ENGLAND TRAVEL TIPS: How to plan a trip to England

More articles at the bottom of the page: London city guide | Best Hiking Trails in the UK | Best Outdoor Activities in the Peak District |

England is a country in the United Kingdom, which is also comprised of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. If you want to visit a country containing some quaint and British charms, these England travel tips will come in handy: find out how to plan a trip to England, why you should visit England, the best time to visit, some essential travel tips, what to eat in England and the best things to do.

Why visit England

Why should you visit England? Well, for being such a small country, England packs in a lot of surprising sights. Although most visitors head straight to London for a general representation, there are several more landmarks and contrasting sights across the country. It would be foolish to visit just the capital. In rural villages and towns, England has cottages and architecture you’d only imagine in books and old films. On the other hand, its bustling cities are full of character and adventures.

Essential England travel tips

LANGUAGE: Of course, the main language here is English.

MONEY/ATM: The currency is British Pounds. ATM’s are very easy to come by, as are card machines for transactions. Cards are the most common and easiest way to pay for things.

ELECTRONIC APPLIANCES: All plugs are type G, with a standard voltage of 230V and frequency 50Hz. Take your universal travel adaptor as usual!

VISA: Travelers coming from the EU will have no problem visiting. However, if you’re visiting from elsewhere, familiarise yourself with the policy here

Best time to visit England

England isn’t exactly renowned for its tropical climates…

The weather is driest and warmest between May and September, so, for this reason, it’s the best time to visit England. However, this is also peak tourist season so your flights and hotels may be more expensive, and you might have to weave in and out of other tourists in the cities.

The low season is between December and February, where you’ll come across lots of rain and cold temperatures. If you don’t mind wrapping up in a cozy jumper, this is the perfect time to visit England on a budget. Spring is nice, from late March to May, where it’s chilly with occasional sun and rain.

How much is a trip to England?

Costs vary across the country, and between cities and villages. Of course, the capital, London is significantly the most expensive location. Don’t be put off – England on a budget is possible too if you know where to look. These costs are rough and can change.

Accommodation

In big cities, you can find a shared room in a dorm hostel for a minimum of $13 a night, for wifi, breakfast, a common room, a TV, and laundry facilities. Private rooms begin at $64. The cheapest hotels are around the same price, but Airbnb offers shared rooms for around $45.

Food

Budget food in England is possible if you know where to look. Some fast food places offer fish and chips or a kebab for a few pounds. For a sit-down meal at a restaurant, you’re looking at around $32.

Activities

Fortunately, most museums in England are free, but some parts or special exhibitions require paid tickets. Entry to castles and other attractions is approximately $10. If you want to visit the famous Tower of London, you’ll need to dish out $36. For other activities like wine tours, cycling, and tours to ancient ruins, you might need to pay around $102.

What to eat in England

So, are you thinking of what to eat in England? Since England is often cold, locals usually opt for hot, hearty dishes. These highly comforting dishes will keep you warm during your stay, on top of that you will be able to find street food and high standard cuisines from all over the world.

Fish and chips:

A classic staple is deep-fried cod in batter, served with chunky chips, and covered in salt and vinegar. This is especially popular on Friday nights in, as a stop on the way home via your local ‘fish and chippy.’ It can also be served with a pot of curry sauce, mushy peas, tartare sauce, or ketchup. Less greasy options are also found in most pubs.

Roast dinner:

This is a long-standing tradition and national favorite. Often served as lunch on a Sunday (and a variation on Christmas Day,) in homes, pubs, and restaurants. Imagine a big plate of roasted meat (chicken, pork, beef, turkey, etc) with generous portions of roasted or steamed vegetables. For instance, potatoes, carrots, Brussel sprouts, peas, parsnip, broccoli, and whatever may be in season.

Full English breakfast:

Also known as a ‘fry-up,’ this is without a doubt the best way to start your day! A large plate of sausages, bacon, hash browns, baked beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, eggs, and toast will give your tummy a warm heartiness so you’ll be fuelled for hours for all your adventures. Veggie substitutes are also often available.

Steak and ale pie:

This is another hot British favorite, found in traditional pubs and restaurants amongst other variations. Its pie crust is flaky and thick, containing chunks of steak and cheese in a meaty gravy sauce. It’s then served with chips or sometimes veg, ideally next to a cozy fireplace with a cold pint.

Bangers and mash:

This is a super simple and delicious favorite. The ‘bangers’ are chunky sausages and ‘mash’ is creamy potatoes, which are boiled then mashed to a fluffy texture. It’s served with a generous portion of hot meaty gravy (sometimes with onion chunks) and occasionally vegs, such as peas or carrots.

Best things to see and do in England

The difference between small villages, stunning countryside, and urban cities will leave you enthralled, so be sure you don’t miss anything. Here are the best things to do in England:

Explore London

Even if you have a small budget, you must visit London for at least a day! This thriving city has thousands of events, a plethora of history and streets full of markets waiting to be explored. Escape rain spells by popping into a free museum, gallery, or library and try a new cuisine amongst the hundreds that London has to offer. See the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace before a cold pint in a traditional British pub. More information at London City Guide and Tips!

The Lake District National Park

This location in Northern England is jaw-dropping. The Lake District is ideal for group hikes, cycling and family activities, including sailing along the lakes. It’s usually busier in the summer, which is high season for tourists, but it can be particularly beautiful in autumn, with changing color leaves and blooming flowers.

Rock climb in the Peak District

The Peak District hosts exciting activities such as rock climbing, hiking and wild swimming. It’s fairly easy to reach – just a train or car journey away from cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, and Sheffield. During your stay, you will enjoy spectacular views of the countryside. There are plenty of companies that organize day trips for beginners and advanced climbers as well as other very exciting activities. Discover everything the Peak District has to offer here

Walk the Jurassic coast

The world-renowned Jurassic Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it’s one of the best places to go fossil hunting in the country. You can hike along this easy-to-follow path and enjoy some incredible views, great wildlife, and dramatic cliff tops. This walk is actually part of the South West Coastal Path, one of the best and longest hiking trails in the UK (630 miles). Read about the Best Hiking Trails in the UK: 10 Epic Routes!

Visit Cornwall

Located in southwest England, this province homes some of the best beaches in the country, perfect for cold water surfing. Waters are turquoise, villages are quirky and locals are friendly. If you are visiting in winter, find a local pub to sit by the fire and chat with locals.

Stonehenge

This is slightly hidden in the countryside and attracts hundreds of visitors each year. The mystical stone circle was formed 5,000 years ago, unfortunately, its purpose is still unknown. Visit these mystery rocks at sunset for a perfect photo opportunity.

Bath’s thermal waters

Bath is a small city in the West Midlands, where hundreds of visitors meet every year to see the thermal waters. The naturally heated springs were first constructed by the Romans. Today, you can relax in the modern spa, built only a few meters away from the old Roman baths.

Visit Cambridge and Oxford

You’ve probably heard of Cambridge University, but this city has a lot more to offer. Cambridge has beautiful architecture and it’s less than a two-hour train journey from London. Take a guided tour to discover the beautiful surroundings that inspired the movie ‘The Theory of Everything.

Similarly, Oxford offers plenty of history with welcoming locals. Enjoy wandering around this beautiful town with unique honey-colored buildings.

In conclusion

Do you want to walk around picturesque quaint towns as if you’re a character in a novel? Or, do you want to get lost in beautiful and characteristic cities? England won’t leave you disappointed. If you found these England travel tips useful, leave a comment below.