From Stonehenge and the Tower of London to Cheddar Gorge and the Lake District, England’s best sightseeing attractions are as iconic as they are diverse. Stretching from the long shores of the English Channel, north to the border with Scotland, England is a destination that you’ll never forget.
You’ll start your trip in London, where you’ll immerse yourself in the multicultural capital that sits at the heart of the nation. We’ve got endless historical sights for you to see in the city, including Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and the Houses of Parliament, before you journey into the countryside in search of England’s rolling hills and green fields.
In the southwest, you’ll see Roman spas and Georgian architecture in Bath, while in Bristol, you’ll delve into England’s most eclectic cultural and foodie hub. Oxford and the Cotswolds are quintessential England at its best, while Liverpool is the nation’s creative hub and a must-see destination for music fans everywhere (we presume you’ve heard of a band called the Beatles?).
Manchester offers a glimpse into England’s industrial past and inventive future, and York is packed with Viking and medieval history. It’s not all about urban sights, though, and our itinerary has ample opportunities for you to hike into spectacular national parks like the Peak District and the Lake District, which are hugely romantic in their enduring, natural appeal.
And if you can’t bear to leave after your 2 weeks in England, then you can always extend your stay in the United Kingdom with a trip to Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland. If you’re planning your next getaway, then keep reading as we reveal the best 2-week England itinerary!
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Two Weeks in England
Things to Know Before You Go
England is one of four countries that together comprise the United Kingdom, the others being Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Of the four, England is the largest country in terms of area and population and is a serious powerhouse in terms of natural, cultural, and historical attractions. England has its own unique national identity, so try not to conflate “England” with the rest of the UK when you’re visiting!
The United Kingdom is no longer part of the European Union, which means EU citizens no longer have unlimited visa-free access. Schengen visas also don’t work here, and the UK’s entry requirements can be strict for certain nationalities. Many nationalities do have visa-free access to the United Kingdom (and England) for up to 6 months at a time, though.
For longer stays, you’ll need to check the requirements with your consulate or embassy. Leaving the European Union has caused delays at entry and exit points into England, while “Brexit” has also caused countless divisions within the country (it’s still a difficult topic to bring up in conversation with the locals!).
England uses the British Pound (GBP), which is freely accepted across the United Kingdom. If you’re traveling to Scotland, though, you may have trouble using Scottish pounds in English shops.
Scottish pounds can be changed in banks, however. The use of cards is now almost universal in England, and in London, you’ll often struggle to pay in cash. In smaller, more rural destinations, it’s a little different, and it can be helpful to have small cash reserves, just in case cards aren’t accepted.
The Best Time to Visit England
England is known for being a rainy nation, and while it doesn’t quite rain all the time (as many visitors expect!), it does rain often and unexpectedly. No matter when you’re traveling to England, you’ll always want to be prepared with a rain jacket or umbrella on hand – even in summer.
But England is a temperate country, with four seasons, mild summers, and cold-ish winters. There are no real weather extremes, and it’s extremely rare for temperatures to exceed 30°C (86°F) in summer or dip below freezing in winter.
Summer is the most popular time to visit England, but it can be overwhelmingly busy in popular destinations like London, Bath, or Stonehenge. We recommend avoiding June, July, and August completely.
Instead, try to visit England during spring or autumn. There’s a higher chance of rain (but when isn’t there in England?). However, you’ll avoid the crowds and have a more peaceful trip.
April and May are lovely as the days get much longer, while September and October see the scenery transformed into golden autumnal hues. Alternatively, winter is much quieter at traditional tourist sites, but you’ll love the Christmas markets and seasonal festivities that brighten up the short, cold days and long nights.
Getting Around England
England is incredibly well-connected to the rest of the world. London’s many airports – including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and London City – are some of the busiest in Europe, and you’ll find long and short-haul flights to almost any destination in the world.
For this reason, we recommend starting and ending your 2-week trip to England in London, although there are also many international flights scheduled from regional airports, including Bristol, Birmingham, and Manchester. For more extensive trips to the United Kingdom, you can also look at flying into or out of Edinburgh, Glasgow, or Belfast.
For the London section of the itinerary, it’s no problem using public transport. In fact, we encourage it. The Heathrow Express whisks you from the airport to central London in just 15 minutes, for example, while the London Underground (or “The Tube”) is as much a sightseeing attraction as it is a convenient means of getting around.
You simply tap on and tap off with a debit or credit card, in London, and no tickets are needed. For private transport in London, try a Black Cab, Uber, or Bolt. We don’t recommend driving yourself.
Our itinerary below is intended to be traveled using public transport. The train network in England is extensive, and from London, you can reach most major cities within a few hours.
Tickets can be expensive, though, so try to book in advance where possible. Long-distance bus companies, including National Express, Mega Bus, and Flix Bus, provide inexpensive inter-city travel routes but typically take longer than trains.
If you prefer, then you could rent a car when you’re set to leave London. Having your own vehicle would make it quicker to travel between destinations and help you to maximize your time in England. It would also make it easier to reach rural destinations in places like the Cotswolds, Peak District, and Lake District.
