both domestically and worldwide.

Durham Cathedral

Durham Cathedral, or as it’s more formally known, The Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin, and St Cuthbert of Durham, is the seat of the Bishop of Durham, the fourth-ranked bishop in the Church of England hierarchy.

The Cathedral is open daily as a working church, pilgrimage destination, regional heritage icon and exciting day out. Take one of the club rubs to the top of the Cathedral to experience amazing views over Durham City and the countryside beyond.

Hadrian’s Wall

Hadrian’s Wall dates back to the reign of the emperor Hadrian in 122 AD. The wall was built as a defensive fortification of the Romans and stretches 73 miles from coast to coast.

Between Newcastle and Maryport, there are numerous locations from which you can see what remains of Hadrian’s Wall for free. However, for those looking to learn more about the history and the significance of the wall, then I’d highly recommend visiting one of the nearby attractions.

How To Get Around England

Depending on how far you’re looking to travel, the budget you have available and the time you’re planning to spend in England will likely influence which of the many transport methods you choose. I’ve broken down the most common methods below with more information;

Car

Outside of London, the most convenient way to get around is by car. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the easiest to navigate, thanks to manual transmissions, roundabouts and driving on the left. It’s also not the cheapest with petrol (gas) prices in England being some of the highest in the world.

However, suppose you’re travelling as a family, a small group or looking to get off the beaten path.

In that case, you may be willing to get over obstacles to drive through villages and towns in the English countryside or between major cities as and when you please.

Hiring a car in England can be done online in advance or in person with car hire locations in all major cities and airports. Cars are available for those 25 and older. However, those aged between 25 and 30 are often subject to higher compulsory insurance premiums.

Typically one-way car hire (picking up the car in one location and dropping it off in another) comes with a significantly higher premium due to the logistical nightmare it causes.

However, in some instances, you may be able to benefit from this logistical nightmare by offering to drive the car back to its base location.

That’s all thanks to the Driiveme service that partners car hire companies with potential drivers. As such, the cost of driving a hire car from one location to another can cost just £1 instead of the £200 – £300 it would otherwise. So if you’re planning a trip to England and looking to hire a car, then setting up alerts on this website is well worthwhile.

In addition to the cost of hiring a car, you’ll also need to factor in petrol prices. The exact amount will depend on the distance you’re travelling and the engine size of the vehicle. However, a typical 100-mile journey will cost between £10 and £15 in petrol (at the time of writing).

Coach

Travelling by coach is the cheapest way to get between major cities in England. However, it’s also the longest and most uncomfortable.

Popular coach companies in England include;

• Flixbus
• Megabus
• National Express

The cost of travelling by coach is often 90% times less than by train, with most journey times increasing by around 30%, which makes this a variable transport option for those looking to explore more of England on a budget.

Coach stations are available in most major cities and are connected by local bus services and regional train lines to help you navigate to more remote locations.

Train

England boasts an extensive rail network which can get you between major cities in a couple of hours and even into local towns and villages using regional services. However, it comes at a price.

While train travel from the likes of Manchester to London is incredibly convenient, taking you directly from the city centre to the city centre in just two hours, the cost of doing so can often be more than £100.

You can save money on train travel in England by booking in advance. Fares for routes are usually released 12 weeks before the date of travel, and research shows this is the cheapest time to buy tickets.

As the travel date nears closer, the ticket prices will increase, with tickets purchased on the day being the most expensive.

Another great way to save is to use a comparison website such as The Trainline. This website’s fantastic user interface makes finding affordable fares easy by adjusting the day, time, and route you travel to find the best option for your budget.

Plane

There are a small number of domestic flights between cities in England. However, the high cost of doing so, given the amount of time saved compared to travelling by train, rarely makes this a viable option.

To give this even further context, on average, a one-way flight between London and Manchester costs six times as much as a one-way flight between London and Madrid.

While the average flight time is often under 30 minutes, the time between the city centres and airports can often make the total journey time upwards of three hours.

If you want to fly between different locations in England, the best way to find availability and book is to use a flight search aggregator website such as Skyscanner.

Typical Costs In England

Generally speaking the cost of everything from food and drink, to accommodation and activities will be higher in the south of England compared to the north.

Averaging the two areas together, a backpacker will be looking to spend £55 ($75 / €65) per day in England.

