Category: England

Planning on how to spend a day in the Cotswolds can be tough as there are so many great options. With these 6 itineraries, you can explore the Cotswolds as a day trip by car, get to know the South East, South West North East, North West or my first option by train!

The Cotswolds covers quite a large area in the West of England, so I assume that your plan is to experience the Cotswolds character, history and countryside. 

1# A Day Trip to the Cotswolds from London by Public Transport

Oxford or Bath are the best places to start your Cotswold adventure by train. Pick up the Cotswold Discoverer Pass for £10.00 a day which will give you travel around the area on trains and buses.

Due to local buses and the days they run between Castle Combe and Chippenham, I only suggest this itinerary from Monday to Saturday. There are no local buses that run on Sundays or Bank Holidays. Alternatively, skip Castle Combe and there will be more frequent buses from Bath to Chippenham.

Bath is the starting point for this itinerary, simply flip the journey around if you’re starting in Oxford.

Start with breakfast in Bath at The Old Station Cafe and take a stroll along the river through Parade Gardens to see the Robert Adam Palladium Style Pulteney Bridge. 

On the way back towards the train station you can divert slightly to admire the Guildhall, Bath Abbey and Roman Baths and maybe browse some of the little boutique shops. 

If you have more time to explore Bath make sure you visit inside the Roman Baths, Jane Austen Centre or Herschel Museum of Astronomy.

Your onward journey takes you to Castle Combe, one of the prettiest villages in England by bus and from there you can catch another bus to Chippenham. 

Depending on how much time you are planning on spending in Castle Combe the number one thing you need to do is wander down the hill from Market Place to the bridge.

After all, you likely came here to admire the beautiful honey-coloured bricks of the cottages and get the ultimate photos. Once you reach the southern tip of the village this is where you will get that epic shot.

Once you’re finished in Castle Combe catch bus 35to Chippenham. However, be careful as there is a limited bus that runs a day so you need to make sure you check the latest bus schedule.

Alternatively, head straight to Chippenham on the X31 runs frequently from Bath.

Chippenham is becoming a popular destination for day-trippers as it’s easy to get to by train and it’s named one of the best destinations for market towns.

There is a market every Friday and Saturday, as well the Chippenham Multi Markets on the third Sunday of every month.

If you don’t end up on a market day then explore the Town Hall, the Chippenham Museum & Heritage Centre, the Yelde Hall and the Butter Cross.

Once in Chippenham, there is a short walk from the bus station to the train station where you can catch a train to Bristol and on to Cheltenham Spa and across to Oxford in time for dinner. 

From Oxford once you have had a walk around the ancient streets and alleyways it is time to head home to London just a short train journey away.

Looking for a longer trip to the Cotswolds without a car? Here are 6 places to stay and how to get around the Cotswolds without a car.

2# How to Spend a Day in the Cotswolds by Car

Going by car has some massive advantages and some equally large disadvantages. The advantages are that you can go exactly where you want when you want, traffic permitting and can visit some places that are not on a bus or train route. The main disadvantages are that you will have to find parking and frequently pay for parking. 

The trip also starts in Bath and do get there in time for an early breakfast to pack as much sightseeing as possible into the day. 

From Bath travel to Marshfield via A46 Gloucester Road for some stunning views, and turn off the A420 onto the High Street and then to Market Place where it should be possible to park and have a walk around, walk up Church Lane past the cute cottages to The St Mary the Virgin Church and maybe walk back to the Lord Nelson pub for refreshments. 

The old side of Marshfield is a beautiful, typical small Cotswolds town and if you continue your journey via Hay Street you will pass the village pond.

From Marshfield you are going to Castle Combe, one of the prettiest towns in England, but that comes at a price, depending on the time of day and year, it may be very busy, the storm after the calm of Marshfield. 

A slow drive through Castle Combe when it is busy with pedestrians may be enough for you or you may decide to park up and have a walk around.

Either way, from Castle Combe it is an easy drive to Malmesbury where the attractions include the 12^th Century Abbey, the pretty Abbey Gardens, Tomb of King Athelstan, the free Athelstan Museum, and see the original Market Cross.

If traffic allows and you have not spent too much time enjoying any particular place so far, the next stop is Bourton-on-the-Water, a very pretty famous village with a river running next to the main road and pretty little bridges going over to the honey coloured cottages. 

From Bourton-on-the-Water, head towards Oxford via Burford, where even if you don’t stop it is worth a drive along the High Street, then continue on the A40 past Witney and onto Oxford in time to enjoy a stroll around the ancient university centre and find where parts of the Harry Potter films were filmed, before heading home.

Depending on the traffic and the time you start, you may decide to shorten the trip by missing some parts out and in which case, it would work well to leave out Oxford, Burford and Bourton-on-the-Water and plan a separate trip to cover those areas again.

Staying in the Cotswolds will give more time to exploring the area more fully.  Staying a few days each at different locations will work even better for exploring, especially if you enjoy walking and getting away from the main tourist hotspots.

Here are some ideas for days out that incorporate some of the main attractions, whilst also exploring away from the crowd and independently travelling in the area.

This Trips all assume that you are travelling by car, I have explored getting about without a car elsewhere.

3# South East: Malmesbury, Castle Combe & Corsham

A full day with lunch stop, approximately 35 miles round trip.

For this day out, we are assuming that you are staying in or near the medieval market town of Malmesbury and that is where we will start.

Leaving your accommodation (in Malmesbury) at about 10.00 the obvious first place to visit is Malmesbury itself. There has been a settlement there since the Iron Age and if you are not staying in Malmesbury there is usually parking near the church or follow signs for car parks, parking is free for 2 hours in the Station Road Car Park.

Things to do and see in Malmesbury

Malmesbury Abbey, Abbey House Gardens, Tomb of King Athelstan, free Athelstan Museum, original Market Cross, Farmers and Artisan Market on Friday’s, live music at the Kings Arms pub, most Friday evenings.

From Malmesbury, the next stop is Castle Combe which was featured in the film War Horse and in the television series Agatha Christie’s Poirot.  The village is famous as one of the prettiest towns or villages in England.  It is very pretty and the locals work to keep it lovely with hanging baskets and many offer flowers and cakes for sale outside their houses.  The little hump back bridge is a definite photo stop. 

Next suggestion is just 1.6 miles away; Yatton Keynall for lunch at the 17^th Century Bell Inn (booking advised 01249 782216) and a short walk before you leave to visit the 13^th Century Church and look at some of the sweet cottages.

Corsham Court and Corsham are next and you may recognise Corsham as it starred as a Cornish town in the Poldark television series.  Well known for its stunning architecture and wandering Peacocks, Corsham has been built largely from Bath Stone that is quarried nearby. ‘Corsham has no match in Wiltshire wealth of good houses and there are a few of really high merit.’ (Pevsner N, Sir, Buildings of England).  Corsham is said to have one of the best preserved high streets in England. 

The Saxon royal manor house Corsham Court is certainly an example of ‘a good house’ and has a good collection of paintings and gardens and park land designed by Capability Brown.  The house and gardens are open to the public from 2pm – 5.30 in the summer and until 4.30 during the winter months.

Other Things to Do and See in Corsham

Once you have had a look around Corsham Court, next door is St Bartholomew’s Church and other interesting architecture is The Almshouses and School House nearby and the Flemish Weavers Cottages.  The shops along the High Street and Pickwick Road are a mixture of mostly independent and include vintage, antique and craft shops.  Corsham is a Fairtrade town.

If you are staying in Malmesbury it is now time to work back to your accommodation.  Unless, of course you are moving on somewhere else….

4# North East: Burford, Bibury & Bourton-on-the-Water

A full day out with lunch stop approximately 47 miles round trip.

For the North East Area we will start the tour in Burford High Street and if you have stayed in Burford, chances are you have already strolled up and down the street and admired the variety of architecture and marvelled at the little alleyways and pretty little twittens.  So, in the car and off to the first location:

Our first stop on this day out is Bibury, Beautiful Bibury is a haven of peace and quiet and tranquillity. Just park up and stroll around, enjoy the architecture, the tickling water, the beauty and peace.

On to the Chedworth Roman Villa and Chedworth Village.  The Villa is the oldest house looked after by the National Trust and the history is literally coming out of the ground there, with mosaics, an ancient octagonal pool with a questionable history, a fascinating place to visit.

It may well be worth forward planning and bringing a picnic with you, as the Villa grounds are a great place for a picnic, or there is a cafe on site.

Our next location is the famous, tourist destination Bourton-on-the-Water, a pretty Cotswolds town, worthy of its status as a must visit destination and known as the Venice of the Cotswolds. 

Things to Do and See in Bourton-on-the-Water

As well as the pretty main street with its lovely Windrush River running through there are some attractions you may like to visit whilst at Bourton-on-the-Water and the first is the model village; a lovely model of Bourton-on-the-Water to explore and is a good place to start. 

The Cotswold Brewing Company is based at Bourton-on-the-Water and is open to the public at weekends and sometimes on weekdays. 

Especially, if you have been to look around the Brewery, it will now be time to return to your accommodation in Burford.  If you still have time to kill, there are some lovely villages on the way back that you could select to explore.

5# North West: Gloucester, Tewkesbury & Morton-in-Marsh

A full day, approximately 75 miles round trip

Let’s start our North West day out at the Blackfriars Priory in Gloucester. 

Blackfriars is a Medieval Dominican Priory and is open to the public on Sunday and Monday, so Monday is a good day for this tour.  If you need to cover this tour on a different day, then it is worth viewing from the outside.

If you are staying in Gloucester then you will explore the museums, cathedral and television and film hotspots on another day as it is easy to spend a few days in Gloucester exploring all that it has to offer.

First stop on the tour is the historical town of Tewkesbury that was in the news in February 2020 due to its location where rivers meet, called a confluence.  The River Severn and the River Avon meet at Tewkesbury as well as minor tributaries to those rivers Swilgate and Carrant Brook.

Tewkesbury is famous for its beauty and history and has over 350 listed buildings.

