Visiting England: My Best Tips for Enjoying an Artsy Trip
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England is so full of artsy sites and experiences that you’d need a lifetime to explore them all! 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.
And that’s just scratching the surface of all that England has to offer. This page provides a short introduction to one of my favorite countries.
England is so full of artsy sites and experiences that you’d need a lifetime to explore them all! 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.
And that’s just scratching the surface of all that England has to offer. This page provides a short introduction to one of my favorite countries.
My Relationship to England
England has played a big role in my life since I first visited in 1970 on my epic European trip with my mom. Four years later, at the age of eighteen, I returned to England with two friends and circumnavigated it by train–traveling from London up the east coast to Scotland and down the west coast to Wales and all the way to Land’s End in Cornwall. We stayed in youth hostels and cheap B&Bs and had a marvelous time!
My love affair with England was only beginning. I stayed in England for four years–earning my B.A. in English Literature from Reading University and then completing an education certification at Durham University. During those years and on subsequent trips, I saw a great deal of England.
In 2022, I returned for a two-week odyssey that took me from London to Stratford-upon-Avon and then on to Birmingham, York, and finally Durham to revisit my old stomping grounds from when I lived there in 1979.
Here are posts about England to give you ideas about what to see and do.
Posts About England
London’s National Gallery: The Best of the Best
Birmingham: A Pleasant Surprise for the Artsy Traveler
Yorkshire: Plenty of Variety for the Artsy Traveler
Stratford-upon-Avon: A Must-Stop for the Artsy Traveler
Exploring the Cotswolds with Go Cotswolds Tours
London in Two-and-a-Bit Days for the Artsy Traveler
Courtauld Gallery in London: A Treasure Trove for the Artsy Traveler
We Have a Winner – Stay at the Wilde ApartHotel in Central London
Myth-Making & Travel: Three Magical Moments with Trees in Dartmoor, England by Guest Poster Tina Overbury
Top Ten Artsy Novels to Read in Europe
Favorite Places in England
The map below pinpoints my top ten favorite places in England. If you’re planning a trip to England, consider including these places in your itinerary. I suggest focusing on the south and southwest in Dorset, Devon, and Cornwall, then visiting Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon and the Cotswolds before heading north to spend time in York, Durham, and the Lake District (Keswick makes a good home base).
Practical Tips for Travel in England
On this page, I cover some of the basics of visiting England–when to visit, checking events, transportation, accommodations, and food.
When to Visit England
English weather does not have a great reputation. For much of the year, it’s rainy, grey, and kind of chilly. But even on the wettest days, I’ve discovered that England’s weather can surprise and delight. Many times I’ve set off in the rain in the morning and spent the afternoon in glorious sunshine (and vice versa). Take an umbrella and dress in layers and England’s weather shouldn’t slow you down.
That said, the best times to visit England are in the late spring, summer and early fall. Darkness falls quite early in the winter and often attractions are closed or have limited hours. Lately, summers have been uncharacterisically hot which is a problem because most places in England are not air conditioned. In 2022, I visited during the last two weeks of August when the heat wave had abated. Apart from one rainy morning and one rainy evening (and it was dark so whatever), I experienced near-perfect weather–sunny, warm but not hot, and comfortably breezy.
Check Events and Exhibitions
Before you visit England, check online for exhibitions and performances. Also be on the lookout for local festivals.
You’ll definitely want to check what’s playing in the West End while you’re in London. Find listings on websites such as London Theatre Direct and London Theatre, and then book directly with the theatre. I almost always get better seats at more reasonable prices when I book with the theatre than if I go through one of the big resellers. But checking the big websites is the best way to figure out what you want to see.
On my most recent trip to England, I saw four performances in three days: My Fair Lady, Six: The Musical, and Jersey Boys in London, and Richard III performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon. Each performance was first-rate and worth every penny. And speaking of money, theatre performances in London are remarkably reasonable compared to their counterparts in New York. I paid on average about £50 to £80 for excellent seats at each performance. If you want to be “up in the clouds,” you will pay a lot less.
