Right then, let's chat about England. Most tourists dash through London like it's the only place on the map, but seriously? They're missing out. I spent six months road-tripping every county after uni, and wow – this little country packs more variety than a pick'n'mix counter. Whether you're into Viking history or wild coastal hikes, there's always something unexpected around the corner.
London Must-Dos Beyond the Postcards
Look, I'll be straight with you: Leicester Square is a tourist trap. Want the proper London experience? Head east.
The British Museum & Hidden Gems
Free entry (donations welcome), open daily 10am-5pm. Great Russell St, WC1B 3DG. Tube: Tottenham Court Road. Pro tip: The Assyrian lion hunt carvings in Room 10 will blow your mind. But skip the mummy rooms between 11am-2pm – school groups turn it into chaos.
| Alternative London Spots | Why It's Better | Cost/Saving |
|---|---|---|
| Sky Garden vs. London Eye | Free panoramic views + tropical plants | £0 vs £36 |
| Borough Market vs. Chain Restaurants | Artisan food since 1756 (try the mushroom paella) | £8-15/meal |
| Hampstead Heath vs. Hyde Park | Wild swimming ponds + city skyline view | Free (swimming £2-4) |
Local gripe? Avoid Oxford Street shopping. Seriously. Overpriced chains and shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. Instead, hit Seven Dials in Covent Garden for indie boutiques.
Time Travel: Epic Historical Things to Do in England
Stonehenge gets all the love, but let me tell you about my rainy Tuesday at Hadrian's Wall. Standing alone in that Northumbrian wind, tracing Roman grooves in the stone... chills. Way more atmospheric than fighting coach tours at Stonehenge.
England's History Deep-Dive List
- York Minster (Deangate, York YO1 7HH). Entry £16. Climb the tower for spine-tingling views. The undercroft museum shows Viking remains beneath your feet!
- Warwick Castle (CV34 6QU). Day tickets from £27. Over-the-top medieval shows (trebuchet firing!), but worth it for the castle dungeon experience. Book ahead.
- Bath Roman Baths (BA1 1LZ). £28 peak season. Stunning engineering, but crowded. Go after 4pm when day-trippers leave.
Personal rant? Some "historic" castles are Disneyfied beyond recognition. Dover Castle feels like a theme park. For authenticity, try smaller sites like Corfe Castle in Dorset – ruins you can scramble over freely (£11 entry).
Wild England: Countryside & Coastline Adventures
My best mate Dave claims he saw a ghost in the Yorkshire Dales. Truth? Probably just hangover hallucinations after our pub crawl. But England's nature? Honestly magical.
Coastal Wonders
- Cornwall's Minack Theatre (Porthcurno, TR19 6JU). Open-air theatre carved into cliffs. Day visits £9. Bring a cushion – those granite seats are brutal on your backside.
- Jurassic Coast Fossil Hunting (Charmouth Beach, DT6 6PE). Free! Best after storms. Fossil shop rents hammers (£5). Found an ammonite myself last April!
- Northumberland Dark Sky Park (NE66 3LB). Zero light pollution. Milky Way visibility guaranteed on clear nights. Wrap up – it's proper freezing even in summer.
Countryside Escapes
| National Park | Secret Spot Locals Love | Best Activity | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake District | Buttermere Lake | Wild swimming + pub lunch | Free (parking £7) |
| Peak District | Stanage Edge | Rock climbing (beginners welcome) | Guide £40/half-day |
| Dartmoor | Wistman's Wood | Moody photography hikes | Free |
Foodie Stuff That Won't Rip You Off
Forget "traditional English food is rubbish" clichés. The gastro-pub revolution changed everything. Though I still think jellied eels are an acquired taste...
Must-Try Affordable Eats
Manchester's Mackie Mayor (Eagle Inn, M4 5BU). Food hall in converted market. Try Gooey's grilled cheese (£7.50) opening 8am-11pm.
Bristol's St Nicholas Market (BS1 1JQ). Moroccan wraps £6.50. Closes 5pm. Get there early – queues get daft.
Proper Pub Tip: Look for CAMRA stickers – guarantees good real ale. The Royal Oak in Borough (London) serves pints from £4.20. Dark wood, zero pretension.
Culture Beyond Red Phone Boxes
Shakespeare's Globe is iconic, but £5 standing tickets sell out months ahead. Alternative? Secret cinema nights in abandoned warehouses (follow @LondonFilmLocations on Twitter).
- Liverpool Music Scene: Cavern Club entry £4. But Matthew Street gets packed. For authentic vibes, try Jacaranda Club (Slater St) – where The Beatles actually hung out.
- Bristol Street Art: Free self-guided Banksy walks (Nelson St). His "Well Hung Lover" piece causes proper giggles.
Practical Stuff You Actually Need to Know
Transport Truth Bomb: Train tickets are criminal unless booked 12+ weeks early. Use Trainline app. For groups of 3+, driving often cheaper despite petrol costs (£1.70/litre).
Accommodation Hack: Premier Inn is consistently clean/affordable (rooms from £49). Avoid coastal B&Bs in winter – damp issues.
England Travel FAQs Answered Honestly
Q: What are unique things to do in England most tourists miss?
A: Ferry to Lundy Island (Devon) for puffin spotting. Or Derwent Pencil Museum in Keswick (yes, really).
Q: Are London Passes worth it?
A: Only if you'll do 3+ paid attractions daily. Otherwise, pay-as-you-go.
Q: Best time for things to do in England?
A: Late May-June (long days, fewer crowds). September for countryside colours.
Q: Can I do England on £60/day?
A: Tough but possible: hostels (£18-25), supermarket meals (£8), free museums, coach travel (£5-20/journey).
Final Thoughts from Someone Who's Been Stuck on the M25
Planning things to do in England isn't about ticking boxes. It's about sipping terrible tea in a Cumbrian farmhouse while rain lashes the windows. Getting lost in York's snickleways at midnight. Chatting with fishermen in Whitby about ghost stories.
Skip the generic tours. Rent a car, talk to locals (we don't bite!), and embrace the glorious unpredictability. And pack waterproofs – no joke.