Just remember, they drive on the left in England!
England Itinerary: 2 Weeks to Explore the Highlights of the Country
London – 2 nights
Your 2 weeks in England begin in London, the nation’s largest city and the capital of the United Kingdom. London is a bucket list destination, and you’re guaranteed to have an action-packed introduction as you spend your first two nights here.
Buckingham Palace
The writer Samuel Johnson famously said that “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.” There’s so much to see here, and you’ll start by visiting iconic sights like Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and the Houses of Parliament before taking a stroll through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens.
Kensington Palace
For more royal history, you can visit Kensington Palace (home of Will and Kate), and for a spot of history, you can head into the Churchill War Rooms, which sheltered the British government underground during World War II.
Museums and Galleries
If you love museums, then you’re in the perfect city. Take your pick from the British Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, the Imperial War Museum, or the V&A Museum.
Tower of London
Save time for a Beefeater-led tour of the Tower of London, founded by William the Conqueror in 1066 and home to the royal family’s Crown Jewels. Cross Tower Bridge, take a cruise along the River Thames, or enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the city from the London Eye or from the dizzying heights of The Shard (the tallest building in the United Kingdom).
London Eye
Tate Modern
If you prefer culture to history, then you’ve got endless plays, musicals, and performances to see in the West End. Head to Leicester Square for a taste of movie stardom at famous cinemas or visit artistic gems like the Tate Modern.
Borough Market
British pubs await you on every street corner, while bustling foodie destinations like Borough Market will keep you well-fueled throughout your London adventure. For nights out, hit up the live music venues of Camden Town or the bars of Shoreditch.
Central London
If, somehow, you’ve still got time to spare, then day-trip opportunities abound from central London. Warner Bros Studios is a must-see for Harry Potter fans, Richmond Park is a beautiful place to escape the hustle and bustle, and more royal history can be found in Hampton Court Palace (Henry VIII’s home) and Windsor Castle (which is still a royal residence).
Stonehenge – 1 night
From London, it’s a two-hour drive west through rolling countryside and into England’s heartland. Your next stop is a sight that’s known the world over, and that’s thought to be at least 5,000 years old.
That’s right – you’re visiting the iconic manmade attraction that is Stonehenge, a historic masterpiece of ancient engineering constructed by the earliest Britons. Visit this impressive archeological site, and you’ll be awed by the towering megalithic standing stones that rise toward the heavens.
The true purpose of Stonehenge will possibly never be known, but many of the standing stones align with the changing seasons, including the summer solstice, for example. In the Visitors Center, you can learn more about the many theories that surround Stonehenge and gain an insight into the engineering techniques and sheer manpower that went into its construction.
If you’re driving, then it’s easy to visit Stonehenge on your way further west. If not, then you can take a bus or train from London to Salisbury, then transfer to Stonehenge. You can spend the night in Salisbury, if needed, and also visit the city’s magnificent cathedral, or you can continue westward to Bristol and Bath.
Bristol and Bath – 2 nights
Bristol
Two of the best cities to visit in England are Bristol and Bath, which both await you in the West Country. Bristol is the largest city in southwest England, and it’s a multicultural hub that’s famed for its street art and diverse dining scene.
M-Shed
This is the home city of Banksy, and you can take a street art tour in search of his hidden murals and graffiti. At M-Shed, you can learn more about Bristol’s fascinating history, including the dark transatlantic slave trade that the city profited from for decades.
When you’re hungry, visit the St. Nicholas Markets to indulge in everything from Persian kebabs to dim sum before making your way to Clifton, where spectacular views await you from the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
Cheddar Gorge
Outside of Bristol, you can visit the winding turns and steep cliffs of Cheddar Gorge, the home of cheddar cheese, or you can take a day trip to the piers and tidal beaches of Weston-super-Mare.
Bath
Bath is one of the most beautiful cities in England, and its marvelous Georgian townhouses and historic cathedral are just a half-hour train ride away from Bristol.
Jane Austen Centre
Made famous by the countless period dramas and movies that have been filmed here (Bridgerton being the most recent), you’ll be taking a step back in time as you delve into the Jane Austen Centre or visit Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein.
Thermae Bath Spa
Long before England’s Georgian elite fell in love with Bath, the city was known for its hot springs. The Romans founded a bathhouse here around 60 AD, the well-preserved remains of which you can still visit today.
Then, at Thermae Bath Spa, you can enjoy a relaxing session in the city’s modern spa center, which offers rooftop views of the Bath skyline from a stunning open-air swimming pool.
Oxford and the Cotswolds – 2 nights
Oxford
Next up is one of the most famous cities in the world: Oxford. With a dreamy skyline punctuated by church spires, you’ll love touring through Oxford University’s many colleges, which often offer guided tours to the public.
Bodleian Library
Visit the Bodleian Library, where you can immerse yourself in dusty tomes of literature, or in the library’s newly-opened museum, which hosts regular exhibitions and events delving into the history of the English language.
Museums and Galleries
Oxford is a city for history lovers, and you can spend hours hunting through ancient history at the Ashmolean Museum (England’s first museum, opened in 1863) and explore cultural curiosities collected from around the world at the brilliant Pitt Rivers Museum. Follow it up with a pint at The Bear, which claims to be the oldest pub in Britain (a very debated title!).
Cotswolds
From Oxford, you can day trip into the heart of the Cotswolds. This beautiful area of countryside is filled with rolling green fields and sandstone villages.
Iconic Villages and Town
This is quintessential England at its best, and we recommend touring through iconic villages and towns like Castle Combe, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Chipping Norton. If you’ve got extra time, you could also tackle the long-distance Cotswolds Way walking route or spend a day in Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s hometown.
Liverpool – 2 nights
Now you’re traveling north, and the next stop on your England itinerary is Liverpool. This is one of the country’s most creative cities, but equally, it’s a city of contrasts too.
The Beatles Story
Music fans will want to book a Beatles tour of the city. Explore the many locations from the band’s home city that inspired famous songs before visiting The Beatles Story and spending an evening at The Cavern Club where they became famous.
River Mersey
You’ll love Liverpool’s revitalized docklands, where shops, restaurants, and hotels line the wharf, and you can take a cruise of the River Mersey for a waterside view of the city.
Museums and Galleries
Don’t forget to visit the International Slavery Museum, though, to learn how the city’s wealth was originally accumulated.
Liverpool is also home to interesting sights like the Museum of Liverpool and the Walker Art Gallery, and of course, sports fans can visit the home stadiums of Premier League teams Liverpool and Everton. You could easily spend two days seeing Liverpool’s sights, but you could also take a day trip to nearby Chester, which is just a half hour’s drive away.
This small city traces its origins back to a Roman army camp that was founded almost 2,000 years ago in 79AD. Being so closely located to Wales, Chester played a huge role in England’s history for centuries after.
Today, you’ll find an impressive example of a walled medieval city, which still follows the original Roman design in places. Layers of history are waiting to be uncovered, so join a walking tour to learn more.
Manchester – 2 nights
Manchester is England’s northern powerhouse. Rising to prominence during the Industrial Revolution, the city is known for its canals, red brick buildings, and Gothic architecture (check out the John Ryland Library, for example).
Cultural Things To Do
Manchester is packed with cultural things to do, and you can take your pick from the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, and the Manchester Museum.
Take a cruise along the river, visit the Lowry Centre (dedicated to local artist Lowry’s industrial-themed artwork), and explore the Manchester Art Gallery.
National Football Museum
Sports fans will already know that the city is home to two of football’s greatest teams, and you can take tours of Manchester United and Manchester City’s stadiums before visiting the National Football Museum.
Peak District
A short drive from Manchester brings you to the Peak District, one of England’s most rugged national parks. Take a day to hike striking trails to natural peaks like Mam Tor or Kinder Scout or explore charming towns like Ashbourne, Buxton, and Bakewell.
Lake District National Park – 2 nights
Your journey now takes you further north, where you’ll have two days to spend in the great outdoors. Your destination is the Lake District National Park, where you’ll find stunning landscapes that inspired the greatest romantic artists and writers of the Victorian era.
This is the land of Wordsworth, and we recommend basing yourself in the town of Kendall, which is easily reached by train from Manchester. Book yourself a traditional bed and breakfast, then get your hiking boots and walking poles ready.
Lake Windermere
There’s lots to do here, and first-time visitors will want to start with a boat tour of Lake Windermere. Hike the Ullswater Way, explore beautiful villages like Keswick and Ambleside, and enjoy dark skies that are perfect for stargazing.
Scafell Pike
Avid hikers can tackle Scafell Pike while they’re staying in the Lake District National Park. This tall mountain stands 978 meters (3,209 feet) in height, making it the tallest peak in England. You’ll need to be in fairly good shape, but one of the best routes starts in Borrowdale, taking around 6 hours there and back to the summit of Scafell Pike.
York – 2 nights
York is one of the must-see places in England. This charming destination is refreshingly compact in comparison to London, Liverpool, and Manchester, but it’s easily the most historic city in the north.
Yorkshire
York dates back to the Roman era, but it’s best known for being the center of Viking kingdoms that came to rule northern England in the Dark Ages. The city is also fantastically situated within easy reach of outdoor northern beauty spots like the Yorkshire Dales and the Yorkshire Moors.
York Castle Museum
It’s the perfect place to end your 2-week trip to England as you delve into Viking and medieval history at the JORVIK Viking Centre and York Castle Museum.
York Minster
Visit York Minster, where you’ll find one of the finest examples of an English cathedral, take a stroll along the Shambles, or delve into the world of trains at the Yorkshire Railway Museum.
From York, you can continue your journey north toward Newcastle and the Scottish Borders, or you can turn back south to London.
There you have it! That’s our perfect 2-week England itinerary. Where will you be traveling on your trip to England?
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