Category: United Kingdom

Travelling by train can be one of the best ways to get around. Whether you’re looking for coast, countryside or cities, here are some of the best places to take a train trip in England.

England is full of fantastic destinations. From cultural cities, heritage towns and beauty spots in rural areas, there is plenty to see and do. The country also benefits from a well-connected rail network, meaning you can get to all these places quite easily and in good time.

Discover the top destinations in England to visit by train.

London 

It goes without saying that London is one of the must-visit destinations in England. As well as buses, there is also the Tube that gets you anywhere within the city.

London is divided into different neighbourhoods, each with tons of things to see and do. This makes it easier to break your itinerary up! A list of things to do in London would be exhaustive, because whatever you’re into, London has it! 

If history and art are your thing, then you’re in for a treat as London is home to some of the best museums and galleries in the world. Some of the top ones include the Victoria and Albert Museum, British Museum, Tate Modern, Natural History Museum, National Gallery and the Science Museum. 

Whether you’re a foodie or love a good bargain, London’s markets are one of the top places to visit. There’s a huge range of markets, from street food and farmers markets, to fashion, vintage and antiques. Some of the most well-known markets are Borough Market, Old Spitalfields Market, Portobello Road Market, Covent Garden Market, Camden Market and Brick Lane Market.

Some of London’s iconic landmarks to visit are Buckingham Palace, London Eye, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral. If you’re only in London for a quick break, a great way to see these landmarks is on a guided tour, whether it’s a walking tour, hop-on-hop-off bus tour, or even an afternoon tea bus tour!

If want to experience the local side of London or find the non-touristy things to do in London then these articles have you covered!

Liverpool, Merseyside

Liverpool is another must-visit city. This maritime city is considered to be a ‘capital of culture’ in England, and is jammed with museums, art galleries, bars, restaurants and excellent shopping. 

When talking about Liverpool, it’s pretty hard to ignore the elephant in the room – The Beatles. As the birthplace of the band, there is so much to explore.

The Beatles Story is an immersive walk-through experience with a huge collection of memorabilia and merchandise. While you won’t get to see The Beatles perform, there are still some fantastic tribute acts performing at The Cavern Club, an iconic live music venue that played a role in the birth of The Beatles. 

Make sure you visit the city’s waterfront, once one of the busiest docks in the world. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and there are tons of attractions to explore. For some shopping and a bite to eat, head to the Royal Albert Dock.

This complex of former dock buildings and warehouses is now home to independent shops, boutiques and cafes. You’ll also find the Tate Liverpool hare, as well as the Merseyside Maritime Museum and the Museum of Liverpool nearby. 

A must-do in Liverpool is to get a good view of the city’s skyline. The best way to do this is to take a ride on the Mersey Ferry. Another fantastic view is from the top of Liverpool Cathedral. It’s the largest religious building in Britain, home to the world’s highest and widest Gothic arches, and the largest organ in the country.

Manchester, Lancashire

Manchester is England’s second largest city by area. It’s a vibrant city with tons of interesting attractions. Manchester is also surrounded by the Pennines, making it the perfect base for exploring the countryside.

If you’re interested in museums, then Manchester has a lot to offer. There’s the Manchester Museum, People’s History Museum, and the Science and Industry Museum to name a few. If you’re interested in football, the National Football Museum is worth a visit. The city is also home to Manchester United FC and Manchester City FC which both run stadium tours.

Manchester has a lot of beautiful architecture, and the best way to see it is just by walking around the city and taking it all in. Some of the most impressive buildings are the John Rylands Library, Manchester Town Hall, Central Library, Bridgewater Hall and Manchester Cathedral. 

Speaking of impressive, the Manchester Art Gallery should be on the itinerary for every art lover. It hosts a huge collection of art from local and international artists, including famous names like Gainsborough, Turner and Pissarro. It’s more than just paintings too – there are ceramics, metalwork, clothing and accessories dating back to 1600. 

Manchester’s Chinatown is the second largest in the country, and well worth a visit with an excellent selection of restaurants, supermarkets and shops. If you love shopping, then you’re in for a treat. Manchester has a huge choice when it comes to the retail sector. There are shopping centres like Manchester Arndale and intu Trafford Centre, high streets like Exchange Square and Market Street, boutique districts around King Street, Spinningfields and New Cathedral Street, as well as handmade and vintage shops around the Northern Quarter. 

