England Travel Guide

“Heaven take thy soul, and England keep my bones!”
William Shakespeare

Top Five Destinations In England

Good to Know Before You Go/Essential Info

Photo Gallery

Top Five Destinations In England_{^{(we are defining England as all regions below Scotland)}}

London The capital and the largest city of England has distinct two personalities; one of nostalgia with a rich history while being one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities on earth. It is a true melting pot of people and cultures. Stroll the magnificent parks where many residents gather and visit Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the House of Parliament, and Trafalgar Square. Shop for some of the best shopping in the world. Though a great metropolis, there remain distinct communities and strong vibes.
Wales This small and wonderous Celtic country packs a lot in. There is diversity within its borders, from the incredible coastline to lush mountains, beautiful small colorful villages, and large, vibrant cities. To add to the experience, road signs are in both Welsh and English. Wales is a Castlehunters dream with over 600 castles. Known for its national park and scenery, this incredible country meets every traveler’s dream.
Hadrians Wall A Unesco World Heritage site wall was built in 122 AD to guard the wild frontier, now Scotland, from the Roman Empire. With a length of 73 miles stretches from the North Sea to the Irish sea. Much still intact, there are over twenty sites to visit along the wall. Follow the path of Hadrians Wall, and you will discover castles, forts, ramparts, lovely villages, and gorgeous countryside with rolling hills that will take your breath away.
Stonehedge Is a prehistoric monument (built from 3000-2000 B.C.) in Wiltshire that fascinates archaeologists and keeps giving new finds. These magnificent and intriguing rings of standing stones are set within earthworks in a dense complex of Neolithic and Bronze age monuments. Nearby are the lovely cities of Bath and Salisbury to visit along your travels in Stonehenge.
Cotswold Often referred to as England’s heart, is a range of rolling hills that creates a grassland habitat for picture-perfect stone villages rich with history and gardens beyond your imagination. It is as if you are stepping into a novel that you may not wish to leave when the book is done.

Did you know?

England Stats

Population: 59,439,840 million
Capital City: London within the U.K.
Currency: British Pound, Pound sterling
Government type: Devolved Parliamentary Legislature within a Constitutional Monarchy
Monarch Queen Elizabeth II
Prime Minister Boris Johnson
Ethnic groups: 79.8% White British4.6%, White Other 2.6%, Indian 2.3%, Mixed, 2.1% Pakistani, 1.8% African
Languages: English (official), Welsh, Cornish
Religions: Church of England
The capital of Wales is Cardiff.
U.S. State Department Risk Level: 2 due to terrorism
England is a country, but it is not a sovereign state.
Winchester was the first capital of England from 827 to 1066
National Day is April 23, St. George’s Day.
National Song: God Save the Queen
The tallest mountain in England is Scafell Pike, 3200 feet above sea level.
The Thames River is the longest river in England, flowing for around 211 miles.
Inventions from England include sparkling wine, the World Wide Web (no, not France), the reflecting telescope, the first mass-produced toothbrush, the tin can, the thermos flask, the chocolate bar, the modern fire extinguisher, the hydraulic press, lawnmower, guillotine, the light bulb, first automatic tea kettle, telephone, and a match.
England’s major industries are construction, forestry, manufacturing, tourism, agriculture, oil and gas, finance and banking, and information technology.
English people consume more tea per capita than anybody else in the world.
Life expectancy is 81 years old.
The literacy rate is 99%.

