If you aren’t too busy admiring all the landscapes, culture and history that can be witnessed when visiting England then maybe you’re thinking of taking part in some of the excursions that this iconic country has to offer. There are many memerable ones to mention; and here are just a few suggestions of some of the best excursions available in England. Not only that, all those on this list are completely free, so you can bring the whole family along.
The Hands on History museum in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire.
A fascinating day out that allows for its visitors to explore the international history and even meet a mummy.
By David Wright, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9349101
Chester Cathedral
Climb to the top of the cathedral tower and wonder at the history that can be seen while discovering hidden spaces all around.
All-Hallows-by-the-Tower (The capital cities oldest church)
A fascinating Grade 1 listed building that remains remarkable despite being bombed in the second world war.
By Lonpicman – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:AllHallowsByTheTowerChurch.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2986229
National Railway Museum at Shildon
Located in the Vale of Durham lays the opportunity to see and understand Durham’s role in rail locomotion.
By Hugh Mortimer, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9260036
Tudor Trails Winchester
Visitors can experience trails and tours free of charge and gain a deeper understandin all thanks to its strong royal links.
Scotland has so much to offer those who visit, scenic views and wonderful landscapes make it a beautiful and fascinating place for anyone to escape to and explore. That being said while some may enjoy a trip that keeps them on their toes with hikes and trails it’s worth considering railway journeys as a means to see more of the country than would be possible otherwise. If you’d wish to admire the wondrous Scottish landscapes and marvel at the views in comfort or simply see the appeal of being able to see more by means of a train, these rail journeys are worth considering.
Highland Main Line
This line allows its passengers to view the highland Perthshire hills and rivers. Not to mention it also gives them the opportunity to experience the mountains along the Spay Valley, with the additional benefit of being able to appreciate Cairngorms National Park.
Borders Railway
A line that allows you to access a part of Scottish history, passing through remarkable mining villages such as that of Gorebridge and Newtongrange.
Far North Lane
By Sexy Simon – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=107132981
A rail journey to remember, one which allows you to follow the North Sea coast and admire distilleries, salmon rivers, golf courses, and the Wick fishing port.
Inverness Kyle Line
By Sexy Simon – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=107132989
Pass through and admire beautiful lochs, mountains, vast moors and forests as you travel coast to coast across the Scottish Highlands.
West Highland Line
Breath-taking views of lochs and extraordinary mountains to be witnessed while on this journey. Additionally allowing you to travel the Glenfinnan Viaduct just like the wizards are seen to do in the iconic Harry Potter movies.
If you’re going to truly embrace British culture on your trip, it’s only right for you to embrace the cuisine. Food brings so many so much enjoyment and happiness and provides a means by which we can gain even deeper insight into the places that we visit. While you might not instantly associate Britain with food, British cuisine is certainly deserving of some of your time on your visit.
With so many cultures having found a home in Britain it’s no surprise that multicultural cuisine is widely spread and enjoyed by the vast British public. Understandably this diversity is most noticed in the big cities where it is more densely populated. With this in mind, there’s ample opportunity to experience the unique cuisine that has come about as a result of the mixing of so many traditional cuisines. That being said if you’re looking to experience more traditional British cuisine there are some traditional dishes to be had.
It is said that British cuisine has come along way in recent years, moving away from its once awful reputation. In modern Britain eating out and eating well are far more common. Traditional British meals can be enjoyed in an array of restaurants, takeaways, and pubs. Some such meals include the iconic battered fish and chips with mushy peas and tartar sauce while the consumption of this meal has decreased slightly it would still be a great shame to visit the UK and not to enjoy its most well-known dish. Other foods widely enjoyed are pasties, scones, pies, cheese, and the traditional Sunday roast dinner. As you can likely tell baked goods are loved in British cuisine and so we really must recommend you take a trip into one of the many bakeries and take advantage of their wonderful freshly baked foods.