A single bed in a well-rated hostel in London costs around £20 for example, while £15 spent on food would include the cost of a McDonald’s dinner (£8) and a meal-deal lunch from a supermarket such as Tesco (£4).

While a mid-range traveller can expect to spend £120 ($165 / €145) per day in England, this includes a private room in a three-star (or under) hotel such as Ibis, OYO or Travelodge and travelling by train instead of coach between cities.

On a luxurious budget of £255 ($350 / €300) per day, travellers can expect to stay in 4-star accommodation in central London or 5-star accommodation outside of London.

With £70 to spend daily on food, you can head out for a drink or two (a single spirit and mixer are £8 in central London or £6 outside of London on average) on an evening alongside a formal dinner.

	Accommodation	Food	Activities	Transport	Total
Budget	£20	£15	£10	£10	£55
Mid-Range	£50	£30	£20	£20	£120
Luxury	£120	£70	£40	£25	£255

Accommodation

Dorm rooms in central London are readily available and a highly rated bed in a shared room for one night is often available for under £20. However, hostels are less common outside of central London unless you’re in a major city such as Manchester or Liverpool.

Therefore in some cases, budget travellers may have to upgrade to mid-range accommodation and instead opt for a private room in a budget hotel. Popular hotel chains such as Ibis, Premier Inn and Travelodge often have promotional rooms between £30 and £45 on a weekday.

In more rural areas such as the Yorkshire Dales, you’ll instead be looking to independently owned properties that often charge upwards of £60 per night.

Serviced apartments are popular in major cities for couples or single professionals looking for a luxurious accommodation experience. However, for those looking for a hotel atmosphere Hilton, Sofitel and Raddison Blu are all popular choices, with rooms often retailing between £80 and £200 per night.

Food

Breakfast on a budget is readily available in England from fast food bakeries such as Greggs or McDonalds, where you can get a coffee and a breakfast sandwich for around £3 ($4.50 / €3.50).

Popular, affordable lunch spots in city centres include the likes of Pret Manager or Itsu, where you can get a sandwich and a drink for around £7 ($9.50 / €7.50).

However, if you’re looking to cut the cost spent on lunch, check out supermarkets such as Sainsbury’s and Tesco who often have small convenience stores selling ‘meal deals’ made up of a sandwich, drink and a snack for between £3 and £4.

On the other hand, if you’re looking to dial up the luxury experience, check out popular independent cafés on TripAdvisor, or head to Wagamamas, Nandos or Yo Sushi. All three latter of which are popular dinner locations too.

If you’re staying as a couple or a group, you may want to purchase food and cook at your accommodation. In this case, Lidl and Aldi are often the most affordable supermarkets; however, Tesco and Asda often have a more extensive range of products available.

Sainsbury’s is, at least in our opinion, more expensive than the previous two without any rhyme or reason, while Marks and Spencers and Waitrose both offer a luxury supermarket shopping experience with fine dining ingredients readily available.

If you’re looking for fine dining experiences in England, then expect to be spoilt for choice with more than 184 Michelin star restaurants available. We suggest checking the Michelin Guide before your trip to see which restaurant might be right for you.

Activities

Many museums in central London are free to visit. However, some more ‘touristy’ attractions do come at a cost.

If you’re looking at doing a number of these major attractions, it may be worth looking at a CityPass for London or a National Trust membership for England as a whole.

Some of the best free attractions in England include;

• The National History Museum in London
• Museum of Lincolnshire Life in Lincoln
• Roskilly’s Farm in Cornwall
• Cumberland House Natural History Museum in Portsmouth
• The Tolkien Trail in Birmingham
• National Railway Museum in York
• Oxford University Museum of Natural History in Oxford
• Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds

Transport

As discussed in our earlier guide to getting around England travelling by coach is often the most affordable way to travel between cities, although not the most comfortable.

While train travel is more readily available than flying, it’s just as expensive, especially if booked last minute. However, if you know your travel plans in advance, you should be able to get between Manchester and London for around £20 ($28 / €25).

To save money on train travel, we always suggest looking at the comparison website TheTrainline.co.uk. This helps you quickly and easily see how much you could save by travelling earlier or later in the day, or on a different day entirely.

Those looking to travel by train a lot during their time in England may also benefit from a railcard. These come in various forms and can save you a third on the vast majority of train fares.

