England attractions

Southwark Cathedral dates back to the 12th century, making it one of the oldest churches in London and a peaceful retreat in this busy part of the city. Its stunning Gothic architecture includes vaulted ceilings and intricate stained-glass windows. Visitors can stop by to attend services, take part in daily hourly prayer sessions, join guided tours, or admire the space. There’s a lovely on-site café and a shop within the cathedral grounds.

Linking the two halves of Hertford College, the Bridge of Sighs (formally known as Hertford Bridge) arcs above New College Lane in the heart of Oxford. Despite its ancient-seeming exterior and leaded windows, it’s only a little over a century old. While it shares a name with the Bridge of Sighs in Venice, it actually looks much more similar to that city’s Rialto Bridge.

Londoners love it or hate it, but Oxford Street is the place in London to shop. The long West End street stretches from Tottenham Court Road to Marble Arch. Its hub at Oxford Circus is where most shoppers and tourists converge. You’ll find flagship international shops (IKEA) and department stores (Selfridges) alongside fast-fashion staples (Primark, Zara), as well as restaurants that cater to every whim.

Attended by leading luminaries across the centuries—and in possession of an art museum, soaring cathedral, and stately quad—Christ Church is among Oxford’s largest, grandest, and most prestigious colleges. Famously used as a set for theHarry Potter films, it is now also a pop cultural attraction.

London’s pedestrian-only Millennium Bridge (officially the London Millennium Footbridge; unofficially the “Wobbly Bridge”) spans the River Thames, linking such attractions as St. Paul’s Cathedral on the north bank with the Tate Modern on the south. Stroll across the steel-suspension bridge for excellent views of the river and the London landmarks that line it.

The smallest of London’s eight Royal Parks, Green Park is a 40-acre (16-hectare) stretch of green space between the Mall and Constitution Hill, right beside Buckingham Palace. Known for its mature trees, shaded pathways, and sweeping lawns, Green Park is a tranquil escape in the heart of the city.

Located on London’s vibrant South Bank, SEA LIFE® London Aquarium features 14 themed zones, a tunnel where sea turtles and sharks swim overhead, a polar zone home to gentoo penguins, and a coral reef display filled with colorful inhabitants. Star residents include sand tiger sharks, jellyfish, seahorses, and ocellated eagle rays.

Once the residence of the infamous Tudor king, Henry VIII, the grand architecture and lavish interiors of Hampton Court Palace were designed to rival France’s Palace of Versailles. Add 500 years of turbulent royal history, the world’s largest grape vine, and stunning surrounding gardens, and you get one of Greater London’s most magnificent historical landmarks.

Once the center of London’s newspaper industry, Fleet Street is one of the city’s most storied locations. At the top of the street, you’ll find the UK’s highest court, the Royal Courts of Justice (also known as the Old Bailey). Also here is the historic Temple Church, which was built by the Knights Templar and featured in Dan Brown’s novel The Da Vinci Code.

With pride of place in London’s upscale Knightsbridge neighborhood, Harrods is the British capital’s largest and most iconic department store. Founded more than 120 years ago, the Grade II-listed landmark has long been a destination for luxury lovers and royal fans. Containing some 330 different departments spread over eight floors, it’s a top choice for shoppers, and you can find everything from high-end souvenirs and gourmet British foods to renowned designer brands and stylish homewares.

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London invites Harry Potter fans to embark on a magical journey to the wizarding world—and behind the scenes of one of the most popular film series ever made. Inside the expansive space, explore film sets ranging from Diagon Alley to the Hogwarts Great Hall, and discover the secrets of the movies’ special effects. The impressive collection of costumes, props, and interactive exhibits helps make the enchantment even more real.

One of Oxford’s most recognizable landmarks, the Sheldonian Theatre is a neoclassical building dating to 1669. Designed by the celebrated architect Sir Christopher Wren, the venue is used for ceremonial events by the University of Oxford (including graduations), as well as lectures, concerts, and other publicly accessible performances.

Made from elegant Italian marble, this triple-arched ceremonial monument marks the busy intersection of London’s Oxford Street, Edgware Road, and Park Lane. After serving as a gate at Buckingham Palace, Marble Arch was moved, stone-by-stone, to its current location in the mid-1800s. Nowadays, its prime use is as a meeting point for busy Londoners—albeit a meeting point with interesting royal history.

Situated on the south bank of the River Thames, not far from central London, Greenwich is an atmospheric borough that’s known, and UNESCO-listed, for its maritime history. Visitors can find lots of great attractions here, including the Royal Observatory, home to Greenwich Mean Time; the tea clipper Cutty Sark; and the National Maritime Museum, making it a fun day out for museum-hopping and exploring outdoor locales, such as Greenwich Park.

This cavernous medieval cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece. Focal points include the 16th-century stained glass Rose Window, which was painstakingly pieced back together following a fire in 1984, and the soaring central tower, the top of which offers panoramic views of York.