Things to do and see in Tewkesbury

The Old Baptist Chapel and Court, Tewkesbury Town Museum, the John Moore Museum, Tewkesbury Abbey, Heritage Centre, Heritage and Alleyways Trail, nature reserve and much, much more. It would be easy to spend a whole day just in Tewkesbury.

From Tewkesbury, if it is on to Hailes Abbey Ruins, a fascinating English Heritage site.  On the way there go via Winchcome an ancient town that has evidence of a settlement since 3000 BC and keep an eye out for the interesting houses and cottages among the new build homes.

Hailes Abbey has a museum, a shop and the large ruins site.  It is possible to get an audio tour to enhance the experience.  The Abbey is a great place for a picnic lunch.

For the rest of the afternoon you have the choice of Morton-in-Marsh or Stow-on-the Wold, both lovely and both at road junctions on the A429.  Time permitting a visit to Moreton-in-Marsh can be followed by a drive through Stow-on-the-Wold on the way back to Gloucester.

Either way head back to Gloucester via the A436.

6# South Western: Berkeley, Dursley & Cotswold Way

The south western part of the Cotswolds is all about great walks and great scenery.

The day starts in a car park! Purton Car Park, Severn Way, Berkeley GL13 9HP by the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal. 

Today’s tour starts with a walk along the canal, which is frequently described as a stunning place for a walk. Once you’ve had a gentle stroll along the canal path, it’s off to Dursley for some history.

Dursley is a typical, pretty Cotswolds market town, steeped in history; with evidence in the area of settlements back to the Neolithic period. 

Dursley is also on the Cotswolds Way and offers many great walks.  This makes it an ideal base for a walking holiday.  This day out in the Cotswolds is all about ditching the car and walking.  There are lots of walks to choose from and many of them can be found on this website here.

So, choose your own from the list or follow this short walk guide that allows you to enjoy a 40 minute walk at the canal, some time and lunch in Dursley before heading out for a comfortable afternoon walk of either 3 ½ miles or 3 miles for the shorter route missing out the steep but pretty hill climb from Dursley.

This walk starts at May Lane Car Park which is adjacent to the Cotswold Way.  Turn left out of the car park and follow signs for the Cotswolds Way, the first part of the walk is through pretty woodland and takes you up to the golf course, where you will come out at the car park.

If you prefer, you can drive to Stinchcombe Hill Car Park that is beyond the golf course car park and walk from there, this takes out the most strenuous part of the walk and it is also possible to cut back to this point part way round.

Once you cross the car park the Cotswolds Way splits into two directions, ignore the lane and go straight across the golf course, the way can be identified by a mown strip and continue to the next fingerpost and this time, ignore the straight on route and take the route to the right that is identified by the Korean Friendship trail sign. 

You will soon see glimpses of the view that has brought you here.  Follow the signs through the trees, where there is a bench that you may like to take a short rest at.  Continue on for half a mile and you will come to a shelter hut on the Cotswolds Way. 

Continue to follow the signs and cross a track that leads to Stinchcombe Hil House. At this point you could take a short cut back to the car park, by taking the track to the right or continue on to complete the walk.

Continue to follow the signs for the Cotswold Way and you will arrive back at where you emerged at the Golf Course and return to Dursley through the woods.

This is a short circular walk that is on the Cotswold Way, taking you around Stinchcombe Hill and takes in some of the best scenery of the Cotswolds Way walks.

So, there you are a day trip suggestion from London by public transport or by car and four independent transport suggested tours. 

These, of course, all just take in a small part of the area and other trips could easily be planned. 

For example, if you are staying in Gloucester or Tewkesbury then a short day could easily be spent at Tewkesbury in which case that suggested day out could start at Winchcombe, go to Hailes Abbey Ruins and onto Moreton-in-Marsh and Stow-on-the-Wold before returning to your accommodation.

As soon as summer hits I start dreaming about visiting the beach and enjoying a day out in a cute English seaside town eating icecream.

Now there is a lot more to do at a seaside towns in England so if my version of a beach day isn’t your style then here is an endless list of things you can experience:

• the atmosphere,
• go sailing,
• find the wildlife (I still want to see puffins in person!),
• romantic getaway,
• the excitement of the amusement parks,
• for culture
• and to where ever your imagination takes you.

Take Cornwall as an example, the area is a hotspot! They a mix of fantastic seaside towns, great beaches, harbourside restaurants, amazing walks, sports facilities and much more!

If you’re planning an escape to the coast, start with my ridiculous selection of the best seaside towns in England that offer something unique. All towns that have been selected a great beach, breakdown of the area and a must-do activity so that you can make your own mind up based on individual requirements.

Burnham-on-Sea

Burnham-on-Sea is a sweet little seaside town in Somerset situated between Highbridge and the larger Weston-Super-Mare.

What Makes Burnham-on-Sea So Special

You can see that Burnham-on-Sea was once a genteel place. The Victorian grandeur may be tired, but Burnham has a pier, a lighthouse on the beach and a still lovely promenade.  Due to its proximity to the M5 it makes a great seaside holiday destination for those from the Midlands who want something more upmarket than its much larger and bolder neighbour Weston-Super-Mare.

•  Sandy Beaches
• Water sports
• Night life
• Culture
• Heritage
• Shopping
• Sporting

Recommended

Take a drive inland to Glastonbury.

Dawlish

Just 12 miles from the city of Exeter, Dawlish is well known for its holiday parks and sandy beach.  It is also a place you may have heard of because the train runs along the seafront and it made the news when the tracks were badly damaged in winter storms a few years ago. 

What Makes Dawlish So Special

Dawlish has an air about it of old seaside town grandeur, only a small place as well as the sandy beach, there are amusement arcades, lovely walks and a nature reserve at nearby Dawlish Warren.  The main part of the town is centred round the lawn which is a great place for picnics and the brook there is well known for its black swans.

• Sandy Beaches
• Stunning Scenery 
• Water sports
• Night life
• Culture
• Heritage
• Shopping
• Sporting

Must Do

Go on a train journey travelling west and back to experience the stunning seascape on the famous bit of track.

Minehead

Minehead in Somerset is on the edge of Exmoor and very close to North Devon.  Minehead is probably best known for the large Butlins camp nearby.

What Makes Minehead So Special

Depending on which way you walk it Minehead is the start or finish of the famous South West Coastal Path Walk.

Minehead is a great place to stay for a mixed holiday, seaside on your doorstep, an old picturesque harbour and for history, there is the 15th Century Church of St Michael up on top of a hill. Dunster Castle is nearby.  Water sports include paddle boarding and kayaking and there is a golf course.  The town has some lovely shopping areas and the Blenheim Gardens in the centre of the town are beautiful.

• Sandy Beaches
• Stunning Scenery 
• Water sports
• Night life
• Culture
• Heritage
• Shopping
• Sporting

Suggestion

Take a steam train ride to enjoy the stunning countryside.

Newquay

Newquay is uniquay!  At certain times of the year, there are so many Australian surfers in Newquay that you could be mistaken for thinking you have woken up in Australia!

What makes Newquay so Special

Newquay is the surf capital of the UK.  With 12 sandy beaches and good surf from the Atlantic, Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay are the best locations for serious surfers and it is fun to watch the experts from the viewpoint of the headland.  Newquay town combines Cornish charm with modern facilities, the usual High Street outlets can be found there alongside the surf scene boutiques such as Fat Willey’s Surf Shack and Watershed.  Other great shops include the Retro Music Store.  There are pubs and cafes to suit all tastes and budgets too.  Plenty of other sporting opportunities with sports centres, a boating lake, great places for running, cycling and jogging.  There are also gardens, a pitch and putt, miniature railway and more.

• Sandy Beaches
• Stunning Scenery 
• Water sports
• Night life
• Culture
• Heritage
• Shopping
• Sporting

Recommended

Get up early and watch the seals cavort in Crantock Bay.

Paignton

Paignton is the middle town of the three that make up the towns in Torbay, collectively known as the English Riviera. 

What Makes Paignton So Special

Paignton has lovely sandy beaches.  Best is Preston Beach; others include Galmpton Beach, Fairy Cove and the beach at the main part of Paignton.  Hyde Road is well known for the arcades, shops and cafes.  Evening entertainment can be found at The Spinning Wheel pub on the seafront for live music or The Gallery nightclub to dance the night away.

• Sandy Beaches
• Stunning Scenery 
• Water sports
• Night life
• Culture
• Heritage
• Shopping
• Sporting

Rock

Rock on the north coast of Cornwall is often referred to as Kensington of Cornwall or Chelsea on Sea due to the high number of wealthy Londoners who frequent the area rubbing shoulders with locals and celebrities.

What makes Rock So Special

Just across the Camel Estuary from Padstow, Rock has a lovely white sandy beach that due to its location is met by calm gentle waters.  There are lovely hotels and restaurants and a water taxi to take you across to Padstow, famous for its association with the television chef Rick Stein.

• Sandy Beaches
• Water Sports
• Stunning Scenery 
• Night life
• Culture

Must Do

You have to go to the dive school or the water ski school at Rock or both.

St Ives

Well known among artists for the spectacular light St Ives has long been a place of pilgrimage for artists and art lovers.

What Makes St Ives So Special

Drive down the hill into St Ives and the bay is laid out to your right, as you continue you are blessed with tantalizing views of the protected St Ives beach.    Stroll along the harbour and enjoy the boutique shops, galleries and arcades.  St Ives is home to the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden as well as the famous St Ives Tate Modern Art Gallery and the St Ives Museum.

• Sandy Beaches
• Stunning Scenery 
• Water sports
• Night life
• Culture
• Heritage
• Shopping
• Sporting

Must Do

Make sure you try out both beaches as the town of St Ives is flanked by two beaches as part of the town is on a small peninsula. 

Woolacombe

Miles of white sandy beaches can be found at Woolacome on the North Devon coast.

What Makes Woolacombe So Special

Many British people will remember going there as children on a holiday to Devon and learning to surf at Woolacombe.  The Atlantic waves keep rolling in but are more predictable than at more challenging locations making it an ideal place to enjoy a beach holiday and learn to surf.  It is one of the best locations for surfing, kite surfing, or paddleboarding.  Woolacombe is all about the beach, but the village set to one side of the beach has a lovely atmosphere, some great cafe’s pubs and places to stay and a nightclub. 

