Best Places To See In England

Rolling countryside, stunning coastlines, quaint villages and a plethora of beautiful historic sites; England really does have it all. And whilst there are many incredible attractions to see in England’s capital, there is so much more to be seen around this beautiful country. In this post, we’ll share the best places to see in England.

Newquay, Cornwall
Stonehenge, Wiltshire
Norfolk Broads
St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall
Durdle Door, Dorset

Newquay, Cornwall

Newquay is a lovely town on the north coast of Cornwall. Its a popular choice with visitors for some of the best surfing, a bustling nightlife, and great family-friendly attractions. You’ll be greeted by beautiful coastlines with wonderful beachside cafes, nature walks, and National Trust houses.

The list of things to do in Newquay, Cornwall is endless from surfing at Fistral Beach, exploring the beautiful harbour and or even doing a spot of coasteering. You can visit this stunning Cornish town anytime during the year. However, if you are a lover of surfing, then summer is the best time. This is also when many events, like the Boardmasters festival, are on.

Stonehenge, Wiltshire

Probably one of the most famous pre-historic monuments in Europe, or indeed the world, Stonehenge is as historically and geologically important as it fascinating. There was a time when you could get up close to the stones but due to erosion and damage, it was fenced off in 1977. Now, you can visit the state of the art visitor centre and exhibition, which takes you through the fascinating history of the seemingly innocent stone circle. There are actually some engineering marvels at work here with the design and location of this sacred site that dates back around 5000 years.

Visits to the stones are timed so pre-booking is advisable. If you book the Stone Circle Experience, a guide will take you behind the fence and you can get up close to the stones. There is a cafe and facilities onsite as well as lots of parking.

Norfolk Broads

The beautiful Norfolk Broads are a man-made set of navigable waterways, that were created by accident in medieval times. It’s also Britain’s largest protected wetland, with a quarter of the species found here being internationally protected including two that are only found here; the Norfolk Hawker dragonfly and the Swallowtail butterfly.

The broads have 125 miles of lock-free, navigable waterways, with beautiful towns, stunning waterside homes, historic monuments and stunning landscape to be seen along the way.

There are lots of things to do in the Norfolk Broads but undoubtedly one of the best things to do is a boat trip. There are many tour operators that will take you along the waterways, with different offerings such as a wildlife spotting trip, where you might see otters. Or for the ultimate experience, you can hire a boat and take to the water yourself.

Make sure you visit some of the beautiful market towns and villages around the broads as well, sampling delicious foods and doing a spot of shopping in the independent shops.

St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall

This incredible tidal island sits off the coast of Cornwall. Legend has it that the Island was built by a giant who used to head to the mainland and steal livestock. Calls were made for a giant slayer and a young boy named Jack came forward! As for the Islands history, it said to have been a key trading port for England as far back as the Bronze Age and its importance has not wavered since, with the first warning beacon being lit warning the English of the incoming Spanish Armada. In 495, St Michael was rumoured to have been spotted by fishermen atop the island, cementing it as a major religious shrine by the 6th Century.

Today, you can get to the island either by ferry or during low tide, via the famous cobbled causeway. Visit the stunning 12th Century Castle and Garden, once a priory, then a fort and now home to the St Aubyn family, who have resided there since the 17th Century. Then, stroll around the harbour and the village and enjoy some warm Cornish hospitality.

Always check the tide times and the official website for up to date information, opening times and tickets.

Durdle Door, Dorset

Durdle Door is the jewel of the Jurassic Coast and one of Dorset’s most photographed landmarks. Created when the sea punched through the limestone around 10,000 years ago, this iconic beauty spot brings in hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. In fact, this stunning coastline is of such geological importance, it was made England’s first natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001.

There are beautiful coastal walks to be done in the area, as well as the pebble beach to stroll along. The access down is steep but it’s worth the visit. There is (chargeable) parking at the top but be advised the car park and surrounding area get very busy during peak times.

Also, visit the charming villages and towns in the surrounding area and soak in the charming beauty of the Jurassic Coast.

Have you seen any of these places in England? Or have some other great suggestions of places to see in England? Share your thoughts and suggestions in the comments.

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Best Places To See In England