(Travel) Where to visit in England?

[GHT]

Edward has it more or less covered, but there's so much history on our small island you will find something of interest to suit everyone. One point to anyone contemplating car hire. If you have never driven on the left make sure you hire an automatic car, gear change will be one less problem to worry about. Our main intercity highways are known as 'Motorways.' They are signed with white letters on a blue background: Stopping is only permitted for an emergency, if you have to stop, use the hard shoulder on the left hand side. If you miss your exit, just travel on to the next one, turn around and come back, many a dangerous situation has occurred by someone braking hard and turning off at the last second.

The services on the motorways are notoriously expense, the service ranges from pathetic to atrocious. We Brits use them just for a comfort stop, they do at least have clean toilets, (get used to asking where the loo is,) ask for the bathroom and you might get directed to the truck driver's shower room.
Anyone visiting will have a geat time, and as for personal security, a couple of cops in Miami said to me: "If you were back home and went into a street where you felt uncomfortable, you would turn around and leave, do the same here and you will be fine." Sensible advice.

 

[daveoflondon]

if you do go Windsor make sure you visit windsor castle, some of the stuff gifted to the royal family over the years is amazing, guns embedded with rubies etc
the tower of london is great day out

 

[daveoflondon]

personally as a brit living in london i cant recommend a city not to far from london, they are all pretty samey, old churches, high streets, shops, maybe a river to walk along

why not get a train to Brighton or one of the other towns on the coast

 

[Brettafett]

London-based, avid weekend explorer...
Second much of the above.
Assuming first time visit?

In London itself, doing a hop-on, hop-off bus tour one day is a good idea. Great to see a lot in a short space of time and get orientated. Can then get off and explore and then get back on etc.
You need to have at least one other day to walk around the city and soak it in.
Check out American Classics, The Real McCoys and Clutch Cafe in central London. Very cool.
Covent Garden (incl American Classics, a few vintage shops and The Real McCoys), Leicester Square, Soho, Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street, Oxford St (just one road back you'll find Clutch Cafe), Carnaby St etc All within walking distance of each other...
A walk along the Thames, incl London Eye and South Bank is nice.
Camden Town is an experience.
Try and get to the theatre, do at least one show. There are a few last minute ticket sellers...
If you like planes - Hendon Air Force museum is massive and well-worth a visit. A few stops on the Northern Line.
If you like the Harry Potter stuff, the Warner Studio's Harry Potter experience is fantastic. Book in advance.

Day trips, easy trains from London...
Brighton, if its not raining can be nice. The lanes and market have many vintage shops and its pretty colourful.
Cambridge (Duxford airfield and museum is nearby and is incredible). Yes, Oxford is nice also.
Bath is nice, as is Canterbury.
Windsor, as above.
Rye is nice, but perhaps not in February.
Edinburgh is special, but will eat up a min of three days (incl travel and one day to explore the city), so depends how much time you have...

 

[Justhandguns]

A day trip to IWM Duxford which is very near to Cambridge is worth spending if you like all sorts of planes. It's also home of the Spitfires.

 

[GHT]

One famouse structure in London that often gets overlooked is The Monument. Most of the old part of Central London was destroyed in the fire of 1666. The Monument was built to commemorate the restructure of the city and to honour those who perished. It's height is exactly the same distance as it's base was from where the fire started, in a bakery in Pudding Lane. If you click on the link you can then click through the photos of the structure, it's spiral staircase and the vista from the top. https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=e...sAF1QipPPQfBB4iJrWwbkJtOMnDXriNxh_4mJuGBC-Phl

Another sight often overlooked is that of Leadenhall Market, worth a visit just for it's architecture. It's an enclosed Victorian shopping mall.

This link will give you a list of the more quirky things that you can see and do in London. One of the attractions is to enjoy coffee in a Victorian toilet. These were underground toilets that have been renovated and given a new life. I used to go to one called The Cellar Bar, it was a bar like no other, amazing place.
https://theculturetrip.com/europe/u...es/17-unusual-things-you-should-do-in-london/

 

[Clifton]

Don't want to offend any Londoners; our premier city and seat of so much history and magic is an obvious choice. I'm not a fan of cities so York is perfect for me. There is so much history, architecture and sites to remember in a small environ, due to city walls. Viking and Roman history in wonderful museums and a sense of being somewhere special - there's also a good hat shop. If you head to Scotland it's worth breaking your journey. Good food as well. Hope you enjoy your visit wherever you go and if England can offer the same welcome my father had every time he travelled across America and Canada then you will have a warm reception.

 

[bn1966]

Bristol: sometimes overlooked but very diverse and vibrant, I'd visit Bristol over Bath any day

 

[Lit Up]

For a beach go to Camber Sands. Broadstairs also a nice day trip. Both about 2 hours from London. Avoid Brighton at all costs! And remember, London really is the best thing about the UK - no other city compares.

 

[Justhandguns]

Don't want to offend any Londoners; our premier city and seat of so much history and magic is an obvious choice. I'm not a fan of cities so York is perfect for me. There is so much history, architecture and sites to remember in a small environ, due to city walls. Viking and Roman history in wonderful museums and a sense of being somewhere special - there's also a good hat shop. If you head to Scotland it's worth breaking your journey. Good food as well. Hope you enjoy your visit wherever you go and if England can offer the same welcome my father had every time he travelled across America and Canada then you will have a warm reception.

I have to agree with Clifton (from a Londoner), York is really scenic, best for somebody who wants to avoid the cities.

Avoid Brighton at all costs! And remember, London really is the best thing about the UK - no other city compares.

Absolutely, there are better seaside towns much prettier than Brighton. As for London, yes, there is really no comparison, it is one mega city which is only comparable to Tokyo, New York, and Hong Kong (yes! not sure how long the light will shine there though).

 

[Peacoat]

I am drawn to the Wash area—Norwich and East Dereham. I think that is where my family is from . . . many years ago.

 

[Clifton]

I didn't mention Bristol in case I was thought biased as Clifton, Bristol, is my birthplace. History and pleasure to be had in abundance and you can see where the saying 'pay on the nail' is believed to have come from. Large area to cover but good transport options. Trouble is, the UK isn't huge by comparison but taking up time travelling is a waste. Let's hear more suggestions.

 

[belfastboy]

If you do go to Edinburgh, (it's absolutely freezing there in February,) you will need warming up. Your first stop on The Royal Mile just has to be: https://www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk/

Yep, spent a wonderful afternoon there last week. Sit at the bar and engage the bartender...skip the tour and spend the money at the bar sipping. The bartender will tell you what you need to know.