Choose Your Transportation
England is not a large country and it’s easy to travel around by public transit, although not quite as easy as it was back in 1974! Many train routes have been closed over the years, particularly those in rural areas. But getting from city to city by train is still fast, efficient, and relatively inexpensive.
Take the Train!
If you’re 60 or older, consider purchasing a Senior Railcard. You get a considerable discount on train journeys; the cost of the railcard easily pays for itself with just a few trips. Check the UK Railcard website for information about the senior and other cards.
Driving in England? Maybe not.
When I lived in England back in the 1970s, I drove everywhere and was perfectly fine. However, first, I was young and intrepid, and second, the traffic was a LOT less insane back then. I really don’t recommend driving in England. There are just too many cars on the road; the number and complexity of routes and roads are mind-boggling, and let’s face it, if you’re a North American, driving on the left is challenging, to say the least.
Now, if you’re visiting Scotland or Ireland, then I say go for it. Driving in those countries (with the exception of Dublin–don’t even think about it) is a pleasure.
A good strategy when visiting England is to fly to London, enjoy one of the world’s great cities for at least three days (and preferably more), and then take the train west to Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Bath, and north to York and Durham.
Small Group Tours
Consider home basing in cities such as Bath and York, and then taking small group tours to explore the countryside. I took a small group tour of the Cotswolds from Stratford-upon-Avon and had a lovely, relaxing day. If I’d tried to explore the area on my own by car, I don’t think I’d have seen half as much, and certainly my blood pressure would have suffered.
Read about my experience on a Go Cotswolds tour.
Safety in England
England is a safe country to travel in. I’ve traveled solo several times in England and never worried. Just use common sense, and if you feel worried, take an Uber. They are all over the UK!
Staying in England
England, and London in particular, is not an inexpensive place to travel. However, you do get good value for your money, in my experience. Expect to pay £250-300 or more for a centrally located, good-quality hotel room in London. I suggest you resist the temptation to choose cheap accommodation outside the city center. You’ll waste time and money traveling into London, and probably see more of the Underground than is conducive to interesting travel.
On my 2022 trip to London, I stayed at the Wilde Aparthotel in Covent Garden. The hotel could not be more central–five minutes from Trafalgar Square, five minutes from the theaters (and some were just across the street), five minutes from Covent Garden, and short bus rides from just about everything you’d want to see in London. It’s relatively reasonably priced (for London) and comfortable. Read my review of the WildeAparthotel.
Click on the map below to find hotels in London.
Booking.comEating in England
Two words describe food in England–surprisingly excellent. In my two weeks there in 2022, I never had a bad meal. How times have changed! For decades, England was maligned for its tasteless, overcooked food. Now, great restaurants are everywhere, featuring food from all over the world.
You won’t go hungry in England anymore.
One of my favorite meals was an upscale version of the old ploughman’s lunch that I used to love when I lived in England in the 1970s. The one I ordered in York was beyond amazing! A pork pie, thick slices of ham, apples, hard-boiled eggs, crusty white bread, salad, pickles galore, fresh Yorkshire butter (and lots of it) and two very hefty slabs of cheese. I was in heaven!
You can also choose from a wide range of world cuisines pretty much anywhere in England. When I was in York, I opted one evening for a curry. The highly-rated Taas restaurant close to the Botham Gate leading into the old city of York served up a delicious Nepalese meal. A good choice!
Conclusion
Have you traveled to England? Share your experiences and recommendations with other Artsy Travelers in the Comments below.
Here are three posts to read next to help you plan your England trip:
- London in Two and a Bit Days for the Artsy Traveler
- Exploring the Cotswolds with a Go Cotswolds Tour
- Courtauld Gallery in London: A Treasure Trove for the Artsy Traveler