1.

Stonehenge

Stonehenge

Stonehenge, 10 miles north of the historic city of Salisbury on Salisbury Plain,

is Europe's best-known prehistoric monument. It's so popular that visitors need
to purchase a timed ticket in advance to guarantee entry. Exhibitions at the
excellent Stonehenge visitor center set the stage for a visit, explaining through
audio-visual experiences and more than 250 ancient objects how the
megaliths were erected between 3000 and 1500 BC, and sharing information
about life during this time.

After walking around the various viewing points adjacent to these enormous
stones, visit the authentic replicas of Neolithic Houses to see the tools and
implements of everyday Neolithic life as volunteers demonstrate skills from
4,500 years ago. Although you can't go inside the circle to wander among the
stones during normal opening hours, you can reserve special early morning
or late evening access into the circle through English Heritage, which
manages the site.

Official site: www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/

Accommodation: Where to Stay near Stonehenge

 Read More:
  From London to Stonehenge: Best Ways to Get There

2. Tower of London

Tower of London

Prison, palace, treasure vault, observatory, and menagerie: the Tower of

London has done it all and it's one of the top attractions in London. Widely
considered the most important building in England, there's enough to see and
do at this World Heritage Site to keep visitors busy for hours.

The centerpiece of this Thames-side fortress is the White Tower. Built in 1078

by William the Conqueror, it's home to amazing exhibits, such as Line of
Kings, the world's oldest visitor attraction, established in 1652 with a
remarkable display of royal armor.

Other highlights include the impressive Crown Jewels exhibition, classic

Yeoman Warder Tours, the Royal Mint, and exhibits and displays regarding
prisoners and executions. All told, the Tower of London covers some 18 acres,
so there's a great deal of exploring to do.
If you're traveling with children, be sure to check for special events for kids,
including "Knights School" and other immersive programs that provide a fun
insight into the castle's history.

Accommodation: Where to Stay in London: Best Areas & Hotels

 Read More:
 Visiting the Tower of London: Top Attractions, Tips & Tours

3. The Roman Baths and Georgian City of Bath

The Roman Baths and Georgian City of Bath

If you only have time to visit one smaller city in England, you couldn't do much
better than Bath. This remarkably beautiful city in Somerset boasts
more fantastic tourist attractions than you could hope to visit in a day.

While most famous for the magnificent 2,000-year-old Roman Baths built

around the city's rejuvenating hot springs, it's equally well known for its honey-
colored Georgian Townhouses, such as those located on Royal Crescent.

Some 500 of the city's buildings are considered of historical or architectural

importance, a fact that has resulted in the entire city being granted World
Heritage status. Bath makes an ideal location from which to explore some of
England's most stunning countryside, including the Avon Valley, the Mendip
Hills, and countless other fantastic Somerset landmarks.

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Bath: Best Areas & Hotels

4. The British Museum

Iron Age piece in the British Museum

With collections of antiquities that are among the world's finest, the British
Museum holds more than 13 million artifacts from Assyria, Babylonia, Egypt,
Greece, the Roman Empire, China, and Europe. The most famous ancient
artifacts are the Elgin Marbles from the Parthenon in Athens, as well as the
famous Rosetta Stone.

But there are many other outstanding pieces on show here that help make this
one of the best places to visit in London. The Ancient Egyptian collection is the
largest outside of Cairo, and the hoard of Roman silver dating from the fourth
century known as the Mildenhall Treasure, unearthed in Suffolk in 1942, is
nothing short of spectacular.

If you've got time, be sure to look into joining a guided tour (private after-hour
tours are fun), or participate in a workshop or lecture. Dining and shopping is
also available on-site.

Address: Great Russell Street, London

Official site: www.britishmuseum.org

5. York Minster and Historic Yorkshire

York Minster and Historic Yorkshire

The magnificent York Minster is second in importance in the Church of

England only to the cathedral at Canterbury. It stands in the center of historic
York, surrounded by half-timbered homes and shops, medieval guildhalls, and
churches.

In turn, York's romantic streets are surrounded by three miles of magnificent

town walls that you can walk atop for spectacular views over the city and its
surroundings. While here, visit the National Railway Museum, one of
England's most visited tourist attractions.

York is also a good base from which to explore northeast England, in particular
the rugged beauty of the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors.
Elsewhere in this corner of the country, you'll find some of England's most
beautiful historic towns and cities, including Durham - famous for its castle and
cathedral - and Beverley, which also boasts an attractive minster.

