England is my absolute favorite country to visit. I’ve been traveling there almost every year (and several times a year) for about 30 years, so I feel very comfortable saying I know it pretty well. There’s not a part of the country that I don’t love… and here’s my travel advice for visiting Jolly Old England!
England was once divided into many small kingdoms of Northumbria, Mercia, Kent, Sussex & Essex, and while the country is obviously united now, it is still divided into regions. These are designated as such:
Most visitors think of London as Westminster, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, and the surrounding areas, although Greater London extends far beyond the city center. The River Thames flows west-to-east through southern England before emptying into the North Sea. Its source is in the Cotswolds, making it one of the defining features of the region.
The Prince of Wales is also known as the Duke of Cornwall. The Duchy of Cornwall is one of two duchies remaining in the country – the other being the Duchy of Lancaster. As a privately held estate, this is the area of England that provides the income for the Prince & Princess of Wales. (As Americans, there is ample interest in this). It is here in the Southwest that you can find treasures such as Bath, Bristol, & Stonehenge
The Midlands are often overlooked by first-time visitors, which is a shame because they’re absolutely wonderful.
This broad region includes the East Midlands and the West Midlands. Here you’ll find places such as Warwick, Nottingham (hello, Robin Hood!), Cambridge, and Derby.
The countryside is gorgeous, the market towns are charming, and the rail network makes it surprisingly easy to explore without a car. If you’re looking for “storybook England,” this region delivers in spades.
As you travel around England, you’ll often see references to simply “The North.” Generally speaking, this includes Yorkshire, the Humber region, the North East, and the North West.
While international tourists often focus on London and the South, the North has some incredible destinations of its own. Manchester and Liverpool are cultural powerhouses, while York may just be one of the most beautiful cities in the country.
If you only have time for one northern stop, make it York. Between the medieval streets, Roman history, ancient city walls, and the magnificent York Minster—one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe—it’s impossible not to fall in love with the place.
“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford”
Train travel – all day long when in England.
I used to rent a car and just drive around but over the past few decades, it seems that there are more options for train travel than before. Maybe it’s always been that way, but these days, I only ever take trains around the country. In some of the more “outskirty” areas like Stratford on Avon, Cornwall, maybe even Nottingham, you may need to Uber through the cities as they’re old and spread out, but it still beats sitting on the motorways in heaps of traffic.
The trains are comfy and efficient, although my personal experience with CrossCountry has involved more delays and cancellations than I’d like. If you’re travelling on a north-south route, LNER Azuma is very nice.
All in all, the trains in England are very much like airlines anywhere else. You get what you pay for and after a few journeys you’ll discover the ones that suit your travel expectations.
Find more information on the
First and foremost, the food is great. English food gets a bad rap for being bland, overcooked, and smothered in grease but that’s not always the case. England has come a long way since the 1950s – as have most countries.
When I first visited England, I actually packed a 6-pack of Snickers candy bars in the event I couldn’t stomach the food. Delightfully, the unopened 6-pack came home with me intact and unopened.
While I’m personally not a fan of an English breakfast (I’m allergic to tomatoes and I DO NOT like beans or runny eggs), I’ve heard many people raving over this early morning staple. I’ve got a savory tooth so bring on the Scotch eggs, Branston pickle, Cornish Pasty, or Ploughman’s lunch. Throw in a pint of anything – even a bitter shandy – and I’m in heaven.
Secondly, yes, it rains a lot. Like seriously, a lot. Pack a “brolly” or be sure to pick one up at Boots. You’ll need it.
Thirdly, when it’s a Bank Holiday weekend traffic is unreal, shopping is just stupid crowded, and many things are closed including some public transport. If it’s Boxing Day (December 26th), just assume you’re walking or taking an Uber. Every time I’ve been in England over Christmas, the country seems to come to a screeching halt. Shops are closed, transportation is limited, and you’ll be thankful you planned ahead.
First and foremost, the food is great. English food gets a bad rap for being bland, overcooked, and smothered in grease but that’s not always the case. England has come a long way since the 1950s – as have most countries.
When I first visited England, I actually packed a 6-pack of Snickers candy bars in the event I couldn’t stomach the food. Delightfully, the unopened 6-pack came home with me intact and unopened.
While I’m personally not a fan of an English breakfast (I’m allergic to tomatoes and I DO NOT like beans or runny eggs), I’ve heard many people raving over this early morning staple. I’ve got a savory tooth so bring on the Scotch eggs, Branston pickle, Cornish Pasty, or Ploughman’s lunch. Throw in a pint of anything – even a bitter shandy – and I’m in heaven.
Secondly, yes, it rains a lot. Like seriously, a lot. Pack a “brolly” or be sure to pick one up at Boots. You’ll need it.
Thirdly, when it’s a Bank Holiday weekend traffic is unreal, shopping is just stupid crowded, and many things are closed including some public transport. If it’s Boxing Day (December 26th), just assume you’re walking or taking an Uber. Every time I’ve been in England over Christmas, the country seems to come to a screeching halt. Shops are closed, transportation is limited, and you’ll be thankful you planned ahead.
Shall we talk about the weather?
Here’s some useful tips to know:
You will look or sound like a brash American if you:
Talk to ANYONE in an elevator – even your own family. And BTW it’s called a “Lift” in England.
Wear running shoes for casual wear. They’re called trainers for a reason.
Stand on the left side of the elevator. It’s “Stand on the right, Walk on the left”. Anyone doing anything else is just holding up the flow of foot traffic.
Panic over anything at all. Anything. Ever. Just don’t. (Keep calm & carry on)
Wear a baseball cap everywhere you go and you’ll instantly identify yourself as an American tourist. (Same goes for a cowboy hat for that matter)
Insult the British government, unless you’re prepared for feedback on American politics.
Refer to the British Monarchy only as the Diana-Charles-Camilla love triangle. The monarchy is woven into British history and culture in a way that’s difficult for many Americans to appreciate. Whether people support it or not, it’s generally a bigger deal here than outsiders often realize.
Ask for a restroom. It’s called a toilet in England.
Carry an oversize purse or handbag. Small crossbody bags only, at this point in time.
Here’s some helpful hints that I wish I’d known before arriving:
Don’t bother packing:
Exploring the museums. Most museums in England are state-funded so FREE so “worth every penny?” maybe not, but most do ask for a donation. There’s so much history here and the Brits are quite proud of their history.
Not one thing but ANYTHING in a pub. It’s all fantastic.
Well, the history of course! Have we met? This country is absolutely inundated with historical monuments, buildings, bridges, battlefields, Oh. My. Lord. It’s heaven.
I would love to experience the first time I came here again. England is a bucket list place for so many people – it’s just fabulous the first time you walk through Heathrow and see the wonderful welcome posters of smiling faces, arms outstretched, greeting passengers as you make your way to immigration.
Food
Ease of Travel
Value
Takeaway Moments
Worth Returning
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