Manchester has a long history with music, so it would be rude not to visit one of its music venues to sample what the city has to offer. Whatever genre you listen to, it’s there. Some of the best live music venues include The Whiskey Jar, The Ritz, Night and Day Cafe, The Deaf Institute and Band on the Wall. 

Getting a taste of what Manchester has to offer in 24 hours can be tough, so I have devised a guide to all my favourite places to visit.

Bristol

Straddling the River Avon, Bristol is a thriving, colourful city with a lot to offer. A good place to start your adventure in Bristol is at the harbour. Bristol Harbour has been around since the 13th century, and was a popular spot for ships setting sail for the ‘New World’. There are many attractions, cafes and arts and exhibition spaces peppered round the area. You could also take a river cruise to learn more about the city. 

If you have a bit of time on your hands, pay a visit to Bristol Zoo which has been at the forefront of conservation since 1836. There are a huge variety of animals here, from aye ayes to Asiatic lions. For a bit of an adventure, have a go at ZooRopia, an adventure rope course that passes through the zoo alongside gibbons, lemurs and gorillas. 

If you fancy yourself as a bit of a creative, take a stroll to the Watershed. Housed in former warehouses, the multi-arts venue has three cinemas, a cafe and several spaces for creative use. It’s a popular hangout for locals, so it’s a great spot to get a feel for Bristol life. 

Bristol is a hub for aerospace and industry. A fun place to discover more about its aerospace industry is Aerospace Bristol. It tells the story of the city’s aviation achievements and you’ll even get the chance to step foot on the Concorde Alpha Foxtrot, the last of the supersonic jets to fly. If it’s ships you’re interested in, the SS Great Britain was the world’s first great ocean liner. It ferried visitors across the Atlantic, and immigrants to Australia. Today, the ship is a floating museum and an award-winning attraction. 

Fans of historic houses won’t leave disappointed. There’s the Georgian House, built in 1790 and used as a museum. Having been restored to its original glory, the house shows what life would’ve been like in 18th century Bristol. Another impressive home is Ashton Court. This manor has been around since the 11th century and has a fascinating mix of architectural styles.

No trip to Bristol would be complete without visiting the Clifton Suspension Bridge, an iconic landmark. Opened in 1864, the bridge stretches across the Avon Gorge. Before you cross it, climb up Observatory Hill for the best view of the bridge. 

Leeds, West Yorkshire

Leeds is a thriving city in West Yorkshire. It has something for everyone, whether you enjoy art, fashion, food and drink, history or the outdoors.

Leeds has its fair share of museums and art galleries. The most popular museum is the Royal Armouries Museum, home to the National Collection of Arms and Armour. There is an extraordinary collection of over 75,000 objects such as weaponry used in the Ottoman Empire, Japanese shogun armour and guns from the Wild West. Other engaging museums are the Leeds City Museum, Thackray Medical Museum and the National Coal Mining Museum.

Some great city centre art galleries are the Leeds Art Gallery, Henry Moore Institute and The Tetley. If you have a bit of time on your hands, take a train to the nearby city of Wakefield and pop into the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. This open-air gallery showcases modern and contemporary art by British and international artists. 

If you’re a fan of beer and cider, then you’ve come to the right place. Leeds has many breweries which hold tours and tasting. Some of the most established ones are Leeds Brewery, Northern Monk and North Brewing Company. Just outside of Leeds you’ll find Ilkley Brewery, Ossett Brewery and Quirky Ales.

After a tasting, catch a show at one of Leeds’s esteemed theatres. There’s Leeds Grand Theatre, Leeds Playhouse and City Varieties Music Hall. Prefer to shop? Whatever you’re into, Leeds has it. If it’s designer brands, head to Victoria Quarter. If you like high street brands, Trinity Centre is the place to be. Prefer independent boutiques? Head to The Corn Exchange. 

In Leeds, you’re always a train or bus ride away from the countryside. With a name like God’s Own Country, it would be rude not to take a walk in the great outdoors! The Yorkshire Dales National Park is literally on the doorstep, so get out and explore the moors, valleys and villages.

Truro, Cornwall

Truro is the only city in Cornwall. It’s a great place to visit, with great shopping, historical attractions and a thriving food and drink scene. If you’re interested in some retail therapy, you’ll find the usual high street stores alongside a wide choice of independent shops. Some of the most popular streets are Boscawen Street, River Street and King Street. If you’re more into markets, Lemon Street Market is an indoor destination full of boutiques, galleries and cafes. Another great place is the Pannier Market, home to 35 independent shops.

