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Introducing England

England is steeped in history. Like Greece and Rome before it, this relatively small island nation rose to become what was once the world’s most powerful empire—by 1922, the British monarchy ruled more than a quarter of the world’s population. While the empire may have diminished over the course of the 20th century, the culture of the Britons and the beauty of England’s cities and villages remain steadfast.

When is the best time to visit?
England is famous for its gloomy weather; unfortunately, this stereotype is mostly true. Fall is gray and drizzly, and winter is gray and cold. The best time of year to visit is summer (June-August) when the sun shows its face—at least for a short while at a time—and you can put the heavy layers away. If you want to beat the crowds and score lower prices on hotels, try visiting during the shoulder spring season of March-May (and remember to bring a rain jacket). Learn more

Where should I go in England?
It wouldn’t be a trip to England without spending time in London. England’s capital is one of the world's great cities, equal parts tradition, history, modernity, and kinetic energy. In a single day, you can go from the colorful street art of bohemian Camden Town to the open-air markets of Notting Hill, from the gates of Buckingham Palace to a festive working-class pub south of the River Thames.

Two hours southeast of London, in the county of Kent, stretch the famous white cliffs of Dover, and north of London, the university city of Oxford has stunning medieval buildings dating back to the city’s founding in the 12th century. There are other interesting cities in the north, such as Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool—the famed birthplace of the Beatles.

Thinking about traveling around the United Kingdom? Learn more about planning a trip to Wales or Scotland. Many travelers also combine their trip to the UK with a visit to Ireland.

How many days do I need?
You can experience the highlights of London in a mere three or four days. With a week you can enjoy the capital and make time for another city or region, be it the cliffs of Dover or a trip to Oxford. In two weeks you can spend time in London, travel around the countryside to various market towns and villages, and even visit a city or two in the north.

Explore trips by duration: 5 days · 6 days · 7 days · 8 days · 9 days · 10 days · 11 days · 12 days · 13 days · 14 days · 15 days

England Tours & Itineraries

Get inspired by trips other travelers have loved
 The Jacobite Steam Train, also known as the Hogwarts Express
Map of Family-Friendly Adventure in England & Scotland - 7 Days
Family-Friendly Adventure in England & Scotland - 7 Days

This weeklong adventure around England and Scotland is terrific for families—and travelers young at heart! Start in London with a ride on the Hop-on, Hop-off Bus, and an interactive "Harry Potter" tour. Then you'll visit Kensington Palace, the Roman Baths, and mysterious Stonehenge before catching the Caledonian Sleeper train to Scotland. On the other side of the border, sample street food and local specialties on a food tour, then ride a Jeep around Cairngorms National Park on a wildlife tour. Finish the itinerary with an unforgettable train ride—best known to Harry Potter fans as the Hogwarts Express—and a boat cruise across the famous Loch Ness.

Tower Bridge amid a moody London sky
Map of Family Fun in London & Highland Adventures in Scotland - 10 Days
Family Fun in London & Highland Adventures in Scotland - 10 Days

Experience the highlights of London and Scotland over 10 days on an itinerary perfect for the whole family. Discover London's famous palaces, enjoy a "Harry Potter" tour, and see ancient archeological sites at Bath and Stonehenge. Take an overnight train to Scotland, walk the historic streets of Edinburgh, visit countryside locales seen in the "Outlander" TV series, and even ride the "Hogwarts Express" amid Highland scenery.

Cotswolds
Map of English Countryside Retreat - 9 Days
English Countryside Retreat - 9 Days

England's most beautiful attribute might just be its famous countryside. It exists everywhere outside the cities: great expanses of rolling green hills, many of them home to grazing sheep dotting the horizon like fluffy white cotton balls. On this 9-day itinerary, you'll visit some of the old towns, palaces, and fishing villages found in this bucolic paradise, making for one unforgettable British vacation.

London skyline
Map of London and the English Countryside - 7 Days
London and the English Countryside - 7 Days

On this week-long itinerary, you'll immerse yourself in the cosmopolitan atmosphere of London, visiting Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, the Tower of London, and much more. Then venture out into England's fertile green countryside, which boasts some of the most scenic landscapes in all of Europe. It's the perfect mix of city and country life, allowing you to enjoy culture and excitement as well as rest and relaxation.

