Top England Holidays - page 11

Alton Towers Resort appeals to all age groups, from CBeebies Land for the wee ones to thrilling roller coasters for older kids. While visiting Alton, amp up the excitement at the UK’s number-one theme park. Prebook admission to this wheelchair- and stroller-accessible attraction, conveniently located near public transportation.

Soak up the magic and romance of London during the Christmas period on this double-decker bus tour through the city by night. Admire the decorations and watch the city sparkle as you pass by Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street, Trafalgar Square, and more famous spots. A guide accompanies you along the way and tells you Christmas stories, past and present, that you don't want to miss.

Check off London’s famous highlights free from the usual crowds on this guided London bus tour. Enjoy wonderful, unobstructed views of top London attractions such as Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and more, and snap photos without the need to wait for your turn. As you venture through the city, hear and learn about what you see with handy onboard commentary.

A silent disco is a great way to party with a group of like-minded music-lovers, without disturbing nearby members of the public. On this private walking tour, take the party on the move as you discover London’s Christmas lights and the West End’s Christmas markets while dancing to a playlist of tunes from the 70s to the 00s.

Group tours can feel rushed and crowded, especially when the streets are crowded during the holidays. Instead, opt for a personalized Christmas experience of Manchester with a private tour tailored to your interests. With a local guide, create a customized sightseeing itinerary that takes into account your preferences: choose to focus on Manchester’s fashion, art, food, or architecture, and soak up the city’s festive spirit at a Christmas market.

Enjoy a magical way to kick off your Christmas celebrations—and see London at its most glittering and enchanted—on an evening coach tour of its festive lights display on Christmas Eve. Depart from the Victoria Coach Station and glide past landmarks like Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London, with your guide’s narration as an accompaniment. You’ll see the sights lit up at night, as well as London’s luminous Christmas decorations.

Do something different this Boxing Day with a day trip to Leeds Castle, Canterbury, the White Cliffs of Dover, and Greenwich. See some of southern England’s most popular sights with fewer crowds, and enjoy convenient pre-booked transport direct from your London hotel. Entry to the sights is already included in the tour cost for a hassle-free (and festive) way to sightsee.

Walk off that Christmas dinner and delve into Britain’s royal history while soaking up the festive atmosphere. Wander through the charming town of Windsor—home to King Charles I’s favorite weekend residence, follow in early mankind’s footsteps at Stonehenge, get a glimpse of Salisbury Cathedral and travel back in time to Roman Britain in Bath.

Salisbury in Wiltshire and Winchester in Hampshire are both small cathedral cities located in the south of England. Head out from London and explore the twinkling lights and festive cheer of the Christmas markets in both cities on this full-day tour. Wander around the centuries-old cathedrals, warm up with a hearty lunch at one of the market stalls, or shop for Christmas tree decorations to remember your trip.

London is packed with pubs, but finding truly authentic spots can be difficult without local insight. This private beer tour takes you beyond the obvious, guiding you to standout microbreweries and historic pubs in the City of London and Shoreditch. Sample a range of beer styles and learn about the capital’s pub culture on this flexible, personalized walking tour.

This tour transports you to English vineyards set in beautiful countryside where you will experience a guided tour of the vineyard and learn how wine is produced. You will be able to sample and purchase wine without the worry of driving! You will visit two or three vineyards set in the glorious East Sussex or Kent countryside. There will be a mixture of wine tasting with a self guided walk through stunning vineyards and at least one fully guided tour and tasting. Depending on timings there might be the opportunity to visit a coffee roastery or brewery. Lunch is included in the tour. Once at the vineyard you will probably join with others on the vineyard tour.

Get to know Newcastle through its pubs with this private evening tour. You’ll head out with a Geordie, a Newcastle native, to check out some of the city’s oldest and most legendary pubs. Learn about local brewers like the famous Newcastle Brown Ale and the microbreweries that are putting the city on beer-lover’s maps. Quirky stories, serious beer chat, and some select drinks are included along the way.

