England is a country with a lot of history and a lot of interesting places to visit. England has a lot to offer tourists from all over the world, from the wonder of Stonehenge to the modern buildings along the Thames River.
Spend some time in more than one place during your trip to England to get the most out of it. You should try to see as many of England’s best cities as your schedule and plans will allow.
Top 14 England’s Best Cities
1. Brighton
Brighton is another famous English college town, but it’s best known for its great beaches and location on the coast. It’s only an hour by train from London, so a lot of people go there for day trips and to get away for the summer.
When you go, make sure you check out the famous Palace Pier, which is a boardwalk that goes along the beach. A lot of different things to do and buy, from ice cream cones to fish and chips, can be found on the Palace Pier.
2. Bath
In line with its name, Bath is a spa town. This place in England’s West Country has Roman roots, and many of its baths and other Roman buildings still stand and can be seen on trips.
The Royal Crescent, a curved building built in the 18th century with a large yard in front, is one of the most photogenic landmarks in Bath. Of course, you can’t go to Bath without seeing the Roman Baths, which are hot springs that are more than 2,000 years old.
3. Oxford
They are both known for their universities, just like Cambridge. However, Oxford University has roots that go back even further. It was founded in the 12th century, making it the oldest English-speaking university in the world.
You should see the beautiful Bodleian Library if you only get to see one building in Oxford. The library has more than 11 million books and was founded in 1601. Fans of movies will like that it has been the setting for many movies, including several in the Harry Potter series.
4. Cambridge
If you’re going to Cambridge, you have to see the University of Cambridge. The campus has a past that goes back hundreds of years. There are many schools that make up the university. King’s College, Queen’s College, and Trinity College are some of the most well-known.
Some people say that the best way to see Cambridge is to just walk around the campus, looking into buildings and enjoying the Backs, a park by the river.
5. Liverpool
A lot of tourists know Liverpool for the Beatles, but the busy, exciting city has a lot more to offer than just music. There are two big soccer teams in Liverpool. They are Everton FC and Liverpool FC.
You can enjoy Liverpool’s “football” culture even if you can’t see a home game for either team. You can walk both stadiums. Hang out with people from Liverpool at one of the many clubs and bars on Wood Street, which is busy at night.
6. St Ives
Cornwall is a county in the southwest of England. The people who live there are very proud of their history, beaches, and culture. St. Ives is one of the most important places in Cornwall. It’s a small town that’s full of culture.
The Tate St. Ives has an amazing collection of art that is on par with some of the most popular art museums in London. Visitors to St. Ives won’t want to miss it. After that, you can take a walk along Porthminster Beach, which is a great place to swim and even has views of a lighthouse nearby.
7. Chester
Chester is a lovely city in northwest England. It was founded by the Romans and is right on the border with Wales. The Chester Cathedral might be the city’s most famous landmark. It is a stunning building that was one of the few to escape Henry VIII’s reign because it was too beautiful to destroy.
Explore some of the Roman sites in Chester, like the old walls or the ruins of a huge amphitheater, to go back even further in time. The Roman amphitheater is right across the street from Grosvenor Park, a classic Victorian garden from the 1800s that is great for picnics, walks, or watching people.
8. York
The city of York is a great place to learn about the past because it has a lot of amazing buildings from Roman, medieval, and even Viking times. A tour of York’s many ruins is a great way to learn about its past. The York Minster, a cathedral that dates back to the eighth century, is one of the city’s most popular tourist spots.
The JORVIK Viking Center has a great collection of artifacts from the past that bring history to life. You can also see recreations of Viking life in the area.
9. London
London is the best place in England to visit because it is the center of politics, business, shopping, and culture. It’s hard to choose just one thing to see in London, but people who are going for the first time might want to make Westminster a top goal.
Downtown Westminster is where the Prime Minister lives. It is also home to the Houses of Parliament and the famous Westminster Abbey. Buckingham Palace is also in Westminster. It is one of the most famous buildings in the world.
10. Durham
In the English city of Durham, there is a beautiful university grounds and Roman architecture that go hand in hand. The oldest student housing in the world is now located in Durham Castle, which was built in the 1100s.
The Durham Cathedral is also worth a visit. It has a beautiful tower and a striking Norman style, and everyone can get in for free. People who love nature also love going to the nearby Botanical grounds. The well-kept grounds have a beautiful variety of plants all year long.
11. Bristol
Bristol has a lot of architectural landmarks, attractions, and museums. It was formed in 1155 and has grown over the years. Check out the Old City first. Some of the city walls from the Middle Ages are still there.
St. Nicholas Market is worth a visit because it is an ancient market covered in glass where you can buy local food and tasty food from around the world. Don’t miss a show at the famous Old Vic, which is one of the most well-known theaters in all of England if you like art.
12. Newcastle
The port city of Newcastle is on the Tyne River. The people who live there have a strong accent, which makes them known as Geordies. Newcastle is another old city in England. It was built as a Roman fort more than 2,000 years ago.
The beautiful Gateshead Millennium Bridge spans the river and is a city symbol. If the weather isn’t nice enough for a walk along the river, you can go inside to the Victorian Central Arcade and check out the cute shops and the tourist center.
13. Nottingham
Nottingham, also known as the “Queen of the Midlands,” is a beautiful city in the middle of England that doesn’t get enough attention. The Nottingham Castle from the 1100s is a great place to visit whether you’re interested in history or architecture.
Just outside the castle walls is the famous figure of Robin Hood. At Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem Inn, you can quench your thirst. This pub is said to be one of the oldest in Britain and is more than 800 years old.
14. Manchester
The city of Manchester is one of the largest in England. It is also known as the Capital of the North. Manchester is a good city, but not as big or busy as London.
The impressive Manchester Cathedral is in the Millennium Quarter and is a great place for architecture fans to visit. It has a visitor’s center and offers guided walks. You can try food from around the world in Manchester’s Chinatown. You can eat tasty Cantonese and Mandarin food.
