England
Trips here range from London's museums and theaters to Roman baths, medieval walls and walks in the Lake District.
England is the largest country in the United Kingdom. Most of a trip is spent in its cities and countryside.
London is the usual base for a first visit, with its museums, theaters and royal parks. Bath is known for its Roman baths, built around natural hot springs. York keeps its medieval city walls and the Gothic York Minster. Farther north, the Lake District has lakes and fells, while Cornwall and Devon offer coastline and moors. Stonehenge, a prehistoric stone circle, sits in Wiltshire.
Trips often pair London with one or two other regions, because trains link the main cities. A week is enough for London and one other city. Two weeks leave room for the Lake District, the Cotswolds or Cornwall. Late spring through early autumn suits walking and coastal days, though the weather can change quickly. US citizens need a UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before they travel.
Five things to know before England
- Apply for a UK ETA before you travel
Most visa-exempt visitors, including EU and US citizens, need an ETA. It costs £20, lasts two years or until your passport expires, and covers stays of up to six months. UK ETA explained
- Book Advance rail fares for long journeys
Advance fares on routes such as London to York cost far less than walk-up tickets but tie you to one train. A railcard can cut fares by a third. Getting around
- Tap your card on London transport
The Tube, buses and most London rail take contactless cards, so you do not need an Oyster card. Use the same card for every tap and check TfL for current fares. London
- Book London's paid sights online
The Tower of London sells tickets online in advance and at the ticket office on the day. General entry to the British Museum and the National Gallery is free.
- Plan the Lake District around the weather
The fells are wet and changeable in every season. Carry waterproofs and check the fell-top forecast before walking high routes. Lake District
England travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Where to stay, getting around and the sights to book.
Read the guideLake DistrictFell walks, lakes and the weather to plan around.
Read the guideThe CotswoldsStone villages, walking routes and where to base yourself.
Read the guideBathThe Roman Baths, Georgian streets and day trips.
Read the guideYorkThe Minster, the walls and the medieval streets.
Read the guideUK ETA explainedWho needs one, the £20 fee and how long it lasts.
Read the guideVisa checkerCheck the entry rule for your passport.
Read the guide
Destinations in England
CityLondonExplore
CityTorquayExplore
CityWhitbyExplore
CityWindsorExplore
CityBirminghamExplore
CityNewcastle-upon-TyneExplore
CityLeedsExplore
CityDoverExplore
CityLiverpoolExplore
CityRyeExplore
CityYorkExplore
CityBathExplore
CityBristolExplore
CityCambridgeExplore
CityOxfordExplore
CityPlymouthExplore
CityStratford-upon-AvonExplore
CityNottinghamExplore
CityManchesterExplore
CitySheffieldExplore
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- £30
- Food
- £25
- Transport
- £8
- Sights
- Free
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- £110
- Food
- £55
- Transport
- £20
- Sights
- £35
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- £180
- Food
- £100
- Transport
- £60
- Sights
- £100
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh8°Low3°Cold, dampJanuaryPartly cloudy
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 65 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, damp
- FebruaryCloudy11 rainy daysHigh9°Low4°Cold, greyFebruaryCloudy
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 55 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, grey
- MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh11°Low5°Cool, daffodilsMarchRain
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, daffodils
- AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh14°Low6°Mild, blossomAprilPartly cloudy
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 41 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, blossom
- MayPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh18°Low9°Mild, long daysMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, long days
- JunePartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Warm, long daysJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, long days
- JulyPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh23°Low15°Warm, busyJulyPartly cloudy
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- AugustPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh23°Low15°Warm, holidaysAugustPartly cloudy
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 51 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, holidays
- SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Mild, quieterSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 65 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quieter
- OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Cool, autumnOctoberRain
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 85 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, autumn
- NovemberRain12 rainy daysHigh11°Low6°Cool, wetNovemberRain
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, wet
- DecemberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh9°Low5°Lights, marketsDecemberPartly cloudy
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Lights, markets
Average daily high and low in London, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in England
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
10
- Feels like
- 7°
- Humidity
- 82%
- Wind
- 17 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 92%
London
08:05 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today12°9°92%Monday: Drizzle. High 12°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Tue12°9°35%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 12°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Wed11°8°10%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Thu9°7°2%Thursday: Drizzle. High 9°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Fri9°7°6%Friday: Drizzle. High 9°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Sat8°7°16%Saturday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Sun10°4°14%Sunday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 14%.
Updated 06:23 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.7469 GBP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Festivals by month
- Jan
- Feb
- MarCheltenham FestivalThe Cotswolds
- Apr
- MayFA Cup finalLondonGlyndebourne Festival OperaBrighton & Hove
- JunGlastonbury FestivalAcross EnglandWimbledonLondon
- JulCambridge Folk FestivalCambridgeBBC PromsLondon
- AugNotting Hill CarnivalLondonBristol International Balloon FiestaBristol
- Sep
- Oct
- NovLondon to Brighton Veteran Car RunLondon
- Dec
On tour in England: Westlife 25: The Anniversary World Tour Sheffield, Nov 2, 2026 · Muse The Wow! Signal Tour Manchester, London, Nov 12 – 16, 2026 · ENHYPEN World Tour 'BLOOD SAGA' London, Mar 9, 2027 · Rush Fifty Something Tour Manchester, London, Mar 12 – 21, 2027 · Olivia Rodrigo The Unraveled Tour London, Apr 5 – May 10, 2027 · Sabaton The Legendary Tour Part 2 Birmingham, Apr 10, 2027 · Rod Stewart The Final Encore Birmingham, Manchester, London, May 4 – 14, 2027 · Nickelback Everything Under the Sun Tour 2027 Leeds, London, Birmingham, Manchester, May 22 – Jun 2, 2027 · Oasis Live '27 Manchester, Knebworth, Jun 4 – Sep 26, 2027 · Slipknot (sic)est Stadium Tour 2027 London, Jul 3, 2027 · Karol G Tropitour London, Jul 6, 2027 · Harry Styles Together, Together 2027 London, Aug 25 – 28, 2027
England FAQ
Do I need an ETA to visit England?
Yes, unless you need a visa or are a British or Irish citizen. The ETA costs £20, covers visits of up to six months and lasts two years or until your passport expires.
Do I need a UK ETA if I travel from Ireland?
Yes, unless you are British, Irish or legally resident in Ireland. The UK and Ireland share the Common Travel Area, but the ETA still applies.
How many days do I need in England?
Four or five days covers London. With ten days, add Bath and the Cotswolds, or York and the Lake District, by train.
Do I need cash in England?
Rarely. Contactless cards work almost everywhere, so cash is a small backup rather than a necessity.
When is the best time to visit England?
May, June and September have long days and fewer crowds than the school summer holidays. Expect rain in any month.