• Sandy Beaches
• Stunning Scenery 
• Water sports
• Night life
• Culture
• Heritage
• Shopping
• Sporting

Best for water sport and romantic getaways.

North West

Ainsdale and Formby

Ainsdale is a small town near Southport that is famous for its miles of sandy beach and sand dunes.  Next to Ainsdale is the smaller Formby with its nature reserve and sand dunes, Formby is home to Red Squirrels and the rare Natterjack Toads.

What Makes Ainsdale and Formby So Special

Both have nature reserves by the sea, golf courses and sand dunes.  Ainsdale has the lovely discovery centre and some nice shops.  There is a Pontins Holiday Park at Ainsdale near the beach, whilst Formby has the Formby Hall Golf Resort and Spa.  The coastline is a Special Area of Conservation SAC.  They offer some great walks and cycle trails. The two towns are convenient for the larger town of Southport with its shops and attractions.

• Sandy Beaches
• Stunning Scenery 
• Water sports
• Night life
• Culture
• Heritage
• Shopping
• Sporting

Must Do

Don’t miss out on the chance to see the Red Squirrels in a natural habitat.

North East

Saltburn by the Sea

The last remaining pier in Yorkshire is at Saltburn by the Sea and it is one of a few places with a funicular precipitous cliff lift to take people down to the beach and back up again.

What makes Saltburn by the Sea So Special

Gaining a reputation as a cultural treat, Saltburn by the Sea has a feel of a contemporary seaside town; there is a surf school, a miniature railway, and lovely walks alongside the Saltburn Beck.  There is also the Valley Gardens to explore and the Woodland Wildlife Centre.  Saltburn’s specialism though is as a centre for contemporary arts.

• Sandy Beaches
• Stunning Scenery 
• Water sports
• Night life
• Culture
• Heritage
• Shopping
• Sporting

Saltburn has up and come; you can still be one of the first to discover its charms.

Skegness

The family seaside place in Lincolnshire.

What Makes Skegness So Special

Skegness is a very easy place to visit for an action packed holiday or for easy beach days.  Features include a long sandy beach, a seafront with lawns and attractions including Natureland Seal Sanctuary, a theme park and a golf course.  Skegness is close to the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty AONB and has a separate nature reserve. 

• Sandy Beaches
• Stunning Scenery 
• Night life
• Culture
• Heritage
• Shopping

Recommended

Take a stroll along the pier for the best view of the beach.

Whitby

With its connections to Dracula, witchcraft and pirates, it is easy to think about staying away from Whitby!  To do so would be a shame, Whitby has an interesting history and today is a great seaside resort to visit.

What Makes Whitby so Special

Due to its connections, Whitby is a Goth must visit place.  Whitby is more than the dark parts of its past.  Attractions include the Captain Cook Museum, Captain Cook Experience Boat Trip, steam railway, interesting historical walks, a lovely park, a museum and art gallery and the atmospheric Whitby Abbey Ruins.  Whitby is part of the North Yorkshire and Cleveland Heritage Coast and is on the edge of the North York Moors National Park.  Robin Hood’s Bay is nearby.

It is said that Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass was inspired by his many walks along Whitby beach.

• Sandy Beaches
• Stunning Scenery 
• Night life
• Culture
• Heritage
• Shopping

Must Do

Take a trip to Robin Hoods Bay or enjoy the atmosphere of the Whitby Abbey Ruins.

East Anglia

Brancaster

In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty AONB Brancaster together with Brancaster Staithe are collectively known as Brancaster, Norfolk and they are most famous for the beach.   

What Makes Brancaster So Special

Of course the beach, but also the high number of dry days, the lovely walks, a couple of miles from Titchwell Marsh the RSPB Nature Reserve, wildlife is in abundance.  There is an outdoor activity centre, boat trips, and independent shops.

Great for a holiday with a beach, good walking, wildlife, stunning scenery, outdoor activities.

• Sandy Beaches
• Stunning Scenery 
• Water sports
• Culture
• Heritage
• Shopping
• Sporting

Recommended for a quieter slower holiday destination.

Great Yarmouth

Known for its Golden Mile on the sea front Great Yarmouth is in an area of history and the heritage can be seen in the ancient churches and its medieval town wall.

What Makes Great Yarmouth So Special

Great Yarmouth is unashamedly a fun, fun, fun place to visit.  On Marine parade there are plenty of attractions including amusement arcades, crazy golf, a bowling green, pier, pretty flower beds, restaurants and pubs.  There is also a sea life centre, a circus, a model village, model railway a huge amusement fairground park and ten pin bowling.  There are plenty of shops at Great Yarmouth the big chain names, a permanent undercover market and sea front gift shops to choose from.

• Sandy Beaches
• Stunning Scenery 
• Water sports
• Night life
• Culture
• Heritage
• Shopping
• Sporting

Must Do

Have Fun!!!!

Gorelston on Sea

Right next to Great Yarmouth Goreleston on Sea is a quieter cousin to the brashness of Great Yarmouth.

What Makes Gorelston on Sea So Special

As well as a quieter, sheltered sandy beach Gorelston has a more spacious feel, with lawns, pitch and putt, tennis court and basketball court, children’s playground a model yacht pond and gardens.  It is a popular place for surfing and body boarding.  The golf course overlooks the sea and the town centre is an easy 5 minute walk from the seafront.  Gorelston has shops, amusements, cafes.  Free parking and toilets too.

• Sandy Beaches
• Stunning Scenery 
• Water sports
• Culture
• Heritage
• Shopping
• Sporting

Must Do

Spend a day letting your hair down at Great Yarmouth.

South East

Bexhill on Sea

Bexhill on Sea has many claims to fame:  British Motor Racing started there and Bob Marley played his first ever live UK Gig at Bexhill.

What makes Bexhill So Special

These days Bexhill with its famous and beautiful Art Deco De La Warr Pavilion on the seafront, a pier, long gently sloping mostly pebble beach and golf course, also has a sailing club and a rowing club.

• Stunning Scenery 
• Water sports
• Night life
• Culture
• Heritage
• Shopping
• Sporting

Must Do

Take a short tip to Normans Bay, sandy beach.

Brighton

Regency town Brighton is often referred to as London on Sea. 

What makes Brighton So Special

Brighton is well known for its Regency style, the Pavilion and the Dome Theatre that mimics the style.  Brighton lanes are a draw for antique collectors and the city of Brighton and Hove to give it its full title is just a 53 minute train journey from central London. Brighton’s attractions include the I360 tower, the pier and the marina.

Brighton is the only place to consistently have a Green member of parliament. 

• Stunning Scenery 
• Night life
• Culture
• Heritage
• Shopping
• Sporting

Must Do

Walk along the seafront from the Marina to Western Lawns, Hove.

Cooden Beach

Cooden Beach is a quiet unassuming, residential town situated on a long straight sandy beach between the sandy beach of Normans Bay and the larger town of Bexhill.

What makes Cooden Beach so Special

The town offers an easy live like a local experience with B&B’s in peoples own homes and homely holiday lets.  There are a few shops, a golf course and a hotel on the seafront.  The long sandy beach along to Normans Bay and beyond is pretty special.

• Sandy Beaches
• Heritage
• Shopping
• Sporting

Must Do

Go inland to Pevensey (not to be confused with Pevensey Bay) and visit the castle and some of the old timbered pubs and shops there.

Margate

On the Kent Coast, right out on a peninsula, Margate is a great location.

What makes Margate So Special

Margate is one of those places you never knew you wanted to visit!  Margate has a charm of its own and an eclectic mix of attractions for visitors, from Dreamland Amusement Park to the Turner Contemporary Art Gallery there is everything in between, stunning cliff top walks, gentle sandy beaches, shops, leisure and sports. 

• Sandy Beaches
• Stunning Scenery 
• Night life
• Culture
• Heritage
• Shopping
• Sporting

Must Do

Mix it up:  If the amusement park is your thing try the art gallery, if art and gentle strolls are your comfort area then try the amusement park.

Poole

Poole is the highly unique natural port on the coast of Dorset.

What makes Poole So Special

The home of the Sunseeker motor yachts, Poole is famed for its unusual natural harbour and islands, the harbour is actually the second largest natural harbour in the world, only second to Sydney, Australia.  Pool is famous for water sports, boating trips, the lovely quay with restaurants and cafes.  Poole Park is a unique area with salt and fresh water lakes and there is crazy golf, bowling, a rose garden, a quiet garden.  There are regular ferry trips to Brownsea Island in the harbour, where there are brown squirrels and other wildlife. 

• Sandy Beaches
• Stunning Scenery 
• Water sports
• Night life
• Culture
• Heritage
• Shopping
• Sporting

Recommended

Take a Poole Harbour Boat Tour.

Southend on Sea

Unashamedly brash, famous for its miles of sandy beaches and casino’s Southend on Sea is situated at the mouth of the River Thames.

What makes Southend on Sea So Special

There is so much that Southend on Sea is known for and it is a great holiday destination for everyone, as long as you don’t want a quiet, get away from it all break.  Southend is a large place with the holiday attractions mainly on the seafront where you can make the most of the miles of sand.  It has everything you’d need for a fun holiday and more.

• Sandy Beaches
• Stunning Scenery 
• Water sports
• Night life
• Culture
• Heritage
• Shopping
• Sporting

Must Do

Enjoy the night life.

So there you have it! 21 of the best seaside towns in England, some are large some are small, some are famous, some you have probably never heard of before.  What they all have in common is that they all have something special or unique to offer the vacationer.

I would have liked to highlight the main attraction for each, but they all offer more than one good reason to visit or stay.  The information listed above is designed to give you the lowdown of each of the places.  So, then you can make your choice which is for you.

Travelling to the Cotswolds without a car can be difficult so finding the best Cotswold town to base yourself in is an important decision.

You will be pleased to know that it is, with a little planning and imagination easy to explore the Cotswolds without a car. Many of the towns and cities offer train transport and there are good bus links to get around.

