Region
London
A world capital where centuries layer into a single day: the Tower and Westminster, world-class museums and galleries, royal parks, and a dining and theater scene to rival any on earth.
Destinations · Europe
England.
Castles, royalty, countryside & iconic cities.
Scroll
The country
Land of royals and timeless charm, England enchants with its deep-rooted history, iconic landmarks, scenic countryside and classic British hospitality, offering a journey that’s as enriching as it is unforgettable.
Step into the past with visits to medieval castles, Roman ruins and world-renowned museums; then enjoy the present with vibrant city life, luxury countryside stays and culinary discoveries ranging from classic fish and chips to Michelin-starred dining.
“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” (Samuel Johnson)
- Capital
- London
- Currency
- Pound sterling (£)
- Ideal trip
- 6–10 nights
- Best for
- History & city life
Allyssa's take
Why we love England.
London is my favorite city in Europe. The West End theater scene alone is an unparalleled experience, and the romance and sheer historical weight of the city are incredible. I love visiting the Tower of London for its rich history, standing before Westminster and Big Ben, wandering Hyde Park and the streets of Whitechapel, and even strolling past Downing Street.
A riverboat ride down the Thames is one of the most fun ways to take it all in. And part of what makes London so special is how close it sits to so many wonderful places: Bath and Stonehenge, the beautiful and unparalleled beaches of Cornwall, and the unbelievable views from the white cliffs of Dover.
From there it keeps giving. Cambridge and Oxford are wonderful historic towns, and Manchester and Liverpool are endlessly fascinating from an arts and music perspective. England packs an extraordinary amount into one easy-to-travel country.
Planned by Chima Travel, a family agency serving travelers since 1918 and now in our fourth generation. Proud members of ASTA, with IATA accreditation.
When to go
The best time to visit England.
England's weather is the running joke, but the calendar still matters — gardens peak in a narrow window, the season fills the best country houses, and winter has London at its most festive. Here is how we'd sketch the year across the desk.
May–September
Long days, warm light and gardens at their best, ideal for both London and the countryside. Our favorite window, though it is also the busiest, so we book signature hotels well ahead.
April & October
Shoulder season: spring blossom or autumn color, fewer crowds and softer rates, with a good chance of bright, crisp days between the showers.
November–March
Short, often wet days, but atmospheric: museums and galleries without the lines, cozy country-house firesides, and London at its most festive around the holidays.
Where to go
The regions of England.
England packs remarkable variety into a small island: a world capital, storybook villages, Georgian cities, mountains and a wild northern heritage, all within a few hours of one another. These are the areas we weave together most often, each with its own landscape, table and rhythm.
Region
The Cotswolds
Honey-stone villages, rolling hills and country pubs, the England of postcards, with grand gardens, antique shops and Oxford's dreaming spires an easy drive away.
Region
Bath & the West Country
Georgian Bath with its honey-colored crescents and Roman baths, gateway to Stonehenge, the cathedral cities and the green hills and coast of the West Country.
Region
The Lake District
England's most beautiful corner: glassy lakes, fells and stone-walled valleys that inspired Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter, made for walks, boat rides and long lunches with a view.
Region
Yorkshire & the North
Medieval York within its ancient walls, the great Gothic Minster, windswept moors and dales, and grand stately homes, the heart of England's northern heritage.
A sample journey
One way to spend a week in England.
- 1 Days 1–3
London
Settle into the capital at your own pace: the Tower and Westminster, the great museums and galleries, royal parks and long evenings of theater and dining.
- 2 Days 4–5
The Cotswolds & Oxford
Out into honey-stone country for village pubs, grand gardens and rolling hills, with a day among the colleges and dreaming spires of Oxford.
- 3 Day 6
Bath & Stonehenge
Georgian crescents and the Roman Baths in Bath, by way of the ancient standing stones of Stonehenge out on Salisbury Plain.
- 4 Days 7–8
The Lake District
North to England's loveliest landscape: glassy lakes and green fells, boat rides, gentle walks and unhurried lunches with a view.
- 5 Days 9–10
York & the North
Finish in medieval York within its ancient walls, with the great Minster, cobbled lanes and the moors and stately homes of the North close at hand.
Every itinerary we build is bespoke: this is a starting point, not a package.
Getting around
- By rail
- The train is usually the smartest way between the cities, linking London with Bath, York and the North city center to city center. No parking to worry about at either end.
- By car & driver-guide
- For the countryside we add a hire car or private driver-guide — the freedom to follow a lane to a village pub or a hilltop view is half the pleasure. Remember the British drive on the left.
- In London
- London is a walking city stitched together by the Tube. We book hotels in Mayfair, Belgravia or Covent Garden so the parks, theaters and museums are out the front door.
Where to stay
- London
- We favor characterful hotels in Mayfair, Belgravia or Covent Garden, with grande-dame addresses for a more classic stay and boutique town houses for something quieter and more personal.
- The Cotswolds
- A historic country-house hotel or a restored coaching inn puts the villages, gardens and walking trails on your doorstep, with Oxford within easy reach for a day.
- Bath
- An elegant Georgian town house inside the city, walking distance to the Roman Baths and the Royal Crescent, makes a perfect base for the West Country and Stonehenge.
- The Lake District
- A lakeside country house or a snug fellside inn for the views and the walks. We match the setting and the pace to the kind of days you have in mind.
Rail tickets, transfers, country-house bookings and a driver-guide for the lanes are all arranged as part of every itinerary — the logistics are handled before you arrive.
Good to know
England travel questions.
How many days do you need in England?+
Six nights lets you pair London with one region, say the Cotswolds or Bath, at a comfortable pace. Ten nights is the sweet spot for a classic loop from London through the Cotswolds and Bath up to the Lake District and York, with time to slow down along the way.
When is the best time to visit England?+
May to September is prime, with long days, warm light and gardens at their best for both London and the countryside. April and October are lovely shoulder-season months, while winter is quiet and atmospheric, with museums and galleries at their calmest and London festive around the holidays.
Is it better to travel England by train or car?+
Both, and we usually combine them. The fast trains are the easiest way between London, Bath, York and the North, while a private driver or hire car earns its keep in the countryside, the Cotswolds, the West Country and the Lake District, where the journey is part of the experience.
Can you combine London with the English countryside?+
Absolutely, and it is one of our favorite ways to plan a trip. A few days in London pair beautifully with the Cotswolds, Bath or the Lake District, and the rail links and country roads make it easy to swap the city for green hills and storybook villages in just a couple of hours.
Do I have to drive on the left, and is it difficult?+
Yes, the British drive on the left, and country lanes can be narrow and winding, which takes a little getting used to. Many of our travelers prefer to leave the driving to a private driver-guide, especially in the countryside, so they can simply enjoy the view. We are happy to arrange whichever you prefer.
From the journal
Reading on England.
-
River Cruises
Your Guide to the Different Types of River Cruises in England
River cruises in England offer a unique and relaxing way to explore the country’s rivers, canals, and historic towns.
Read more → -
Destinations
Fun in the Big Apple
One of the most famous cities in the world, New York City is such a fun place to visit. Whether you’re going to see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, the giant Christmas tree…
Read more →
Ways to Explore
How to travel England.
Tailormade Trips
A private journey designed entirely around you, your pace, and your people.
Cruises
River, ocean and expedition voyages, from the Danube to Antarctica.
Escorted Tours
Expertly guided, end to end, with the world's finest local operators.
All-Inclusive
Effortless resort escapes; we cut through the haze to the right one.
Let's begin
Design your
England escape.
Tell us your travel dates and what you love, and we'll handle every detail.
Plan Your Trip