Cities to Visit in England, that are not London

Cities in England?  Do you mean London?

When you visualize yourself jetting off to England, you probably picture a handful of images: palace guards dressed in striking red uniforms, that big clock tower from Disney’s Peter Pan, double-decker buses whipping along roads that have been around for hundreds of years.  However, all of those things are quintessentially London, not English. Although millions of people live in the famous city, the majority of English people make their homes outside of its busy grey streets. If you really want to make the most of your trip to England, you’ll need to venture outside of its largest city to check out some of the other nearby destinations the country has to offer.

Need some inspiration? Here are five cities in England other than London, that are historically relevant, entertaining, and beautiful! 

• Brighton
• Canterbury
• Bath
• Oxford
• Salsibury

By the way, we DO think you should visit London.  It is one of the world’s greatest cities, and has been for centuries.  So start your trip to England in London, with this fabulous London tourist map.  Then head out to the rest of the country.  

 

Our 5 Favorite Cities in England, OTHER THAN LONDON

 

• Brighton

 

If you fly into one of London’s airports, you can easily hop a train to Brighton and spend a day in this quaint seaside city. With crashing waves on the horizon and plenty of adorable shops and restaurants, this city is certainly a contrast to the hustle and bustle of London, but you won’t regret setting aside some time to explore its lovely streets.

Meander along the famous pier, buy yourself an ice cream cone (or two), and breathe in the fresh ocean air. Unlike many other English cities, it’s easy to see why so many locals consider Brighton to be a vacation destination. Also, be sure to snap some pictures of the gorgeous Brighton Pavilion, as well as the famous pieces of street art that cover various alleyways. There are even some displays done by Banksy.

If you want lots more details and more fabulous things to do, check outA Brighton Day Trip!

If you want to spend some time in nature with some lovely cliff views near Brighton, you may want to tryhiking at Seven Sisters Country Park.

 

• Canterbury

 

Certainly one of the most historic locations you can visit in England, Canterbury is home to an extremely famous cathedral and a deep layer of English history. It is also home to the living Archbishop of Canterbury, the head of the Anglican Church, so you can see why the area is considered culturally important by English citizens.

Spend some time learning about the religious significance of the area and be sure to sign up for an informative tour of the Canterbury Cathedral and St. Augustine’s Abbey. No matter how interested in history you may be, the insides of these historical sites will steal your breath away. Afterward, mosey through the Old City to get a glimpse of adorable, old-fashioned white houses that have been around since the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

If you want lots more details and more fabulous things to do, check out A Day in Canterbury!

 

• Bath

 

This city’s impressive display of Georgian architecture makes it as picturesque as it is iconic. Walk down the Royal Crescent, which is a curved street hugged by visually pleasing buildings that look like they’ve come straight from a Jane Austen film. Speaking of Jane Austen, the famous writer spent a substantial amount of time in Bath and has a museum dedicated to her life located there. Stop by, then head over to another historically important area: The Roman Baths.

Bath is named after the restorative thermal waters that flow through it, so it makes sense to learn about the past that has shaped its essence today. You can even tour well-preserved bath houses that were originally crafted by Romans thousands of years ago. Although the Ancient Roman Baths aren’t available for bathing anymore, there are plenty of spas you can check out that will allow you to immerse yourself in the city’s hot waters, which supposedly harbor healing powers and benefits for your entire body.

Bath is an amazing city to spend a weekend, with a wealth of historic sites, and of course, those fabulous hot springs.  To ensure your stay is everything you hope for, get all of the details in the perfect weekend in Bath.

 

• Oxford

 

You have undoubtedly heard of Oxford University before, but have you ever considered visiting its campus and the city that surrounds it? The architecture of the buildings, several fascinating museums, and an aged Oxford Castle certainly make a trip to the area worthwhile. Munch on a snack from Ben’s Cookies as you wander past old pubs and stone walls.

Another bonus that comes with visiting this city just outside of London: parts of Hogwarts were filmed on the University’s campus, and if you book a tour, you can actually stand in the place where Harry Potter and his crew once stood. If you’ve always wondered why no owl bore an acceptance letter to your home, then this is your chance to wander through a school and city that feel like they’re from a fictional world.

 

• Salisbury

 

The Salisbury Cathedral is just one of the many impressive sights you’ll stumble upon in this city. The Cathedral boasts the tallest spire in all of England.  You can even view an original copy of the Magna Carta, one of the most famous documents ever drafted throughout history, right in the cathedral.

Enjoy the beautiful green spaces of Salisbury, as well as the calm atmosphere (of which is the complete opposite of London). Then, head out to the main attraction in the area: Stonehenge. The haunting slabs of stone are less than ten miles away from Salisbury, so don’t skip the chance to see this surreal historic site in person.

Salisbury is a amazing city to spend a weekend, with a lot of historic and beautiful outdoor sites.  To plan your best visit, be sure to check out A Weekend in Salisbury!

Stonehenge can’t get busy.  You don’t want to miss out, or gt lost in the crowds.  Be sure to check out the top tips for visiting Stonehenge to have the best experience!

 

Conclusion

Although London truly is one of the most engaging, impressive tourist destinations in the world, don’t forget that the rest of England lies outside its borders!  There are dozens of other great cities in England, and our 5 are all close enough to make a day trip.  Make an effort to explore the surrounding areas and some of these cities a few times during your trip.

 Trust me, you won’t regret the sacrifice!

 

Want to remember these 5 great cities in England later?  Pin it!

Thinking about crossing the English Channel on your visit?  You might be interested in The Normandy Beaches.

Or maybe you are planning to cross the Irish Sea..  then start your research with Not Another Perfect Ireland Itinerary!

 

Author Bio:

Riley is a full-time editor and writer in Texas, but on the weekends, you can find her hiking at the nearest park or researching flights to faraway places. She’s a lover of literature, road trips, caramel macchiatos, and photography. Someday, she hopes to have visited every national park in the United States. Riley is a regular contributor on Impulsive Wanderlust, a website offering meaningful advice on city travel, outdoor excursions, dining, nightlife, accommodations, and anything leisure-related.

 

 

Cover image Tom Corser www.tomcorser.com [CC BY-SA 2.0 uk (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/uk/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons