England Bucket List: 26 Best Things to do in England

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What should you add to your England bucket list? We’ve rounded up the best things to do in England!

Considering its size, England certainly packs a punch. The small country oozes character, and there is no shortage of charming towns and quaint villages to be discovered during your England adventure.

England has a remarkably rich history and is home to many castles, cathedrals, and other ancient structures that have been incredibly well preserved – they’re a joy to discover and offer a truly unique way to step back in time.

We were lucky enough to spend some time in England with our friend who was living in London at the time that we were studying abroad in Dublin. We’ve extensively traveled throughout the UK!

Many tourists make the mistake of only visiting London during their time in this special country. It can be intimidating trying to plan where else to visit – that’s where this England bucket list comes in! Read on to discover the must-do activities in mighty blighty. 

🚗 Book your car rental in England here! 🚗

England Bucket List

Visit Highclere Castle (a must for Downton Abbey fans)

Few British dramas have captured hearts worldwide as much as Downton Abbey. 

You can actually visit the real-life Downton Abbey used in the series – Highclere Castle is located in Hampshire, and fans can tour the estate.

There is a range of different ticket options available, and depending on your budget, you could enjoy a picnic afternoon tea on the castle grounds or even stay overnight in one of the lodges. 

🏰 Book a tour to Highclere Castle from London here! 🏰

Wander through the streets of York 

York is a walled Cathedral city in England’s North East and is home to some of the country’s most charming cobbled streets and ancient architecture. You’ll see a mix of buildings from virtually every time period – Roman towers, Viking residences, Georgian townhouses, and a Victorian railway station (just to name a few!)

Visit the famous street “The Shambles,” for an afternoon browsing eclectic boutiques and sampling delicious local delicacies. 

🚶 Learn all about York on this guided walking tour! 🚶

Go on the Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour

Just a short train ride from London, Harry Potter fans can’t miss a trip to the studio tour – it’s a must do in England.

The tour features sets used in the films, including The Great Hall and the Forbidden Forest, and there are tonnes of costumes and props on display here as well. It’s a completely interactive tour and is a lot of fun! 

⚡ Book your WB Studio Tour tickets from London here! ⚡

Walk the Jurassic Coast

This 95-mile stretch of coastline is a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to a vast number of remarkable fossils, rocks, and landforms. 

Take a walk along the blustery seafront and see what you can discover – you might unearth a fossil for yourself! If you don’t have much luck, you can visit one of the many museums and visitor centers to see the findings of paleontologists throughout history. 

Look for Banksy’s art in Bristol

Bristol is one of England’s most artsy cities, and for decades it’s been on the map as a music, fashion, and creative hub. Does it come as any surprise then that it’s also Banky’s hometown?

Many of the elusive artist’s first pieces can be found on the streets of the city. Why not take a walk around Bristol and see how many you can spot?

🎨 See Banksy’s art with a guide on this tour! 🎨

Admire Big Ben

Few London landmarks are as iconic and synonymous with British identity as Big Ben. It’s one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world, and a visit to see it firsthand is an England bucket list must-do. 

Unlike a lot of tourist traps, it’s pretty impressive in real life! Its sheer size, intricate architecture, and rich historical significance are pretty cool to consider when you’re standing and admiring it. 

Go inside Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey holds deep historical significance in England. Since 1066, every monarch has been crowned in the abbey, and it’s also the final resting place of many of Britain’s royals.

Visiting offers a chance to tour through time and discover centuries of royal history. The grandeur and architecture of Westminster Abbey are pretty special, and it should be on everyone’s England bucket list. 

🎟️ Book your Westminster Abbey tickets here! 🎟️

Join a nation of football fans and attend a match 

Football is England’s national sport and is adored throughout the country. The love of the sport runs much deeper than just the game itself – it’s a way to connect with others and feel part of a community. It’s a talking point, a source of bonding, and a way to brighten the spirits on a gloomy day. 

Grab some tickets and head to the nearest stadium to witness fandom as you’ve never seen before. The atmosphere as the opposing sides compete with their chants and rowdy shows of support is unbeatable. 

Attend Glastonbury Festival

England is home to the world’s largest greenfield music and performing arts festival: Glastonbury. Its ethos is unique – for five days a year, organizers transform a farmer’s field into an artsy and creative city with some of the best music in the world.

The iconic festival is a world-renowned institution, and the lineup never fails to impress –  there is something for everyone to enjoy at “Glasto.”

Walk Hadrian’s Wall

This 73-mile wall built by the Romans as a defense mechanism is a remarkable place to visit. It’s the best-preserved example of Rome’s great frontiers worldwide, and the walk from coast to coast is one of the best things to do in England. 

The wall walk will take you across some of Britain’s most rugged countryside, and the scenery and history of this adventure is a breathtaking thing to experience. 

Snap a photo at Buckingham Palace

The British Monarchy is famous worldwide, and visitors from outside the country find its pomp, tradition, and remarkable history fascinating.

Head to Buckingham Palace to discover the official London residence of the UK’s sovereigns since 1837 – a visit to see this working royal palace is a must do in England. 

Surf in Newquay

England might not be the first country that springs to mind when you think of surfing, but the southernmost county of Cornwall is home to some pretty spectacular swell. Newquay is the home of English surfing, and the beach hosts world-renowned competitions. 

Whether you’re an experienced surfer or are interested in trying the sport for the first time, you should definitely visit Newquay. 

