Things to Do in England

Visit the modernist Metropolitan Cathedral and gain insight into Liverpool's religious history as you explore its crypts, treasury, and unique structure. As you take in its unusual circular design, learn about the Catholic cathedral's close relationship with its Anglican sister on the other end of Hope Street, or attend a service or concert for an immersive experience.

The cathedral, completed in 1967, was based on design by Frederick Gibberd, but proposed designs date back to 1853. In 1933, building began on Sir Edwin Lutyens' vision for a massive church, but only the crypt, which remains today, was built. Visit for the architecture or to attend the annual Beer Festival. See the church and other Liverpool highlights via the hop-on hop-off bus, and combine a visit with one to the cathedral's Anglican neighbor.

The Metropolitan Cathedral is about 10 minutes' walk from central Liverpool. Bus No. 25 stops at Brownlow Hill, next to the cathedral. The cathedral has a paid parking lot available to all visitors, with marked disabled spaces. Hop-on hop-off bus tours also stop nearby.

The cathedral is open daily, though as an active church it holds regular services throughout the day, which visitors are welcome to attend. It also hosts many concerts throughout the year, including carol concerts in December. The annual beer festival, held in the crypt, is a popular event.

Bishop David Sheppard and Archbishop Derek Worlock hold a special place in Liverpool's heart. The two religious leaders worked together during the sectarian divide of the 1970s and 1980s. Affectionately nicknamed "fish and chips" because they were "always together and never out of the papers," their work is commemorated via the Sheppard-Worlock Statue on Hope Street, the road that unites the two cathedrals.

From legendary royals to pop culture icons and famous public figures; strolling the halls of the National Portrait Gallery is like taking a walk through British history. There are works dating from as early as the 13th century; Tudor portraits including Sir Thomas Cromwell, Richard III and Henry VIII, along with his six wives; and Victorian-era portraits of Queen Victoria, Charles Dickens, Oscar Wilde and the Brontë sisters. The modern era is well represented too, including royals like Diana Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Cambridge, actors like Alan Rickman and Helen Mirren, and instantly recognizable faces like The Beatles, Richard Branson and J.K.Rowling.

Opening its doors in 1856, the National Portrait Gallery was the first of its kind in the world and it's now home to the world's biggest portrait collection, featuring over 11,000 works. Notable highlights include the 'Chandos' portrait, alleged to portray William Shakespeare; a sketch of novelist Jane Austen by her sister and the much talked about "˜Ditchley' portrait of Queen Elizabeth I. In the modern gallery, must-sees include Julian Opie's celebrated Blur portraits, Sam Taylor-Wood's video portrait of David Beckham and Marlene Dumas's painting of Amy Winehouse, while the most bizarre is Mark Quinn's "˜Self', a frozen sculpture of his head made with his own blood.

Telling the story of the Foundling Hospital, the UK's first children's charity, the Foundling Museum offers a unique insight into one of the country's most pioneering charities. Established by philanthropist Thomas Coram in 1739, the Foundling Hospital was the first of its kind, using the support of artists and musicians to fund its charitable endeavors. The museum reveals the secrets of its success, the support of artist William Hogarth and the composer George Frideric Handel, and its influence on charitable arts programs to this day.

As well as learning about the charity, the museum is also home to the Gerald Coke Handel Collection, the world's largest private collection of Handel memorabilia, including music, art, manuscripts, and books.

With its abundance of oriental restaurants, striking Paifangs (monumental archways) and colorful lanterns swaying in the wind, it's easy to know when you've stumbled into London's Chinatown. Located at the heart of Soho and a short stroll from Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus, it serves as a popular route for walking tours, as well as being one of the top destinations for eating out in the city. 

London's Chinatown dates back from the 20th century, but was originally based in Limehouse in the East End, only moving to its current location in the 1970s. Today, the main thoroughfare is Gerrard Street, on and around which dozens of Asian restaurants can be found, including Japanese sushi bars, Korean eateries and traditional teahouses, as well as a number of Chinese supermarkets, reflexology and massage parlors, and Chinese medicine practitioners. The lively district is most atmospheric after dark, but the best time to visit is during the annual Chinese New Year celebrations, when bold decorations, glowing lanterns and non-stop street entertainment add to the festivities.

With 326 acres (121 hectares) of exotic plants, woodland trails, and lily ponds, plus 30,000-plus plant species, the Royal Botanical Gardens of Kew offer an idyllic escape for Londoners. As well as being one of London's most visited outdoor attractions, the gardens are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and house one of the oldest and most significant botanical collections in the world. 