Helen and I opt for the two together railcard as we always travel by train together. The year-long rail card costs £30. However, we can make that money back through savings.

For example; a return ticket from our home town of Wakefield to London may cost £50 each, or £100 in total. However, with a railcard, we’re able to reduce that to £66.66 thanks to the third savings (£33.33) that the railcard provides.

This £100 return trip alone is already more of a saving than the cost of the rail card so you can easily see how the railcard can be a worthwhile investment for those travelling by train regularly.

Money Saving Tips For England

It’s no secret that England is not a cheap place to visit, and while everything is more affordable once you get outside of the capital, it’s still almost effortless to burn through cash during your trip.

However, not all is lost. There’s plenty of ways you can save money on a trip to England if you know where to look. Here are some of my top money-saving tips;

Visit The Free Museums

There’s a vast number of free museums in England (both inside and outside of London) to visit. With many of these museums being the most popular and visited attractions in the country.

Book In Advance

Booking both travel and accommodation in advance provides you with significantly more availability, which in turn makes finding the perfect hotel for your ideal travel budget significantly easier.

Grab A Meal Deal

Meal deals are a great way to save money on lunch. Many supermarkets and retail stores (Sainsbury’s, Boots, Morrisons and Tesco) offer a sandwich, drink, and snack for between £3 and £5.

Book A Hotel With Breakfast

It’s no secret that food in England is expensive. However, you can save money here by booking a hotel that offers a complimentary breakfast.

Just make sure that you’re getting a similar quality hotel for the price you would otherwise pay. After all, if the cost of a hotel with complimentary breakfast is £10 more than the same quality hotel without breakfast, then it may be a false economy.

Bring A Water Bottle

Save on the cost of drinks and save the environment by travelling with a water bottle. Our Chilly’s water bottles are essential wherever we travel, and getting a refill in major towns, cities and villages within England is incredibly easy.

Take A Free Walking Tour

Most major cities in England offer a free walking tour. These tours usually last a couple of hours and are a great way to see the city with hidden gems from a local.

More specific walking tours, such as history, food, or architecture, are often available; however, these usually come at an additional cost.

How To Stay Safe In England

England is a relatively safe country to visit, and the risk of violent crime is relatively low. However, you should still look to have highly comprehensive travel insurance.

After being suck in Manilla when a volcano erupted, losing our bags in Thailand and being robbed in Paris we’ve learnt from experience. Now, we always choose to get our travel insurance from World Nomads who offer some of the worlds most comprehensive travel insurance policies and make the claims both process easy and straightforward.

Scams and pickpocketing are prevalent in London, especially on the London Underground and near popular tourist attractions like the Tower of London.

Both pickpockets and scam artists tend to work in teams, so be sure to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings.

Meanwhile, if you’re going out for a drink in the evening, then be sure to only bring the money you need with you, and monitor your drink and belongings at all times.

If you’re renting a car, then be sure not to leave any valuables inside or anything that could be seen to have valuables inside (handbags etc.) at any time.

If you experience an emergency, you can call 999 to speak to the police, fire or ambulance service.

Gear & Packing List For England

England can experience all four seasons in the space of a week, which can make packing hard. However, our comprehensive packing guides for London in Spring and London in Winter (including printable checklists) can take the stress out of the process.

Below is a basic packing list outline; depending on your personal preferences, how long you’re visiting England for and where you plan to go on your trip, you’ll want to modify this;

Clothing

• Underware
• Socks
• T-shirts (long sleeve and short sleeve)
• Light jacket
• Swimming outfit
• Rain jacket
• Jeans
• Shorts
• Comfortable, yet smart trainers
• Flip-flops or sandals
• Leggings, cargo pants or chinos (something long legged that dries quickly)

Washing

• Shampoo
• Body wash
• Deodrant
• Dry shampoo
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Dental floss
• Razor
• Nail clippers
• Tweezers
• Towel
• Feminine hygiene products
• Hairbrush
• Hair clips / bobbles
• Make up

Medical

• Pain killers
• Plasters / band aids
• Copies of prescriptions
• Ear plugs
• Hand santiser
• Antibacterial wipes

Miscellaneous

• Headphones
• Phone charger
• Copies of passport and ID
• A padlock (for the hostel lockers)
• Chilly’s water bottle
• Universal plug / charger
• Backpack / duffel
• Camera