EnglandTravel Guide

The Houses of Parliament building is home to the House of Commons (elected by the public) and the House of Lords (based on family lineage). Officially known as the Palace of Westminster, The Houses of Parliament is where the British Government meet to pass legislation, debate opposition practices, and generally debate the pressing political issues of the day. It is also one of the most distinctive landmarks of London, thanks in no small part to part to its most iconic structure Big Ben.

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Elizabeth Tower, more affectionally known as Big Ben (Big Ben is actually the name of the 13.7-tonne bell within the tower, and is barely invisible from outside), was added as part of the restoration works after a fire ravaged The Houses of Parliament in 1834. The tower was completed in 1859 and has been chiming merrily to the people of London ever since — although it was largely silent for the 5 years between 2017 and 2022 when it underwent a major restoration project.

First built over 5,000 years ago, and taking an estimated 1,000 years to construct, experts are today still unsure of the exact reason why Stonehenge was built. While they know it was used as an astronomical clock, the time and effort afforded to its construction tells them there must have been something more meaningful to the Ancient Britons who placed it here. Around 3000 BC, the first stage of Stonehenge's existence was created. With 56 chalk pits, used to house cremated remains, laid out in a ring formation of over 330 feet in diameter. Some 500 years after this, the huge sarsen stones used as the iconic trilithons (the two large vertical stones, and the one horizontal stone they support) were put in place, having been somehow transported from over 20 miles away.

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Today, close to the site of Stonehenge, you find the Stonehenge Visitor Centre. Here, you can get a detailed audiovisual breakdown of the site's development, as well as its solar alignments. There are also displays featuring items found at the site over the years, including antler picks (used to dig out pits)and arrowheads. Best of all, there's a 360-degree projection of Stonehenge, showing the changing of the seasons and the midsummer sunrise as seen from the inner circle of the site.

Buckingham Palace is the British Royal Family's premier residence since 1837. It was first built in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham, and was later acquired by King George III. The palace today is made up of a total of 755 rooms. These include 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms. The 19 State Rooms are open to the public between July and September, while the King is away for the summer holidays. These rooms are always a popular visit, and are adorned with extravagant decor and priceless art.

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Even if you're near Buckingham Palace outside of the summer months, it is still worth the visit. While you won't have the chance to go inside, a walk through its mall is a treat at any time of the year — particularly on Sundays when it becomes a traffic-free zone.

The Changing of The King's Guard takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from August to May, and daily from June through July. This is the ceremony that sees the palace guards (Yeomen Warders, also known as Beefeaters) change shifts. The Changing of The King's Guard starts at 10.45am and lasts for 45 minutes.

Forming the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bath, The Roman Baths have lured visitors to their warm waters for almost 3,000 years. In 863 BC, according to legend, Prince Bladud founded the city after his pigs were miraculously cured of leprosy from the mineral-rich mud of the hot springs. There is evidence of human settlements here dating as far back as 8,000 BC, but it was the Romans who turned the baths into a social haven during the 1st century AD.

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The Roman Baths today stand as a testament to the Roman architecture of the time, and one of the most popular historic sites in Britain. From the reception hall, where you can pick up your personal audioguide, you can make your way onto the terrace overlooking the Great Bath. The terrace is decorated with statues of Roman emperors and British noblemen dating from 1894. The Great Bath is a 5-foot-deep pool of hot spring water and is lined with 45 sheets of lead.

The Terrace and the Great Bath are just the tip of the iceberg though. The rest of the site extends below the modern-day streets and squares that surround it, and are a treasure trove of ancient Roman artefacts. A series of CGI reconstructions and projections show you how the baths would have looked during the peak of its popularity. As a haven for relaxation and leisure, the Romans even installed saunas, changing rooms and plunge pools that are still visible today.

For a exploration of Bath on foot, check out our our Bath City Walking Tour page.