While its elegant design harks back to Victorian days, Leadenhall Market has Roman roots and Great Fire of London history, along with stints as a bustling meat and poultry market. It’s a storied place that’s only recently attracted tourist attention, thanks to its role as Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter films. Office workers are among its main visitors today, who frequent the arcade’s shops and restaurants, along with the historic Lamb Tavern pub.

Discover a national symbol and gain insight into England’s history at the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Canterbury Cathedral. Dating back to 597, the site has held religious significance for centuries, drawing pilgrims to the location of Thomas Becket’s murder and visitors interested in its medieval towers, chapels, and stained-glass windows.

The Gherkin may be officially named 30, St. Mary Axe, but it is best known by its nickname, inspired by its distinctive pickle shape—or, as the Brits say, gherkin. While most of its 41 floors are rented out as office space, the public can visit Searcys Helix Restaurant on Level 39 or the Searcys Iris Bar on Level 40 for Champagne and cocktails with a view.

When Londoners say “King’s Cross,” they could mean the neighborhood or the station. But if they’re in the neighborhood, it’s likely they’re there for the station. Most visitors come to catch a train up north or even abroad, taking a Eurostar service from neighboring St. Pancras station to Paris, Brussels, or Amsterdam. After a huge regeneration project, the neighborhood is now a nice place to kill time, with restaurants, fountains, and pop-up attractions.

Graffiti-lined Brick Lane in East London is known for its vast array of bars and eateries, great shopping, and vibrant nightlife. The area has long been home to immigrants, which is reflected in its food scene; thanks to its Bangladeshi community, there is a string of famed curry houses specializing in South Asian cuisine to its south. Head north for vintage clothing shops, cafés, and the road’s beloved bagel shops. The Brick Lane Market runs daily but is at its most lively on Sundays.

The theatrical London Dungeon is a frightfully fun way to learn about London’s macabre history. Make your way through a series of shadowy rooms, where costumed actors reenact accounts of the gory murders committed by Jack the Ripper and Sweeney Todd, the failed Gunpowder Plot of Guy Fawkes, and 17th-century witch trials. The meticulous sets, spooky special effects, and a thrilling vertical drop ride make for a memorable, shriek-out-loud experience.

The oldest university in the English-speaking world, the University of Oxford is the main draw to the riverside town of Oxford. With a history dating back to the 11th century, the university’s many colleges offer a wealth of gorgeous historical architecture—not to mention settings for movies including theHarry Potter series.

Built in the early 18th century, this stately home is one of Britain’s grandest historical estates. It was gifted by Queen Anne to the Duke of Marlborough, General John Churchill, for his role in defeating the French at the 1704 Battle of Blenheim, and Britain’s beloved wartime leader Sir Winston Churchill was born here in 1874.

The medieval market town of Stratford-upon-Avon is the birthplace of iconic wordsmith William Shakespeare. Visitors can follow in the literary giant’s footsteps by exploring some of his homes and gardens—there are five in town, each offering a fascinating insight into Shakespeare’s life and works.

An alternative-fashion mecca in the Swinging Sixties, Carnaby Street was frequented by famous figures ranging from models and musicians to punk rockers and fashion designers. Today, Carnaby Street blends its counterculture heritage with modern flair that’s a world away from the more commercial brands of nearby Oxford Street. Its imitable mix of super-chic stores, eateries, and outdoor art means it’s still one of central London’s coolest shopping destinations.

At 404 feet (123 meters), Salisbury Cathedral boasts Britain’s highest church spire. In addition to the spire, the cathedral harbors the 1215 Magna Carta—a document that remains a cornerstone of British law—and wows with its 13th-century Gothic facade and elaborate stained-glass windows.

A bustling business neighborhood in the former docklands area of East London, today’s Canary Wharf would be unrecognizable to London’s 19th-century dock workers. This regenerated area is now privately owned by the Canary Wharf Group, with its shiny glass skyscrapers leased out as office space to international banks, law firms, and financial service companies. Gardens, boardwalks, restaurants, bars, and underground shopping malls cater mainly to the city suits who work there.

Established in 1682, Old Spitalfields Market is a historic marketplace that is still bustling today. The covered space is filled with stalls offering a mix of unique, locally designed goods, imported wares, vintage clothes, handmade jewelry, and all manner of quirky items. It’s also home to several permanent restaurants serving everything from cocktails to international cuisine, and a variety of street food stalls.

The grand dame of London’s railway stations, St. Pancras International welcomes travelers with Gothic revival architecture and Victorian engineering. Set right next to the 5-star St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London (formerly the Midland Grand Hotel), the train terminal lives up to its impressive surroundings with a wide range of rail services that connect England’s capital to other domestic and European destinations.

A neo-Gothic masterpiece, Highclere Castle is best known for doubling as Downton Abbey in the TV series of the same name. The turreted, sandstone mansion was created by Sir Charles Barry, the architect behind London's Houses of Parliament. The current owners of the castle welcome the public to explore the lavishly decorated interior and the sprawling grounds at certain times of year—prebooking is essential.