Although you may have had a negative impression of the food found throughout Britain it really is worth you giving it a try and deciding for yourself. Both their traditional foods and those that have come as a result of the cultural diversity are waiting to be explored and enjoyed by you.
Suet crust dumpling with a savoury filling one end, sweet filling the other. The savoury filling is usually meat with diced potatoes and vegetables. The sweet filling can be jam, cooked apple or other fruit.
Mashed potatoes and sausages, sometimes served with onion gravy or fried onions. Note that while sausages may date to the time given, potatoes are from the Americas and were not introduced to Europe until the 16th century.
Roast beef 1700s,[27]Yorkshire pudding (1747),[28] roast potatoes, vegetables. Roast beef with Yorkshire pudding is a national dish of the United Kingdom.[6]
With the fascination surrounding the British royal family, it would be a crying shame not to visit Windsor Castle. The mesmerizing castle has been home to the royal family for over 900 years and stands as the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. The castle is open to the public to visit at certain times of the year so you can really admire and appreciate the architecture and history of it all.
Loch Ness is saturated in fascinating folklore and is well worth a visit. It’s the largest body of fresh water in Britain and is a truly breath-taking sight. If that wasn’t reason enough to want to visit there have been many alleged citing’s of ‘The Loch Ness Monster’, otherwise named ‘Nessie’ that have made the site incredibly famous.
One of the most famous landmarks you could visit is the iconic Big Ben. Near the Palace of Windsor, another iconic landmark, the Clock Tower has been called the Elizabeth Tower since 2012. It’s a breath-taking 3.159.ft tall and is definitely worth seeing.
Stonehenge sits as the most architecturally sophisticated stone circle in the entire world and Avebury the largest. Located within Wiltshire, Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument and is a very popular place for those who are visiting England to admire. Avebury is also a stone circle but has the additional bonus’ of fewer tourists and fewer restrictions.
One of Britain’s most mesmerizing natural landmarks Cheddar Gorge demands your attention, rising up 450.ft are said to be Britain’s highest inland limestone cliffs. It’s breathtakingly beautiful and unique in its wonderful stalactite caverns which came as a result of Ice Age melt-waters.
Coventry Cathedral has immense beauty and a long and fascinating history. It was almost completely ruined in a bombing raid in the Second World War but thankfully a new Cathedral has been built alongside its ruins a decade later. The history and architecture will be sure to occupy you on your visit.
We can’t forget the terrifically famous London Eye. The marvelous Millennium Wheel sits on the south bank of the River Thames in England’s capital city: London. With a whopping 3 million visitors annually it’s the most popular tourist attraction in the whole of the UK.
One of the most accessible ways to appreciate the beauties that the United Kingdom has to offer is by means of the road. There are numerous wonderful landscapes around the UK that can only be fully appreciated if you take the time to road trip through them. The UK is fully saturated with well-maintained roads for you to choose from. Whatever your preference, the UK probably has a route to suit it all.
Cheltenham to Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon can be most notably known as the place where Shakespeare was born and has become a popular hit among travellers. The journey is a peaceful and tranquil one that takes place on more rural roads which means it makes for a great relaxing trip. With sites of woodlands, meadows, charming villages the route allows you to appreciate all the gems of the Cotswolds. If all that isn’t enough there’s always the option of taking the opportunity to see an act at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre when you come to the end of the route.
By Diliff – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3941750
Belfast to Derry
A pleasant and charming option for those who are more drawn to the idea of exploring Northern Ireland. You’ll get to appreciate the wonders of the Glens of Antrim, woodland to the side of the sea, and nine green valleys on this route that follows the northeast coast.
By Albert Bridge, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13641664
Highland Perthshire Loop
If Scotland is more appealing to you then this route is a great option that allows you to see many of Highland Perthshire’s mesmerizing scenes and landscapes. The journey will take you about half a day but if you’re looking to experience even more then there’s always the option of detouring at visiting Aberfeldy and Pitlochry driving along Loch Tummel and the River Tay.