Westminster Abbey is what's known as a Royal Peculiar. It is not officially an abbey, and it does not fall under the ownership of the Church of England. Instead, it is set aside as a subject of the British Crown. Every English sovereign, since William the Conqueror in 1066, has been crowned here — with the exception of Edward V and Edward VIII, who were murdered and abdicated, respectively, before they got the chance.

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The majority of the Westminster Abbey, that we see today, was constructed during the 13th century, although its origins date back to circa 960 AD. Through the years, it has also been the location for 16 royal weddings and numerous royal funerals. Including, in recent years, the wedding of Princess Catherine and Prince William in 2011, and the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.

Highlights of the tour include the many royal tombs, including those of Mary Queen of Scots, the Boy King Edward VI and Queen Elizabeth I. As well as the graves of notable 'commoners' in Poets' Corner and Scientists' Corner. Poets' Corner features the graves of Geoffrey Chaucer and Charles Dickens, and memorials to William Shakespeare and Jane Austen. While Scientists' Corner includes the final resting places of Stephen Hawking, Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin.

Windsor Castle overlooks both the towns of Eton and Windsor (The wealthiest town in Britain, and home to more than 250 multi-millionaires). The site of the castle was originally chosen by William the Conqueror in 1070, with its construction lasting until 1086. It was built to guard the Western approach into London. In 1992, during what Queen Elizabeth II called her 'annus horribilis', or horrible year, a fire broke out in Windsor Castle and burned for 15 hours — destroying 115 of the castle's rooms. To cover some of the cost of the rebuild, the Queen started to pay income tax in 1993, making her the first British monarch, since the 1930s, to do so.

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Having been the home of 40 monarchs, Windsor Castle is both the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world. It is open throughout the year to the public, and offers a fascinating look into the day-to-day lives of British Royalty. Highlights of the tour include the ceremonial rooms, especially the Grand Reception Room, which uses real gold to decorate its walls and ceiling, and is adorned with stunning chandeliers. A favour with both kids and adults alike is Queen Mary's Dolls' House — a present to Queen Mary in 1924, the miniature rooms feature art, books, furniture and even running water and electricity!

On the castle grounds, you can also explore St George's Chapel, the final resting place of Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth II. And, on Thursdays and Sundays, there's also the chance to see the Changing of the Guard ceremony.

The town of York was first established by the Romans circa 71 AD, and was originally known as Eboracum. Relics and artefacts continue to be unearthed to this day, and it is said that only about 3% of York's subterranean Roman history has been discovered. During the 9th century, the town was the capital of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria, until it was seized by the Vikings — who renamed the town Jorvik.

York Minster was first constructed as a wooden church for the baptism of King Edwin of Northumbria in 627 AD. This church was replaced with a Roman-style basilica, parts of which are still visible today in the minster's foundations. Other surviving elements include remnants in the crypt and foundations of the first Norman minster, built here during the 11 century.

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The church of today was built 1220 and 1480, and stands as a visual record of key phases of Gothic architectural evolution. Enjoy a journey back almost 2,000 years through the structure's history, through an interactive exhibition in the Undercroft Museum — York Minster Revealed. And, see the magnificent skyline of York City stretching into the distance, from the minster's tower.

If you'd like to see more of York on foot, take a look at our York City Walking Tour page.

Often voted as Britain's favourite national park, and with 885 square miles of dazzling beauty, the Lake District is awash with outdoor adventures and fascinating history. Once described by the Romantic poet Daniel Defoe as being "barren and frightful", it wasn't until the mid-19th century that the terrain began to be appreciated by those outside its borders. Today, the Lake District is one of the British Isle's most popular tourist destinations and attracts almost 16 million visitors every year.

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This influx of visitors was aided in 1987 with the introduction of a railway to the Lake Districts' Windermere region. Windermere is England's largest lake, and its waters as well as its surrounding areas are the district's most visited sites. The Lake District is essentially a series of lakes connected with breathtaking scenery. Each one is as distinct and visually stunning as the next. Other notable areas of the Lake District include Wastwater, England's deepest lake, Wasdale valley, and Ullswater (the daffodils here being the inspiration for Wordsworth's poem - I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud).