Accessible via hop-on hop-off bus, the botanical gardens at Kew make for an excellent day-out destination. Entrance tickets to Kew Gardens allow visitors to explore the park's many attractions independently or via an optional guided walking tour. Step into The Hive, a multi-sensory sculpture designed to demonstrate the extraordinary life of bees; traverse a 60-foot-high (18-meter) treetop walkway; explore plants from 10 climate zones in the Princess of Wales Conservatory; and stroll through the  arboretum, a living library of over 14,000 trees. The London Pass offers entrance to Kew Gardens along with a hop-on hop-off bus tour of other local attractions, such as Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London.

Kew Gardens is located in Richmond, roughly eight miles (30 kilometers) from central London, a journey of about 30 minutes by road or 25 minutes by London Underground. The closest tube station is Kew Bridge Station on the District line, which is a short walk from the Elizabeth Gate at the park's eastern border. You can also walk to the Lion Gate (southwest corner) from Richmond Station or the Victoria Gate (southern border) from Kew Gardens station. 

Kew Gardens is open year-round and the wide variety of seasonal plants and flowers make it worth visiting at different times of the year. The gardens are busiest from July through August, so plan to arrive early to avoid crowds. Early to mid-spring is a good time to see colorful flowers, while wintertime makes it easy to time your visit to coincide with one of the site's many special holiday events.

As well as daily guided walking tours and a range of special exhibitions and art displays, Kew hosts special seasonal events and festivals year-round. Highlights include the month-long Christmas at Kew celebration, which includes an illuminated night trail; Kew the Music live music concerts in summer; the spring Orchids Festival; and Halloween pumpkin patches.

Home to England's greatest collection of paintings, the National Gallery's pantheon-style facade looms over London's Trafalgar Square. With a storied history dating back to 1824, it's no wonder this is one of the most-visited art museums in the world.

The National Gallery is a popular London attraction, with hop-on, hop-off bus tours stopping right outside. Visitors to the museum can explore independently or opt for a private tour with an art historian guide. Alternatively, you can purchase a London Pass and enjoy entrance to the National Gallery and a host of other London museums and attractions. 

The National Gallery is located on Trafalgar Square in Central London, an easy walk from Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, or the Thames riverfront. The closest tube station is Charing Cross.

The National Gallery is open year-round but can get crowded during peak summer months, when it's best to arrive early and opt for a weekday visit if possible. The site is open daily from 10am to 6pm, with extended hours until 9pm on Fridays.

The museum's permanent collection includes over 2,300 paintings, dating from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. It includes pieces from iconic artists such as Monet, Van Gogh, da Vinci, Holbein, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Ruben, and Van Eyck. 

London's Thames River waterfront is iconic, but its scenic canals remain one of the city's best-kept secrets. The London Canal Museum reveals their fascinating history, from Victorian trade center to modern-day tourist attraction.

Housed in a 19th-century ice warehouse by the waterfront, the museum's multi-media exhibitions focus not only on the historic canals, but also reveal the building's unusual history, owned by ice cream maker Carlo Gatti and used to store ice imported from Norway. Inside visitors can discover how the canal ways were built, learn about their importance in transporting cargo, follow the horses that pulled the boats, and uncover the lives of the workers that worked the waterways.

Fans of classic cars and vintage motors will be in their element at the London Motor Museum, where the eye candy includes cars from the 1930s to the 1970s. Bringing together an impressive selection of American and European motors, the museum whisks visitors on a thrilling journey through the automobile era, with the chance to admire some of history's most memorable cars, watch them in action in the cinema room, and test your knowledge on the Car Geek Quiz.

Among the more than 160 exhibits, highlights include luxurious motors such as a Louis Vuitton Cadillac Deville and a Lincoln Continental Lowrider; iconic brands such as Aston Martin, Ferrari and Jaguar; and a 20ft custom built Rolls Royce. Keep a look out for the Volkswagen Beetle, Herbie; one of the original Batmobiles used in the original 1989 movie; and the Ford Gran Torino seen on-screen in TV series Starsky and Hutch.

A beautifully restored medieval market town tucked hidden in the valley between Esthwaite Water and Windermere, Hawkshead is one of the Lake District's most traditional and picturesque villages, characterized by its striking white-washed buildings, grey slate roofs and cobblestoned sidewalks. 

Wander around the car-free center, where you can explore the 15th-century St Michael's parish church, see the former grammar school that William Wordsworth attended, and visit the Beatrix Potter Gallery, before browsing the small, family-run shops or eating at one of the historic pubs.

Leave the bustling streets behind as you explore Kensington Gardens, one of the city's most famous green spaces. Discover landmarks including the Albert Memorial, Kensington Palace, and Serpentine River; pick up practical gardening tips in the Allotment; or simply absorb the atmosphere at one of the park's many cafes.