By Paul Hermans – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10389005
Somerset to Cheddar Gorge
As one of the UK’s best natural wonders, it makes for a beautiful place for a leisurely drive. There are 27 incredible cliffs to be appreciated along the journey as well as plenty of activity places to stop at along the way to get fully submerged in the adventure.
By Diliff – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29721907
Loch Lamond to Glencoe
Another glorious option in Scotland that takes you along the water’s edge. This is a trip that allows you to venture through both the Argyll Forest Park and the incredible Trossachs National Park. At the end of the journey, there are various landscapes to marvel at.
By Richard Webb, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=447329
Journey around New Forest
With an array of beautiful pastures, heathland and forest this makes for a memorable and charming journey. If you’re into photography there are plenty of great photo opportunities along the way where you can capture the magical scenes that you pass.
#By Cmcqueen – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27590572
Landudno to Snowdonia
Lastly a breath-taking option for those looking to journey in Wales. Snowdonia is truly incredible with towering mountains, stone walls, and jagged peaks that all make magical sites. If you’re looking to appreciate the area even more there’s the option of climbing Snowdon or for the less ambitious there is always the option of the train.
Looking out from the approach to Crib Goct from Pen Y Pas, over Llyn Llydaw
If you’re looking for a calm and charming getaway then a stay at Hayling Island may be the one for you. Hayling Island is a small and endearing island off the south coast of England. The island is within the county of Portsmouth and has all the attractions of your traditional seaside holiday. With the additional benefit of impeccable views of Langstone Harbour, it makes for a beautiful place to visit and admire. It is one of the many fascinating British isles that is often overlooked and overshadowed by some of its bigger and more well-known neighbours. In addition to this, the island has a small but charming population of around 17 thousand which means its got all the makings of a quiet and uninterrupted trip filled with fascinating views and wondrous beaches.
Despite being peaceful and serene there are still many activities to get up to when visiting Hayling Island. In fact, windsurfing was actually invented there and so sports events linked to windsurfing as well as sailing are often taking place for visitors to get involved with.
Windsurfing – Hayling Island
Sailing – Hayling Island
There are numerous wonderful beaches to enjoy with the family or to simply take a dip in the water, some most notable include; West Wittering Beach and Hayling Island Beach. If beach leisure isn’t for you and you prefer a more active trip there is an abundance of parks to wander during your visit with Queen Elizabeth Country Park and Staunton Country Park as well as others offering glorious trails for visitors to wander.
While providing typical features of a British seaside holiday Hayling Island is too unique in its range of opportunities. For those looking for a little more, there is also the possibility of catching the Ferry to Portsmouth and enjoying the water. Or even more interestingly, you may want to get the ‘Bee-Brave Experience’ which is an opportunity to gain understanding and get close to Bees an experience unique to the charming island.
Skye, or the Isle of Skye has a truly breath-taking landscape and plenty of views to be admired when you visit.
Coral Beach
Skye is within the Inner Hebrides of Scotland and is actually the largest of the major islands. Perfect for those with a passion for the outdoors and a taste for beautiful views. It’s considered one of the top locations in Scotland to visit, admired mostly for the remarkable scenery. In addition to the remarkable landscapes its also a great place for those with a passion for wildlife. A variety of enchanting animals including seals, dolphins and otters can all be appreciated when visiting the Isle of Skye.
Seals on Skye
While it is remarkably beautiful, that’s not all Skye has to offer. There’s plenty to do for those who decide to visit and a variety of places to choose from. As suspected the incredible landscape means that it is a prime place for walkers, hikers, and climbers.
Quiraing – Totteridge Ridge
It has many famed climbing destinations including ‘The Trotternish Ridge’ which would make for an adventurous and challenging day out. However, for those less experienced, Skye is highly saturated in areas that would make lovely walks. For those who are looking to appreciate the landscapes by other means there are plenty of pony ride opportunities available.
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