England: Castles, Coastlines, and Really Good Pubs
Medieval cities, national parks, coastal walks, and villages so pretty they look fake. Here’s how to see all of it.
England gets dismissed as a place people just pass through on the way to London. That’s a mistake. Get outside the M25 and you’ll find medieval cities with more character than most countries, coastlines that genuinely rival anywhere in Europe, and countryside so good it inspired basically every romantic poet you’ve heard of. York has Viking history buried under its streets. Bath has Roman hot springs that still work. The Lake District has mountains that will humble you. And yes, London is world-class too, obviously. But England’s real trick is that every region feels like a different country. A Lancashire market town has almost nothing in common with a Cotswolds village, and neither of them feels anything like Cornwall. This guide covers all of it, city by city, region by region.
7 hrs
From the New York
May–Sep
Best time
English
Main language
GBP (£)
Currency
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See England in 60 Seconds
Best Time To Visit
England has a reputation of being wet and unfortunately that reputation is completely true for the majority of the year. Summers can be mild and wet but can also be very hot and sunny if you time it just right. Winters are cold and wet. The weather can vary greatly from day to day and just because it is summer doesn’t mean it will be warm.
Having all weather clothing and clothing suitable for hot and cold temperatures with you at all times is advisable as conditions change quickly.
From December, the country turns into a winter wonderland, and you’ll find streets lined with decorations and plenty of German Christmas Markets.
If you’re not a fan of cold weather, May to August is the best time to visit England. The sun finally comes out, outdoor bars, open-air theatres open up, and festivals are a plenty.
For a month by month look click here
What To Expect
13°C
- Temperature
Capital: London
Language: The official language of England is unsurprisingly, English.
Currency: The currency in England is the British Pound. $1 USD is equivalent to about £0.75 GBP and €1 EUR is £0.87 GBP. Check current exchange rate here
Cash Machines & ATMs: There are plenty of ATMs around England’s big and small cities. Most machines will accept all cards. Credit cards and debit cards are used everywhere in Britain and are the best way to pay for purchases (cash is also fine). Contactless payments can also be used in most places, including Apple Pay & Google Pay.
Plugs: The plugs in England are type G with 3 rectangular pins. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50Hz. I recommend buying a Universal Power Adapter
Safety: The UK is generally a safe place to live with low crime rates and trusted police forces. They are ranked the 33rd safest country in the world. Always take precautions and be aware of your surroundings to avoid anyone who might try to take advantage of you being in an unfamiliar place
Never ever: If you go to the Tower of London or Buckingham Palace do not touch the guards! These have real guns and are not there for the fun of it. By all means have a picture next to them but don’t expect them to talk.
England Travel Guides
City guides, road trips, hiking routes, and the best things to see across every region.
City Guides
Itineraries + Maps
Best Places to Visit & Things to Do
Best Time to Visit
Hiking
Hidden Gems & Best of British
Travel Tips
Airport Guides
Everything Else
How Much Does England Cost?
England isn’t the cheapest destination in Europe, but it’s absolutely doable on a budget if you know the tricks.
🎒
Backpacker
~£50-70/day (~$63-88 / ~€58-82)
- Hostel dorms from £20/night ($25 / €23)
- Supermarkets and meal deals for food
- Public transport and walking
- Free museums, parks, and walking tours
🍜
Mid-Range
~£120-150/day (~$150-188 / ~€140-175)
- Budget hotels or private Airbnb rooms
- Restaurants, cafes, and pub lunches
- Mix of trains and local buses
- Attractions, day trips, and guided tours
🏨
Upscale
~£250+/day (~$313+ / ~€292+)
- Boutique hotels and historic country houses
- Fine dining and afternoon tea
- First-class trains and private transfers
- West End shows, private tours, exclusive experiences
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Budget
- Hostel dorm: £20-40/night ($25-50 / €23-47)
- Campsite: £10-30/night ($12-37 / €12-35)
- Budget hotel: £60-120/night ($75-150 / €70-140)
Mid–Luxury
- Airbnb apartment: £80-150/night ($100-187 / €93-175)
- Boutique hotel: £120-200/night ($150-250 / €140-233)
- Luxury hotel: £250+/night ($313+ / €292+)
City Travel
- Bus/tram ride: £2-3 ($2.50-3.75 / €2.30-3.50)
- London Underground: £2.80+ ($3.50+ / €3.25+)
- Uber/Bolt short trip: £5-15 ($6-19 / €6-17)
Long Distance
- Intercity bus: £5-30 ($6-37 / €6-35)
- Train (advance): £10-50 ($12-62 / €12-58)
- Car rental per day: £30-60 ($37-75 / €35-70)
Eat Cheap
- Meal deal (Tesco/Boots): £3-5 ($4-6 / €3.50-6)
- Budget meal: £8-12 ($10-15 / €9-14)
- Coffee: £2-4 ($2.50-5 / €2.30-4.70)
Eating Out
- Mid-range restaurant: £15-30 ($18-37 / €17-35)
- Sunday roast at a pub: £12-18 ($15-22 / €14-21)
- Pint of beer: £4-6 ($5-7.50 / €4.70-7)
Budget Fun
- Most major museums: FREE
- Walking tour: FREE (tip-based)
- National Trust day pass: £10-15 ($12-19 / €12-17)
Big Experiences
- West End theatre ticket: £30-120 ($37-150 / €35-140)
- Guided day trip (Stonehenge/Oxford): £50-100 ($62-125 / €58-117)
- London Eye: £30-40 ($37-50 / €35-47)
Ways to Save Money in England
🚰 Bring a reusable water bottle. Tap water is safe everywhere in England, and most train stations and cafes have free refill points.
