top of page
The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben in London are illuminated at sunset, with the text "Your guide to visiting England" overlaid at the bottom.

England: Castles, Coastlines & Countryside From Land’s End to London

Your Guide to the Land of Castles & Cathedrals

England is a country we have explored deeply and repeatedly. Our travels have taken us from Land’s End through central England and Yorkshire, across coastal routes in Kent and Hastings, and into major hubs like London and Manchester. Through road trips, house sitting, and slow travel, we have spent time in historic cities, small villages, and castle-filled landscapes that reveal England beyond the headlines. This page brings together our firsthand experiences, destination highlights, and practical insights from traveling widely across the country.

Quick Navigation

Share This Guide

AFFILIATE PROMOTION

Holafly unlimited data eSIM for the United States with city skyline and smartphone graphic.

Highlights from Our Journey

A visual snapshot of the places, culture, and experiences that shaped our travels across England.

Discover

Where we’ve been in England: Real places we’ve personally visited, photographed, and written about.

Top Activities in England, Worth Booking Ahead

Some experiences in England are better booked in advance, especially iconic sites like the Tower of London and Stonehenge. These are a few trusted tours we’d personally recommend.

Interior of the Hogwarts Great Hall set at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, showcasing stone arches, portraits, and wizarding props.

London: Warner Bros. Studio Harry Potter Tour

Step inside the world of Harry Potter! Discover the authentic sets and learn how they were created. Walk through the Great Hall where Harry Potter was assigned.

Ceremonial guard in traditional red uniform beside historic cannons at the Tower of London, England.

London: Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Ticket

Take a tour of the timeless Tower of London – part of British history since the 11th century. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built in 1086 by William the Conqueror.

Military band performing a ceremonial march outside Windsor Castle, with historic stone towers in the background.

Windsor, Stonehenge, Bath, and Roman Baths Day Trip

Explore top highlights on this bus day trip from London. Experience the elegance of Windsor Castle, the mysteries of Stonehenge, and the Georgian city of Bath.

Powered by GetYourGuide

Interesting Facts

Here Are 15 Interesting Facts about England. Some May Just Surprise You!​

1. England Is Home to the World’s Oldest Royal Family Still in Power: The British monarchy dates back over 1,000 years, with King Charles III now at the helm of the House of Windsor.


2. London’s Underground is the Oldest Metro System in the World: The Tube opened in 1863 and now serves over a billion passengers annually.


3. Stonehenge is Older Than the Pyramids: This prehistoric stone circle in Wiltshire was built around 3000 BC, and its purpose still sparks debate.


4. England Has Over 4,000 Castles: From grand royal residences to crumbling ruins, castles are scattered across the English countryside.


5. The English Language Has More Words Than Any Other: With over 170,000 currently used words, English is rich, varied, and constantly evolving.


6. Afternoon Tea Was Invented in England: The tradition began in the 1840s with the Duchess of Bedford, and remains a beloved English ritual.


7. England is the Birthplace of Shakespeare: William Shakespeare, born in Stratford-upon-Avon, remains one of the world’s most influential writers.


8. Football (Soccer) Was Formalized in England: While versions existed elsewhere, the modern rules of football were established in England in 1863.


9. England has the Shortest Scheduled Flight in the World: The flight between Westray and Papa Westray in the Orkney Islands lasts just 2 minutes.


10. The Tower of London Once Housed a Zoo: Lions, bears, and even elephants were kept as royal pets before the menagerie moved to what is now London Zoo.


11. The English Flag is the St. George’s Cross: Often confused with the Union Jack, England’s red cross on a white background is its national flag.


12. Black Cabs Are Tested on “The Knowledge”: London taxi drivers must memorize 25,000 streets and landmarks — a rigorous test that can take years to pass.


13. Big Ben Is Actually the Bell, Not the Tower: The famous clock tower is officially called the Elizabeth Tower. “Big Ben” refers to the bell inside it.


14. England has a National Dish That’s Not Traditionally English: Chicken Tikka Masala is often considered England’s national dish — a nod to its multicultural roots.