🏄 Learn how to surf in Newquay with these lessons! 🏄

Explore Oxford (a must for Harry Potter fans)

Oxford is home to England’s oldest and most world-renowned University, and the city of dreaming spires is a beautiful place to visit. The sunny yellow sandstone buildings and winding cobbled streets make this one of England’s most romantic cities.

Harry Potter fans will love spotting the many filming locations throughout the city. 

This Harry Potter walking tour of Oxford will introduce you to the landmarks!

Marvel at the bluebells in Micheldever Wood

After a long, dreary winter, April marks the beginning of Spring in England, and her woodlands and roadsides burst into color. When the bluebells bloom, England becomes covered in a carpet of beautiful blue flowers – it’s a remarkable sight to behold.

Micheldever Wood has a high population of flowers, making it the perfect place to witness this spring miracle.

Attend afternoon tea

There is no denying that the English love their tea. The tradition of afternoon tea has been a ritual since the 1840s and evolved over time as a social reception for ladies of high society. There’s no shortage of venues to choose from to enjoy your traditional afternoon tea.

Enjoy a quaint tower of dainty finger sandwiches and homemade scones, served on pretty floral china and washed down with the nation’s best beverage. 

☕ Reserve your spot at a London afternoon tea service here! ☕

Hike in the Lake District

Home to England’s highest peak, the Lake District is a pretty special spot. Rolling green hills and rugged limestone crags are in abundance in the region, along with sparkling lakes and picturesque villages.

Grab your walking boots and a map, and complete one of England’s most thrilling hikes – you’ll have plenty to choose from. 

Road trip through the Cotswolds

The Cotswolds is one of the most charming corners of England, and a road trip through the area offers the chance to discover postcard-perfect villages and lush, idyllic meadows. The region has a buzzing food scene and there are lots of walking routes and historical sites to visit.

If you want to visit a quintessentially British region – The Cotswolds should definitely be on your England bucket list. 

🚗 Book your car rental in England here! 🚗

Visit Brighton Pier

Dubbed “London by the Sea,” the city dwellers of England have been escaping to Brighton for fun, sun, and fresh sea air since the Victorian times. Before international travel was popular, England’s seaside towns were buzzing hubs for holidaymakers. 

To entertain the masses, arcades and amusement parks were built upon their piers, and these are still popular today. Brighton Pier is the most impressive in the country – it’s a must-visit. Fish and chips on the pier are compulsory, by the way! 

Try punting

Punting is as synonymous with English summer as Wimbledon and picnics in the park. Initially designed as a means of cargo transport, these flat-bottomed boats are the perfect way to spend a summer’s afternoon lazily meandering down the idyllic river with friends (and plenty of Pimm’s!).

You can experience punting in pretty much any riverside city, but it’s particularly popular in Oxford and Cambridge. 

🚣 Check out this punting tour in Cambridge! 🚣

Watch a play at Stratford-Upon-Avon

This beautiful and historic market town is the birthplace and burial place of William Shakespeare, and wandering through the quaint streets surrounded by Tudor architecture is a surefire way to be transported back in time.

Visit the Royal Shakespeare Company to watch some of the best performances the country has to offer. 

Sample a Sunday roast and appreciate England’s famous pub culture 

England’s pubs are as much a part of the country’s identity as tea and perhaps even the royal family. Popping down to the pub is one of the nation’s most loved pastimes.

These cozy, carpeted joints usually have a roaring fire and a warm atmosphere, and they offer some of England’s heartiest food. Visit on a Sunday and try an iconic Sunday roast dinner – you won’t regret it. 

Step back in time on a visit to Stonehenge

Built at the same time as the Egyptian pyramids of Giza, Stonehenge is one of Europe’s most unique ancient monuments. The world’s best-known stone circle is one of the most amazing things to see in England, and visiting will transport you back in time. 

🪨 Book your Stonehenge ticket here! 🪨

Take the Beatles photo on Abbey Road

The Beatles are one of England’s greatest musical exports, and people worldwide will recognize the famous zebra crossing which features as the artwork on their album Abbey Road.

Head to this iconic London street to snap a picture of you stepping in the band’s footsteps. You can also visit the nearby Abbey Road Studios, arguably the world’s most famous recording studios.

Spend a day in Bath

The city of Bath is regarded as the “jewel of the Southwest”. Home to beautiful Georgian architecture and incredibly well-preserved Roman Baths, you’re guaranteed to fall in love with this ancient city.

Take a dip in the country’s only natural hot springs, and join the film trail to discover locations used in many films and television series – fans of Bridgerton will be in their element here! 

⭐ Go on a walking tour of Bath with a guide with this tour! ⭐

Visit Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle is the world’s oldest and largest occupied castle, and a visit to delve into over 1000 years of royal history should be on everyone’s England bucket list.

Admire the lavishly decorated state apartments, wander through the lush royal gardens, and visit the final resting place of Queen Elizabeth 11. 

🏰 Book your Windsor Castle entry ticket here! 🏰

Peruse Camden Market

Camden Market is an experience not to be missed. The shopping on offer here is truly unique – the shopfronts and interiors are lavishly decorated with some of the wildest designs you’ll ever see. Even if you don’t spend a penny, you’ll enjoy spending time here just admiring the shops.

You’ll find some of the weirdest and wackiest fashion and homewares in Camden, and it’s an excellent place for vintage and punk rock finds. 

Final Thoughts: Best Things to do in England

From natural beauty to ancient history and unique activities that you won’t find anywhere else in the world – you’re guaranteed to fall in love with enchanting England. This England bucket list is only the tip of the iceberg!

So what are you waiting for… it’s time to get planning your itinerary for this magical country.