When most people think of England, the first thing that pops into their minds is the weather. For others it’s the Monarchy or red telephone boxes and buses, but when i say England, i mean the entire country and not just the capital and with that most people are thinking about the wet, miserable and windy weather that England often likes to display. However in the defence of England’s notorious weather, there was a quote that stated;“there’s no such thing as bad weather – only bad clothing”. We’ve all heard it but no one knows who truly said it. Billy Connolly? My Motorcyclist Instructor? Turns out it was Alfred Wainwright who wrote…
“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing”
1973 – Coast to Coast
I have to say that i do agree, certainly to some extent. I mean, if i was wearing all my waterproofs, had the most expensive Gore-Tex Lining boots on and yet i was somehow involved in a hurricane, well then i think i would be speaking to Alfred if he were alive today! Anyhow i think the message is that it’s important to be prepared for the weather in England and more so if you venture into Scotland, I’ve seen all the four seasons in one day up there! I’m not joking!. But anyway the purpose of me blabbing on about England’s weather is to say that do not let it beat you. You’re an adventurer! and wet stories of England shouldn’t put you off exploring my home country (Yes it’s raining now as i write this). Together we’ve put a list of the top 10 things to do and see in England, outside and inside so you can enjoy yourself roaming the wonders of my tiny little island. That said, even in Summer, don’t forget your raincoat!
The White Cliffs
I’ll admit that i haven’t been around the entire coast of England to discover whether or not all the cliffs are white but i can certainly vouch for those cliffs in the South. The White Cliffs of Dover may just be all you need to see to enjoy the awe of England’s natural defences from invaders worldwide. The coastal walks are great and a lot of angles do offer superb views. To find out more: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/the-white-cliffs-of-dover
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
Another thing that pops into people’s heads when the word “England” is mentioned may also be Harry Potter! J.K Rowling’s world of Hogwarts has made such an impact into the culture of Britain that tourists love the UK just because of Harry Potter! The only reason i ever forget about HP, is because i am English. Tourists seem to remind me that i come from the land of Harry Potter, despite me actually being a muggle and so because it’s tourists that remind me, it’s on the list! Harry Potter is now so embedded into English/UK culture that it’s up there with tea, biscuits and the Beatles! I have personally been to the Studios twice and it’s pretty impressive and seems to always have new content and events going on, so there’s always a reason to visit again. This said, i do think it can be quite pricey, but hey… it’s Harry Potter! https://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/
Stonehenge
There is something rather unearthly about Stonehenge and despite what you might think about it’s origins, no one actually knows why it exists! This alone makes it fascinating and gives us human-beings a sense of importance on this earth as many people to this day still cannot comprehend how in the primitive age it was constructed. I.e. there were no trucks and power tools around then. Even just thinking about this makes it a monument to our human history, let alone it being on English soil. https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/
Lake District
One of England’s most magical and mysterious places. A great place for escaping the city, pitching a tent and enjoying long walks with rewarding views. Whether you go in winter and witness the land covered in a white blanket of snow or in my preference, in summer so that you can enjoy the lakes. Hire a kayak and explore! Be warned though, summertime can be heaving with tourists so avoid the school holidays if possible.
Visit the Roman Baths
Have a dip in one of Britain’s oldest bathtubs! Or rather you could have done as you can’t exactly swim in the Roman Baths as swimming has been banned since 1978 on health grounds but visiting them is definitely well worth the effort. If you are still wanting to swim then the closest experience is to swim at the Thermae Bath Spa. The water here is treated and you can treat yourself after visiting the historical sites. https://www.thermaebathspa.com/
Blackpool
Beaches, arcade machines, candyfloss, fish and chips and of course Blackpool rock! The edible kind of rock that is. Blackpool has changed a lot over the years but some things from the old retro days have stayed and for these reasons we recommend that you pay Blackpool a visit. Go in Summer to get the full benefit and take it all in.
New Forest National Park
Quite possibly one of my favorite places in England. Once upon a time, this was the royal hunting ground of William the Conqueror and where mysteriously, two of his sons died in hunting accidents in the New Forest. Today it’s a land where wild horses roam free and deer forage deep in the woodland. A truly beautiful spot to pitch a tent and enjoy one of nature’s pleasures. https://www.thenewforest.co.uk/
Canterbury
Canterbury deserves a mention for its history, student life and location. Here you can enjoy and appreciate the Cathedral where Thomas the Becket was murdered. Take a boat along the river listening to a tour during the day and why not in the evening treat yourselves to the Marlowe Theatre. The great thing about this historical city is that it’s not far from the port should you be entering England from Calais, France.
Dover Castle
If you are entering England via the ferry port then you will be greeted with a majestic castle along the cliffs known as Dover Castle. From the Romans to the 20th Century, Dover Castle has more than enough to reward your curiosity and keep you fascinated many times over. https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/dover-castle/
London
And of course, London is on our list with lots and lots to do. We left this till last deliberately so that you can become aware of all the other wonders of England without focusing purely on the capital. I could make hundreds of blog posts on London alone and still wouldn’t be close to opening up your eyes to what you can do. However, your trip wouldn’t be complete without a visit and if you’re short on time then focus on hitting the main sights. Try to spend your day out of museums and indoor exhibits as seeing a lot of London can be free outside and you can still feel as if you have achieved a lot. https://www.visitlondon.com/
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