Charming towns, bustling cities, and afternoon tea are only three of the reasons why you should take a family vacation in England. There are so many others. Although, you may not find your favorite reasons for vacationing in this country until you have explored it in depth. Therefore, I am going to share some of the best things to do in England with you. As you are perusing this list, gather your thoughts as to which options your family will love to do the most. I can then use those ideas as I am personalizing your family vacation itinerary for England.  

Best Things to Do in England 

Go On a Walking Tour of London 

One of the best things to do in England is taking a walking tour of London. This walking tour will allow you to get the lay of the land so to speak. During your walk, you will see sights like Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, and Big Ben.  

After your walking tour, you can choose to revisit the attractions you want to spend more time at. 

If you don’t want to do the walking tour, there is also a Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour available. Simply let me know which one you prefer for your family vacation in England, and I will make all the arrangements.  

You may even be interested in learning how to travel like a local in England! 

Check Out Stonehenge 

One of the most mysterious historical sites in England is Stonehenge. This is a World Heritage Site. It is an impressive area that includes the infamous stone circle, ancient houses, and a museum. This is an easy day trip from London.  

Take a Walk Along the Jurassic Coast 

The vistas along the Jurassic Coast are spectacular. This is another World Heritage Site in England. You will see quite a few of them during your family vacation.  

This coastline stretches for ninety-five miles. You will love searching for fossils during your visit to this coastline. I recommend taking a guided walk, because it will allow you to learn a lot about the area.  

Relax in a Mineral Bath 

The Roman Baths in Bath are now in ruins. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t have your thermal spa day while on a family vacation in England. After a tour of the Roman baths, soak in one of the two mineral pools at the spa nearby. Your session will last for two hours, which is plenty of time to feel nice and relaxed.  

Go Punting in Cambridge 

Have you ever heard of punting? No worries! Most people haven’t! Punting is where you guide a boat while using a pole. You can tackle this adventure on your own. Or you can take one of the punting boat tours. I recommend the latter, as it allows you to enjoy the views of Cambridge without the hassle of guiding the boat.  

Take a Tour of Windsor Castle 

Self-guided tours of Windsor Castle are available throughout the year. It is best to purchase your tickets in advance, because they can sell out quickly. During your tour, you can see many of the rooms within the castle. Your ticket also includes a peek into St. George’s Chapel and time on the grounds.  

Go On a Drive Through Cotswold  

The villages that make up Cotswold in England are all small and charming. You may not have time to visit them all during your family vacation. But just seeing a few of them are considered one of the best things to do in England.  

While in the villages, stop into the small shops and local tea rooms. It is an excellent way to mingle with the locals.  

Go for a Hike in the Lake District 

The Lake District is located in Cumbria. This picturesque destination is full of mountains and lakes. Hiking the trails in this area will have you experiencing the beauty and tranquility of the countryside. I recommend hiking the Roman High Street Circuit or going to the summit of Scafell Pike.  

Although, if your family loves to hike and has the experience, consider tackling the Three Peaks Challenge. During this challenge, your family will hike to the summits of Scafell Pike, Wales’ Snowdon, and Scotland’s Ben Nevis. Yes, that means you are in three different countries during your family vacation. Talk about memorable moments! 

Enjoy Afternoon Tea 

You can enjoy afternoon tea in England almost anywhere. If you are looking for a high-end afternoon tea though, I recommend the one at Cliveden House Hotel. They offer afternoon tea seven days a week. Champagne is included for those who are old enough to drink. And if you order too many of the delicious goodies, they can be boxed up to take back to your hotel.  

Take a Tour of the Canterbury Castle 

There are plenty of historic cathedrals in England. You could honestly spend your entire vacation in England touring them all. This cathedral was originally constructed in 597. It was completely rebuilt during the 11th century.  

If you only have time to explore one of the cathedrals in England, make Canterbury your top choice.  

Check Out Hadrian’s Wall 

This ancient fortification was constructed in the year 122. The wall goes from Ravenglass to Wallsend. During your visit, you can see the parts of the wall that are still standing. Those portions are the ones that were reconstructed back in the 19th century.  

Visit the Home of Shakespeare 

William Shakespeare lived at Stratford-upon-Avon. This home can be found in Warwickshire. His living quarters have been carefully preserved. Your family can see many of his personal belongings during your visit.  

Go On a Harry Potter Studio Tour 

Harry Potter fans will love taking the Harry Potter Studio Tour at Leavesden Studios. During this tour, your family can wander around the Great Hall, see a few of the original costumes, and peek into the shop fronts on Diagon Alley.  

Make sure you have time in your schedule to learn how to fly on your own broomstick and drink a pint or two of butterbeer. Those are the things you will remember the most from your family vacation in England.  

Watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace 

One of the best things to do in England is watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. The days and times for this change throughout the year. You can find the times during your family vacation in England on The Household Division website.  

When you are in front of Buckingham Palace, check to see if the Royal Standard is flying above. If it is, then the King is in residence that day.  

Visit a Museum or Two 

Many of the best museums in London are actually free to visit. This is good news if you want to check them out but know your family won’t last more than an hour or two in each one. Start at the British Museum. This is where you can see the Rosetta Stone.  

After that, consider going to the Natural History Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, Imperial War Museum, and the Science Museum.  

Listen to Big Ben 

You can hear the bells from Big Ben in many places around London. However, you still must see this clock up close during your family vacation. This must-see attraction is within the Elizabeth Tower.  

The great bell chimes every hour. Quarter bells chime every fifteen minutes. The best time to see this clock is at night when each of the faces are lit up.  

Visit the Winston Churchill’s War Rooms 

These war rooms were where Churchill hid, worked, and eventually lived during World War II. During your visit, you can wander through the open corridors and rooms. Most of the rooms still have personal and business items on display. It is the best way to learn how Churchill and his staff spent their days and nights during this time in history.  

These are some of the best things to do in England during your family vacation. There are so many other things to do in England that you can add to your itinerary though. We can discuss all the possibilities while I create a personalized family vacation itinerary for your next trip.  

So, are you ready to have me create a personalized family vacation itinerary for your trip to England or another destination?  

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to click here to schedule a personalized family vacation planning session with me. When you click on the link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.  

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