Discover Kensington Gardens and other nearby Royal Parks on a bicycle tour, or follow a multipark trail such as the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Walk to explore at your own pace. Gain insight into the historic 265-acre (107-hectare) gardens and wider Kensington on a private tour of the district, or enjoy the flexibility of a self-guided tour to stroll the park as it suits you, taking advantage of hop-on hop-off services that stop nearby.

Just next to Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens is located in west central London. To get there by public transit, take the underground to Lancaster Gate on the Central Line or Bayswater on the District Line. Alternatively, take bus 148 from London Victoria to Victoria Gate. Hop-on hop-off services also stop near the gardens.

Kensington Gardens is open year-round, from early morning until dusk. Different seasons bring different vistas, from spring's avenues of fresh blooms to winter's festive walkways, so there's always something to see.

Look out for the park's bronze statue of Peter Pan, located west of the river. The writer of the original tales, JM Barrie, lived in Kensington with his Saint Bernard dog and spent a lot of time walking in the park. It was here he met the Llewelyn Davies family, who would go on to serve as inspiration for Barrie's famous stories and characters.

From the legendary Changing of the Guards ceremony to the foot guards in their bearskin hats outside Buckingham Palace, London's Royal Guards have become an iconic symbol of the city. The Guards Museum tells the story of Her Majesty's guards "“ which include five regiments of Foot Guards and two Household Cavalry regiment "“ from the 17th century the present day, as well as displaying a fascinating collection of military artifacts.

Visitors can admire historic uniforms, headdresses, ceremonial dress, and weapons; get an insight into the life and training of a Royal Guard; learn more about England's military history and the role of the guards; and even try on one of the guard's famous bearskin hats.

Chocolate orange fans can pay homage to the Goddard family, owners of Terry's Chocolates and the innovators behind the popular tangy-sweet flavor combination at their family home and garden. The grounds offer a tranquil way to spend the afternoon: learning about chocolate and British life in the 1930s.

Visitors to the brick, 1927 Arts and Craft-style cottage can see displays on Terry's Chocolates' 250-year history, type out comments and memories on a vintage typewriter, sip sherry by the fireplace in the drawing room overlooking the garden, and learn how the Goddard children entertained themselves on rainy days with activities like indoor croquet. The property's four acres of wooded gardens feature two ponds and seasonal blooms for pleasant strolls year-round, and abut the now-shuttered The Chocolate Works factory where the first chocolate orange was produced.

The house serves tea and chocolate orange cake al fresco on the terrace in spring and summer. More substantial meals, highlighting ingredients from the onsite greenhouse and surrounding community, are served in a garden-side dining room in the house.

Set on the site of a major Viking settlement, Jorvik Viking Centre whisks visitors back in time to ninth-century England. Glass floors reveal remnants of the original village uncovered by archaeologists in the 1970s, while a train ride takes passengers past detailed diorama-style displays that recreate typical scenes from Viking life"”complete with animatronic figures, a soundtrack, and more. 

The Jorvik Viking Centre offers an engaging experiential history lesson for visitors of all ages, bringing the Viking story to life through immersive and interactive exhibits that allow travelers to try their hand at virtual excavations of their own. Visitors take self-guided tours of the center, with interactive displays, commentary, and live guides in Viking dress, providing information along the way. The center can be reached via hop-on hop-off tour buses of York. Some York sightseeing passes include free entry to the attraction.

The Jorvik Viking Centre is located inside Coppergate Shopping Centre in York's city center. Lots of local bus routes  (10, 10a, 16, 24, 25, 26, 36, 42, 45, 46, X46, X47, 412, and 415) run to Piccadilly, which is just a short 2-minute walk away from the attraction.

Lines form at the Jorvik Viking Centre, especially on summer weekends and during school vacations. Arrive early in the morning or later in the day to avoid the crowds.

Among the Jorvik Viking Centre's most famous artifacts is the Lloyds Bank coprolite, a fully intact 7-inch (18-centimeter) fossilized Viking excrement. Not only does the center showcase objects unearthed in the dig, but it also presents a multisensory reimagining of Viking life. Listen carefully and you will hear the animatronic characters at Jorvik speaking Old Norse. Smells, designed to resemble those that would have been present in ninth-century Jorvik, waft through the air.

The London Film Museum, tucked away in a quiet part of Covent Garden, was founded and created by Jonathan Sands in 2008 following the success of Star Wars, the Exhibition. It is entirely dedicated to the British film industry and hosts regular, big-ticket film-themed exhibitions featuring original props, costumes and sets of all kinds. Past exhibitions include Bond in Motion, Charlie Chaplin - The Great Londoner and Ray Harryhausen, Myths & Legends.

The museum was once voted the best family attraction in Britain by the Telegraph. It also features a permanent exhibition (50 percent of which is from Sands' personal collection) which contains cinema artefacts, photography, films and multimedia tools, taking visitors on a journey through the history of the seventh art, the democratization of its techniques and the story behind today's blockbusters.