First built during the 1880s, as a much-needed crossing point in East London, Tower Bridge has gone on to become one of the city's most popular landmarks. Using materials from across Britain, including stone from Portland, steel from Glasgow and granite from Cornwall, the two iconic Gothic towers were first erected in 1894 — and were originally a chocolate-brown colour. The ground-breaking feature of the tower was the steam-powered roadway raising. Taking only three minutes to raise, and allowing ships to pass between the two towers, it was a modern marvel of engineering for its time.

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Today, the bridge is raised via electricity and rises 800 times a year, on average. While the outside views of the bridge are why people are drawn to the attraction, the interior today is also worth a visit. Featuring a 36-foot-glass walkway of the Tower Bridge Exhibition, located 137 feet above the River Thames, as well as an audio-visual guide taking you through the bridge's construction and history.

Also known as the 'Palace of the Peak', this Chatsworth House is located 3 miles northeast of the charming village of Bakewell. Since 1552, it has served as the residence for the earls and dukes of Devonshire. There is a priceless collection of paintings and period furniture housed within its wall. Set upon 25 square miles of meticulously landscaped grounds and ornamental gardens, parts of which were designed by renowned gardener and landscape architect Lancelot 'Capability' Brown during the 18th century.

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A tour of the expansive Chatsworth House and its gardens include some of Europe's most precious art pieces, a working farmyard and acres of pristine gardens and water features. This is the Peak District at it most sublime. In the 1995 film adaption of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Chatsworth House was used as Pemberley, the residence of Mr Darcy.

Stratford-upon-Avon, a charming town in the West Midlands, boasts Tudor-style homes and a picturesque winding river. But, its real claim to fame is being the hometown of the legendary playwright William Shakespeare. Born in 1564 and raised on Henley Street in Stratford, along with his seven siblings. After his father John's passing in 1601, William inherited the family home. He later turned it into an inn called the Swan and Maidenhead, an establishment that endured until 1847.

While the exact date of Shakespeare's departure from Stratford-upon-Avon remains uncertain, historical records indicate his presence in London during the 'lost years' from 1585 to 1592. He eventually returned to his hometown in 1611. On April 23 of that year, also believed to be the date of his birthday, Shakespeare passed away at the age of 52.

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Today, you can walk through the impeccably maintained house where Shakespeare was born and raised. See his father's glove-making workshop, the family's kitchen table, and the bedroom where a young William shared a small bed with his three brothers, as well as many other carefully preserved artefacts. You are greeted in each room by an enthusiastic volunteer (dressed in period clothes) who will give you a detailed breakdown of its contents and history. Outside the house, there is a sculpture garden, a cottage garden, and orchards. There is also a miniature stage, where you can see actors showcasing some of the Bard's most famous works.

If you'd like to explore Stratford-upon-Avon on foot, take a look at our Stratford City Walking Tour page.

Having transformed itself from a sleepy Lancashire burrough in the 1700s, with a population of around 9,000 residents, to a powerhouse of The Industrial Revolution, the city of Manchester today is home to 552,000 people with a further 2.87 million living in its border regions. Since the boom of The Industrial Revolution, Manchester has faced it numerous socio-economic challenges, but is today enjoying a resurgence to its former glory.

The reason Manchester boomed during The Industrial Revolution was its complex series of canals, which saw the easy importation of goods, mainly cotton, to its shores. The city's historic warehouses and mills of this era have been renovated to form modern apartments and offices. Mixed with its recent tenacity to build upwards, with the skyline dotted with impressive skyscrapers, the locals affectionately refer to the city centre as Manc-hattan.