The Cotswolds is an area in England that covers parts of five counties in south west England:

• Oxfordshire
• Gloucestershire
• Wiltshire
• Warwickshire
• Worcestershire
• North East Somerset.

The area is unusual not only because it incorporates several counties but also because a lot of the beauty is manmade. The main attraction is the honey-coloured stone buildings, bridges and boundary walls. The architecture is what defines the Cotswolds.

To add to the beautiful architecture the Cotswolds is An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty AONB and quite rightly so. The Cotswolds includes the famous town of Bath which also has UNESCO world heritage status.

Where to Stay in the Cotswolds Without a Car

Here are my top recommendations and accommodation options to suit all requirements and budgets.

Burford

Burford is just a few miles from Oxford and a short bus ride away. It is also easy enough to get a bus direct from London which will take about 2 hours.

On a hill, Burford nestles into its surrounding countryside in typical Cotswold fashion.  The High Street, in particular, is worth walking up one way and down the other, the houses are stunningly beautiful and the wide roadway means you can easily see the ancient buildings. 

Burford is a Mecca for antique collectors and the medieval buildings, twittens and alleyways are the perfect backdrops to the antique and boutique style shops.

Where to Stay in Burford

Burford House

For luxury and comfort go 5 star and stay at Burford House a boutique 6 bedroom hotel that dates back to the 17^th Century.  Burford House can be found on the High Street near Witney Street and a third of the way up the High Street.

The Bull

The Bull at Burford is a 14^th Century Coaching Inn that retains much of its ancient character whilst meeting 21^st Century standards and expectations. 

It’s located about halfway down the High Street hill and almost opposite Sheep Street, which has the distinctive Tolsey Museum is on the corner. 

Lord Nelson and Charles II have both stayed at the Bull in Burford.

Greyhounds

Greyhounds have featured in Gardens Illustrated & Country Life magazines and are described as ‘the finest B&B in Burford’.  Less than a minutes’ walk from the town centre, Greyhounds is a tranquil and peaceful haven for the traveller who wants to explore, but unwind at the end of the day.

5 Burford Hill Mews

At the top of the hill, No 5 offers up to 4 guests a home from home.  The property has a modern layout, being clean and crisp and benefits from a nice garden too.

Where to go from Burford

Burford is a great place to stay and explore the Cotswolds from. Simply take the number 233 bus from Burford to Woodstock and explore the pretty town and Blenheim Palace a famous stately home and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.

To find the bus timetable, simply enter the bus number into this planner.

Whilst there, The Black Prince near Blenheim Palace is a good 16^th Century pub serving real ales, good food and has a great atmosphere.

The 233 bus will also take you to Witney, which is the largest Oxfordshire market town that prospered from the wool trade and became world-famous for blankets. The town has twice-weekly general markets on Thursday’s and Saturday’s as well as its historical architecture.

Minster Lovell is another short hop away from Burford and the picturesque and atmospheric ruins of Minster Lovell Hall and nearby dovecote are well worth a visit, the ruins can be found adjacent to Minster Lovell Church and only a short walk from the bus stop outside the White Hart Pub.

Gloucester

Historical cathedral city Gloucester is a relatively easy place to get to and from as there is a railway station and good bus links.  A frequently running train from London Paddington will take +/- 2 hours depending on which train you get.

Gloucester Cathedral is beautiful and well worth a visit as is the medieval priory house Blackfriars and the historical Gloucester docks.

Film and TV buffs will love that Gloucester has often featured in television and film including Dr Who, Harry Potter, Wolf Hall and Sherlock.

Where to stay in Gloucester

The Spalite Hotel

The Spalite offers basic but award-winning accommodation and is a grade II listed building convenient for the docks and the well-known designer outlet centre The Quays.

Station Hotel

The Station Hotel is a big imposing Georgian Style building right opposite the train station. Built-in 1880, the hotel is actually Victorian and offers a convenient place to stay within five minutes of the city centre.

City Lodge Guest House

Situated at Gloucester Park, City Lodge offers a great location for a stay in Gloucester. It is within easy walking distance of the city centre, yet they offer the peace and quiet of their park location with the convenience of clean modern rooms and easy convenience for getting around.

Judges Lodgings

Judges Lodgings is a lovely historic building in the Spa Road area of Gloucester handy for the restaurant quarter at the docks and Gloucester Park.  Number 5 is a ground floor apartment beautifully finished and is furnished with a collection of unique and antique items many of them judge related. 

The dockland area of Gloucester has undergone a good deal of redevelopment in recent year and it is very easy to find a self-catering stay in one of the converted apartments, many of which offer the familiar contemporary style expected of such developments.

Where to go from Gloucester

There is a Gloucester walking tours app, which features 3 tours of the city to take on foot.  

Once you have spent a day exploring the docks area and the history of Gloucester, you could easily spend some time people-watching at one of the dockland cafes or you could further explore the local Cotswolds, or, of course, you could do both.

There are frequent buses and trains between Gloucester and Cheltenham and some pretty villages in between. 

The Cotswold Discover One Day Pass allows free travel for a day on most rail and bus routes in the area.  So, it is a great way to go exploring, gain access to attractions and places that you might not have otherwise seen. 

With a train station and good bus links at Gloucester, buying a couple of day passes is such a great way to go exploring for a couple of days.

P.S. In May you can attend the cheese rolling festival! Be warned there are a lot of broken bones and injuries so not for the faint hearted.

Stroud

Cheltenham has its Regency and Gloucester has its docks, if you want Cotswold Stone and the Cotswolds in under an hour and a half from London then Stroud is ideal.  By train typically 1 hour 28 minutes from Paddington.

A perfect place to walk from Stroud is famous for the five valleys walk and is on the Cotswold Walk Way.  The canal is also undergoing restoration at Stroud and is also worth a look.

Stroud is a place well known for its Bohemian vibe and contemporary arts.

Stay in Stroud which is handy for Gloucester and the Roman town of Cirencester as well as great travel links to get around.

Where to stay in Stroud

The Clothiers Arms

The Clothiers Arms is a pretty building and offers down to earth, spotlessly clean and friendly B&B at a pub.

For somewhere completely unique for your Cotswolds stay Butterow Gate.

Butterrow Gate is a grade 2 listed unique and quirky building that stands at the top of Butterow Hill on the outskirts of Stroud and has far-reaching stunning views.  This lovely place is great to come back to after a day exploring the local area. Butterow gate is a landmark building.

Bath

Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage site and known as one of Britain’s most beautiful cities.  The beautiful Cotswold stone buildings and the layout of the old sector of Bath is certainly a lovely place to spend time.

Spend a day in Bath and you’ll be left wanting more; so Bath is an ideal place to stay when visiting the Cotswolds or alternatively a place to come back to one day.  Bath is tucked in a corner of North East Somerset and sits at the bottom of the Cotswolds, not far from Bristol.

Long famous for its Roman Baths and Hot Thermal Spa waters, Bath also has some beautiful, stunning Georgian Architecture and two universities.  Spend a day just perusing the shops and having lunch by the river, or enjoying the museums and historical attractions.

To get out and about from Bath, there are plenty of onward train and bus options, but probably the easiest way to see the Cotswold villages that you might not otherwise see without a car is to take a bus tour with Mad Max Tours from Bath, they visit such Cotswold Gems as Castle Combe, Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water and more and have you back to your accommodation in time for dinner.

Where to stay in Bath

The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa

You can actually stay at the hotel that forms part of the famous Georgian Royal Crescent. Olde Worlde charm, luxury and a spa, The Royal Crescent offers everything you expect from a 5 star hotel.

Pratts

Pratts is right by the river and within metres of many attractions such as The Roman Baths and Bath Abbey each 250 metres away, also just 250 metres from the bus stop and a little over 1000 metres from Bath Spa railway station, a stay at Pratts is at the heart of historical Bath an ideal for the traveller without a car.

The Bath House

500 metres from The Royal Crescent and The Roman Baths and very handy for the theatre and museums The Bath House offers Boutique B&B where comfort is assured.  The Bath House is a slightly longer walk from the bus station than Pratts and a short taxi ride from the railway station.

The Artpad, Great Pulteney Street

The Artpad is a generously proportioned Georgian ground floor apartment centrally located for the Bath attractions and travel links and very handy for viewing the famous Pulteney Bridge.

Dursley

Dursley is a charming Cotswolds market town on the west side of the Cotswolds, between Bristol and Gloucester.  Train times from London Paddington vary between just under 2 hours to around 2 and a half hours and change at Bristol.

Where to stay in Dursley

Ye Olde Dursley Hotel

Who can resist a name like Ye Olde Dursley Hotel? Offers clean and simple rooms, friendly staff and a pub atmosphere downstairs.

Woodland House

Woodland House is a family-run B&B in a quiet cul-d-sac five minutes’ walk from the town centre.  As well as comfortable, well-appointed accommodation a laundry service is offered and they also do Sports Massage if you are aching after all that walking.

Ewelme Manor

Ewelme Manor is a lovely old house that sleeps up to 26 people, so if your party is larger or your budget allows, then this Georgian Manor house just 8 minutes from the town centre should be a strong contender. 

Featuring heaps of country house luxury and charm and an outdoor heated swimming pool the house has the Cotswolds Way footpath pass right by, so great for walkers.

Moreton-in-Marsh

Being a principal market town where many roads converge, Moreton-in-Marsh is an ideal location to explore the Cotswolds without a car.  Dating back to the 13^th Century and on the famous Fosse Way, Moreton-in-Marsh is just approximately an hour and a half from London Paddington and with onward trains to other Cotswold places and bus routes; this is almost a secret destination. I may have just saved the best till last!

• The number 2 bus will take you to Blockley, Chipping Campden and Stratford upon Avon and a return journey back. 
• The number 803 to Longborough, Upper Oddington and Bourton-on-the-Water and back.
• The 801 to Cheltenham, via Bourton-on-the-Water and Andoversford and back to Morton-in-Marsh.

Remember:  If you buy the Cotswold Discover One Day Pass to use these and many of the other buses from Morton-in-Marsh and hop on and off the buses to experience the places en-route that you fancy.