Truro has a rich history, and it was one of the most successful port towns during the Industrial Revolution. A good place to brush up on the history of the city is the Royal Cornwall Museum. As well as engaging exhibitions on Cornwall’s mining and engineering heritage, you’ll also find out about its link with the rest of the world through Ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Byzantine artefacts. 

While you’re in Truro, it’s worth catching the bus for a short ride to Tregothnan. Dating back to the 14th century, this country house and estate is also the largest gardens and arboretum in Cornwall. In addition to rare and endangered trees from around the world, it also happens to be the first tea plantation in Britain, with up to 20,000 tea bushes harvested each year. You’ll also find products which aren’t usually grown in the UK, such as Kea plums and Manuka honey. Fancy a taste? Pay a visit to the shop while you’re there.

Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland

Newcastle is an industrial city that lies on the River Tyne. It’s a buzzing, cultural city with plenty of attractions, magnificent buildings and great shopping. A good place to start is the historic quayside. Many of the old houses have been redeveloped and are now hotels, shops and restaurants. As you walk down the quayside, you won’t miss the seven bridges that span the River Tyne, from the old High Level Bridge to the spectacular Gateshead Millennium Bridge. 

Newcastle Castle is definitely worth a visit, and you can explore the old passages and medieval chambers. For more history, take a stroll down to the Old City Chares. This area is full of well-preserved, narrow medieval alleyways. There are also some architectural gems such as the Custom House and Trinity House.

Having had such a large Roman presence, there is a wealth of Roman history to delve into. The best place to take a step back in time is the Great North Museum: Hancock. Find a treasure trove of artefacts from the Romans, Egyptians and the Greeks. For a look back into the Industrial Revolution, the Discovery Museum has exhibits ranging from early steam engines to vintage cars.

If you have time (and fitness!) on your side, then a popular thing to do in Newcastle is to tackle a section of the 84 mile long Hadrian’s Wall which runs through the city centre and across some beautiful countryside. For something a little more relaxing, Jesmond Dene is one of the loveliest city parks in England. There is a picturesque nature trail that takes you past the Old Mill which has been around since the 1700s.

Paignton, Devon

If it’s a warm day, nothing beats a trip to the seaside. Paignton is one of my top choices when it comes to seaside towns. Sitting on the English Riviera, the area has a mild climate and subtropical palm trees that won’t feel like England at all!

A classic thing to do at any seaside town is to stroll down the pier. It’s hard to miss Paignton Pier which is perched in the centre of Paignton Beach. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, with over 20 different entertainment options. If you’re travelling with kids, there are bouncy castles and face painting for the younger ones, and crazy golf and dodgems for the older ones. If you want to unleash your inner child, have a go at the games at Paignton Pier Amusements. Grab a bite at one of the various food vendors and sit back on the giant deck chairs to enjoy the views.

If you can’t get enough of travelling by train, then you’ll love a trip on the Dartmouth Steam Railway. It starts at Paignton and journeys along the picturesque Torbay coast for seven miles to Kingswear. If you’re interested in more water activities, Dartmouth Steam Railway & River Boats offer a range of boat trips and paddle steamers to explore the coast. 

Love animals? Then a trip to Paignton Zoo is a must. This zoo was one of the first in the UK to promote and emphasise animal conservation, and there are over 2,500 animals to see here. It’s also a botanical garden with fascinating plants from all over the world. Make sure you stroll through the flower meadows, herbaceous borders and indoor areas.

Lyme Regis, Dorset

Another great spot on the coast is Lyme Regis. It’s nicknamed ‘The Pearl of Dorset’ and rightly so – the town has stunning scenery, breathtaking coastal walks, amazing beaches and fun attractions. 

Lyme Regis is famous for its geology, and fossils can be found on its beaches. A must-do is a visit to Dorset’s famous Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Head to Monmouth Beach which stretches for a mile from the town’s harbour to Pinhey Beach. It’s a great spot for fossil hunting and rockpooling, so keep an eye out and see what you can find!

Alternatively, you can join in on a fossil walk with local experts from the Lyme Regis Museum. Make sure to pop into the museum to see fascinating displays on the town’s history, including fossil collections, maritime and domestic objects, paintings, prints and photographs. The Dinosaurland Fossil Museum also doesn’t disappoint, with over 12,000 specimens on display. 

If you’re a keen walker, Lyme Regis doesn’t disappoint. It’s part of the South West Coast Path, England’s longest waymarked long-distance footpath. There are shorter sections of this 630 mile route, like the one from town to West Bay.

It’s also worth checking out what shops the town has to offer. The Town Mill is a unique shopping destination with art galleries, artists’ studios, a cafe, a silversmith, a seamstress, a pottery, a bakery and deli, and a microbrewery. What makes it special is that the shops are situated around a working water mill. Take a tour to see the Victorian milling machinery and learn how the giant water wheel creates power as grain is converted into wholemeal flour. 

Canterbury, Kent

Canterbury is a cathedral city in Kent and a must-visit. The city has a rich history and culture and holds the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lying on the banks of the River Stour, Canterbury is a picture postcard city, with period architecture, cobbled streets and green spaces.

If there’s only one thing you see in Canterbury, it should be the thing the city is most famous for – its UNESCO World Heritage cathedral. It’s one of the oldest Christian structures in the country, dating back to 597AD. It’s known as the spot where Thomas Becket was killed, the Archbishop who was hunted down by King Henry II’s followers in 1170. There are guided tours, but you can also explore at your own pace. 

Walking around the city is fun, but what’s even better is exploring by boat. Climb aboard one of the boats from Canterbury Historic River Tours, and make your way down the River Stour, keeping an eye out for the city’s landmarks. You’ll also be in for some entertaining tales of Canterbury’s history from the tour guides.

Speaking of history, Canterbury is the place to be for history nerds. The Romans had a large presence in Canterbury, and built walls around the city which you can still find traces of today. Canterbury Roman Museum is a great place to learn more about the city’s past. Find Roman floor mosaics, artefacts and a reconstructed Roman house and marketplace. 

Can’t get enough of museums? The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge is Canterbury’s central museum, library and art gallery. There’s a whole treasure trove of artefacts including sculptures, mosaics, jewellery, glassware and pottery, many of which have been excavated from around the area. 

If you need a break from all that history, grab a treat from one of the many cafes and coffee shops and head to Westgate Parks, a lush collection of different landscape areas along the River Stour. 

It’s no secret that England isn’t the cheapest country to travel to. That being said, it’s easier when you know exactly how much you should budget for a one week trip to England.

The average person spends £511 a week (£73 a night) on accomodation and £623 spending money per visit to England. An average total of £1,134 per week.

This takes into consideration budgeting for transport, accommodation, food and leisure. While spending varies depending on the kind of traveller you are, a rough idea of how much things cost in your country of destination can really help you put together a budget.

Here is a complete guide to how much you should spend for a week in England.

Transport Costs for Travel in England

Price of Public Transport in England

England has a well-connected public transport system with buses, coaches and trains linking different cities throughout the country. You can even take domestic flights from one city to another, for example from Southampton to Newcastle. Sometimes, flying from one city to another works out even cheaper than catching the train.

Major cities like Manchester and Birmingham have trams which are pretty affordable. For example, the Birmingham city hop single for an adult is £1.50 and £0.70 for a child.

Although not all cities in England have trams, buses are available in all cities and towns and cost between £1.50 and £2 for a single, and between £2 and £4 for a return ticket. Buses are also available in rural areas, although you’ll find that they don’t run as often as in busier towns.

The two main coach companies in England are Megabus and National Express. They have great connections around the country and tickets are really good value.

For example, a single journey from Liverpool to London booked a week in advance costs approximately £8. Shorter distance journeys, for example a single from Manchester to Leeds, cost about £4.

Although they do take significantly longer than trains, they’re a good option if you want to save money.

You’ll often hear Brits complain about trains. While they’re much more expensive than other countries in Europe, they have a wide network that covers the whole country.

It’s also a much faster way of getting around if you’re on a tight schedule. A single train journey from Liverpool to London booked a week in advance costs between £30 and £60, depending on the time.

Peak hour trains are much more expensive, costing up to £120! So, it’s a good idea to travel during off-peak times when you can get some good deals.

Taxis are another option for getting around, although these can be expensive, especially in London. There are the metered taxis which you can hail in the street and minicabs which are advanced bookings only. They cost around £3 to £5 per mile. You’ll find ridesharing apps like Uber available in most towns and cities.