15. The English Countryside Inspired Countless Stories: From the Lake District (Wordsworth) to the Yorkshire Moors (Bronte), England’s landscapes are deeply tied to its literature.

ADVERTISEMENT

Blogs & Guides

Thoughtful travel stories, practical guides, and real experiences from the road.

2

Travel Essentials

Travel Information for England: Practical Tips & Essentials

General Information About England

POPULATION

England is home to approximately 57 million people (2024), making it the most populous country in the United Kingdom.

CURRENCY

Pound Sterling, GBP, £ (shared with the rest of the U.K.). Notes and coins are universally accepted.

CAPITAL

London (9.8 million) is the UK’s capital and is a world-famous hub for finance, fashion, theater, and royalty.

SPEED / DISTANCES

30 mph in towns, 60 mph on single carriageways, and 70 mph on motorways and dual carriageways.

TIME ZONES

England follows Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), shifting to British Summer Time (BST)—GMT+1—from late March to late October.

ALCOHOL AGE

Alcohol is legal from age 18.  A 16–17-year-old may drink beer, wine, or cider with a meal in a licensed venue if accompanied by an adult.

DRIVING

Drive on the left-hand side. Roads are good, but narrow country lanes are common in rural areas. Seat belts are mandatory. Children require appropriate car seats.

SMOKING AGE

 The legal smoking age is also 18, and smoking is banned in all enclosed public spaces.

Travel Resources

We rely on a set of trusted tools for transport, connectivity, insurance, and bookings while traveling full-time and living location-independent.

TOURS

Tours & Experiences

We book guided tours, activities, and local experiences through trusted platforms that make exploring easier and more rewarding.

MONEY & TOOLS

Money & Travel Tools

From spending abroad to saving on fees, these tools help us manage finances securely while traveling across countries.

CONNECTIVITY

Connectivity & eSIMs

Reliable internet matters when you travel full-time. These eSIM and connectivity tools keep us online without local SIM hassles.

TRANSPORT

Transport & Getting Around

Compare trains, buses, ferries, and flights in one place. We use these tools to plan routes, check prices, and get around smoothly.

INSURANCE

Travel Insurance

Unexpected things happen on the road. We rely on flexible travel insurance that covers health, delays, and long-term travel realities.

HOTELS

Places to Stay

From short stays to longer slow-travel bases, these platforms help us find accommodation that fits our style, budget, and location needs.

Over our many years of full-time travel, we've booked countless accommodations, flights, and activities while also navigating the world of earning online.

 

These are the tools we rely on to plan and book our adventures, and now, you can too!

GigSky eSIM: World Mobile Data

International eSIM Data Plans. Local Prices. No Roaming. Fastest Networks. Available in over 200 countries, with GigSky you’ll have cellular data the moment you arrive.


Save 10% on your first order with code CLOSERLIVES10

Smiling woman in a hat holds a blue smartphone outdoors. Text overlay reads "GIGSKY Low Cost Global Data Plans" with must-see destinations in the blurred cityscape background and a blue sky overhead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions we get asked about England

!
Widget Didn’t Load
Check your internet and refresh this page.
If that doesn’t work, contact us.

AFFILIATE PROMOTION

Global Rescue travel services banner with helicopter rescue imagery and learn more call to action.

YouTube

Discover the world with us. Join the Jenn & Leon YouTube channel.

LONDON, ENGLAND

LONDON, ENGLAND

LONDON, ENGLAND
What Really Happens at Stonehenge During Sunrise?

What Really Happens at Stonehenge During Sunrise?

06:55
Inside YOTELAir Gatwick | Is This Micro Hotel Worth It?

Inside YOTELAir Gatwick | Is This Micro Hotel Worth It?

05:20
Best UK Christmas Shopping? Milton Keynes Surprised Us!

Best UK Christmas Shopping? Milton Keynes Surprised Us!

05:22
What to expect on an ARSENAL MATCH DAY ⚽️ We visit the incredible Emirates Stadium!