Where to Stay in Morton-in-Marsh

The Manor House Hotel

The Manor House is very handily situated in the High Street and offers comfortable accommodation in beautiful surroundings.

The Bell Inn

A typical traditional Cotswolds Coaching Inn, the Bell Inn is said to have been the inspiration for the ‘Prancing Pony’ Inn that featured in J R R Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings.

Martha’s Coffee House

Martha’s is a friendly, family run coffee house in the centre of the town that offers a comfortable room. The coffee house is a pretty little Cotswold stone terrace that Picturesque views of the pretty town.  Breakfast is extra, but that gives the opportunity to grab a coffee and try other cafes for breakfast.

Honeystone Cottage

Positioned around the back of the town centre is Honeystone Cottage, the views from the cottage are over gardens and towards the church.  Honeystone is just one minute walk from the town centre, yet gives guests peace and tranquillity in a comfortable, welcoming cottage with great facilities, character and a garden.

With these ideas of places to stay in the Cotwolds without a car, you will get a sense what towns suit you and things to do nearby.

Bath is a must on a visit to the Cotswolds and is one of my top amazing places to see in England outside of London.

Whatever you do, do visit some of the villages as that is where the real charm comes to life.

Enjoy your Cotswolds Stay!

More Ideas for England Adventures

Traveling the world is an amazing, broadening experience, but it can be hard to figure out the logistics of a vacation to England when you want to bring your pet along with you. Luckily, traveling to England with a pet is not as difficult as it once was.

In order to travel in England with a dog, cat, or ferret, you will have to have your pet microchipped, get a pet passport or third-country veterinary certificate, and have it vaccinated against rabies. There are a variety of other requirements depending on the kind of pet you have and where you are traveling from.

Continue reading below for the complete details on how to travel to England with a pet, including what requirements your pet must meet and how to make their time traveling as comfortable as possible.

Disclaimer: You should check GOV UK for the latest information on travelling to England with pets.

UK Requirements for Travelling to England with a Dog, Cat or Ferret

It wasn’t that long ago that it was very difficult to travel to England with a pet. England is a rabies free country, and they are looking to keep it that way, but they have loosened the laws in the past decade so that now it is fairly easily to travel with a pet in England.

These rules apply to residents of the UK as well as foreigners that are just visiting. If you are a UK resident and travel out of the country with your pet, you will have to meet the same requirements as anyone else traveling into the UK from that country.

No matter what country you and your pet are traveling from, it must be microchipped, have a pet passport or a veterinary certificate, an up to date rabies vaccination, and potentially there will be even more requirements depending on where the pet is traveling from.

But don’t worry, all the requirements are manageable as long as you have enough time to plan ahead.

Microchipping

A microchip is a permanent and electronic way of providing identification for your pet. If a pet gets out of its traveling crate and loses it collar, it can still be identified using a microchip scanner.

The microchip itself is a small device no bigger than a grain of rice that is implanted just under your pets skin, usually between their shoulder blades. The microchip has a unique number that is read using a microchip scanner. This number is connected to a database that provides contact information for the pet’s owner.

If your pet is not already microchipped, then you will need to bring your pet to a vet to get a microchip implanted, and you will need to add your information to the database. If your pet has already been microchipped, be sure the contact information in the database is up to date.

When getting a microchip for travelling to England, there are a few things you need to know.

• First, your pet must be microchipped before or at the same time that it gets its rabies vaccination. If your pet was not microchipped at the time that it got its rabies vaccination, it would have to get the vaccination again.
• The microchip that you use should also meet the International Organization for Standardization’s standards for microchips. If the microchip does not meet these standards, there is a chance that the microchip scanner used when you arrive in England will be unable to read it.
• Microchipping is not necessary if your pet has an identification number that was tattooed on it on or before July 3, 2011. The number must be recorded in their pet passport.

EU Pet Passport

A pet passport is not really like a human passport at all. It does provide some identifying information and a photo of your pet, but its main purpose is to chronicle the pet’s veterinary treatments and immunizations.

Pet passports are offered by many veterinarians across Europe at reasonable prices, but if your vet does not offer them, they should be able to refer you to a vet that does without any issue.

If you live outside of the European Union, you must get an official veterinary certificate that essentially does the same thing that a pet passport does. However, where a pet passport will last for the life of your pet as long as your pet is kept up to date on its vaccinations, a veterinary certificate will only be good for 4 months after you arrive in the UK.

The official veterinary certificate must be obtained within 10 days of arrival in England.

If you are planning to stay for an extended period of time with your pet in England or anywhere in the UK, you can get an EU pet passport while you are in Europe. Your pet may be required to undergo an examination and may get additional vaccinations, even if your pet already got the same vaccinations before you arrived in England. 

To get a pet passport when you arrive in England, you will need to schedule a visit to a veterinary office that can distribute them when you arrive.

Vaccinations Against Rabies

Before you can bring your pet to England, it must be vaccinated against rabies. This is a very strict requirement because rabies does not exist in England either in domesticated animals or wildlife.

Rabies is a virus that is commonly transmitted from dog saliva to humans when an infected dog bites the human, although many animals are capable of contracting rabies and passing it to humans through a bite. 

Rabies can be lethal to both pets and humans, and it can be found on every continent except Antarctica, so it is truly rare that England has avoided it.

A pet must receive his rabies vaccination or the last of his primary course of vaccinations at least 21 days before arriving in England. The vaccination should be recorded in the pet passport or on the veterinary certificate.

Your pet’s booster vaccinations must be up to date, and all of the pet passport or official veterinary certificate must be filled out properly.

The information required includes your pet’s date of birth, microchip number, the date it was put in or read, and where it is located, the date of the vaccination, the vaccine manufacturer and product name, the vaccine batch number, the date the vaccination is valid until and the vet’s signature and contact details.

If the pet passport or official veterinary certificate is not filled out properly, your pet could be prevented from traveling or it could be held in quarantine for 4 months, and you would be responsible for paying the expense of this.

If you are traveling from one of the Unlisted Countries, or any country not listed on the two lists displayed on this page, then you will have additional requirements that must be met to show unequivocally that your pet has been vaccinated against rabies.

1. Of course, you first must vaccinate your pet against rabies.
2. Thirty days after your pet has its rabies vaccination, it must get a blood test to prove that it has sufficient rabies antibodies.
3. The vet must send the blood sample to an EU approved blood testing laboratory. The purpose of this is to show that the vaccination worked, and your pet is protected against rabies.
4. If your blood test results do not show that your pet it immune to rabies, it cannot travel to England. 
5. If your blood test results show that your pet is immune to rabies, you still must wait 3 months before you can travel to England.
6. This 3-month wait is not necessary if you had the pet vaccinated, blood tested and given a pet passport in the UK before traveling to an unlisted country.
7. The vet must enter the test results and record the day the test was given on the official veterinary certificate.

Timing Requirements

You can send your pet on ahead of you when traveling to England, but you must arrive within five days of your pet’s arrival.

You can also authorize your pet to travel with someone else if part of your travel companions is going ahead of you with your pet.

If you or another authorized person cannot pick up the pet within five days, you have to follow a whole other set of rules for bringing pets in the UK for commercial reasons.

It is best for your pet that you arrive within 5 days of your pet anyway because traveling can be a very stressful for pets.

Special Requirements

There are some special requirements placed upon dogs in general, cats coming from Australia, and cats and dogs traveling from Malaysia. If your traveling with a dog or a cat coming from Australia or Malaysia, you will definitely want to follow the requirements below.

Special Requirements for Dogs

Dogs are some of the most common traveling companions because they generally can handle the stress of travel far better than other animals like cats, but there are two extra requirements for traveling to England with a dog.

If you are traveling to England with a dog, the dog must be treated for tapeworm every time it enters the UK. 

The tapeworm treatment must be given at least 24 hours before your pet’s arrival and no more than 5 days before. The vaccine itself must contain praziquantel or an equivalent that is proven to be effective against Echinococcus multilocularis (tapeworm).

Make sure your vet lists the tapeworm treatment in your pet passport or official veterinary certificate. This information must include the name and manufacturer of the product, the date and time the dog was treated, and the vet’s stamp and signature.

If you are a UK resident and taking your pet out of the UK for a short trip, then you can give the treatment before you leave. You must stay abroad for at least 24 hours and return within 120 hours (5 days).

Additionally, there are certain types of dogs that are not permitted in England. These include Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosas, Dogo Argentinos, and Fila Brasileiros.

Whether your dog is one of these types is determined by look, not by its name or breed. Even a dog mixed with one of these types can be a banned dog.

Special Requirements for Cats Travelling from Australia

Due to incidences of the Hendra virus in Australia, England has some special requirements for cats that travel from Australia to the UK.

Hendra virus is a rare viral infection that can cause a variety of flu like symptoms in humans that can range from mild to life threatening. It is also known to cause life threatening illness in horses. (source)

If you are traveling to England from Australia with a cat, you need to obtain a certificate from the Australian Department of Agriculture that states that your cat has not been exposed to the Hendra virus in the past 60 days before your departure. (source)

Special Requirements Cats and Dogs Traveling from Peninsular Malaysia

Due to incidences of the Nipah virus in peninsular Malaysia, England requires some extra assurance that cats and dogs traveling from there have not been exposed.

The Nipah virus can cause acute respiratory illness and fetal encephalitis in humans and it is known for causing severe disease in pigs which results in devastating economic loss for pig farmers. (source)

When traveling from Malaysia with your pet, you will need to get a certificate from the Malaysian government’s veterinary health services.

This certificate must show that your pet has not been in contact with a pig within 60 days of departing the country, has not been on a holding where Nipah disease has been found within 60 days of departing the country, and has a negative blood test result for the Nipah virus antibody.

This blood test must be performed at a specially approved laboratory for the Nipah virus, and the blood draw must occur no more than 10 days before you plan to leave Malaysia.

What About Traveling with Guide or Assistance Dogs?

If you are traveling with an assistance or guide dog, it must meet all the requirements of other dogs including microchipping, vaccinations, and tapeworm treatments. 

