Artsy and independent travel in England featuring historic villages, architecture, and cultural landscapes

England

England is a rich and endlessly rewarding destination for the Artsy Traveler. Visit the many sites dedicated to great writers such as Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and Wordsworth; tour fabulous stately homes steeped in history; visit some of the world’s loveliest gardens, and of course check out world-class theater in London.

London alone could occupy weeks with its theater, music, museums, and galleries, but England’s creative spirit extends far beyond the capital. This England hub brings together my travel posts and guides to help you explore the country’s art, history, literature, and cultural life—whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning to dig deeper.

Planning a trip to England? Start with my comprehensive guide to artsy & independent travel in England, covering literature, theater, historic cities, countryside destinations, and practical tips for exploring without a car.

Visiting England: My Best Tips for Artsy & Independent Travelers


Posts About England

Here are all my posts about England:

The Best Novels Set in England for Arts-loving Travelers

The Best Novels Set in England for Arts-loving Travelers

Looking for novels set in England to read before your trip or to enjoy while traveling through London, the English ...
The Design Museum in London

Things to See at the Design Museum in London

I highly recommend a visit to the Design Museum in London. Unlike many museums that are full of objects we ...
Carol Cram at the V & A Museum in London

The Victoria & Albert Museum in London: My Honest Guide & Personal Favorites

The Victoria & Albert Museum is one of the world’s most amazing repositories of, well, beautiful stuff. It’s a collector’s ...
Carol Cram in front of a statue of King Arthur at Tintagel in Cornwall, England.

Get The Best Out Of Southwest England On A Rabbie’s Small-Group Tour

Consider taking a Rabbie's small-group tour of Southwest England to discover one of the country's most beautiful regions. When I ...
Carol Cram at the Roman Baths Museum in Bath, England

How to Make the Most of Your Visit to the Roman Baths Museum

The Roman Baths Museum in Bath, England, is the city’s foremost must-see attraction. If you only have time to visit ...
A modern brick building housing the Museum of English Rural Life, surrounded by greenery and a clear blue sky.

The Museum of English Rural Life: A Fascinating Look at England’s Countryside Past

The must-see Museum of English Rural Life showcases thoughtfully curated exhibits exploring the history of life in rural England. Eight ...
Exterior of the National Gallery in London

What To See At London’s National Gallery: The Best Of The Best

If you love art and you're heading to London, the National Gallery belongs at the top of your list. I adore ...
Birmingham city center canals

Birmingham City Break: Why England’s Second City is a Pleasant Surprise

Back in the day, industrial Birmingham did not have the best of reputations. I lived in England for four years ...
View of heather and moorland in Yorkshire

Discover Yorkshire: Best Places for the Artsy Traveler

I first visited Yorkshire during my epic around-England-by-train journey with two friends (read about that trip on the About page!) ...
View of the RSC theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon: A Love Affair for Shakespeare and Theater Fans

Love Shakespeare? Then make the pilgrimage to Stratford-upon-Avon, the town where England's greatest playwright was born, and see a Royal ...
Arlington Row in Bilbury in the Cotswolds

Hidden Gems of the Cotswolds: An Excellent Day Out with Go Cotswolds Tours

If England had a fairy-tale setting, it would be the Cotswolds. Its gentle hills stitched together with stone cottages, crooked ...
London skyline including big ben and parliament buildings

London in Two Days: A Museum & Theater Itinerary for Art Lovers

Doing London in two days (even with a bit added on after landing on the first day) is kind of ...
Bar at the Folies Bergeres by Manet

Why the Courtauld Gallery Is One of London’s Best Small Art Museums

I visited the Courtauld Gallery within hours of landing at Heathrow after flying to London from Vancouver. I couldn't wait ...
Front door of the Wilde Aparthotel

Why the Wilde Aparthotel in Covent Garden is Perfect for a Central London Stay

Choosing where to stay in London can make or break a short trip, especially if your time revolves around theater, ...
Magical Moments at the West Country School of Myth

Magical Moments at the West Country School of Myth

An Artsy Traveler is always on the look-out for those magical moments that make traveling so, well, magical. Guest poster, ...
Carol Cram
About Carol Cram

Carol M. Cram is the author of five award-winning novels inspired by art and the women who shaped it, the creator of Artsy Traveler, an arts-focused travel blog, the founder of Art In Fiction, a curated database of 2,500+ novels inspired by the arts, and the host of The Art In Fiction Podcast. She also authored 60+ textbooks on computer applications and taught at Capilano University for over two decades. She lives with her husband, artist Gregg Simpson, on beautiful Bowen Island near Vancouver, BC.