What to expect on an ARSENAL MATCH DAY ⚽️ We visit the incredible Emirates Stadium!

04:10

As entrepreneurs and full-time slow travellers our goal is to see as much of this beautiful planet as we can!

By subscribing to our channel you will get notified of our latest videos, so you will never miss out!

Country Guides

Essential travel tips, practical planning, and real experiences from the road.

Check out other comprehensive Country Guides with all you need to know before you go, including our latest posts, must-see places, fascinating facts, and key information about health & safety, transport, local customs, cuisine, connectivity, visa information, useful links, and much more!

A woman in a black dress poses on rocks by the sea with large rock formations behind her. The text "Aphrodite's Rock" appears in yellow over an orange Cyprus map and laurel wreath, making it a highlight among top destinations.

Our Engagement Story

Discover Aphrodite’s Rock, the legendary birthplace of the goddess of love, and our engagement spot! Find out more about our story, how it all happened, and all you need to know about visiting this incredible location (and also Leon's ancestral homeland).

Jenn and Leon standing together on the deck of a Princess cruise ship under a clear blue sky, smiling during their cruise from Florida.

Jenn & Leon at Closer Lives

Closer Lives was created to bring people, places, and stories closer together. Through travel, culture, history, poetry, and personal experience, we share the moments that shape how we see the world, and ourselves.


If you enjoy thoughtful travel guides, real experiences, and creative storytelling, you’re in the right place. You can also explore our Travel & Lifestyle Emporium, featuring inspirational travel pieces designed by us and shipped worldwide.

We explore more than maps. We journey through mindsets.

CHECK OUT OUR SOCIALS

  • Black and white Instagram logo with a camera icon inside a circle on a dark background.
  • White Facebook app logo on a black background, featuring the letter "f" in bold.
  • A black rectangle with a white play button in the center, resembling the YouTube logo.
  • White Pinterest app logo on a black background, featuring the letter "p" intertwined with an oval.
  • White Threads app logo on a black background, featuring the letter "a" intertwined with an oval.
Visa logo with the word "VISA" in blue capital letters; the "V" has a yellow accent on the upper left. The background is light gray with a slight gradient.
MasterCard logo with two overlapping circles, one red on the left and one yellow on the right, on a blue background. The word "MasterCard" appears in white across the center.
Discover logo with the word "DISCOVER" in black letters, except for the letter "O," which is orange and resembles a sunburst. The background is white with an orange curve at the bottom right corner.
Logo featuring two overlapping blue circles with the word "Cirrus" in white letters across the center, set against a dark blue background.
VISA Electron logo with white text on a blue background and a yellow curved stripe under the word "VISA.
A purple square icon features a white circle with a black and white swirling "S" design in the center. Below the circle, the word "SOLO" appears in bold white letters.
Maestro logo with two overlapping circles, one blue on the left and one red on the right, and the word "Maestro" in white text across the center on a dark blue background.
A geometric logo featuring the word "DELTA" in white letters on a blue triangle, with yellow and red triangles overlapping in the bottom left corner on a white background.
Black and white Direct Debit logo featuring a stylized "D" symbol to the left and the words "DIRECT Debit" in bold font to the right.
American Express logo featuring the words "AMERICAN EXPRESS" in bold white letters on a blue, rectangular background.
UnionPay logo featuring the word "UnionPay" in black and red text over three vertical stripes in red, blue, and green.
JCB logo with white letters "J", "C", and "B" on blue, red, and green vertical rectangles, respectively.
PayPal logo featuring a stylized overlapping double "P" in blue tones, followed by the word "PayPal" in blue and light blue text.
Pay Samsung Pay logo on black background for mobile payment services
Google Pay logo with a multicolored "G" followed by the word "Pay" in gray text.
Apple Pay logo featuring the Apple icon followed by the word "Pay" in black text on a white background.
Logo featuring the text "Closer Lives" with "Jenn & Leon travel & lifestyle" underneath, set against a black background with a white circular outline and a bright light flare.

Est 2021 | © 2026 Closer Lives Inc. All rights reserved.

bottom of page