However, an assistance or guide dog is allowed to travel on more routes and are typically allowed to travel in the air cabin while other pets often must travel separated from their owners.

Typically, UK travel companies will recognize your pet as a guide dog if it was trained by a company associated with Assistance Dogs International or the International Guide Dog Federation.

Traveling to England via air, rail, or ferry is typically not a problem when you have an assistance or guide dog, but in all circumstances the guide dog must meet the same requirements as any other dog.

It is always a good idea to call ahead and check with the company that you are traveling with to make sure that they can allow an assistance dog to stay with you and any requirements that may be necessary like a special car harness to secure the dog during takeoff and landing.

Some companies will need to know ahead of time to ensure that they have enough space for your assistance dog.

Traveling with Other Animals

Dogs, cats, and ferrets are clearly not the only animals you may wish to travel with when you are visiting England. If you have a less conventional travel companion, there are a different set of requirements you must follow.

If you are from the EU, then you can travel freely. The UK does not place any travel restrictions or requirements on pet rodents, rabbits, birds, invertebrates, amphibians, amphibians, or reptiles. This covers the most common animals that you might travel with.

If you live outside of the EU and you are traveling with any of these animals, they will need to spend 4 months in quarantine before they can enter the UK. You are responsible for the cost of the quarantine which varies depending on the carrier.

Horses are able to travel using a similar method as a dog or a cat. They must get a passport, have their health examined by a vet, and be up to date on any vaccinations (source).

For questions about bringing a pet that is not a cat, dog, or ferret, you can contact the Centre for International Trade. (source)

Pets that are exotic or not native to the UK will likely not be allowed to enter England. If you are a resident of the UK, you may be able to have a pet that is not native to England, but you must get special licenses.

How to Make Your Pet Comfortable While Traveling

Be certain that you really need to bring your pet with you. Many animals do not enjoy any part of traveling. Cats, for example, are very resistant to changing their environment and are prone to trying to find their way back home the moment they are given the opportunity. Time in a foreign country will most certainly be fun for you, but your pet might not have the same feelings.

If you want to bring your pet with you, then begin to plan your trip at least two months in advance to ensure that you have plenty of time to get the necessary paperwork and vaccinations sorted out. This is especially true if you’re traveling from a country outside of the European Union.

If you are planning to travel with your pet to England from an unlisted country, you should begin planning 6 months out because of the extra requirements for traveling from these countries.

By preparing well in advance for your trip to England with your pet, you will ensure that your pet does not end up in quarantine or not allowed into the UK, which would likely be a very stressful and uncomfortable situation for your pet.

Here are some simple tips you can follow when preparing for a trip to England with your pet.

General Travel Tips

Allow your pet to get used to being in their carrier, if you plan to use one. Let them explore it. Coax them into if they are hesitant and reward them with a treat and plenty of praise.

If it can be managed, it is best not to feed your pet a few hours before travel. This will help keep your pet from getting sick if they become nauseous.

Avoid causing your pet an upset stomach and bring a supply of your usual brand of food. It may be more difficult to locate in England, and many pets do not react well to a change in their diet.

Along with your pet’s microchip, it is a good idea to have an identification collar on your pet in case it becomes lost. This way you can be contacted right away if your pet is found.

Once you are in England, dogs are generally allowed on most city buses, trains, and the underground as long as there is enough room for them, and they are on a lead.

If your dog is not used to being in new places on a leash, you will need to help them get used to both being on a leash and being in new places before traveling. 

Tips for Traveling to England by Car with a Pet

Get your pet used to riding in the car. This is extra easy if you have a dog as most dogs adjust quickly to going for a ride in the car. Start by taking short trips with your pet. 

It may not be necessary to try to get your car used to riding in the car. For many cats no amount of practice will get them used to ride in a car. Focus on getting them used to their carrier so that they will feel secure when in the car.

Plan to make many stops along the way for your pet to get out of the car. Once again this is extra important when traveling with dogs. Cats are not likely to enjoy exploring new places and are easier to lose track of.

If you’re traveling with an adventurous cat, it may be worth getting your cat used to wearing a harness and walking on a leash. Some cats will bear this better than others, but it will allow you to let them out of their carrier to stretch their legs once in a while.

The safest place for most pets is in a pet carrier in the back seat. Don’t let your pets roam the car.

For a dog, you can also use a car harness that secures the dog in the vehicle and helps keep them safe in the event of an accident.

The Eurotunnel has designated pet areas for your pet to relieve themselves. It is a good idea to take advantage of these areas before crossing the channel.

Ferries often have different rules about pets. If you are planning to take a ferry, you will need to check with them in advance to be sure that your pet can cross.

Avoid leaving your pet in the car alone, especially in warm temperatures. This can be very dangerous for many pets.

Tips for Traveling to England by Airplane with a Pet

If your pet is very small or an assistance animal, it may be allowed to travel with you in the cabin of the plane in a carrier. This will depend on the airline’s specific regulations. You should call ahead to see where your pet will be traveling in the plane.

If your pet is larger, then it most definitely will be required to ride in its carrier in the cargo hold.

You need to have a transport carrier or box that is approved by the airline and well ventilated.

The travel carrier or box must also be large enough for your pet to lie down, stand, and turn around. This will help your pet travel safely and comfortably.

Make sure your pet is comfortable in their carrier. You can place a favorite toy or blanket in the carrier to help comfort them in your absence.

Look for direct flights so that your pet does not spend as much time in high stress situations. 

If you are arriving at a warm destination, try to arrange it so that you can arrive in the evening or night to help keep your pet cool and transition well. It is easy for a pet in a travel carrier that is stressed out to become overheated.

Touring the Cotswolds without a car can seem a challenge to start with but after some research, it can be surprisingly easy to get around without a car.

How do you get to Cotswolds without a car? Getting to the Cotswolds is quite easy from Bath, Oxford or London. Whether you decide to go by train, bus, coach or book a tour there are several ways you can succeed in getting to the Cotswolds.

To help with the process here is a useful guide to getting around the Cotswolds without a car.

Getting Around the Cotswolds Without a Car

There are a few ways to get around the Cotswolds without a car by either catching the train, bus, coach or book a tour.

Whatever your reason for not wanting to drive in England it can be an enjoyable experience not driving. The ability to be able to read, enjoy, take in the countryside or just not have the additional stress can add to the holiday vibes.

The only downside is that you have to keep an eye on the time and how long it will take you to get to the train station or bus stop to catch the next train or bus on your journey.

Some towns that are harder to visit without a car so keep in mind that you might not get to all the places that are on your list or require a few exchanges.

Easiest Way to Get to the Cotswolds is Starting in Oxford

Getting to Oxford is actually very straightforward and it is well worth starting your Cotswolds trip with some time in Oxford. 

The university town of Oxford is famously known as the town of the dreaming spires. 

The university does dominate the centre of Oxford with its beautiful buildings showcasing stunning architecture. 

Book lovers will head to Blackwells the famous academic bookseller and Harry Potter fans will be in their element in central Oxford (see 10 Places to visit in England outside of London). 

There are plenty of green spaces to explore in Oxford and the outskirts on every side feature some beautiful areas to explore as well. 

Oxford Cotswolds by Bus

There is a shuttle bus service called The Airline from the Oxford Bus Company that runs from to and from London Heathrow to Oxford 44 times a day, making Oxford a very good option for anyone travelling from overseas and planning to tour or stay in the Cotswolds.  Advance booking is recommended.

There is also a regular bus service that runs from Bristol International Airport to Oxford several times a day by National Express.

Once at Oxford there are buses that go on to many of the Cotswold towns with stops in the villages on the way.

Oxford Cotswolds by Train

Once in Oxford, there are good train links to lots of Cotswolds locations and it is well worth checking out a train timetable to see the options available. For example, you can go on to Moreton-in Marsh, Cam and Dursley or Bath stations.

You can use the Cotswolds Discoverer by Rail Pass for GWR trains between Oxford and Moreton-in-Marsh.

Getting to Oxford there are trains from Birmingham, Bristol, London and many other locations.

The best way to get train tickets is by using National Rail Enquiries or Trainline. This applies to all the routes that are mentioned in this article. If you know the company operating these routes you can also buy directly from the train company.

Birmingham – Oxford

The train journey from Birmingham has no changes and takes one hour and seven or one hour and eight minutes.

Bristol Temple Meads – Oxford

Around one hour and twenty minutes with one change from Bristol Temple Meads.

London Marylebone – Oxford

Trains take from an hour to an hour and a half with no changes on some options.

London Paddington – Oxford

London Paddington to Oxford is from under an hour to just over an hour and tickets can be picked up very cheaply too.

London to Cotswolds by Bus

There is a daily National Express coach from London to Bourton-on-the-Water and hourly coaches direct from London Victoria to Cheltenham in the Cotswolds.

London to Cotswolds by Train

London to the Cotswolds by train is surprisingly easy; all you have to do is get to Paddington Station or Marylebone Station!  Okay, okay, it helps to know whereabouts in the Cotswolds that you want to go to.  Here are some options:

London Paddington – Bath Spa

Bath Spa from London Paddington can be done in as little as 1 hour 19 minutes with typical journeys all being below an hour and a half. There are no changes.

London Paddington – Stroud

Trains leave every hour throughout the day for Stroud and takes 1 hour and 28 minutes. There are no changes.

London Paddington – Gloucester

Travel times vary and the longer journey time actually takes longer, so choose your train time wisely.  Travel time tends to be between 1 hour and 46 minutes and 2 hours and 19 minutes.  As well as costing less the 1 hour 46 option also has no changes, making it the obvious choice.

London Paddington – Cheltenham Spa

There are various timing option and change options to go to Cheltenham from London.  The quickest is 1 hour 50 minutes with a change at Bristol Parkway, but the simplest is the slightly longer journey time of 1 hour 59 minutes with no changes.

London Paddington – Dursley (Cam & Dursley)

Travel times are between 1 hour 53 minutes and 2 hours and 23 minutes with a change at Bristol Parkway or Gloucester depending on which option you choose.

London Paddington – Moreton in Marsh

Most train journeys from London Paddington to Morton-in-Marsh take 1 hour and 29 minutes without any changes.