English village of Bibury in Cotswolds
Map of Cotswolds Road Trip - 8 Days
Cotswolds Road Trip - 8 Days

Explore the heart of England from the famous "dreaming spires" of Oxford to the Roman baths in Bath, passing by some of the most quintessentially English villages of the Cotswolds. After visiting Oxford, head north via Blenheim Palace and the Cherwell Valley to the home of Shakespeare, Stratford-Upon-Avon. Following an excursion to Warwick Castle, start winding your way through the Cotswolds Hills, passing through a host of pretty villages built from honey-colored limestone. Then explore the elegant city of Bath where you can enjoy the grandeur of its Georgian architecture.

The Avon River and historic Pulteney Bridge in Bath
Map of Road Trip Through Southern England  - 7 Days
Road Trip Through Southern England - 7 Days

This 7-day escape to beautiful southern England combines road trip adventures with luxury activities. Enjoy the history and beauty of Oxford, Bath, and Stonehenge, plus stroll opulent manor gardens and indulge in healing waters at Britain's only natural thermal spa. What's more, you'll set off on a road trip through the unspoiled Cotswolds to see the magic of the English countryside and its charming medieval villages.

Make the Most of Your Time in England

Have a fixed number of days? Maximize the things to see and do during your visit
When planning a trip to England, spend a few days in London
How Many Days to Spend in England

England is an endless pageant of stunning landscapes, quaint villages, and vibrant cities teeming with fascinating historical and cultural sites. Even in as few as four or five...

Get yourself to iconic Westminster Abbey in London
Map of 1 Week in England - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
1 Week in England - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With one week in England, you can take a trip to up to four different destinations, split time between two or three, or even dedicate all of your travels to an adventure in one...

England Travel Advice

Read our detailed insights to make sure you have the best trip

Our Latest England Content

Spring lambs graze among the ancient standing stones at Avebury
Map of Relaxed Southern England Road Trip: London to Bath via the Cotswolds & Welsh Borders – 12 Days
Relaxed Southern England Road Trip: London to Bath via the Cotswolds & Welsh Borders – 12 Days

Immerse yourself in England's rural beauty and discover centuries-old villages, pubs, castles, and literary history on this 12-day road trip that sets off from London to Oxford and the Cotswolds, hops over the Welsh border for a night in Hay-on-Wye, and loops back to the capital via Bath. Along the way, you'll sample cocktails and visit gin joints in Soho, see jousting and falconry at Warwick Castle, cut through the rugged landscapes of Brecon Beacons, and wander among the standing stones of Avebury.

The Great Tor is one of the many beauty spots along the Welsh Gower Peninsula
Map of Relaxed Southern England & Wales Road Trip: Cities, Countryside & Coast - 13 Days
Relaxed Southern England & Wales Road Trip: Cities, Countryside & Coast - 13 Days

Discover some of the most scenic spots in southern England and Wales with this memorable 13-day road trip. Begin in London with a leisurely pedal around the landmarks by vintage bike, then get behind the wheel for Cotswolds country living, cozy pubs, and Oxford's academia. Hop over the border into Wales for a stay in colorful, coastal Tenby and a boat trip to the wildlife haven of Skomer Island, and wrap things up with a glimpse into the world of Jane Austen on a literary tour of Bath.

Tenby's beautiful pastel houses and sandy seafront make for a popular destination
Map of Relaxed Southern England & Wales Road Trip: Cities, Countryside, Castles & Coast - 15 Days
Relaxed Southern England & Wales Road Trip: Cities, Countryside, Castles & Coast - 15 Days

This 15-day road trip combines the vibrant capital cities of London and Cardiff with leisurely explorations of the rolling English countryside and the sweeping Welsh coast. It begins with cocktails and tasty bites in Soho before moving on to a visual feast of honey-colored villages and rolling hills in middle England's Cotswolds. Head west into Wales to chart the scenic Pembrokeshire coast before looping back to London via the soaring ruins of Tintern Abbey and a stint among Bath's elegant Georgian architecture.