Fun Facts

Wales officially has more castles, 600, per square mile than any other country in the world.
London’s Big Ben is not a clock but a bell in the clock tower.
The most popular sport in England is soccer, while Rugby is the favorite in Wales.
One of the best subway systems in the world, the Tube, is over 150 years old. The term “Mind the Gap” refers to the space between the subway car and the platform.
The Queen owns all the swans on the River Thames.
The real name of Big Ben is the ‘Clock tower.’ The big bell was nicknamed Ben, and the name stuck.
Swallow Falls at Betws-y-coed in Wales is the most visited waterfall in the United Kingdom.
The English fought the shortest war in 1896 with Zanzibar, which lasted 38 minutes.
As Edward I of England returned from the ninth Crusade in 1272, he learned that his father had died and that he had been made king of England. Instead of taking the throne, Edward went on a two-year vacation in Italy and France and returned in 1274.
Placing a postage stamp upside down on an envelope is a criminal offense.
In Anglesey, Wales, the Menai Bridge was the first suspension bridge constructed to take heavy traffic.
The infamous London Bridge is now located in Arizona.
Queen Elizabeth II is distantly related to Dracula.
70% of the land in England is still owned by 1% of the population, largely descended from William the Conqueror’s army.
Some of the world’s top scientists are English; Steven Hawking, Sir Issac Newton, and Charles Darwin.
It took seven years to build the London Eye.

England Map

Good to know before you go

Tipping is not mandatory in England or the U.K. in general. It is customary to tip 10% in restaurants. As always, check to verify there is no service charge on the bill. Hotels don’t usually expect tips, but it is appreciated if you get exceptional service. Taxis and car service tips are not expected, but you can round them up.
Credit cards are in use almost everywhere. That said, many pubs will not take them or discourage them. Have some cash on you.
Overall, the clothing is stylish and polished. They are casual dressers in the nonbusiness setting, often wearing jeans and khaki pants, with upper layers for tops and comfortable shoes. Business attire tends to be more formal. In the bigger cities, you will see more of a fashion sense. England is a rainy place, so plan accordingly. Casual and well-kept work well for travelers. If you are planning to go to the theatre or higher in restaurants, you are expected to dress more formally or classy casually.
Driving in England is essential to seeing what this gorgeous country offers. The best way to accomplish this is on a road trip. Some of its most epic sites and scenery are located down remote roads, far away from any bus or train station. That could mean dodging free-range sheep, driving two-way roads only meant for one way, and negotiating roundabouts on the “wrong” side of the road.
Queuing in England is taken very seriously. When there is no distinct line marker, you can be assured an invisible and organized line occurs. Keep orderly and respectful.
British people will shake hands when greeting old friends or acquaintances; female friends may greet each other with a kiss on the cheek. If greeting someone you don’t know, shaking hands isn’t common unless they offer first.
British people take politeness extremely seriously. They say “thank you” at every stage of a financial transaction. In England, you can never say please, thank you, or sorry enough.
The British people are sarcastic and use it daily. They tend to find humor in almost everything and use sarcastic remarks to make fun of the situation.
In England, people rarely eat with their hands. Forks and knives are always used except for sandwiches, pizza, fruit, and hard-to-cut items like chicken. Keep both hands visible at all times, even when you are no longer eating.
In restaurants, to get your server’s attention, say “Excuse me…” or try to catch their eye politely.
England is not known for its food, but that does not mean you can’t find some excellent fare. It will be pricey as almost everything is there. Fish and chips were always a go-to and widespread takeaway food in the U.K.
Afternoon high tea is quintessentially English and a must-do experience at least once. It is a lovely way to break up a long day of sightseeing and walking. Afternoon tea includes select teas, traditional scones, simple sandwiches, and petite cakes elegantly served. Complementing the pastries are clotted/Devonshire cream and fruit jams. Many hotel high teas offer champagne as well. If high tea is provided, Joelle always partakes.
Pubs and bars are distinctly different. A common misconception is that pubs, which stand for public houses, are bars. Pubs are gathering places, conversation zones, and even restaurants. In many pubs, alcohol is almost an afterthought. Pubs are usually where people meet their friends and catch up on the local news.
If someone buys you or your table a round, it is customary for the next round to be on you.
It is a safe country. Take usual precautions in the cities, especially in touristy areas.

