Reasons to visit
No trip to England would be complete without visiting a Royal Residence, would it?! And this is one of the largest and longest occupied castles in the world, which is still fully operating today. You'll no doubt have seen the spectacular building on TV for the royal weddings and ceremonies, and it's even more breathtaking in person. With a new king in place, it's bound to be even more popular than ever, so we'd advise booking your tickets in advance, and the afternoon's can be quieter so you can enjoy your visit without as many crowds.
How to get there?
One of the easiest ways to reach Windsor Castle is by train, from London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside. This takes just under an hour, and why not couple your visit with a trip into Eton too, and maybe some lunch by the River Thames.
Fun Fact
The castle has 300 fireplaces, and it's one person's job to clean and light all of them!
Reasons to visit
Known for its beautiful beaches, the Isle of Wight is a great place to visit either for the day or for a couple of nights, and it will feel like a holiday within your holiday to the UK! You can circle the entire island in about 3 hours, but with beaches around almost every corner, you'll be wanting to stop off at multiple places! Relax on the beach, take a bicycle ride around the coast and stop off at the cute country pubs, or visit family-friendly attractions such as Blackgang Chain and Monkey Heaven - there's something for everyone here! The Isle of Wight Festival and Cowes Week are two of the biggest yearly events here, so you may want to time your trip right to experience the fantastic atmosphere at one of these.
How to get there?
The ferry to the Isle of Wight is all part of the fun of the trip, and you can do this with or without a car. Either get the train from London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour or Southampton (which takes approximately 90 minutes), and board the ferry on foot. Or if you're hiring a car in the UK, you can drive down to either ferry port and drive onto the ferry. There are plenty of coach options that you can book a return ticket with, too, that will take care of your travel to the ferry ports and onto the island. Once you're across the water, if you don't have a car, there are plenty of ways to get around - catch the train up the esplanade or hop on a bus. There are plenty of cycling and walking paths to enjoy too, and even a steam railway!
Fun Fact
It's the smallest county in England... sometimes! When the tide is in, the Isle of Wight is the smallest county in the country, but when the tide is out, the size expands and it's larger than Rutland!
Reasons to visit
The UK might be famous for its temperamental weather, but when the sun is out, this is the place to be! There are miles of award-winning beaches, so there's something to suit every taste. Sandbanks is known as one of the most glamorous, Bournemouth is great for families, and there's Charmouth, which is great for fossil hunting! Dorset is a foodie heaven too; it's a great place to enjoy fresh seafood, farmer's markets, and good old fish and chips by the sea. Could you think of anything more British?
How to get there?
Dorset is pretty diverse, so it's dependent on where you're heading, but there are plenty of transport options to help. Hiring a car makes it easiest for you to travel along the coast at your leisure, and you can just head down the M3 from London, and then join the A31 past the New Forest and into Dorset. Alternatively, you can get trains down to Bournemouth, Weymouth, and plenty of other coastal spots direct from London Waterloo, or even book a National Express coach from central London.
Fun Fact
The Dorset coast is home to one of the hottest chillies - the Dorset Naga. Can you handle the heat?!
Reasons to visit
If you've never visited Canterbury before, the main draw is the cathedral of the Archbishop of Canterbury - a symbolic leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The soaring towers, intricate stained glass windows and overall awe-inspiring architecture will have you marvelling for hours. Canterbury itself is a very pretty and historic town, so it's worth exploring the area after you've got your snaps of the cathedral. Wander through the boutique shops, cute pubs, and you could even catch a show at the Marlowe Theatre.
How to get there?
Canterbury is well connected to London by road and rail. There's a park and ride scheme which is probably the easiest option - just drive from London using the M20 and M2, and then park on the outskirts of town and jump on the buses that run regularly to the cathedral. There's also plenty of trains to Canterbury from London Victoria, London Charing Cross, and even a high-speed service from London St Pancras, you'll be there in no time at all
Fun Fact
The stained glasses in the cathedral were used to communicate to the masses who could not read, and then later on, to tell the story of the Miracles of Saint Thomas Becket.
Reasons to visit
Looking for some classic British charm? Here it is. Famous for its picturesque villages and sweeping hills, wherever you go in the Cotswolds, it's sure to be postcard-perfect. From watersports in the lakes, to country pubs, and local farms - there's something for everyone here!
How to get there?
The Cotswolds is quite a vast area, so it's very dependent on where you're staying. A car is the easiest way to get wherever you need to go, especially if you're staying somewhere remote, and it's not too far to drive from London, just head west! Once you're in the Cotswolds, walking is the best way to explore.
Fun Fact
There is an annual cheese rolling competition at Coopers Hill, Birdlip. This involves chasing a 7lb double Gloucester round of cheese down a 1 in 1 hill. The first person to reach the cheese gets to keep it!
Reasons to visit
Castles are great for their fantastic architecture and their deeply embedded history, right? That's correct, but there's so much more to be seen and enjoyed at Warwick Castle - it really is a day out for all ages. From birds of prey to dazzling live shows and jousting, you can even book a sleepover in the grounds! Whatever time of year you're visiting the UK, there's sure to be a spectacular event taking place here. Our favourite time of year to visit is Halloween, for some extra spooky tours around this magnificent attraction.
How to get there?
If you've got a car with you, then driving to Warwick from London only takes just over 2 hours, and it's a pretty direct route up the M40. There are plenty of car parks but they do require a little walk to the castle, due to the protected surrounding grounds; however, there is a drop-off area for those with additional needs. If you're looking to travel by public transport, then a direct train from London Marylebone Station to Warwick is approximately 1 hour and 45 mins long. Check out the official website for the castle to book yourself onto a specific day tour from London if you want everything taken care of!
Fun Fact
The castle is home to the world's most powerful catapult - it got the record in 2006 when it launched a missile 800ft (that's the length of 10 tennis courts) at a speed of 160mph. If you're lucky, you might get to see it in action when you go!
Reasons to visit
To rediscover the natural world like you never have before - simple! This former clay mine has been transformed into a fabulous global garden, and it's a family-friendly attraction for all ages that we definitely recommend visiting whilst you're in the UK. Enjoy cream tea in the coffee house, games and craft sessions for the younger ones, get snaps of the beautiful plants and flowers, and learn more about the environment and how you can help to protect it. Plus, the Eden Project is located in Cornwall, so it's a great opportunity to explore more of this beautiful area! If you're visiting in the summer, be sure to see if there's any live music events being hosted here - the Eden Sessions summer concerts are spectacular and have played host to world-class artists like Gary Barlow, Bjork and Jack Johnson.
How to get there?
If you're planning on visiting as part of a few days in the Cornwall district, then we'd definitely recommend hiring a car so you can be flexible with where you go and when! Driving from London to the Eden Project takes approximately 5 and a half hours. This sounds a lot, but you'll take the M4, so a stopover in Bath or Bristol is a great idea. You'll then take the M5 down to Exeter and join the A30. There's free parking at the site, so no need to worry about extra charges. If you don't have a car, then get the train from London Paddington to St Austell, where you can hop on a bus to Eden - you'll enjoy some beautiful scenery whilst you relax on the train.
Fun Fact
The site was used as a filming location for the James Bond Film, Die Another Day. You'll have to go and watch the film now to see!
