Top England Arts & Design

Enjoy a more rewarding visit to London's Tate Modern on this guided tour. Visiting in a small group of no more than eight people provides plenty of opportunity to ask questions about the artworks and the 19th-century power plant that houses the modern art museum. See works by Picasso, Dalí, and Warhol in the permanent collection and also learn about the many temporary exhibits that the museum has displayed in its relatively short history.

Take a journey through the former epicenter of Brit-pop—Camden Town—with this self-guided audio tour. Make your way to key Brit-pop landmarks in the northwest London neighborhood, such as the Electric Ballroom, the Good Mixer, and the Dublin Castle. Offline access and GPS autoplay makes for a seamless experience, with audio playing automatically upon arrival at each sight.

Follow in the footsteps of the Duke of Hastings, visit Bridgerton House, and keep an ear out for Lady Whistledown’s gossip on this immersive, “Bridgerton”-themed walking tour of Bath. Led by an enthusiastic fan of the series, the tour will whisk you away to the show’s key filming locations, and will share behind-the-scenes stories about the “Bridgerton” cast and production, too. You’ll also learn more about Bath’s Georgian history as you explore.

Uncover the secrets of witchcraft and wizardry on this behind-the-scenes Harry Potter walking tour of London. With a small group and your guide leading the way, scout out filming locations for your favorite scenes, including the Leaky Cauldron and the Ministry of Magic. As you go, pass London landmarks such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, Millennium Bridge, and Leadenhall Market, your guide filling you in on behind-the-scenes stories and facts about the books and movies.

David Bowie's early career in Soho—the mime phase, the failed folk trio, the R&B bands—predates Ziggy Stardust by years, and those formative locations and stories aren't featured on standard London tours. This private walking tour covers the Soho venues, businesses, and landmarks that shaped Bowie's early creative career, with a guide providing context at each stop.

Follow in the footsteps of William Shakespeare, one of the greatest playwrights in the English language, during a London walking tour with a literary twist. Designed with fans of Shakespeare in mind, this tour takes you to a multitude of memorials and landmarks associated with the Bard, many of which are difficult to find unless you’re a local. As you go, explore with a professional actor who will deliver famous soliloquies and more.

As well as great restaurants, bars, and boutiques—Shoreditch is well-known for its diverse street art scene, and this tour is your shortcut to finding hidden murals, stencils, and artwork that you might not uncover alone. Join a guide on a specialty street art-themed tour that starts at Old Spitalfields Market and visits Brick Lane and Shoreditch. Along the way, hear stories about local artists and learn how to interpret different pieces.

London's rock history is located at addresses you'd walk straight past without knowing it. Trace the city's musical heritage on foot with a small group and a guide who knows the stories, passing the spots tied to David Bowie, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and more. The route takes in Denmark Street and the Abbey Road crossing, with the history behind each filled in as you go.

Delve deeper into medieval Lavenham than most tourists do with this lifelong-access self-guided audio walking tour. With your GPS-based app downloaded, set out to discover this lovely town’s half-timbered buildings, including its Swan Inn and 16th-century Guildhall. Chart their history, hear stories of their long-gone owners such as Tudor wool traders and aristocratic dukes; and pause and resume the tour as you wish to explore at your own pace.

Guided literary tours move at the group's pace, not yours. This self-guided Dickens scavenger hunt hands you the route through an app, so you start whenever you like and linger where you want. Follow a trail of puzzles and hidden messages between landmarks such as the Charles Dickens Museum and Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, piecing together the story as you walk Victorian London's streets.

Explore the best sights of Cheltenham at your own pace with this flexible, self-guided audio tour. See sights like the Royal Crescent, Neptune Garden, Cheltenham Town Hall, Imperial Square and Gardens, and more. Includes convenient turn-by-turn directions and maps, and automatic GPS playback, which can all be used offline.