London Marylebone – Moreton-in-Marsh

Most trains take about an hour and three quarters from Marylebone with a change at Oxford for Moreton-in-Marsh.

UK to Cotswolds

If starting out from somewhere else then National Express coaches offer coaches to the Cotswolds from lots of locations and if you prefer of course trains link up with a bit of planning, if you can get a train to London or Oxford then you can get to the Cotswolds.

Car Service London to Cotswolds

One of the leading taxi and tour companies in the Cotswolds, Cotswold Executive Cabs not only offer individual tours of the Cotswolds area, but they will also collect you from London or London Airports to take you to your Cotswold destination.

Car Tours Around the Cotswolds

Groups of up to 8 people can book a dedicated tour guide/chauffeur to guide you around the Cotswolds at your own pace and to see the things you want to see. 

The companies sometimes offer their preferred set routes, but where you stop and how long you stay is up to your group of friends or family. 

This can be a very useful way to take an easier option for a day in the middle of a walking and public transport tour or if you prefer you could hire a chauffeur for the whole time. 

Cotswolds Discovery Pass

A brilliant way to get about in the Cotswolds is to use the Cotswolds Discovery Pass that is accepted by trains and most bus companies. 

You simply buy a pass per day and hop on and off where you want to. 

Using the Cotswolds hop on hop off bus system is a great way to see and explore villages and other beautiful things that you may not otherwise have known about. 

It is also a great way to meet some of the local people, which is always the absolute best way to find out about the best places to visit, eat at and so on. 

The tickets can be bought up to 3 months in advance from a train station or from the bus on the day.  Buses that offer the Cotswold Discovery Pass are Stagecoach, Pulhams, Johnsons Excelbus and Swanbrook.

Cotswolds by Tour

Tours are the easiest option when visiting the Cotswolds. The trip is pre-planned so all you need to do is rock up to the pick-up point and be guided around the Cotswolds.

The only negative is that you won’t get off the beaten path but you will have someone knowledgable give you facts about the places you are visiting.

Tours can be anything from a day trip to a few days. Trips will leave from Bath, Oxford or London, here are some options:

Day Trips From London to the Cotswolds

Each tour leaves between 7:45 to 9:15 am, are roughly 10 to 12 hours and have English guides. Meeting points are normally near Victoria station but ensure you check beforehand so you don’t miss your tour!

Oxford and Cotswolds villages day trip highlights:

• Visit one of the oldest English speaking universities – Oxford and you’ll get a peek inside Great Hall at Christ Church College.
• Explore the traditional villages of the Cotswolds.
• Visit Minster Lovell Hall and the charming town of Bibury.

Oxford, Stratford Upon Avon, Cotswolds and Warwick highlights:

• The day will start in the beautiful Cotswolds towns which are the highlight of the trip!
• Next visit the Medieval Warwick Castle, which was originally built by William the Conqueror in 1068.
• On the third stop, you will visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare, Stratford Upon Avon.
• Lastly, Oxford. A jam-packed day of sightseeing!

Stonehenge, Stratford, Bath & Cotswolds 

• Visit the prehistoric monument Stonehenge.
• Walkthrough the beautiful Bath before taking a scenic drive through the picturesque Cotswolds.
• Discover Stratford-upon-Avon where you will visit Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall.

Day Trips From From Bath to the Cotswolds

Tours are between 8 to 9 hours which depart from various locations in Bath.

Cotswold Discovery Tour highlights:

• This tour will allow you to visit the classic and famous Cotswolds towns. The list includes Castle Combe, Malmesbury, Bibury, Arlington Row, Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-World and Tetbury.

Stonehenge, Salisbury and the Cotswolds day tour highlights:

• The tour starts with Stonehenge before going South to Salisbury to visit the Cathedral City.
• Next is visiting some of the best Costwolds towns! On the agenda is Lacock, Biddestone, and Castle Combe.

Day Trips From From Oxford to the Cotswolds

Tours depart from the Oxford visitors centre and are typically around 7 hours.

Cotswolds Towns and Villages small group tour highlights:

• Like the Bath version, this tour covers all the best Cotswolds towns. This includes Great Tew, Stow-on-the-Wold Bourton-on-the-Water, known as the “Venice of the Cotswolds” and Burford.
• You will also explore the valley of the River Windrush and discover amazing villages such as Swinbrook and Asthall.

Cotswolds and Blenheim Palace with pub lunch highlights:

• Nothing beats having a pub lunch at one of the Cotswold’s finest pubs – this has to be on the bucket list!
• Explore the stunning Blenheim Place and Gardens, the birthplace of Winston Churchill.
• And we can’t forget the main reason for your trip which is visiting the villages! The tour includes Burford, Bibury, Bourton-on the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold.

Longer Trips From London to the Cotswolds

These tours are run by Rabbie’s and pick up location will change depending on the package you choose.

Cotswolds, Bath, and Oxford: 2-Day Tour from London highlights:

• Spend more time exploring Bath and the Cotswolds – cover all the best highlights.
• Admire the ancient stone circle of Avebury, a World Heritage Site.

Oxford and The Cotswolds: 3-Day Small-Group Tour highlights:

• Visit the birthplace of Winston Churchill the beautiful Blenheim Place.
• A dedicated afternoon exploring Stratford-Upon-Avon the birthplace of William Shakespeare.
• Get as close to the medieval ages as possible at Warwick Castle.
• Explore the university city of Oxford.
• And of course, discover England’s beautiful Cotswold villages.

Finally:

Whatever type of Cotswolds trip you want, it is easy to get around without a car. Yes, you have to manage your time carefully. 

Maybe pack a bit less stuff if you are going to be walking from the train station or bus stop to that dream accommodation you have booked, but The Cotswolds without a car independently is very, very possible and a lot of fun.

England is filled with wonderful historic sights, grand palaces and ancient castles. Luckily, you don’t always need a car to get to them. This guide will highlight some of the best places to visit in England without a car.

Many of the country’s sites and attractions date back to a time when there were no cars, trains or buses. Although they lie in remote locations that may seem hard to get to, don’t let this stop you from going – many of them are accessible via public transport, bike or on foot.

Read on to discover the different places you can visit without a car.

Eltham Palace, London

Eltham Palace in Greenwich was once a medieval palace and a Tudor royal house before it came to be what it is today – a unique Art Deco mansion. Millionaires Stephen and Virginia Courtauld bought the palace in 1933 and restored it into an extravagant home.

Take an interactive guide which explains the history of the palace more, and get a feel for what the couple’s lives were once like.

There are some pretty unusual rooms in the palace, like the map room where they would plan expeditions and the sleeping quarters which were designed especially for their pet lemur. Make your way through the dramatic entrance hall, the luxurious golden bathroom and the basement bunker.

Head outside into the 19 acres of beautiful gardens. Stroll through the Rock Garden and cross the moat on London’s oldest working bridge. Grab a bite to eat in the glasshouse cafe, and check out some Art Deco gifts in the shop. Mottingham Station is half a mile from the palace, whereas Eltham station is a bit further away. 

You can also take the TfL bus service – 124, 126, 160 and 161 stop close by.

Clifford’s Tower, North Yorkshire

When visiting the historical city of York, a visit to Clifford’s Tower is a must. Standing on a high mound with stunning views across the city, Clifford’s Tower is almost all that is left of York Castle, which was built by William the Conqueror in 1068.

The tower has suffered a stormy past, having been burned twice before it was rebuilt in the 13th century. The name comes from Roger de Clifford who was hanged from the tower walls for treason against Edward II.

You can take a self-guided tour on the ground floor, once home to the royal exchequer and treasury. Make your way to the top of the tower and take the wall walk.

From here you’ll be able to see the remains of the medieval castle, and spot for the buildings which form the ‘Eye of York’. Clifford’s Tower is a short walk from York station, but there are also several buses which stop along Clifford St and Tower St.

Stonehenge, Wiltshire

Stonehenge is arguably the world’s most famous prehistoric monument. The UNESCO World Heritage Site has always been shrouded in mystery, and speculation of its meaning and significance continue to develop today.

Take your time walking around the stone circle and admire the great columns. The visitor centre has an exhibition with over 250 archaeological objects including jewellery, pottery and even human remains.

Nearby you’ll find five recreated Neolithic houses which are furnished with artefacts like axes and pottery. They’re based on the remains of houses which were excavated in 2006 and 2007, and give you a glimpse of what a typical home looked like when Stonehenge was built.

You can find out more about what life was like four and half thousand years ago from volunteer guides, who can show you what common daily activities were like, including grinding grain and making rope out of rushes.

There is a Stonehenge Tour Bus which collects visitors from Salisbury train and bus stations throughout the year. Otherwise, I recommend a Stonehenge tour as this will be the easiest route to get there.

Pendennis Castle, Cornwall

Pendennis Castle was constructed by Henry VIII between 1540 and 1542. Originally built as an artillery fort, the castle has defended Cornwall for hundreds of years, including defence against invasion from France and the Holy Roman Empire.

The castle is perched on a headland and has panoramic views out to sea and the nearby town of Falmouth. There are plenty of exciting activities to get stuck into at Pendennis Castle. Visit the exhibition that explains the role of Pendennis Castle during the First World War, and take a look at the artefacts and memorabilia from that era.

The castle has a collection of big guns used as coast defence weapons from Tudor, Napoleonic, Victorian and 20th century times. There is even a tunnel leading to Half Moon Battery, where ammunition was stored in the Second World War. You can find out how enemy ships were spotted during the war at the Battery Observation post.

If you fancy something to eat, why not dine as the Tudors did in the castle’s cafe, which serves fresh Cornish dishes made with a Tudor twist. Falmouth Docks station is half a mile from Pendennis Castle.

There is also the Falmouth Town Shuttle Bus 366 which stops at Pendennis Rise, close to the castle.

1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey and Battlefield, Sussex

1066 is a particularly significant year in British history, which was when the Battle of Hastings was fought. The armies of King Harold and William the Conqueror came to face each other, changing the course of England’s history.