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You can explore these famous waterways, jutting out from the River Irwell, onboard a canal boat departing from the city centre and back. With the help of a loud and crystal-clear audio commentary, you'll set sail through the waters of Manchester City and see both its history and its modern facelift first-hand. The canal boats have seating in two sections. The warm and cosy downstairs sections, and the open-air top deck. Be warned, Manchester is known for its rain (any time of the year), and its cold (autumn and winter months!). If the weather is nice, the upper deck is well worth it. There's tea, coffee and snacks available throughout, and it's a great way to get the full history of the city without having to traverse the complex footbridges and pathways.

London is a city of continuous progress with a deep-rooted and proud history. It can be quite daunting in sheer size by those new to it, and it's best thought of a series of different villages rather than a sprawling metropolis. This is how the locals view it, villages, each with its own distinct character, that come together to form one of the world's most diverse and interesting cities. It currently has over 10 million residents from 270 countries, speaking over 300 languages. It's this diversity that has seen London continue to develop and flourish over the centuries.

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The number of must-see attractions in London is almost endless. The length of your stay will determine how many you get to cross off your list, but some of the most popular include The Tower of London, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and London Bridge. There's also Oxford Street for shopping, SoHo for food and drink, the West End for culture, endless parks, winding streets and some of the world's most unique characters.

If you're looking for the best way to see England's capital on foot, check out our London City Walking Tour page.

Located in central London, The British Museum is the United Kingdom's most popular museum, attracting close to 6 million visitors per year. First opened in 1759, it now stands as one of the oldest museums on the planet. Within its walls, you can find some of the most important artefacts of human history.

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Some of the museum's most popular pieces include two large stone figures from Easter Island and the Benin Bronzes (a selection of sculptures from the West African Kingdom of Benin). And, most controversially of all, The Elgin Marbles (a series of marble architectural decorations taken from the temple of Athena, in Greece). The marbles were created between 447 and 432 BC, and are frequently a source of friction between the Greek government and The British Museum. While Greece was their original home, the British Museum say that they helped avoid their certain destruction in the 19th century — while Greece was under the rule of the Ottoman Empire.

The iconic dome of St Paul's Cathedral has graced the London skyline since 1710. The site was once a pagan place of worship and has been a religious sanctuary for over 1,400 years. The structure we see today has survived the Blitz's Luftwaffe of World War II, and, before London's skyscraper boom of recent years, it stood as the tallest building in the city until 1963.

An earlier version of St Paul's Cathedral was destroyed by the Great Fire of London in 1666. And, under the guidance of one of the world's most revered architects, Sir Christopher Wren, the cathedral was rebuilt to its current glory. In 1981, St Paul's Cathedral was the location for the wedding of Charles, the Prince of Wales to Lady Diana Spencer.

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The highlight of a tour of St Paul's Cathedral is the magnificent dome that sits on top. Having been inspired by the Vatican's St Peter's Basilica, Christopher Wren replaced the cathedral's former tower with what is today regarded as one of London's most recognisable landmarks. As you climb towards the dome, 527 spiral steps in total, and take in the breathtaking views of London, the genius of Sir Christopher Wren comes to the fore. There is a touching monument to Wren in the crypt below the cathedral, as well as a memorial to around 300 historic figures from Britain's past, including Horatio Nelson and the Duke of Wellington.

Located on the northern banks of the River Thames, The Tower of London is home to some of the most fascinating, and chilling, history of England. Throughout its time, it has been a royal palace, treasury, mint, armoury, and even a zoo, the Tower is perhaps most renowned for its role as a notorious prison, where monarchs and nobles, including Henry VIII's ill-fated wives, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, met their tragic ends.

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The main attraction here is the Crown Jewels, featuring the world's largest diamonds, and protected by their live-in guards the Yeomen Warders, more commonly known as Beefeaters. The Tower is also home to a somewhat more important resident, a flock of ravens. It is said, that should ravens no longer live within the grounds, the British Kingdom will crumble. To avoid such a fate, there are spare ravens kept in the aviary — with their wing feathers clipped to make doubly sure!