Step into the world of 16th-century William Shakespeare with this entry to his former schoolroom and the Guildhall. The interactive experience lets you sit in the very room where Shakespeare studied as a boy, taking part in a Tudor-style lesson. Dress up in period costume for a selfie, and check out the council chamber where a young and aspiring Shakespeare watched actors perform. Fun for all the family, the experience includes a guide to give you the lowdown on the playwright and his history in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Swap predictable walking tours for this fun-filled and lively alternative—a silent disco adventure in Manchester. After receiving your radio headset, set off on a journey down Downsgate and Shudehill with theme songs and party anthems to keep energy levels high. This all-singing, all-dancing tour is the perfect way to have fun, explore the city, and enjoy the combination of a silent disco and a flash mob.

Discover the history, stories, and architecture of the country’s oldest prison—and explore at your own pace—when you pre-book tickets to Shepton Mallet Prison. Constructed in 1625, the landmark has witnessed many centuries of British history. Choose a start time that works best for you, make your own way to the landmark, and step back in time when you visit its cells, gruesome execution areas, and more.

Get access to a secret WW2 bunker under Liverpool city center: the Western Approaches HQ. This fascinating museum is a great way to learn stories about the British Armed Forces during World War II. See preserved artifacts, and find out more about the tools used to monitor enemy convoys. No need to worry about rushing—a self-guided tour means you can explore the museum at your own pace.

World War II buffs won't want to miss the chance to pay tribute to almost 58,000 individuals from over 60 countries who lost their lives serving with Bomber Command during the War. A visit to Lincoln's International Bomber Command Centre is the perfect way to commemorate them. Your ticket includes access to interactive galleries, landscaped peace gardens, and the 100-foot (30-meter) memorial, while tours run regularly across the day.

A dark look at the history of crime and punishment, this tour of Shepton Mallet Prison reveals the secrets of a historic English prison. Walk the corridors and see the cells of a prison that has been standing for 400 years, and learn about the prisoners who have lived here. See where executions once took place, and where old architecture has been modernized to suit the 21st century. Notice the difference between punishment in the 1600s and the present day.

Opt for a sightseeing tour of Newcastle with a difference on a silent disco tour that leads you through the city streets wearing hi-tech headsets that blast pop music. A large group adds atmosphere as you boogie past attractions such as Grainger Market and Eldon Leisure Centre.

Built in 1793, Shrewbsury Prison stands today as a key example of Georgian and Victorian architecture and heritage. Pick a start time that works best for you, make your own way to the landmark, and then spend as long as you’d like discovering its highlights. While exploring, you can take in its interactive elements, learn about its history, and discover its spooky lore on a self-guided tour.

Minimize time spent waiting to enter with this skip-the-line admission ticket to the Strawberry Field Visitor Experience in Liverpool. Explore the gardens that inspired a young John Lennon and learn more about the site’s unique history, as well as its links to the Fab Four, in the curated exhibition, following a multimedia guide for an immersive experience of this must-see Beatles attraction.

Take a deep dive into the history and medieval sites of Bath with this self-guided audio tour. Choosing an independent adventure means you can stop to take breaks and photos along the way—without feeling rushed to keep up with a group. During the tour, follow the ancient city wall and hear stories about Roman history as you pass by Bath Abbey, the River Avon, and The Roman Baths.

Make the most of your time in London with tours of two of its flagship museums—the National Gallery and British Museum—with just a small group. Explore the National Gallery, home to one of the world’s greatest painting collections, seeing masterpieces such as Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers.’ Plus, let your guide introduce you to some of the must-see ancient and medieval treasures at the British Museum.

With its cobbled lanes, semi-crumbled castle, and bohemian air, Lewes delights history, shopping, and culture buffs. This self-guided audio tour offers a wholly flexible way to experience its highlights and history without the strictures of a guided tour. Download the smartphone app, and use it whenever it you wish to discover Lewes landmarks like Cliffe High Street and Lewes Castle; and hear tales of the town's colorful past you could miss alone. The perfect companion for independently minded travelers.

The Painted Hall is the magnificent centrepiece of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, designed by legendary architect Sir Christopher Wren. This flexible admission pass lets you visit the Painted Hall at a time that suits you and spend as long as you like admiring the masterpiece known as the ‘Sistine Chapel of the UK’. Also included is a one-way ticket for the Uber Boat by Thames Clipper, so you can travel between Greenwich and central London while enjoying views of the Thames River.