England Travel Maps

Get the lay of land, and understand distances between the places you want to visit
Map 5 Days in England - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
5 Days in England - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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Map 2 Weeks in England - 3 Unique Itinerary Ideas
2 Weeks in England - 3 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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Map 1 Week in England - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
1 Week in England - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
View article

Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for England
Travel specialist Jane Davey
active 7 hours ago

Jane Davey

Born and raised in the UK, I’ve always had a love affair with the great outdoors. It’s no wonder I ended up in travel! Growing up, family holidays meant exploring the UK with my parents and...

read more...
Travel specialist Stephen Molloy
active 11 hours ago

Stephen Molloy

Urbanist by training, he spent most of his twenties traveling and living overseas. Bitten by the bug, he lived in Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, California, Australia, DRC, Kenya, Pakistan...and...

read more...
Travel specialist Aleksandra Shebaltseva
active 4 hours ago

Aleksandra Shebaltseva

As a passionate traveler, my approach is anchored in the belief that every journey is an opportunity for exploration and growth. With a penchant for immersing myself in diverse cultures and seeking...

read more...
Travel specialist Claire Monfray
active 9 hours ago

Claire Monfray

Born and raised in France I grew up in a multicultural family. Passionate for languages, I realised later that this passion had for roots my will to connect with other people and cultures. This...

read more...

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Trip Reviews for England

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Aleksandra was amazing in guiding us with our...
England | Jun 17 - Jun 27, 2025

Bruce
Bruce W.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jun 30, 2025
Aleksandra was amazing in guiding us with our first trip overseas to London, Paris, and Normandy. She was able to develop an awesome itinerary based on our desired sightseeing requests as well as offer additional points of interest to consider and she coordinated and purchased tickets for the tours, hotel accommodations, drivers, and other modes of transportation. All we had to do was book our flights. The trip could not have gone any smoother with little to no issues during the ten day... Read more

Aleksandra was amazing in guiding us with our first trip overseas to London, Paris, and Normandy. She was able to develop an awesome itinerary based on our desired sightseeing requests as well as offer additional points of interest to consider and she coordinated and purchased tickets for the tours, hotel accommodations, drivers, and other modes of transportation. All we had to do was book our flights.

The trip could not have gone any smoother with little to no issues during the ten day trip. She also checked in with us to make sure things were going well. You could not go wrong with Aleksandra!

Hotel Reviews
Hôtel A La Villa des Artistes
Paris

Right in the heart of Paris! What more could you want!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Chambres d'hôtes du Bas Manoir

A great countryside bed and breakfast outside of Caen for our stay in Normandy. The owners were quite friendly and delightful. The residence was built in the 16th century and was bombed on D-day, which made it that much more special to us.

Authenticity & Character
A 16th century residence and bombed on D-day, how authentic can you get!!
Location
Staff
Very friendly older couple.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Plaza Elysées
Paris
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Blakemore Hyde Park Hotel
London
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Palace of Versailles Day Trip With Driver Guide
Palace of Versailles Day Trip With Driver Guide
Paris
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
City & University Tour – Oxford Walking Tours
City & University Tour – Oxford Walking Tours
England
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Churchill War Rooms & WW2 Westminster Private Tour
Churchill War Rooms & WW2 Westminster Private Tour
London

One of my favorite tours as a World War II buff. Plenty of history and gives you and understanding what went on in the bunkers!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Thames Cruise with Dinner
Thames Cruise with Dinner
London

Relaxing evening on the Thames with great food and sights from the river.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus
Hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus
London

Great place to start your stay by getting your bearings and layout of the city.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Aleksandra Shebaltseva

An Exceptional England Adventure - Thanks to Kateryna!
England | Jun 5 - Jun 13, 2025

Julie
Julie H.
Minneapolis, MN | Reviewed on Jun 30, 2025
I'm thrilled to share our incredible 9-day family trip to England, which exceeded our expectations in every way. I would rate our overall experience a 9/10, and I cannot recommend both England as a destination AND our amazing travel agent Kateryna highly enough! What made this trip truly special was having everything seamlessly handled for us. Kateryna arranged all our accommodations, transportation (including private drivers and train tickets), and event tickets. The peace of mind that... Read more

I'm thrilled to share our incredible 9-day family trip to England, which exceeded our expectations in every way. I would rate our overall experience a 9/10, and I cannot recommend both England as a destination AND our amazing travel agent Kateryna highly enough!

What made this trip truly special was having everything seamlessly handled for us. Kateryna arranged all our accommodations, transportation (including private drivers and train tickets), and event tickets. The peace of mind that came with having every detail professionally managed allowed us to simply enjoy our vacation. Her expertise really showed in the quality of experiences she curated for us. And any time we had a question while on the trip, she was extremely quick to respond.

We explored London, York, Oxford, and the charming Cotswolds villages. Our itinerary was perfectly balanced, including iconic sites like Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace, cultural experiences at the British Museum and Harry Potter Studio, and unique adventures like our Secret Food Tour in Soho.

