If you are planning visiting Cambridge, this may be your first trip to England. You will be wanting to see more of England while you are here. England is a country that has contributed a great deal to the world. Unsurprisingly, the nation has an abundance of intriguing historical sites, and fantastic tourist attractions. t is a very good idea to conduct some research prior to going however so that you can get the most out of your trip. If you don’t research before traveling, there’s no way that you will be able to see everything that’s worth seeing- and there is a lot worth seeing. Here are out first time in England tips- everything you should see and do during your first trip.
London
London is the nation’s capital. Many would argue that it is one of the world’s most historically influential cities. In addition to many tourist attractions and historical sites in London (which will be covered in greater detail further on in this post), there are lots of cafés, restaurants, and eateries for you to check out. London’s culinary scene is one of the world’s finest. If you are searching for places to eat in London, then you won’t be short on choices. London has everything, from Japanese restaurants to Brazilian ones, and everything in-between. If you are interested in traditional English cuisine, then give jellied eels a try.
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is one of London’s most-visited tourist attractions. It is located in London’s St. James district. You can visit Buckingham Palace’s gardens during the summer and take internal tours all year round.
St. James Park
Next to Buckingham Palace, you can find St. James Park, a sprawling park complete with a lake, and lots of unique birds and animals. St. James Park has one of London’s largest populations of parakeets, an invasive species of bird supposedly introduced by Jimi Hendrix during his time in London.
St. James Square
St. James Square is a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace, so if you are in the area, it’s worth a visit. St. James Square has a variety of clubhouses, some of which you can enter and take a tour of. Next to St. James Square is Jermyn Street, where you can find Turnbull and Asser’s flagship store, as well as Piccadilly Arcade. If you love fashion, then Jermyn Street is worth a visit.
Saville Row
Talking about fashion, if you are interested in traditional menswear, then Saville Row’s worth visiting. Saville Row is a ten-minute walk from Jermyn Street. The world’s finest tailors, like Anderson and Sheppard and Huntsman & Son, are located there. You don’t have to buy a suit to visit the tailoring houses, you can book a tour or a visit online. Most will be more than happy to accommodate you and teach you about their history. If you do want a bespoke suit made, then you should be aware that they can cost thousands.
Portobello Market
On a Saturday, Portobello Road is home to one of the world’s finest antique markets. The Portobello Road Market is famous, all over the world. If you are interested in antiques (or just want to spot famous British antique dealers), then Portobello Market is the place to go. The market has everything, from ancient Islamic antiques to African bronzes, and French art from the 18th century. Portobello Road market is free to enter, although the antiques on sale there can sell for a lot of money.
Brompton Oratory
This list’s last destination located in London is Brompton Oratory, a Catholic oratory located next to the Victoria and Albert Museum, in London’s Knightsbridge district. The Brompton Oratory is one of the finest Catholic churches outside of the Vatican. Brompton Oratory is one of the finest Catholic churches outside of the Vatican, complete with beautiful frescoes, and an adjoining house where you can sit down and have tea with the oratory’s resident priests. There is also a gift shop. Just past the Victoria and Albert Museum, a stone’s throw from the Brompton Oratory’s doorstep, you can also find the Natural History Museum, which is free to enter. Just past the Victoria and Albert Museum, a stone’s throw from the Brompton Oratory’s doorstep, you can also find the Natural History Museum, which is free to enter.
Stonehenge
It would be impossible to compile a list of England’s best attractions without referencing Stonehenge, an ancient stone circle. The mystery surrounding Stonehenge’s formation goes back thousands of years. It predates Roman settlement in Britain. The people that made it and the circle’s purpose are unknown, but some speculate that Stonehenge was used for rituals. Stonehenge is located a few hours from London, near Winchester. Winchester is a city that is worth visiting if you are in the area because it has a rich history and an amazing cathedral.
St. Albans
St. Albans is a town in Hertfordshire, about half an hour away from North London. In St. Albans, it is possible to find an intact Roman mosaic and the ruins of a Roman city, Verulamium, which once stood there. St. Albans also has a very large cathedral, which is considered by many to be one of Britain’s most. St. Albans has several museums and a broad selection of restaurants, cafés, and hotels for you to choose from. It is also located near Ashridge House, a former manor house with a botanical garden and a National Trust forest that surrounds it.
Hadrian’s Wall
Hadrian’s Wall is located on England’s border with Scotland. It was a Roman wall, built to deter Scottish invasion. In the area of Hadrian’s Wall, it is also possible to visit other ancient Roman ruins. Hadrian’s Wall is free to visit. While you are in the area, it might be worth crossing the border into Scotland, and checking out some of Scotland’s tourist attractions and historical sites. Scotland has a history just as rich and interesting as England. You could also consider visiting Wales or Northern Ireland, two nations with equally rich and interesting historical sites.
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is about an hour’s drive from London, in Windsor. It is where Queen Elisabeth lives for most of the year. Windsor town is beautifully designed, set around the castle’s walls. There are lots of restaurants and shops for you to check out there. If you are interested in English history and the aristocracy, then you could drive over to Eton, and visit Eton School, England’s most prestigious boy’s school where kings and politicians have gone for hundreds of years. Eton was founded in 1440 by Henry VI. It is a school rich in history and culture, that one can take tours of during the summer holidays.
Hampton Court
Hampton Court is west of London, near Slough. It was the former residence of Henry VIII. It was also where many of his wives resided with him. Some say that Hampton Court is haunted by Anne Boleyn, one of the wives of Henry VIII. Anne Boleyn is also said to haunt Windsor Castle. Tickets and entry to Hampton Court can be expensive, but it’s an experience worth having if you are in England. There are very few palaces and castles as extravagant as Hampton Court that are open to the public and aren’t resided in by members of the British royal family.
Whipsnade Zoo
If you aren’t interested in historical sites and want to have a more family-friendly adventure in England, then why not visit Whipsnade Zoo, located on the Dunstable Downs. Whipsnade Zoo is a fantastic attraction, with a broad range of wildlife available for you to see, from lions to elephants. Whipsnade is located atop a hill, and by the penguin enclosure and rhino section, you can get amazing views of the surrounding wildlife, all the way over to Ivinghoe Beacon, which has a footpath that leads around to Ashridge House, which was mentioned earlier.
Cambridge
Of course, there is also plenty to see in our own beautiful and historical city of Cambridge. The famous university buildings are a great starting point!
Out and about in England:
Country Fairs
British people are known for loving their country fairs. Depending on when you are going, there could be a country fair open for you to visit. The downside to country fairs is that they can be very expensive to get into, but they are still a lot of fun. You can find out about country fairs online, conducting research into events taking place coinciding with your arrival. Country fairs have raptor displays, horse racing, dog shows, and lots of arts and craft stalls for you to take a look at.
Hiking Trails
In addition to loving country fairs, British people love their countryside! If you are intending on visiting England during the summertime, then it might be worth hiking through the English countryside. There are myriad hiking trails and footpaths for you to follow in England. If you are going to go hiking, then download an ordnance survey map on your phone. Despite the nation’s small size, its countryside is sprawling, and it is very easy to get lost in it. An ordnance map will help you to stick to the route that you are following.
There’s so much to see in England, if you are going then you need to carefully work out everything that you want to see. Planning and preparation are essential when you are visiting a nation that’s rich in history and tourist attractions like England is. We hope that you have a wonderful time exploring this beautiful country.