England Essential Info

U.S. Consular Emergency
The 24-hour number from a U.S. Phone is 1-888-407-4747
Outside of U.S., 011-202-501-4444

U.S. Embassy London
33 Nine Elms Lane
London, SW11 7US
United Kingdom
Telephone: +(44) (20) 7499-9000
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(44) (20) 7499-9000
Fax: +(44) (20) 7891-3845
Email: SCSLondon@state.gov

Emergency Numbers
GENERAL 999 or 112

Country Code
+44

Time Zone
UTC

Driving
Left side

Adaptors
Type G Plug adaptor
230 Volt

Tourism Office
VisitBritain: The Official Tourism Website of Great Britain
visitbritain.com

When to go to England

As a whole, there is never a time a year that England isn’t a great place to visit. English summers rarely are hot, and the winters don’t get very cold. There is not much regional variation, but it is wetter in the west than in the east, and the south gets more hours of sunshine than the north. Differences between the regions are slightly more apparent in the winter.

England is a huge tourist destination, and long queues and crowds are often an issue. To see the Churchhill bunkers in London was a couple of hours’ wait. The best time to visit would be between April and early June or September or October. In the Spring, you will be greeted by beautiful flowers; in the fall, changing hues of fall leaves. England is an expensive place to visit (just the London eye is about $50 a person), so if you need to extend your travel dollars, the winter months may be your best bet.

Summer 53-75 °F (12-24 °C)
Spring 38-64 °F (3-18 °C)
Fall 42-68 °F (6-20 °C)
Winter 37-48 °F (3-9 °C)

Our Favorite England Resources

This resource section contains some Amazon affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

Travel Books/Guides

England has been a frequent stop for us. London is a major travel hub; it is easy to stop for a few days before moving to your next destination. The country of England, including Wales, deserves much more time. Once you leave London, you will see many incredible and diverse sites and scenery. Without a car, you will miss a lot. Wales alone has 600 castles. There are so many wonderful travel guides to choose from that we have used for many years; below are our favorite options.

Lonely Planet’s England (Country Guide) by Lonely Planet

A passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice that all England has to offer and what hidden discoveries await you. Ponder the mysteries of Stonehenge, visit Shakespeare’s hometown, escape it all in the Cotswolds or take in a London show. Let this beautifully illustrated guide be your travel partner. Great photography and lots of details to aid in planning. Discover this travel guide here.

Rick Steves England by Rick Steves

Full disclosure: We are huge fans of Rick Steves; it would be rare not to recommend one of his wonderful guides. We love his travel style and perspective. His off-the-beaten-path approach and independent travel philosophy match well with how we travel. The guides never disappoint. This book was a fantastic resource. Find this must-have guide here.

Our favorite websites

1. England tourism site visitbritain.com

2. U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs England Country Info

We cannot encourage you enough to visit this website as you plan and prepare for your trip. This is the U.S. Federal Government addressing the safety, security, travel risk, entry, exit, visa documents mandates, emergency U.S. and Embassy contacts, health, local laws, special circumstances, threats, traveler vulnerabilities, government warnings, and transportation in England. This is your best and most reliable resource for all this important info. Check back often before you go, as things can change quickly. Being prepared is essential in all travel, but especially internationally.

England International Travel Information (state.gov)

3. The Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travelers Health Resource

This CDC travel resource provides essential health info for your specific destination. Using their tool, you can determine which vaccines, medications, and health advice recommendations are needed for England.

CDC’s Travelers Health Page for England

Our favorite maps

The United Kingdom, London National Geographic Adventure Map

Easy to read the map with practical road and travel information. These maps are meant for the adventure traveler. Major sites and landmarks are well marked. Mapped road network with distances and designations for major highways to the off-the-beaten-path roads. Waterproof and tear resisted, it holds up well. Great for planning your route before your trip. Though we default to Google maps, this came in handy when service was poor or during construction detours. Find this essential map here.

Our favorite apps

Rome2rio: Trip Planner Trip and Holiday Organizer Enter any address, landmark, or city; the App will instantly display all your travel options, and booking info, along with accommodation providers and things to do. Find on your local app store.

