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Planning a trip to England soon? Read on to discover 15 ultimate things you need to try and do while you’re there, including visiting Stonehenge, hopping on the London Eye and visiting Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon. How many can you do?

Go to a festival

England has a rich history of festivals, with the likes of Glastonbury and Notting Hill Carnival being two of the most internationally renowned. Admittedly, Glastonbury is notoriously difficult to get tickets for due to its registration system but it is also simply the best festival in the world.

Glastonbury Festival

Go on the London Eye

Situated on London’s South Bank, the London Eye provides some of the best views of London and is one of the top visitor attractions in the city.

Visit Stonehenge

Stonehenge – located in Salisbury, Wiltshire – is the best-known prehistoric monument in Europe. Work on the circular collection of stones started around 3000 BC and they’ve been standing in the same spot ever since. As well as visiting the Stone Circle, you can check out Neolithic houses and various artefacts.

Stonehenge

Go to the Lake District

If big cities and attractions aren’t your thing, a relaxing retreat in the Lake District is ideal. With accommodation ranging from B&Bs, spas, camping huts and everything in-between, there’s something for everyone in this seriously stunning part of the country.

Check out the Roman Baths

Bath’s Roman Baths attract more than 1 million visitors each year, and with good reason! Standing since the end of the 19th century, these baths are below street level and tourists can visit the sacred spring, temple and other preserved areas.

Roman Baths, Bath

Enjoy a day at a theme park

England is home to many theme parks, with Alton Towers, Drayton Manor and Thorpe Park amongst the most popular!

Relax in the Cotswolds

The Cotswolds houses many quintessentially English villages and towns – all backed by stunning, rolling countryside hills. Another idyllic retreat, The Cotswolds is ideal for walkers, hikers and relaxers alike.

Upper Slaughter, The Cotswolds

Go to a safari park

Get up close and personal with wild animals at some of England’s top safari parks like West Midlands Safari Park and Longleat! Drive alongside lions, elephants, giraffes and much more on a unique experience you wouldn’t get at a normal zoo.

See a concert at a world class venue

England’s musical heritage is known worldwide, so it’s no surprise that there are hundreds of world class venues up and down the country. With the likes of Birmingham’s Symphony Hall and London’s Royal Albert Hall hosting a range of genres in their stunning buildings, you’re sure to find something that tickles your fancy.

Royal Albert Hall

Watch a musical on London’s West End

One of the most famous districts in Europe for shows, London’s West End is a must-do for those in to musicals. Shows like Les Miserables and The Lion King are famous in these parts.

Learn at The Eden Project

Situated in Cornwall, The Eden Project is a colossal eco-friendly greenhouse complex. Housed within its biomes are plants from various climates, with tropical rainforest conditions mimicked. There’s also an outdoor botanical garden and the centre even hosts a series of concerts in the summer.

The biomes at The Eden Project

Join a Beatles tour in Liverpool

No trip to England is complete without checking out the legacy of The Beatles. Head up to Liverpool for a trip to the Cavern Club and Penny Lane!

Eat fish and chips on the beach

A truly English pastime – as long as it’s not raining! There are plenty of coastal retreats in areas like Devon, Cornwall, Norfolk and Northumberland to choose from.

Fish and chips on the beach

Visit Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon

Not to be confused with the East London area of a similar name, Stratford-upon-Avon is easily accessible from most areas of England due to its central location, not too far from Birmingham. Here you can visit Shakespeare’s house and watch plays like Romeo & Juliet and Hamlet at a theatre.

Discover the Jurassic Coast – a World Heritage Site

The Jurassic Coast can be found along the coast of southern England, taking in approximately 95 miles from East Devon across to Dorset on the west. The coast line is famous for its beautiful scenery, fossil collections, caves and coves – including Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door in Dorset.

Durdle Door, Dorset

About the author

Proudly born and bred in Birmingham, UK, Richard is passionate about all things travel and music. Having founded the regional online music magazine Counteract in early 2010, Richard has enjoyed a versatile writing career and writes for a number of publications, including The Telegraph, The Guardian, The Independent, Metro and others. If he's not travelling around Europe, you'll often find him supporting his football team, Aston Villa.

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