Looking for inspiration of places to travel in England? Here are 15 places you can travel in England without a car.

Money Saving Tips for Public Transport in England

Local buses have the option of day riders and weekly tickets, which work out a lot cheaper than buying several single tickets. Travelling outside of peak times is also a major way to save money.

Peak hours on coaches and trains are usually around 6am – 9pm, and start again at 4pm – 6pm. Some days of the week are much more expensive, mainly Friday, Saturday and Sunday. If you’re visiting during the holidays, for example Easter and Christmas, ticket prices tend to be a lot higher.

Another tip is booking tickets in advance. You can save a lot of money this way, although this can be tricky when you’re on holiday and don’t have set plans! For example, the cheapest single from Liverpool to London three weeks in advance can cost as little as £12. A single on the same route, being booked for tomorrow, can cost up to £90.

Consider getting a railcard if you’re under 26, over 60, travel as a family, travel as a couple, or have a registered disability. Railcards give 1/3 off Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance fares which is perfect if you plan on travelling England by rail!

If you’re only in England for a week, you may be able to find weekly passes which are good value if you’re planning on frequently taking public transport.

Transport for London (TfL) has travel cards which are valid for a week and can be used on the Tube, overground and National Rail trains in London, London buses, trams in South London and the Docklands Light Railway.

Price of Car Rental in England

Renting a car is a great way to make the most of your time, especially if you’re only in England for a week. It also helps you get around remote places like the Lake District, which is full of hidden spots and charming little villages.

Prices for renting a car vary massively depending on how long you want it for, but there are many price comparison websites to help you out such as Kayak and Car Rentals. On average hiring a car in England costs £148 per week (£21 per day).

This is also the quickest way to scan the web for the cheapest price. The only downside to renting a car is high parking costs and fuel if you’re on a budget, and being stuck in traffic jams if you’re on a tight schedule.

If your itinerary consists of exploring the countryside and rural areas, then renting a car is probably the most efficient way of getting around.

Money Saving Tips for Car Hire in England

Book in Advance

Booking a car in advance can save you hundreds of pounds. When running your searches you will get better deals when renting 7 days over 5 to 6 days. Even if you don’t plan on using it for 7 days check this against the 5 to 6 days prices.

Fuel

In terms of fuel, I would recommend checking the terms and conditions carefully. Oftentimes, rental companies will provide a full tank which you pay upfront for, but not provide a refund for any unused fuel.

Even if the company does give you a refund, there are often processing fees slipped into the contract. The best way to avoid this is to take out a ‘return as you found it’ policy. On most comparison sites you can filter results by fuel policies.

Milage

In the T&Cs check the number of miles/km your deal includes. I normally aim for unlimate milage so I don’t need to worry about how much driving I do. However, when I did my great British road trip I did have a milage cap as it reduced the cost for the car. If I went over that I would have been an additional £0.10 per mile I went over.

Insurance

When you book a car, basic insurance policies will be included, but you’ll have to pay an excess charge if you need to use them. Sometimes firms will have top-up insurance which gets rid of this excess, and this can be really expensive.

I wouldn’t recommend using this top-up insurance. Instead, find an excess policy from an independent provider who charges a lot less. How this works is that when you pay the hire company’s excess charge, you can then reclaim the money from the independent provider.

Check the T&Cs as not all car companies allow third party insurance.

Driving in England Tips

• Fill-up at supermarket petrol stations – Asda, Morrisons, Sainsburys, Tesco etc. will all offer cheaper petrol by some margin. If you stop at any of the petrol stations along the motorway you could easily see prices increased by 10 to 20 pence per litre!
• Potential Tolls – Some routes in England can have tolls but I have found these pretty easy to avoid. Check Google maps before driving and it will highlight toll roads. For example, the M6 has one, however, you can just take the non-toll M6 route to save the money.
• Download Parking Apps – A lot of parking around the country is paid and I am not sure about you but I never really carry cash any more. Download these apps before hitting the road; Just Park, Pay by Phone and Ring Go. They were by far the most frequent ones I encountered. Another way I have saved money with parking in cities is by booking in advance on Just Park. Weirdly in Bristol, it was cheaper to pay for a week’s worth of parking than two days!

Accommodation Costs for England Trip

Price of Accommodation England

A large chunk of your holiday budget will be spent on accommodation. Prices vary greatly depending on where you’re staying in the country and the type of accommodation you choose e.g. hostels, apartments, boutique hotels etc.

