Sharing a rich history and vibrant landscapes, England and Wales offer visitors a remarkable travel experience. With bustling cities, ancient castles, tranquil gardens and dramatic coastlines, both countries boast cultural heritage, natural beauty and a multitude of memorable adventures.
In England, the capital is awash in iconic landmarks displaying centuries of the British Empire’s power. Beyond London — but close enough for day trips — the ancient university cities of Oxford and Cambridge flaunt stunning architecture. Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world, illustrates the enduring cultural power of the British monarchy, while magnificent cathedrals like Canterbury pay testament to the influence of Christianity.
Dominated by mountains and a wave-tossed coastline featuring rugged cliffs and pristine beaches, Wales is filled with dreamy landscapes. Wales has more castles per square mile than any country in Europe, and its 400 castles illustrate a history of royal plots and medieval conflicts. Dating back 14 centuries, St. Davids Cathedral is one of Britain’s most ancient cathedrals and is a revered destination for religious pilgrims.
From cozy pubs to grand libraries, and with countless castles and cathedrals, visitors will delight in enriching excursions in both countries.
Essential Destinations
London
With outstanding culinary and entertainment scenes, quirky neighborhoods, and a fashionable, cosmopolitan vibe, Britain’s largest metropolis would be an alluring destination even without its almost two millennia of history and world-renowned institutions — but it has those, too. The Romans settled on the banks of the River Thames in the first century, and today “Greater London” is home to nearly 20 million people.
The top deck of the city’s iconic red double-decker buses is a fun way to see major sites like Big Ben, the Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, the British Museum, Westminster Abbey and Trafalgar Square while deciding which attractions you want to visit first.
Bath
The only U.K. city designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bath was beloved by the ancient Romans, who built an elaborate complex to bathe in its natural hot springs. Visitors can’t enter the waters at the well-preserved complex, but they can enjoy a therapeutic soak at the Thermae Bath Spa while looking out over grand 18th-century Georgian architecture. Bath also boasts a magnificent Gothic abbey with stunning stained-glass windows, where Christians have worshipped for more than 1,200 years.
Brighton
Cheeky, quirky and unconventional, the coastal city of Brighton also delivers a hearty dose of traditional seaside charm. Visitors will find classic carnival rides at Brighton Palace Pier, eclectic boutiques tucked in narrow alleys at The Lanes, and over-the-top Indian-influenced extravagance at the Royal Pavilion. Sea Life Brighton is the world’s oldest operating aquarium, and South Downs National Park is home to the Seven Sisters, a dramatic series of white chalk cliffs along the Sussex coast.
Faith Highlights
Offering 45 minutes of peace and music, Choral Evensong is a sung service of evening prayer that dates to the time of the Reformation and is celebrated at churches and cathedrals across both countries, as well as broadcast on the BBC. Open to visitors of any (or no) faith and free of charge, a Choral Evensong is a must while visiting England and Wales. Find a complete list of performances at choralevensong.org.
Historic Experience
A monument to Roman ambition, Hadrian’s Wall is a stone fortification stretching 73 miles from sea to sea, across what was once the empire’s northwestern frontier. Significant sections of the wall, which was intended to defend against barbarian invaders, still stand, offering visitors the opportunity to explore. Highlights include excavated forts, castles and a temple to the god Mithra, a Persian deity whose cult was favored by many high-ranking Roman officers.
Signature Flavor
Fish and chips may have conquered the world, but there’s nothing as quintessentially English as a fancy afternoon tea. Whether enjoyed in a quaint cottage inn or a five-star hotel, a proper tea will feature tender, crumbly scones served with clotted cream and jam; delicate finger sandwiches with fillings like watercress, cucumber and cream cheese; and, of course, cup after cup of brisk English teas.
Just for Fun
For an unforgettable experience, attend an open-air theatrical performance at Shakespeare’s Globe. The Elizabethan playhouse was built in 1599; the reconstruction was completed in 1997, just 750 feet from the site of the original.