Rick Steves Audio Europe This App includes a vast library of Rick Steves audio content. Get cultural and travel info. It also includes self-guided tours of top attractions and historic walks. Amsterdam options are also available. A must-have. Find it on your local app store.

Do you have a favorite England travel resource? Share your favorites in the comments section at the bottom of this page or

Email us

Our England Gallery

Our Top Recommended Travel Products and Services

Travel Insurance

Squaremouth.com
Our favorite travel insurance site!

We could not be stronger advocates of being well-insured—not just for the little stuff but for the big things like medical emergencies. We never leave home without it. Our go-to place is Squaremouth.com. It does a fantastic job with its user-friendly interface and uses top-rated and reputable insurance carriers. They also mediate on your behalf if you have problems.

To empower you as a consumer, we suggest you read our blog post on the importance of travel insurance and how to get the best coverage from top-rated companies for an affordable price.

buy now

MedjetAssist
Medical transport back home from anywhere in the world

They are the premier global air medical transport. One caveat to travel insurance is that medical evacuation usually gets you to the closest facility to care for you. Medjet gets you back to the U.S. to the hospital of your choice once you are stable enough to fly. A Medjet membership is only for medical transport. Medjet Horizon offers expanded coverage. They have individual trip policies starting at $99 and annual policies for around $300. Most of their policies limit the age to 74.

To learn more about how Medical Evacuation membership with Medjet Assist works, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.

Buy now

Accommodations and Airfare

Expedia and VRBO
Hotels, home rentals, BNBs, flights, and other transportation & tours

Expedia is a US-based company whose mission is to power global travel for everyone and everywhere. Wanderers Compass focuses on independent travel, and using sites like Expedia makes that possible. Every aspect of travel you need, from airfare, accommodations, rental car, and cruises to activities to do at your destination, can be booked on Expedia.

Book now

Booking.com
Hotels, Home rentals, BNBs, Flights, and other Transportation & Tours

Booking.com connects millions of travelers to memorable experiences, various transportation options, and incredible places to stay – from homes to hotels and much more. It is one of the world’s largest travel marketplaces for established brands and entrepreneurs of all sizes. It is our preferred booking site.

Book now

Transportation

Daytrip
Personalized city-to-city private car transfer service

Daytrip is an affordable private car service for city-to-city transfers around the world. We love their service, and it costs much less than renting a car. You can enjoy comfortable, stress-free travel with the added bonus of scenic sightseeing stops along your journey. For example, we used them between Budapest and Vienna, making some fantastic stops along the way. Their professional drivers and customizable routes ensure a smooth ride while allowing you to explore hidden gems and local attractions.

To learn more about how Daytrip, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.

Book now

Travel Experiences

Viator
The leading marketplace for travel experiences

Viator believes that making memories is what travel is all about. And with 300,000+ experiences to explore—everything from simple tours to extreme adventures (and all the niche, interesting stuff in between)—making memories that will last a lifetime has never been easier. We use them often during our travels and love their liberal cancellation policy.

Explore now

Communication products for seamless connectivity overseas

GigSky International eSIM Data Plans
Local Prices. No Roaming. Fastest Networks.

GigSky eSIM keeps travelers seamlessly connected worldwide without the hassle of swapping physical SIM cards or facing unexpected roaming charges. With affordable data plans and instant activation, you can enjoy reliable internet access in over 190 countries, making travel more convenient than ever. They have a great offer, a 100 MB data plan for free, and no credit card is required. They are that confident you will love their product!

Enjoy 10% off all GigSky Plans (except cruise and inflight) with our discount code WCOMPASS10

To learn more about how GigSky, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.

SHOP NOW

Shopping

Wanderers Compass Amazon Storefront
An excellent source for all travel essentials and guides

Amazon is one of the most comprehensive online shopping sources in the world. Teams worldwide provide lower prices, better selection, and rapid delivery on behalf of customers. They offer a vast inventory, and their 1.7 million small and medium businesses worldwide selling on Amazon.com offer extensive options to customers.

Shop now

This article contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!