Accommodation: Where to Stay in York

 Read More:
  Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in York, England

6. Chester Zoo

Zebra at the Chester Zoo

Located in Upton, just over a mile north of Chester city center, Chester Zoo is
England's most visited attraction outside of London and is one of the best
places to visit in England for families.

The more than 11,000 animals living in this 125-acre site represent about 400
different species. But the zoo's appeal reaches beyond just animal lovers, with
prizewinning landscaped gardens also available for visitors to enjoy. You can
tour these extensive grounds on the zoo's monorail system to reach highlights
that include Chimpanzee Island, a penguin pool, and Europe's largest tropical
house. There's plenty of other fun things to do at Chester Zoo, too, so expect
to easily spend a day enjoying this top-rated tourist attraction.

While in Chester, take time to walk its old city walls, the best preserved of
their kind in Britain. You should also spend time exploring Chester's other
distinctive feature: its galleried walkways. Known as the "Chester' Rows,"
these impressive medieval architectural gems run the full length of stone and
half-timbered buildings dating from the 14th century, and make for a unique
and picturesque setting. Chester Cathedral is also worth exploring if you can
squeeze it into your travel itinerary.

Address: Cedar House, Caughall Road, Chester

Official site: www.chesterzoo.org

 Read More:
 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Chester

7. Lake District National Park

Lake District National Park

Covering some 900 square miles, Lake District National Park is a must-visit
destination for travelers to England. With 12 of the country's largest lakes and
more than 2,000 miles of rights of way waiting to be explored, there's little
wonder the region continues to inspire, with its magnificent views and scenery
straight out of a painting.

Other things to do include visiting the park's many fells, including Scafell

Pike (3,210 feet), the highest mountain in England. Be sure to also spend time
exploring some of the lovely little towns and villages dotted throughout the
region, such as Grasmere. Better still, hop aboard a tour boat
excursion across Lake Windermere and Ullswater, and you'll be rewarded
with some of the best scenery anywhere in the country.

Address: Murley Moss, Oxenholme Road, Kendal

Accommodation: Where to Stay in the Lake District

8. Canterbury Cathedral

Canterbury Cathedral

Located in the heart of the historic city that bears its name, Canterbury
Cathedral (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is home to the Archbishop of
Canterbury and is the cradle of English Christianity. It all started when St.
Augustine converted the pagan Anglo Saxons here in 597 when he became
the first bishop. Excellent guided tours of the cathedral are available, and for a
truly memorable experience, consider booking an overnight stay in the
grounds at Canterbury Cathedral Lodge.
But there's much more to this beautiful medieval city than just its cathedral.
Canterbury is also a popular cultural and entertainment destination with great
shopping, galleries, and cafés, as well as attractions such as those focused
on Chaucer's medieval England and the city's Roman past.

Some of the other best places to visit in Canterbury include the Old City, the
ruins of St. Augustine's Abbey, and medieval Beaney House.

Address: 11 The Precincts, Canterbury

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Canterbury

 Read More:
 Murder & Majesty: Top Highlights of Canterbury Cathedral

9. Eden Project

Eden Project

The incredible Eden Project is a collection of unique artificial

biomes containing an amazing collection of plants from around the world.
Located in a reclaimed quarry in Cornwall, this spectacular botanical gardens
complex consists of huge domes that look rather like massive igloo-shaped
greenhouses. Each of these impressive (and futuristic-looking) buildings
houses thousands of different plant species in tropical and Mediterranean
environments.

As well as these stunning displays of plant life, the Eden Project hosts
numerous arts and music events year-round. If you're able to extend your visit,
consider booking a stay at the on-site hostel, or enjoy a meal in one of its
restaurants. Adventure activities such as ziplining and giant swings are also
available.

Official site: www.edenproject.com

Accommodation: Where to Stay near the Eden Project

10. The Cotswolds

The Cotswolds

The Cotswolds cover some 787 square miles and encompass parts of some of
England's prettiest counties: Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire,
Somerset, Worcestershire, and Warwickshire. And all of it begs to be explored.
Designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty due to its rare limestone
grassland habitats and old-growth beech woodlands, the beauty of the
Cotswolds has much to do with its quaint villages and towns, such as Castle
Combe, Chipping Norton, and Tetbury.
Like so much of England, the Cotswolds is perfect to discover on foot. One of
the best routes is along the Cotswold Way, a 102-mile footpath with
spectacular views of the Severn Valley and the Vale of Evesham. This route
runs the length of the Cotswolds, and can be picked up pretty much anywhere
you visit.