You can visit the site where the battle happened, and follow its tale with an audio guide. Explore the ruins of the abbey, the site where King Harold allegedly died. The abbey gatehouse has an exciting exhibition which looks at the stories of the abbey throughout history, complete with fascinating artefacts. The gatehouse also has a rooftop viewing platform with panoramic views across the battlefield.

The site is also home to a rare surviving example of an ice house and dairy, which were commonly used for entertaining guests. The ice house at Battle Abbey was built between 1810 and 1820 and features a thatched dairy and underground icehouse, once used to store ice collected from ponds. The train station at Battle is half a mile from the abbey.

There are local buses as well, including Stagecoach services 304 and 305, and Renown services 95 and 355.

Tynemouth Priory, Tyne and Wear

Located on the North East coast of England, Tynemouth Castle and Priory is set on a rocky headland overlooking Tynemouth Pier. The priory was founded in the early 7th century, and in 651 King Oswin of Deira was buried at Tynemouth.

He was the first of three kings who were buried at the priory. The two other kings to be buried here were Osred II and Malcolm III, and the site became a place of pilgrimage.

Through the ‘Life in the Stronghold’ exhibition, you can discover the story of the priory from its original beginnings as an Iron Age settlement, an Anglo-Saxon monastery, a royal castle, artillery fort and coastal defence. There is also a 15th-century chapel to be explored.

Don’t miss the restored gun battery and canon, used to defend Tyne during the First and Second World Wars.

With stunning views across the North Sea and the River Tyne, the surrounding gardens are a great place to have a picnic on a sunny day. Tynemouth metro station is half a mile away from the priory. The 306 bus runs from Newcastle city centre to Whitley Bay, and Tynemouth Village is the closest stop.

Carlisle Castle, Cumbria

Carlisle Castle is located near the ruins of Hadrian’s Wall. First built in 1092 by William Rufus, the castle was built as a defence against the Scots. It was constructed on top of the remains of a Roman fort dating back to the first to fourth centuries.

The castle is probably most known for being the place Mary, Queen of Scots was held captive in 1568. You can visit the tower that she was imprisoned in and learn more about her time at the castle through the exhibition.

Listen to the stories of prominent inhabitants of the castle, including Bonnie Prince Charlie and Kinmont Willie Armstrong.

Take a look at the stone carvings in the castle keep, or discover the warden’s apartment which was once King Richard the Third’s bedroom.

The castle is home to Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life, which displays the 300 year history of Cumbria’s Infantry Regiment. It has an immersive exhibition, featuring a First World War trench environment, audio/visual displays, an extensive collection of uniforms, medals and weapons, and an interactive trail for kids.

Carlisle Castle is half a mile away from Carlisle station. Make your way through the historic town centre and under a subway at the Tuille House Museum.

There are also several Stagecoach buses that stop nearby.

Dover Castle, Kent

One of the largest castles in England, Dover Castle was founded in the 11th century by William the Conqueror and is nicknamed the ‘Key to England’ because of its remarkable defences. There is so much to explore within the castle.

Start at the Great Tower and admire the luxurious furnishings, decked out to what it would’ve looked like in medieval times. Head down to the underground hospital where Second World War casualties were treated.

There are audio effects in place, including the gripping story of an injured pilot fighting for his life. Explore the wartime tunnels beneath the castle and watch footage from the Dunkirk evacuation, or check out the oldest surviving lighthouse in the country.

The castle has an escape room which is inspired by the Cold War history of the castle. Once you’ve solved the puzzle, reward yourself with a treat from the choice of eateries.

The Dover Priory station is a half an hour walk from the castle. You can also take the Stagecoach 15 bus which leaves from Priory Street. There’s also the option of taking a taxi from the station which shouldn’t cost too much.

Osborne, Isle of Wight

Queen Victoria once said “it is impossible to imagine a prettier spot” when describing Osborne House, her royal holiday home on the Isle of Wight. Constructed between 1845 and 1851, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s rural retreat was built in the style of an Italian Renaissance palazzo.

In 1901 Queen Victoria died at the house, which is now open for tours. Explore the lavish staterooms where the Queen would entertain royals and aristocrats. Admire the collection of artwork that the couple accumulated over the years, many of them Christmas and birthday present to each other.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert had nine children, and you can take a look at the nursery and family rooms at the palace. Step onto the balcony that the royal couple used to sit on, and see the Queen’s bedroom where she died.

There is a ‘Children at Osborne’ exhibition where you can learn about the different children and their interests and personalities. The palace has a beautiful private beach where the Queen bathed and her children learned to swim. It’s open to the public, and there’s even a cafe where you can grab an ice cream.

To get to Osborne, take the Southampton to Cowes ferry and then a bus to Osborne.

Chiswick House, London

This Palladian villa in west London is an impressive example of 18th century British architecture. The house was designed by Richard Boyle, the third Earl of Burlington and completed in 1729.

Inside, you’ll find exquisitely decorated rooms, filled with paintings and architectural drawings belonging to Boyle. The house was never designed to be a private residence and was seen as an architectural experiment. Look out for the velvet wallpaper and the beautifully intricate ceilings.

The garden itself is worth visiting, notable for being the birthplace of the English Landscape Movement. Spread over 65 acres, there is so much of it to explore.

Admire the famous cedars of Lebanon, relax by the lake and check out the camellia collection in the conservatory. The garden cafe is an airy, modern space to relax in, and serves breakfasts, light lunches and cakes.

If you visit in the autumn, you can even buy fresh produce from the garden. Chiswick station is only half a mile from the house on the District and Overground lines.

The nearest tube station is Turnham Green, just over a mile away.

Audley End House and Gardens, Essex

This 17th century country house is one of the finest Jacobean houses in England. The house was built on the site of Walden Abbey, a monastery granted to Henry VIII in 1538.

It was transformed into a domestic house, before being extended into a grand mansion for entertaining King James I. The first Baron of Braybrook made significant changes to the house before he passed in 1797, including designing new rooms.

Wander through the different rooms, including the great hall, state apartments, dressing rooms and the 18th-century chapel. The state bed is one of the most notable 18th-century beds in England and was made especially for a royal visit in 1794.

Kids will love the 1830s nursery room and dressing up as Victorian children. Learn about what life was like as a Victorian servant in the Service Wing and Coal Gallery.

The Baron of Braybrook also commissioned Capability Brown to design the gardens. The River Granta runs through the gardens, with several charming bridges crossing it.

Don’t miss the serpentine lake and the walled kitchen garden, which is full of organic fruit and veg. 

Audley End station is a mile and a quarter away from the house and there is a footpath that runs along the main road.

Alternatively, there are several local buses that go to Saffron Walden and stop within a quarter of a mile to the house.

York Cold War Bunker, North Yorkshire

The formal name for this bunker is Royal Observer Corps 20 Group Headquarters. This semi-submerged nuclear bunker is perhaps one of the most mysterious and eerie English Heritages sites, and was only open to the public from 2006.

The bunker was opened in 1961 when it was used by different government agencies until it closed in 1991. It was originally used by the Royal Observer Corps, and designed to monitor fallout in case of a nuclear attack. The bunker features decontamination rooms and sewage ejectors which could serve up to 60 people in bombproof conditions.

The bunker runs guided tours which include a short introductory film showcasing original Corps members who tell their stories of working in the bunker during the Cold War. The bunker is only a half hour walk from York station. There are also several buses that stop close by.

Pevensey Castle, Kent

Pevensey Castle is a medieval castle and former Roman Saxon Shore fort built around 290 AD. Although it’s not known for certain why it was built, it’s thought to have been a part of a Roman defensive system to guard the coast against Saxon pirates.

After the Romans, the castle fell into ruins but was subsequently occupied by the Normans, where William the Conqueror landed for the first time in 1066. During the Second World War, the castle was used by the Home Guard, British and Canadian Armies and the United States Army Air Corps.

Today, the site is managed by English Heritage and you can still see the machine gun posts that were left there.

Take a tour to discover the 16 centuries of history. The dungeons are open to visitors and there is a newly added museum. It displays important artefacts including jewellery, household items and weapons which were excavated from the site.

Pevensey and Westham and Pevensey Bay stations are both a ten-minute walk from the station. The 55 Stagecoach bus connects the stations to the castle.

Whitby Abbey, North Yorkshire

Perched on a clifftop with magnificent sea views, Whitby Abbey is one of the most interesting attractions in North Yorkshire and has been popular with visitors for over 1500 years.

The abbey was once a 7th century Christian monastery which later became a Benedictine abbey. Over the years, it has served as a king’s burial place, the location for a historic meeting between Celtic and Roman clerics, the home of the poet Caedmon, and perhaps most famously as the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

Walk around the extensive ruins of the abbey and enjoy views over the town and across the sea. Walk in the footsteps of many different religious leaders, artists, writers and poets, including St Hild, a leading abbess. At the visitor centre, you’ll find exhibitions that tell the story of the abbey using artefacts including medieval manuscripts, Anglo-Saxon crosses and a signed copy of Dracula.

During the school holidays there are plenty of activities for the whole family to get involved in. Whitby station is served by Northern Rail and the North York Moors Railway.

The abbey is only half a mile from the station and includes a walk up the famous 199 steps.

Stott Park Bobbin Mill, Cumbria

The Stott Park Bobbin Mill was built in 1835, and is still working today. It was designed to produce millions of wooden bobbins which were used in the spinning and weaving industries in Lancashire. Located on the picturesque shores of Lake Windermere, the mill is the only remaining working bobbin mill in the Lake District.

There are tours on offer to find out about the story of the mill and learn about the production process from tree to the bobbin.

See the original Victorian machinery at work, which was originally powered using a waterwheel and steam engine.

The tour guides will give demonstrations on how the machinery is used and you can even see bobbins being made. Don’t forget to pick one up for yourself at the gift shop.

Although relatively small compared to other mills, there were around 250 men and boys who worked here, producing approximately a quarter of a million bobbins per week.

The mill was named best small visitor attraction at the Cumbria Tourism Awards in 2014, and won Silver at the visit England Awards in 2015.

To get to Stott Park, take a boat from Ambleside or Windermere. Windermere station has trains from Oxenholme Lake District station.