The private drivers and guides were a game-changer - traveling on our own timetable with just our family was luxurious and efficient. The trains ran smoothly with easy-to-navigate stations. Special shout-out to Eddie from Good Vibes Tours, who made our day absolutely memorable!

The Grand in York was phenomenal - spacious rooms, perfect location, and their afternoon tea was the epitome of a proper English experience. The Academy in London had great atmosphere in its Georgian townhomes setting, though some service issues arose. The Malmaison in Oxford served its purpose with a good location.

Early June was ideal - beautiful weather with minimal rain, and manageable crowds since schools weren't out yet. The food scene was excellent, especially our food tour with Tom King and that unforgettable afternoon tea at The Grand.

Bottom line - Kateryna created a trip that perfectly balanced must-see attractions with unique experiences, all while handling every logistical detail. For anyone considering England, I highly recommend both the destination and Kateryna's professional services. She made our family vacation absolutely magical!

Hotel Reviews
Malmaison Oxford
Oxford

The location of the hotel was fantastic. Close to the train station while also being close to the local attractions. It's a renovated prison which gave it an interesting character. My biggest complaints were that the rooms were very small, only one elevator worked, and the restaurant was overpriced.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The hotel was clean. It was the size of the rooms that made it not very comfortable.
The Grand, York
North Yorkshire

The Grand was amazing. The hotel itself is beautiful. The location was fantastic - close to the train station but also close to local attractions. Our room was extremely large and well appointed. The bathroom was amazing. And the food was great. We ate in the bar as well as having afternoon tea in the restaurant. Both were delicious. And the afternoon tea was everything a proper English tea should be.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Academy London

The location of the hotel was great -- close to tube stations and great restaurants. Our room was large; however, the bathroom was small. My biggest complaints resolved around service. Our room safe wasn't working when we arrived. I reported it multiple times and was assured that maintenance would look at it. Even though we were there four nights, it was never fixed. I requested extra blankets twice -- they never arrived. I also requested a room that didn't face the street and was assured the room didn't. However, when we checked in, it did.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Kateryna Garkavenko

40th Anniversary Celebration to London, Paris...
England | Jun 17 - Jun 27, 2025

Barry
Barry S.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jun 28, 2025
40th Anniversary Celebration to London, Paris, and Normandy
Planning this trip was a totally awesome experience. Working with Alexsandra could not have been easier. She worked with us to provide great accommodations and events that fit exactly what we wanted to do during our 12 day trip. We were able to add, remove, and modify anything we needed. When one of the items was not available, Alexsandra was able to move one day's activities to a different day and add another tour that was only...
Read more

40th Anniversary Celebration to London, Paris, and Normandy
Planning this trip was a totally awesome experience. Working with Alexsandra could not have been easier. She worked with us to provide great accommodations and events that fit exactly what we wanted to do during our 12 day trip. We were able to add, remove, and modify anything we needed. When one of the items was not available, Alexsandra was able to move one day's activities to a different day and add another tour that was only available on a specific day! She also handled all of our transportation needs via trains and taxis during the entire stay (other than flights to and from our home and a rental car). She also made a great suggestion that we walk instead of taking a taxi from our hotel to a train station because it would be significantly faster than taking a taxi (and seeing the traffic backup on our walk, she was right!). We were able to request an earlier pick-up time for the taxi to the airport and Alexsandra handled it quickly and made sure we had proper confirmation.

Our trip included 5 days in London, 4 days in Paris, and a day trip to Caen (Normandy). There is no easy way to pick a favorite part of our trip because it was all so wonderful. In England our day trip via train to Windsor Castle and Oxford along with our tour of the Palace of Westminster (British Parliament) topped the list. In Paris, our private tour of Versialles, along with the Montmartre area were highlights of those days. Our day trip to Normandy to see the history and drive through the small towns was something we will never forget.

I would highly recommend using KimKim for your travel needs if you want control of planning your trip and activities, while using the expertise of a person knowledgeable in the area you are travelling to help coordinate the activities and handle the logistics. We did not want to just be a part of a big tour group; we wanted to experience things mostly on our own.

If you are traveling to the United Kingdom, I would highly recommend Alexsandra to assist you in your travel planning.

Our experience with KimKim was incredible and we will use KimKim again for travel in the future.

