Day 1-3: London
Any trip to England would not be the same without hitting the capital city of London. With only three days, you’ll need to be savvy with what you cram in, but it’s easy to see the likes of Big Ben, the London Eye, Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace in one day. For a more tranquil spot of sightseeing, head towards Hyde Park, Victoria Park or Primrose Hill for stunning scenery and with the latter, unrivaled views of the big smoke. If you have time, the trendy areas of Camden and Shoreditch are also a must.
Day 4: Brighton
There’s nothing like grabbing an ice cream and walking along an English coastline. Just a couple of hours from London is Brighton, one of the country’s finest. Fish and chips on the pier is one of the more quintessentially English things you could do on your trip to Brighton, so make sure you do!
Day 5: Oxford
Oxford is one of the smaller cities in the country, but world renowned for its prestigious university. Arguably one of the most sought after cities in England, Oxford boasts architecture from every period since the Saxons and is one of our top picks for a day out. Make sure you visit Magdalen Bridge Boathouse to hire a traditional Oxford punt and kick back on the River Cherwell!
Day 6-7: The Cotswolds
Now you’ve done some cities, how about some peace and quiet? The Cotswolds is one of the country’s most spectacular areas and spans across more than 800 square miles in five counties. Quintessentially English villages are rife here, with plentiful options for B&Bs, spas and even camping under the stars.
Day 8: Stratford-upon-Avon
A visit to England wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Stratford-upon-Avon, the home of England’s most famous bard – arguably the greatest poet to ever live – William Shakespeare. At this picturesque area in central England, you’ll be able to watch plays of Hamlet and Romeo & Juliet at the Royal Shakespeare Company, as well as visiting Shakespeare’s Family Home, a restored 16th century timber frame house. On a nice day, renting a pedalo on the River Avon is highly recommended.
Day 9-10: Birmingham
This canal hub in the most central area of the country is worth visiting for its hidden qualities alone and with a population of more than 1.1 million diverse people, it’s a cultural hub too. With some of the finest restaurants and renowned chefs in the country serving anything from pan-Asian and Indian through to Syrian and Jamaican cuisine, food is a pretty big deal here. And for afters? Cadbury chocolate was born in the leafy suburb of Bournville, with factory tours operating daily. Birmingham is big on sport too, with the likes of Villa Park and Edgbaston Cricket Ground attracting tens of thousands of people on a regular basis.
Day 11-12: Liverpool
Roll up, to the magical mystery tour! Music fans should make a point of visiting Liverpool, one of the most musically revered cities in the world. Not only were The Beatles from Liverpool, but Cilla Black, The La’s and Gerry & The Pacemakers have provided inspiration to a whole host of new talent emerging from the city. Furthermore, visitors should flock to the Albert Dock, a stunning centre piece of Liverpool’s UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to some of the city’s best bars, restaurants and museums.
Day 13-14: Manchester
Your two-week trip to England ends in one of the country’s most-visited cities, Manchester. World famous for its sport, Manchester offers two high-flying Premier League teams and the National Football Museum too. Football not your thing? Not to worry – there’s the Imperial War Museum, The Trafford Centre and plenty of music venues to catch international touring acts and the next big thing. With a musical heritage as rich as Oasis, Joy Division, The Smiths and The Stone Roses, we couldn’t leave it out, could we?
