There are seemingly endless numbers of things to do in England, weather permitting of course. With the diverse landscapes, picturesque villages, and thriving cities found throughout the country, visitors are never short of ways to pass the time. A range of activities like surfing, mountain biking, and hiking, are great ways to discover the scenic outdoors in places such as the Lake District and Cornwall, but plan accordingly for England’s notoriously gloomy, wet weather.
If you’re not sure where to start when visiting England’s major cities such as London, Manchester, or Liverpool, plenty of companies arrange guided tours around the best spots, while day-trips to historic towns, including Bath and Stratford-upon-Avon can also be booked.
No trip to England would be complete without a double-decker bus tour of the buzzing capital, London. See famous sights, such as Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, the Houses of Parliament, and the London Eye. The Original Tour, which has been operating since 1951, hosts numerous routes around the historical city, allowing passengers to jump on and off as they please.
Boating on the calm waters of Lake Windermere is one of the finest ways to soak up the surroundings of this breathtaking part of the country. The inspiration for many of the great works of poet William Wordsworth, the Lake District is abundant with natural beauty, rare wildlife, and, of course, brooding lakes. Sailboats can be rented through Ark Sailing and canoes can be provided by Windermere Canoe and Kayak.
Spend the day in Liverpool and join a magical mystery tour, following in the footsteps of England’s biggest celebrities, The Beatles. Visit the places which provided the inspiration for the songs - Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane - and head to venues, such as The Cavern and The Casbah, to see where the Fab Four started out on their journey to becoming the most famous music group of all time. Beatles Tours runs a number of trips, varying in length, throughout the area.
Surfing in Cornwall, where impressive waves are formed by the low pressure systems of the Atlantic, has long been a common pastime of the English. The region’s glorious beaches, particularly in Newquay, attract pros and amateurs alike through the summer months. Many companies provide equipment from boards to wetsuits, and a few, such as Harlyn Surf School, provide lessons for anyone wishing to learn the sport or hone their skills.
Linking the North and Irish seas, the enticing and exciting Trans Pennine Trail is a great route to cycle. Spanning the sprawling, low rising Pennine mountain range in the north of the country, this route is ideal for a family adventure and has a number of campsites, hotels, and country pubs along the way to keep you revitalized and refreshed. You can rent bikes from Hebden Bridge Cycle Hire.
One of the most entertaining and eeriest ways to discover the medieval city of York is on a spooky evening ghost walk. Trawl the streets of ancient England under the cover of darkness and hear the tales about its long and sometimes gruesome past to search for spirits and ghosts left behind. Famous specters include the Headless Earl and the Gray Lady, a nun who was buried alive. The York Ghost Walk Experience is one of the more popular tours and is perfect for adults and children alike.
Rock climbing in the Yorkshire Dales is not only a brilliant way to test your nerve and get the adrenaline pumping, but also a fantastic opportunity to view the stunning scenery of ‘God’s Own County’ from a different perspective. Due to the large number of limestone and gritstone cliffs in Yorkshire, the opportunities to scale a variety of surfaces are limitless. Whether you are an expert on the face or trying your hand at climbing for the first time, Rock Steady Adventure can help to make the most of your time in England’s largest county.