You are free to wander through the tower however you please. But, you can also be guided by one of the Beefeater guards, which is included in the admission fee. This is a more rewarding experience, especially if it's your first visit. They have all the tower knowledge you need, and make sure you get to see its highlights.

Standing 350 feet above sea level, the White Cliffs of Dover have been a symbol of British hope and freedom for centuries. Offer a striking contrast with layers of wild, green grass above, these cliffs consist of soft, white, finely-grained limestone — formed over millions of years. They are located on the southeast coast of England, 2 hours and 15 minutes from London. The cliffs hold historical significance, having witnessed numerous invasion attempts, from Julius Caesar in 55 BC to the Nazis in the second world war.

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The White Cliffs of Dover Visitor Centre is located on the site of an old prison. The prison was originally built in 1883, once Britain stopped sending its convicts to its colonies. The government at the time needed somewhere to house its prisoners, as well as to store its fleet of ships on the southeast coast. Killing two birds with one stone, they founded a prison here and used its inmates to build the Port of Dover.

From the visitor centre, you can access the Lighthouse and the Fan Bay Deep Shelter — a series of now-abandoned tunnels built during World War II, as a storage system for the gun battery located above.

While the northeast of England is relatively sparse when it comes to notable landmarks, one has stood out since 1093 — Durham Cathedral. The area's other landmark of note, the Angel of the North, wasn't erected until 1998. Durham Cathedral is located a 25-minute train ride from Newcastle City, and is seen today as one of the world's most beautiful examples of Romanesque Anglo-Norman Architecture. Durham Cathedral was the first English Cathedral to be added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

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Within the cathedral, you'll get to see the exquisite stone Neville Screen, the final resting places of St Cuthbert and St Bede, the western and central towers as well as take in some of the most breathtaking views of County Durham. The one-hour tour of the cathedral is hosted by one of the expert volunteer guides, and they'll give you the full 1,000 history of the building, as well as take you on an exploration throughout it.

First erected in 1894, and open to the public on the 14th May that year, Blackpool Tower was, at the time, the tallest manmade structure in Britain. Taking its inspiration from The Eiffel Tower, which opened in Paris five years earlier, Blackpool Tower was the brainchild of John Bickerstaffe, the former mayor of Blackpool. Standing at 519 feet, the tower can see from as far away as the Lake District and Wales.

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A visit to the tower today includes a variety of different things to see and do, including a trip to its iconic 19th-century ballroom. With its stunningly decorated ceiling, vintage balconies and unique sprung dance floor — an evening here showcases British glitz and glamour at its finest. You can also take the Blackpool Tower Eye tour, ascending the tower and onto its dizzying SkyWalk, a thick glass viewing platform that offers views across the Irish Sea. Blackpool Tower also offers conferences and meeting spaces for large rooms, as well as magic shows, circuses and even mini-golf.

Needing to lay down a marker of where the Roman Empire ended and the wild unknown began, Emperor Hadrian began work on his bricked namesake in 122 AD. Hadrian's Wall today is a ruin of ancient temples and crumbling forts stretching 73 modern miles across England from the coast of the Irish Sea in the west to the coast of the North Sea in the east. Contrary to popular belief Hadrian's Wall does not act as a border line of England and Scotland, as Scotland is a further 65 miles north of the wall. The wall was awarded Unesco World Heritage Status in 1987.

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Some of the best-preserved features of Hadrian's Wall include Chesters Roman Fort, a Roman cavalry fort designed to protect a bridge crossing at River North Tyne. Heading to the west you can see what is possibly the first non-Roman structure built along the wall, Hexham Abbey was built during the 7-century incorporating stones originally brought to the area by the Romans for building their forts. And, further to the west again is Homesteads' Latrines, an amazingly complex and well-preserved communal toilet once used by Roman soldiers.