England Things to Do

On the south coast of England, basking in its picturesque Georgian architecture and sparkling seaside is Brighton. Just over an hour from London by train, Brighton is a magnet for those city-dwellers seeking a glimpse of the sea. It’s also a bit of a cultural hub, home to universities, artists, writers and good theatres, music [...]

With miles of dramatic coastline and world-famous seaside resorts, what England lacks in tropical weather, it makes up for in rugged scenery and seafront entertainment. If you’re choosing to hit the beach in the UK, you’ll be in good company, as many cash-strapped Brits are choosing to holiday on home turf and coastal resorts will be putting on plenty of summertime entertainment to keep the masses happy. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway or dazzling party hub, these are some of England’s best seaside towns.

With excellent marked trails and camping facilities, and the Countryside Rights of Way Act allowing walkers to walk freely on over 2.1 million acres of land, England belies its small size with an incredible variety of hiking opportunities.

The UK’s renowned National Parks provide the backdrop to most excursions, with the dramatic landscapes of the Peak District and the Lake District’s high mountain passes drawing thousands of hikers. Further north the windswept Yorkshire Moors and the misty marshlands of the Yorkshire Dales offer hikers the chance to explore ‘Bronte County’, made famous by the legendary sisters, and in the south the lush woodlands and open plains of the New Forest, Exmoor and Dartmouth National Parks offer a network of trails that snake through paddocks of free-roaming native ponies.

With its roots dating back to 1948, England’s Bath International Music festival, or Bath Music Festival, is one of the city’s biggest events held each spring in the historic town. Showcasing a range of musical styles including orchestral, contemporary jazz, folk, world, roots and electronica, there’s something for all tastes and plenty of free events staged throughout the city.

The southernmost islands in the British Isles, England‘s aptly named Channel Islands lie in the English Channel near the French coast and include the bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. As the closest British territory to France, the islands have long been a strategic gateway to continental Europe and remain a fascinating focal point of Britain’s military and naval history, including being the only British territory to be occupied by German troops during WWII.

The spectacular White Cliffs of Dover are one of England’s most iconic landmarks but there’s more to the southern port town than its towering sea cliffs. With its busy harbor receiving daily ferries from continental Europe, Dover is one of the world’s busiest ports and many travelers choose to spend much longer than a night exploring the coastal city.