🏛️ Hit the free museums first. The British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Science Museum, V&A, and loads more are completely free. You could spend a week in London without paying entry to anything.
🚌 Use public transport, not taxis. An Oyster card or contactless in London caps your daily spend. Outside London, local bus day tickets are usually £4-6 ($5-7.50 / €4.70-7).
🚆 Book trains in advance. Walk-up train fares in England are painful. Use Trainline or National Rail and book 4-8 weeks out for the best prices. Off-peak tickets are always cheaper.
🏨 Stay outside city centres. A 15-minute bus ride from the centre can halve your accommodation cost. And you’ll probably find better pubs.
🍽️ Supermarket meal deals are your friend. Tesco, Boots, and Sainsbury’s do a sandwich-snack-drink combo for £3-5 ($4-6 / €3.50-6). That’s lunch sorted.
🎭 Day-of theatre tickets. The TKTS booth in Leicester Square sells West End tickets at up to 50% off on the day. Or try TodayTix app.
🚶 Do free walking tours. London, York, Bath, Manchester, and most cities have tip-based walking tours. Great way to get oriented.
🎫 Get a railcard. The Two Together Railcard, 16-25 Railcard, or 26-30 Railcard all give you a third off train fares. Pays for itself in about two journeys.
🏕️ Visit national parks. Entry to England’s national parks is free. The Lake District, Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, and Dartmoor cost nothing to walk around.
📅 Travel in shoulder season. April-May and September-October have decent weather, lower prices, and fewer crowds. August is peak everything.
Getting Around England
England isn’t that big on a map. But train prices can be, if you don’t plan ahead.
Walking
Best for city centres and small towns. Most English cities are compact enough to walk across in 30-40 minutes.
✅ Free, obviously
✅ You’ll find things you’d never see from a bus
❌ English weather doesn’t always cooperate
Car Rental
Best for countryside, national parks, and road trips. The Cotswolds and Lake District are almost impossible without one.
✅ Total freedom for rural areas
✅ From £30/day ($37 / €35)
❌ Parking in cities is a nightmare (and expensive)
London Underground
The Tube is the fastest way around London. 272 stations, 11 lines, and a map that makes no geographical sense.
✅ Fast and covers all of London
✅ Contactless caps your daily spend
❌ Hot in summer. Seriously hot.
Trains
Best for getting between cities fast. London to Manchester in 2 hours, London to Bath in 90 minutes.
✅ Fast, frequent, reliable (mostly)
✅ Advance tickets from £10 ($12 / €12)
❌ Walk-up fares are eye-wateringly expensive
Intercity Bus
Best for budget travel between cities. National Express and Megabus cover most routes.
✅ Cheapest option from £5 ($6 / €6)
✅ Free WiFi on most coaches
❌ Slower than trains (sometimes much slower)
Cycling
Growing network of cycle lanes in cities. London’s Santander Cycles are cheap and everywhere.
✅ Santander Cycles from £1.65 ($2 / €1.90)
✅ Cambridge and Oxford are basically built for bikes
❌ London traffic can be intimidating for newcomers
Which Is Right For You?
Sticking to one city
Walk + local buses or Tube
Hopping between cities
Book advance train tickets
Countryside & national parks
Rent a car, no question
Tight budget, flexible time
Intercity bus (Megabus from £5)
Quick Tips
📅
Book Trains Early
Walk-up train fares can be 3-4x the advance price. Trainline app is your best friend.