Located in an upscale neighborhood near central London, Holland Park is a favorite spot for weekend strolls. As well as woods, tennis courts, and various gardens"”including the Japanese-style Kyoto Garden"”the park is also home to what's left of the once-sprawling 17th-century Holland House, and a muster of resident peacocks. 

Tranquil and leafy, Holland Park is an excellent place to take a breather from the thronged streets of central London. Stroll through the calming Japanese garden, picnic on the lawns, people-watch from the on-site cafe, view the east wing of Holland House (the rest of which was destroyed during World War II bombings), and visit the Holland Park Ecology Centre, which host talks, guided walks, and workshops from a facility on the west side of the park. The park is a stop on some hop-on hop-off bus tours of London.

Holland Park is located in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in West London. The nearest Tube station is Holland Park (Central line), while the Kensington Olympia train station"”served by Overground and Southern Railway"”is fewer than 10 minutes from the park on foot. London's Design Museum abuts the park to the south. 

Holland Park is open daily from early morning to sunset. The park is busiest on sunny Saturday and Sunday afternoons, though even then it rarely feels crowded. The best time to visit is during summer, when open-air opera performances are staged in the park. 

Every summer, Holland Park is the setting for a series of outdoor opera productions. During the season, up to 1,000 audience members take their seats under a temporary canopy in the park to watch both famous and lesser-known works being performed in an open-air setting. You must purchase tickets in advance; spaces for wheelchair patrons are available. 

This popular global cafe chain got its start in London in 1971, where Eric Clapton's Lead II Fender now sits as the first ever piece of memorabilia donated to the Hard Rock Cafe. This particular cafe now contains an incredibly extensive rock and roll collection, with the most valuable pieces housed in the cafe's museum, otherwise known as the Vault. Hard Rock staff members provide free tours of the Vault, which contains items from Jimi Hendrix, The Who and the Beatles, among others.

In addition to the music memorabilia and rock and roll ambience, there is traditional dining here with American food, a shop to explore and occasional live shows.

As the name implies, York's Merchant Adventurers were merchants. They traded along the English coast, northern Europe and sometimes as far as the Baltic and Iceland, bringing back an assortment of desired goods to York. The city was an important river port and the wealthiest city in Northern England, second only to London for most of the Middle Ages, allowing the merchants to make enough money to build the Hall between 1357 and 1361.

It was ahead of the time, built before craft or trade guild halls were common in Britain. There are three rooms in the Hall, and each served a specific purpose. Business and social gatherings took place in the Great Hall, the Undercroft served as an almshouse caring for the sick and poor, and religious events were conducted in the Chapel.

The Hall has a number of collections; everything from paintings, to furniture and silver. The Company of Merchant Adventurers still use the Hall for meetings and events and hold services in the Chapel.

Embark on an archaeological adventure right in the heart of the city with a visit to the Jorvik Dig, the perfect complement to the nearby Jorvik Viking Centre. Centered around the city's original archeological dig sites, the unique attraction offers the chance to discover York's 2000-year history through four specially created in-door excavation pits, filled with replica artifacts from the Roman, Viking, medieval and Victorian eras.

The interactive exhibits are great fun for the whole family, with fascinating displays detailing the recent Hungate excavations, and showcasing artifacts such as medieval pottery and Roman jewelry, while children of all ages can get hands-on digging for treasures like pottery, bone, and jewels in the special synthetic soil pits.

Located in the center of the city, the Mansion House is the official residence of the Lord Mayor of York. But along with being a home, this historic house is popular with visitors. The Mansion House exhibits an impressive collection of paintings, silver and furniture.

It was designed to entertain distinguished guests and host ceremonies, so a bit of grandeur was a must. Built in Georgian style, the first brick was laid in 1725. But just like building projects today, costs grew. A few craftsmen worked for free in return for citizenship. The Mansion House was completed in 1732, seven years later.

The Mansion House offers a variety of tours tailored to guests' interests, including a Silver Tour. The Candle Light Tour shares spooky stories and secrets of the house as you explore. Book in advance if interested in a specialized tour.

Located at Micklegate Bar, one of the four principal gateways of York's medieval city walls, the Henry VII Experience transports visitors back to medieval era York, following the fascinating story of Henry VII. Housed in the restored 14th-century gatehouse, the museum features exhibits on the legacy of Henry VII, England's first Tudor King, who defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth and went on to rule for twenty-four years.

Highlights of the experience include interactive exhibitions on the Battle of Bosworth and the Tudor ascent to the throne, and a special Tudor Camp for children, with costumes, props, and narration by Horrible Histories author Terry Deary.