Receive expert guidance on capturing festive urban scenes with this private evening photography workshop around London’s Christmas lights. Enjoy personalized tuition from your professional guide as you explore decorated areas like Trafalgar Square and Regent Street, composing picture-perfect night-time shots that are perfect holiday mementos, ideal for sharing or framing.

Christmas is especially magical in London, as the city goes all out with decorations and festive celebrations. But knowing where to find the best spots takes local knowledge. Join a personal guide through the city on this Christmas-themed private tour. Visit mistletoe-filled Covent Garden, see Oxford Street strung with holiday lights, and cap off your visit with a live church concert of Christmas carols.

Reserve tickets for Forbidden Nights at Infernos in Clapham to secure your place for this male revue. Feel the heat as you watch raunchy choreographed dance routines, as well as male acrobats, fire acts, circus performers, and aerial artistes. Ideal for hen celebrations, birthdays, or any girls’ night out.

Go beyond the legend and learn about the true story of Jack the Ripper on this self-guided audio tour around some of East London’s neighborhoods. Rather than scouring the internet for information, walk around Aldgate and Whitechapel to see first-hand where the crimes were committed. Set the pace as you learn about what happened, as well as get a deeper insight into 19th-Century London.

Begin your fascinating tour in the heart of the historic City of London, right next to some of the most iconic financial institutions in the world, including the London Stock Market, the Lloyds Building, and the legendary Bank of England. Visit a total of four unique pubs—three of which date back to before the Great Fire of London, offering centuries of history, and one more modern venue featuring a stunning and memorable interior design. Enjoy a drink in each pub and receive expert advice on the different styles of beer available. Savor classic English bar snacks as you soak in the warm, authentic atmosphere of each location.

Jack the Ripper is one of London’s all-time most infamous criminals, but there's only so much you can learn about him in books or on websites. This self-guided audio app makes it easy to explore the streets of Whitechapel while learning about the villain’s notorious crimes and London life and includes a recreated audio drama to listen to as you wander.

Skip those boring history tours that put you to sleep. This self-guided ghost walk reveals London's darkest secrets through St James's and Westminster. With your phone leading the way, you’ll discover haunted palaces, paranormal hotspots, and gruesome historical tales most tourists never hear. You can explore at your own pace, breaking between spine tingles to take in this historic city.

Join Historian and Author Nick Kevern as he takes you around the pubs of Chester that featured in his book, The Noose of Samuel Burrows. During this exclusive tour by the author, you will learn more about Chester's infamous executioner and the crimes that led many to his gallows. In each pub, you will hear the fascinating stories about Samuel Burrows and the crimes of those who faced him on his grisly gallows as he sent them to their deaths during the era of public execution. You will also see images of Chester during his lifetime and the historic broadsides that told the criminal stories in all their gory detail. You will also hear an exclusive story that did not feature in the book and is only available on this tour. Copies of The Noose of Samuel Burrows are available to purchase from the Chester Visitor Information Centre and Ye Olde Cottage. At some venues, Burrows Noose English Pale Ale by Weetwood will also be available.

Head off the usual tourist trail to something different in London—a fun, line-dancing experience. This beginner-friendly dance party is open to both country music fans and first-timers, with easy-to-follow demonstrations that teach you a range of classic line dances. Learn the steps, dance along, and sing to well-known country hits for an exciting, active night out.

People all over the world have heard of Jack the Ripper, but how many London tourists can say they know the whole story? With this Whitechapel tour, you hear about the murders from a local’s perspective, and get stories you don’t get in any old guidebook. It’s a speedier option than most, giving you lots more free time for further exploring later.

Follow in the footsteps of one of history’s most infamous serial killers—and explore London’s vibrant East End on this private self-led smartphone audio walking tour and scavenger hunt. Download the tour and set off at a time that suits you best. Solve clues and challenges as you go, and see highlights from historic pubs and spooky back alleys to popular streets like Brick Lane.

Many Jack the Ripper tours focus on sensationalism, making it easy to miss the human story behind the case. This private walking tour takes a more thoughtful approach, visiting key sites such as Brick Lane and Spitalfields Market while exploring the lives of the victims and the evidence surrounding the murders—including theories that suggest there may have been more than one killer.