💳
Go Contactless
Contactless/Oyster in London caps at £8.10/day ($10 / €9.50). Always cheaper than buying single tickets.
🚆
Get a Railcard
16-25, 26-30, Two Together, or Family railcards all save you a third on every ticket.
⏰
Avoid Peak Hours
Train tickets are split into peak and off-peak. Off-peak is dramatically cheaper.
Book Tours & Tickets
Related Resources
Travel Problems
Missed flights, lost luggage, dodgy hotels. It happens. Here’s how to handle all of it without losing your mind.
Theft & Scams
Pickpockets, tourist traps, and cons you won’t see coming. We break down the most common ones and how to avoid every single one.
Travel Insurance
Don’t skip this one. Especially travelling solo. We compare the best policies and explain exactly what you actually need.
FAQs
Do I need a visa to visit England?
It depends where you’re from. UK and Irish citizens obviously don’t. EU, US, Canadian, Australian, and most other Western passport holders can visit for up to 6 months without a visa under the Standard Visitor route. You don’t need to apply in advance, but you may be asked about your plans at the border. If you’re from a country that does require a visa, check the UK Government’s visa checker tool online before booking anything.
Is England safe for tourists?
Yes, very. England is generally a safe country with low violent crime rates. Petty crime like pickpocketing exists in busy tourist spots (looking at you, Oxford Street and the Tube), but it’s easy to avoid with basic awareness. The police are approachable and unarmed. The biggest actual risks are probably crossing roads without looking the right way (traffic drives on the left) and underestimating how quickly the weather changes.
What's the best time to visit England?
May to September gives you the best weather and the longest days. June and July are peak summer but also peak crowds. April and May are gorgeous if the weather cooperates. September and October give you autumn colours and fewer tourists. Winter (November to February) is cold and dark but Christmas markets and festive London are worth it. The honest answer is that English weather is unpredictable in every season, so pack layers regardless.
How much does a trip to England cost?
Budget travellers can manage on around £50-70/day ($63-88 / €58-82) staying in hostels and cooking some meals. Mid-range sits around £120-150/day ($150-188 / €140-175) with private rooms, restaurants, and paid attractions. Luxury starts at £250+/day ($313+ / €292+). London is significantly more expensive than the rest of England for accommodation and food. The further north you go, generally the cheaper things get.
What currency does England use?
The British Pound Sterling (£ / GBP). Contactless card payment is accepted almost everywhere, including market stalls and small shops. You barely need cash at all. Apple Pay and Google Pay work in most places too. If you’re exchanging currency, avoid the bureau de change at airports and train stations. They’ll take you for a ride on the exchange rate.
How do I get around England?
Trains for city-to-city travel (book in advance for decent prices). Buses and coaches for budget options (Megabus fares start at £5 / $6 / €6). Rental car for countryside, national parks, and road trips. Within cities, public transport and walking cover most things. London has the Tube, buses, and Overground. Check our full Getting Around section above for detailed prices and tips.
Do I need travel insurance for England?
If you’re visiting from overseas, yes. The NHS will treat genuine emergencies, but visitors aren’t entitled to free non-emergency healthcare. A broken leg, a dental emergency, or a cancelled flight can get very expensive very quickly. Even UK residents benefit from travel insurance if they’re doing adventure activities or booking expensive trips that might get cancelled. Check our travel insurance page for recommended providers.
Can I drink the tap water in England?
Yes, everywhere. England’s tap water is safe, well-regulated, and honestly pretty good (especially in the north, where it comes off the moors). Bring a reusable water bottle. Most cafes, restaurants, and train stations will refill it for free.
What should I pack for England?
Layers. Seriously, just layers. Even in summer you can get a cold morning, a warm afternoon, and rain by evening. A waterproof jacket is essential year-round. Comfortable walking shoes are non-negotiable because pavements are old and uneven in most historic towns. In winter, add a proper coat, scarf, and gloves. And sun cream for summer. Yes, really. English sun sneaks up on you.
Is London the only place worth visiting in England?
Absolutely not, and this is probably the biggest mistake first-time visitors make. London is world-class, obviously. But York has better medieval history. Bath has better architecture. The Lake District has better scenery. Liverpool has better music heritage. The Cotswolds has better villages. Cornwall has better beaches. Manchester has better nightlife (arguably). England’s real strength is how different each region feels, and how easy it is to get between them by train. Don’t spend your entire trip in London.
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