Hotel Reviews
Hôtel A La Villa des Artistes
Paris

Staff was friendly and helpful. Rooms were clean and updated. Rooms are a bit small but not out of line for large city accommodations. Breakfast was a little lacking with the food on the buffet not being restocked while we were eating. We had to store our luggage upon early arrival and they had to store it out in the lobby behind the bar. Nothing was missing but it provided a bit of concern.

Chambres d'hôtes du Bas Manoir

A very lovely and charming bed and breakfast just outside of Caen, France. The owners were friendly and pleasant. The breakfast was simple with breads, pasteries, homemade yogurt and jams, and fruit (some grown on the property). Though over 300 years old, the rooms clean and well furnished with spacious and updated bathrooms. Note that this property does not have air conditioning and the room we stayed in did not have any windows that could be opened. The temperature during our stay was not unbearable so this was not an issue; however, it could be during higher temperatures.

Hotel Plaza Elysées
Paris

Great location just north of Boulevard Champs Elysees. Clean room with nice ammenities. The staff was friendly, but was not responsive to issues after we checked in. The room was hot when we arrived late in the evening and it took a while for the air conditioning to be turned on in our room. Each room had a fan, but ours was not working. After bringing this to the attention of the front desk and being promised to have it looked at, we never heard from them. The room eventually cooled down sometime after midnight.

Blakemore Hyde Park Hotel
London

Great location within 5 minute walk of 2 tube stations which allow you access to major attractions. Hotel was clean and roomy for a large city hotel. The staff was helpful and friendly. The breakfast was very good providing a traditional English breakfast buffet.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Although not located next to many of the traditional tourist attractions, this hotel was close to 2 tube stations which made it easy to travel to many locations within the city. 3 minute walk to the Kensington Gardens. Many pubs and restaurants also close by.
Staff
Friendly and helpful staff. Handled a request for an extra sheet promptly.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and comfortable.
Activity Reviews
Private Transfer from Paris to Paris Charles dea Gaulle Airport
France

We used this company 3 times during our stay in Paris and each time they communicated with us prior to arrival, at arrival, and got us to our location with no issues. From our hotel to the airport, the driver was early and got us there on time. The driver was helpful, courteous, and friendly.

Palace of Versailles Day Trip With Driver Guide
Palace of Versailles Day Trip With Driver Guide
Paris

We had never been on a private tour before and after this experience we will consider these more in the future! Our driver and guide Paul picked us up at our hotel and drove us out to the Palace. On the way he provided the history and background we needed to better understand what we were going to see. He answered questions and provided pleasant conversation during the entire trip. Once there, he managed us into the gardens and palace without any delays or waiting in line. He allowed us to take pictures and ask questions while moving us through and keeping us on schedule. He had a wealth of knowledge about the subject and again provided us with information we would not be able to get if we had toured on our own.

Quality of Experience
A private tour made the trip to the palace more informative
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Paul was fantastic! Pleasant and courteous.
Transport
Clean and comfortable vehicle
City & University Tour – Oxford Walking Tours
City & University Tour – Oxford Walking Tours
England

Wasn't sure what to expect when we arrived but was pleasantly surprised. Led by a graduate student, we received a ton of information about the area and the university that we would have never been able to get on our own. Excellent guide who made the trip enjoyable.

Thames Cruise with Dinner
Thames Cruise with Dinner
London

This was a very pleasant surprise of our trip. We had initially planned to remove this, but changed our minds and glad we did. The cruise started down the Thames with the first course of our meal and live music to entertain us. When we reached the turn around point, we were fed our main course and dessert which was excellent! The gentlemen provided entertainment following the meal. The setup of the boat was great. The views travelling back as the sun set and the lights of the city illuminated, were fabulous.

Quality of Experience
Food
Excellent
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Churchill War Rooms & WW2 Westminster Private Tour
Churchill War Rooms & WW2 Westminster Private Tour
London

If you are into WWII history this is a must see! Our guide was imformative and knowledgeable. He presented the a lot of information while walking us from the meeting point to the actual museum. Many of the items are as they were when the war ended, and the rooms were abandoned.

Hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus
Hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus
London

Great way to see the sights without needing additional transportation. Easy to hop on and off. We did this on our first day after travelling overnight. It helped us get our bearings and see areas that were not on our itinerary later in our stay. We were delayed with heavy traffic.

Local specialist: Aleksandra Shebaltseva

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