The table below illistrates the daily averages for acommodation in England. Like any country the big cities will be more expensive to stay.

Staying in hostels is a fantastic way to save money on your trip. Depending on the location and number of people you share with, you can find rooms starting from £10 per night.

A typical double occupancy room in a top tier hotel can set you back around £100 to £140 per night. For mid-tier hotels, you can find rooms that cost between £40 and £80 per night.

These numbers are significantly higher in touristy cities like London. An advantage of staying at a hotel is that most of them offer breakfast included in your room price, so you’ll save money on eating out.

Another option is Airbnb, and you can get some really good deals on there. It’s also a good way to meet locals and get a feel for the culture of the place. If you’re staying for a whole week in one place, it might be worth looking into renting an apartment, especially if you’re travelling with a large group.

These can be cheaper than hotels, and you have the option of cooking from home too, which further saves on meals out. For a week’s stay at an apartment in England (not London), you’re looking at around £400 to £900 for a one or two-bedroom apartment. Split between you and others, this would significantly lower your costs compared to staying at a hotel.

If you want to travel around the UK while also saving money, it’s a good idea to rent a motorhome or a campervan. Your accommodation and transport will be covered, and it also offers you much more flexibility in getting around.

Bunk Campers is one of the largest campervan and motorhome rental companies in the UK, and is a good place to start. Most rental companies have depots all over the country so they’re easy to pick up and drop off wherever you are.

Money Saving Tips for Accommodation in England

Use a comparison site like Booking.com, Tripadvisor and SkyScanner to see reviews and compare different places. If you’re more of a spontaneous person or don’t have set travel plans, it’s worth taking a look at Lastminute.com for some bargain deals.

Some hotel chains such as Marriott and Hilton have loyalty schemes which you can sign up to and get special offers when you sign up. Similarly, registering with hotels and websites for email alerts can get you some pretty good discount codes.

Another handy trick to save money on accommodation is the rebook trick. Depending on the hotel, sometimes you can get free cancellation. If you notice the price has dropped, simply cancel your booking and rebook it with the new, lower price.

Travel or reward credit cards also are a great source of deals, I often see deals on £100 off if I spend £300.

Food Costs for England trip

Price of Eating Out in England

Eating out in England is generally quite affordable. There is such a large range of places you can eat, from street food stalls to chain restaurants, to fine dining.

Especially in cities, you’ll find plenty of street food stalls and food trucks in markets, shopping centres and around city centres. From wraps and burgers, to sweet treats and desserts, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

The UK’s rising foodie scene means that there is a lot of international street food as well. Expect to pay around £4 to £8 for a meal from a street food vendor.

If you’re staying somewhere which has a kitchen, it’s worth making your own meals as you can save a lot of money on dining out. Discount supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl are very affordable, and local markets are great for fresh produce.

England has such an extensive choice of restaurants that sometimes it can be hard to pick where to eat. The average mid-tier restaurant meal costs between £10 and £20 for one course and a drink.

If you’re looking to have a traditional Sunday roast, a local pub or carvery is a good option. You’ll find that portions are really generous and you can expect to pay around £7 to £13 for a meal of Yorkshire pudding, boiled or steamed veg, roast potatoes, vegetarian roast, roast beef, turkey or pork and a range of sauces.

Money Saving Tips for Eating Out in England

To save some money, eat at an ethnic restaurant. The UK has such a large choice of ethnic cuisine, including Indian, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Arabic and much more. Prices tend to be much lower than at British or European restaurants.

If you’re out for the day and want to take a packed lunch with you, large supermarkets like Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Morrisons do meal deals where you get a sandwich/wrap/pasta dish, plus a snack and drink for £3. Independent sandwich shops also have a good choice of homemade lunches which tend to be much cheaper than chains like Subway.

Many sit down restaurants have fixed price menus which are often cheaper than ordering a la carte. These usually consist of two or three course meals, and these can save you a lot if you do fancy eating in a restaurant.

Fish and chips is a must when visiting England, and luckily enough this is a cheap meal. Look out for a ‘chippie’ near you, where you can order chips with the addition of battered cod, haddock, sausages or a meat pie. Meals usually cost around £4 to £6 each.

If the place you’re staying at allows you to order in takeaway, then this can be a good money saving trick. Apps like Just Eat and Uber Eats often have promo codes which will help you save money on orders.

