England Travel for First-Time Visitors

Castles, pubs, rolling hills, and some of the world’s most iconic sights

Where should you go in England?

England is easy to love and even easier to travel through. There’s no language barrier, the trains go almost everywhere, and there’s a perfect mix of modern buzz and old-school charm. You can enjoy a museum in London, a visit to a university town like Cambridge, sipping tea in a pub in a tiny countryside village, or a trip to the beach in Brighton.

London & surroundings

London is a must for any first time visitor, but there’s so much more around it and you can plan quick day trips to Windsor, Oxford, Cambridge and the Cotswolds.

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Southwest England

Home to Bath, Cornwall and Devon. Rolling hills, stone villages and coastal cliffs.

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Northern England

York, the Lake District, and Manchester for a mix of history, countryside and culture.

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The midlands & Central England

Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon, Birmingham’s industrial cool, and charming market towns

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Tips

Planning your first trip to England? Start here:

Quick Facts

Currency: British Pound (£)
Best time to visit: May-September
Power outlets: Three-pin Type G
Top cities: London, Bath, Oxford, York, Cambridge, Brighton
Getting around: trains, coaches, and local buses are reliable and well-connected

Key Tips

Don’t just stay in London – there’s so much more to see
Use contactless cards or Apple Pay on public transport (especially in London)
Trains can be pricey – book in advance for better deals
Pubs are casual – order at the bar, not at the table
Tipping is low-key – round up or leave 10% at restaurants
Weather changes fast – ayers and a light rain jacket are your friends
Lots of museums are free in London – the British Museum, the National Gallery, the Natural History Museum, London, the Science Museum and Tate Modern