Address: Alexandra Warehouse, Llanthony Road, Gloucester

Official site: www.cotswolds.com

Accommodation: Where to Stay in The Cotswolds

11. The National Gallery

The National Gallery

Displaying one of the most comprehensive collections of paintings in the world,

the National Gallery is London's second-most visited museum. The collections,
which present an almost complete cross-section of European painting from
1260 until 1920, are especially strong in the Dutch Masters and the Italian
Schools of the 15th and 16th centuries. In the Italian galleries, look for works
by Fra Angelico, Giotto, Bellini, Botticelli, Correggio, Titian, Tintoretto, and
Veronese, and especially for Leonardo da Vinci's Madonna and Child with St.
Anne and John the Baptist, Raphael's The Crucifixion, and The
Entombment by Michelangelo.

In the German and Dutch galleries are works by Dürer, van Dyck, Frans Hals,
Vermeer, and Rembrandt. Among artists from the 18th century through 1920,
standout works are by Hogarth, Reynolds, Sargent, Gainsborough, Constable,
and Turner. French works include those by Ingres, Delacroix, Daumier, Monet
(including The Water-Lily Pond), Manet, Degas, Renoir, and Cezanne.

With no-cost admission, a visit to the National Gallery is one of the top things
to do in London for free. Guided tours and lunchtime lectures are also
available for free and are highly recommended.

Address: Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross, London

Official site: www.nationalgallery.org.uk

12. Warwick Castle

Warwick Castle

If you're looking for a truly memorable English excursion for the whole family -
and one that offers a fascinating insight into life in medieval times - you
couldn't do much better than visit Warwick Castle. Located in the beautiful city
of Warwick on the River Avon, this impressive fortress has dominated the
landscape and history of the region for more than 900 years. Today, it serves
as a backdrop to medieval-themed events and reenactments, from jousting
festivals to fairs and concerts.

Warwick is also great base from which to explore the Cotswolds, as well as
nearby towns such as Stratford-upon-Avon, famous as the birthplace of
William Shakespeare. Bigger city destinations, including Liverpool, hometown
of The Beatles, as well as Birmingham and Coventry, are an easy drive away.

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Warwick

 Read More:
 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Warwick, England

13. Tate Modern

Tate Modern

When the Tate Modern opened its new 10-storey extension in June 2016,
adding 60 percent more gallery space, visitor numbers jumped by almost one-
fourth, making it one of England's most visited attractions. Now regarded as
among the world's best - and certainly one of the largest -museums of modern
and contemporary art, the Tate Modern shows a wide range of artistic
expression, including paintings, works on paper, sculpture, films,
performances, installations, and other forms of artistic expression.

Among the well-known artists represented here are Picasso, Rothko, Dali,
Matisse, and Modigliani. Be sure to go to the viewing level for 360-degree
views of the London skyline and the River Thames far below.

Other galleries under the Tate umbrella that you should consider visiting in
England include Tate Britain (also in London), Tate Liverpool, and Tate St.
Ives in Cornwall.

Official site: www.tate.org.uk

14. Royal Museums Greenwich

Cutty Sark

Downstream from Tower Bridge, Greenwich is the London base of the Royal
Navy and holds England's largest expanses of preserved historic architecture
and parks. And although lovers of things maritime will certainly gravitate to
Greenwich, there's a lot more there than just ships and boats here.

The highlight for most visitors is the Cutty Sark, the last surviving of the 19th-
century clippers from the lucrative tea trade between Britain and China. Built in
1869, the Cutty Sark was one of the finest and fastest ships of its day, and you
can board it to explore the clipper, from its figure head to the sailors' quarters
below decks. For a special treat, book an afternoon tea overlooking the ship.

At the Discover Greenwich Visitor Centre, exhibits showcase more than 500

years of maritime history. In Queen's House, the National Maritime
Museum is the largest of its kind in the world, featuring the Royal Navy from
Tudor times to the Napoleonic Wars.

Greenwich Park, dating from the 15th century and the oldest of London's
eight Royal Parks, is filled with beautiful gardens and walking paths, and here
you'll find the Old Royal Observatory and the Prime Meridian Line, marked
by a steel rod in the floor of the Meridian Building. This is the zero meridian of
longitude, dividing the world into eastern and western halves; you can stand
with one foot in each hemisphere. If you're hungry, add a great English
breakfast from Heap's Sausage Cafe to your list of things to do in Greenwich.