Open Table is a handy website which lets you find restaurants, read reviews and book online. There is a specials section when you filter results, which allows you to find deals that are 50% off, or set your budget for £20 and under.

Sightseeing Costs for England Trip

Costs for Sightseeing in England

England is home to many world-class attractions. If you’re planning on doing a lot of sightseeing, you’ll want to budget enough so that you can tick off everything on your list.

It comes as no surprise that London is the most expensive city to sightsee. Although there are tons of free attractions, there are also paid attractions which can sometimes put a dent in your wallet. For example, the standard adult ticket for the London Eye costs £27 if booked in advance.

With my guide on what to book in advance in London, you will be covered on how to get discounts and when you should book!

Sports play a prominent role in English society and the country is home to world-class rugby, football, cricket and tennis. The majority of sports stadiums in England are open to visitors, and they also run guided tours where you can see inside the grounds, dressing rooms, press rooms etc. Sports stadium tours usually cost between £15 and £25, depending on the extent of the tour.

Most cities in England such as Manchester, Liverpool, York and Brighton, have hop on hop off bus tours which are a fun way of taking in the sights if you’re pressed for time. Tickets cost around £11 for an adult, and you can get good offers on family passes.

Money Saving Tips for Sightseeing in England

Visit Britain is the official tourism website for Great Britain and there many different sightseeing passes to help you save money exploring the country. If you’re planning on staying in London, there are different kinds of passes which give you access to all the top attractions, theatre scenes and nightlife.

There are also tons of passes if you want to explore the countryside or other cities in the UK like York, Blackpool and Portsmouth. Depending on the pass, this can cost between £20 and £79. A bonus of using a prepaid pass is that you can jump the queue!

England is home to an abundance of historic and cultural landmarks. From prehistoric times to Roman conquerors and Norman invaders, the different influences are reflected in the diversity of historical sites. One off entry fees to these places can quickly add up, so the best way of visiting heritage sites is to invest in a heritage pass.

These passes are offered by the National Trust and English Heritage, and allow you to access hundreds of sites including the iconic Stonehenge and Stourhead. The National Trust Touring Pass costs £33 for one adult for seven days. The ‘admit two’ option much better values and costs £58.

Meanwhile, the English Heritage Overseas Visitor Pass lasts for a minimum of nine days, and this costs £37.

If you happen to be visiting in September, you’re in luck – thousands of historic monuments and buildings open their doors to the public for free. Check out Open House London for sights in the capital, and Heritage Open Days for sights around the country. Additionally, September is the very end of tourist season so it’s a much cheaper time to travel in general.

National museums in England are all free, and you’ll find them dotted all around the country. From the iconic National Gallery in London to the National Football Museum in Manchester, it’s definitely worth putting a visit to a museum on your itinerary.

England has 10 fantastic national parks and it would be a shame not to get outside and enjoy the rolling countryside, lush woodland and stunning valleys and lakes.

They’re all free to enter and are suitable for the whole family, with trails for all abilities. There are so many things you can do in the national parks, from walking, hiking, cycling, wildlife watching, orienteering, camping and much more.

Groupon can be a useful tool if you’re looking to save money off experiences, days out and sightseeing. It’s a service where you can find virtual coupons for anything from food and drink, to shopping and days out. Save up to 50% off experiences like afternoon tea and Thames river cruises.

Must know tip! Days Out Guide is a great way to save money across the UK! It offers 2 for 1 price for certain attractions across England, Wales and Scotland.

To be able to use the deal you need to book the vouchers online or visit a rail station for the voucher (it needs to be a physical copy) and have a National Rail ticket for each person. I’ve used 2 for 1 on the Tower of London before which saved my mum and I £15 each on our entry.

In Summary: How much do you need for a week in England?

How much you’ll spend on a one week holiday in England varies greatly depending on where you’re staying, how much you’re travelling, what you’re planning to see and where you go for meals.

However, as an average figure, I would suggest budgeting around £1,000 for the whole week.

This number can be much lower if you’re a budget traveller, as there are plenty of ways to make your holiday a cheap one – staying at hostels, cooking for yourself or eating at cheap places, visiting free sights etc.

If you’re travelling as a family or a group then prices can be brought down even further, as kids’ tickets tend to be cheaper and accommodation can be shared.

More England Travel Inspiration and Tips

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.