Though Rick and I have been to London, there are plenty of other destinations in England that we can’t wait to explore. London is definitely a must-see city in England but there are so many things to do in England that are outside of London – and we’re putting them on our England bucket list!
We’ve already planned a trip in 2020 that spans England, Scotland, and Ireland, and while we do return to London, I’m super excited to go out to the country and see some of the smaller towns and villages outside the main tourist part. If you want some inspiration for your own upcoming trip to England, check out our 10 picks for our England bucket list!
10 things to do on our England bucket list
Wander through Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is an easy day trip from London but definitely gets its own spot on our England bucket list. As the oldest and largest continuously occupied fortress (it was completed in 1080 and then redone in stone in 1170), it’s a must-do next time we’re in the country. It’s one of the Queen’s residences, which means tours can be limited if she’s occupying it, so sometimes a tour of Windsor Castle has to be substituted with something else.
If we can go, there are free guided tours as well as audio tours if we want to go at our own pace, where we visit the State Apartments, state rooms, and the chapel. The castle is home to almost a thousand rooms thanks to the many generations of royals who have added onto it, as well as boasts a variety of architectural styles and flourishes. We can also view the statues of the royal family and see royal portraits within the castle.
Next, we’ll visit St George’s Chapel, commissioned in 1475 and completed in 1528. The chapel is the final resting place for Henry VIII, Charles I, and George VI. Recently, the chapel was used for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding in spring 2018.
Finally, we can also catch the changing of the guard at the castle. The ceremony takes place at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays – though weather can impact this schedule.
See Stonehenge
Next on our bucket list is visiting Stonehenge! For more than 5,000 years, this mysterious stone circle has sat and no one is really quite sure what its original purpose was. The stones came from 160 – 250 miles away, adding to the allure and mystical ambiance of this place. We’ll have to plan ahead for our visit as tickets are done on a timed entry, but we think it’ll be worth it to see these stones with our own two eyes.
Take a bath in Bath
Leave it to the Romans to build a bathhouse in Bath and take advantage of the natural hot springs pooling there. We’ll still be able to see the original Roman baths and some of the structures, but we won’t be able to take a dip. We’ll have to go to a different spa to enjoy the springs. From photos of Bath, the surrounding city looks fun to explore and the perfect place to relax after a rejuvenating soak in the hot springs.
Visit the Lake District
I first heard of the Lake District in the Shopaholic series and after seeing a few photos of it, I can’t wait to visit! As the largest National Park in England that’s home to sparkling lakes and dramatic, rugged mountains, it definitely earns its spot on our list. The Lake District is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers a great variety of things to do, like walking, biking, water sports, and more. We’ll actually be stopping there on our planned trip and we just can’t wait to see this natural wonder in England.
Twist and shout in Liverpool
With deep ties to the Beatles and a lively food and drink scene, Liverpool also makes the list as we’ll be heading there on our next trip to England. We can visit the Liverpool Cathedral, an immense neo-Gothic church, and hopefully climb to the top of the tower for a great view of the city below. Another option for a great bird’s-eye view is the Radio City Tower. If we want to discover Liverpool’s nightlife scene, we’ll have to check out the Cavern Club!
We may also want to check out a football game while in town… which of course we’d be wearing red to support the home team!
Find Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon
While we’ve seen the Globe Theatre in London, it would be pretty neat to check out Stratford-upon-Avon and see William’s hometown and see his works performed at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. While in town, we can see his birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s cottage, Hall’s Croft, and the Church of the Holy Trinity.
Go back in time in York
I’ve heard a lot of good things about York, with its charming ambiance, old city walls, and winding narrow streets. From looking at photos, it kind of reminds me of a set from Harry Potter – super quaint and almost magical. We’d love the chance to explore this city and see the York Minster, York’s Gothic cathedral. The city is steeped in history, with the Shambles road having a citation dating back to 1086 and plenty of culture and pubs to explore.
Check out Cambridge
Cambridge is most famously known for having one of the oldest universities around, Cambridge University which was founded in 1209, but there are other things to do in Cambridge besides just touring the university buildings like visiting the Fitzwilliam Museum, crossing the Bridge of Sighs, or enjoying one of the many parks. A must-do that keeps popping up is touring the stunning King’s College Chapel and take in the beautiful architecture. One of the best ways I’ve seen to enjoy a tour of the city is on a Cambridge Punt and see the views of the colleges from this iconic river ride.
Discover wine in Kent
I’m not gonna lie, when I think of England beer is the first beverage of choice to pop into my mind, closely followed by gin. But, there is the Chapel Down winery in Kent, spread out over 22 acres, where they’re bottling excellent sparkling whites, chardonnay, rose, and a red blend. Guided tours and tastings are offered daily from March to November, but advanced bookings are recommended.
If we really want to take it to the next level with our newfound appreciation for English wine, we could join the Chapel Down Wine Academy where we’ll be taught to professionally taste wine and describe it. This one-day class is only offered every other month, starting in March and ending in September, and on select days. We’d definitely have to sign up in advance and plan to spend the whole day at the winery tasting wine – not a bad day in my book.
Beyond winery tours and tastings in Kent, this vineyard also has a great restaurant, The Swan, with outside seating overlooking the vines and countryside.
Life, uh, finds a way on the Jurassic Coast
I won’t be expecting a T-Rex to run across the landscape – though that’d be pretty awesome – but I am expecting some fantastic views along this 95-mile stretch of coastline from East Devon to Dorset, called the Jurassic Coast. This historic trail tells the history of our planet, covering the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods or a span of 185 million years. This area was actually designated the first natural World Heritage Site in England in 2001, and with a variety of beaches, cliffs, arches, and bays, we think it’ll be easy to see why.
There are 18 stops or natural landmarks to check out on the trail, including: Old Harry Rocks, Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door, Portland, Chesil Beach, West Bay, Golden Cap, Beer, and more. Each of these have their own importance along the trail as an ecological site or a home to a big collection of fossils.
What else should we add to our bucket list of things to do in England? Tell us in the comments below or on our Facebook Page!
