10 Best Things To Do in England

Since moving to England from the USA, the most frequently asked question I get is “What should we do in England our first time”? The question is hard to answer because everyone visits for a different amount of time, has different travel styles, etc.

But after a lot of weekends spent exploring and giving it a lot of thought, I’ve come up with the ten categories of things you should do your first time in England in order to have a complete British experience. This way, you can build your own itinerary and try to fit as many of these types of activities into your trip!

While you can do many of the things on the list in London, England is much more than London! I highly recommend getting out in the countryside. You can book day trips, utilize the train systems, or rent a car. If you decide to use trains for your trip, I recommend using the Trainline App.

1. Visit a Castle

Did you even go to England if you didn’t dress up like royalty and run around the castle ground?! England has over 4,000 castles, making it feel like a place in fairytales. You can pick just about any castle and have a great time, but our favorite castle as a family is Warwick Castle.

Other castles to visit: Windsor, Hever, Highclere, Arundel, and Bodiam can all be done as a day trip from London.

2. Visit Harry Potter Filming Sites

Two boys pull out a wand from a large shelf of wands at Warner Bros Studio Tours in England

The best part about visiting Harry Potter filming sites is both kids and adults equally enjoy it! You can stick to sites around London like Platform 9 3/4 at King’s Cross, or venture out to Lacock Abbey or Christ’s Church College in Oxford to see the famous cloister.

Day trips from London: Visit Lacock Abbey + Gloucester Cathedral

3. Search For fossils on the jurassic coast

boy stand above the seaside overlooking the cliffs

two boys on the beach in front of an arched rock called Durdle Door in England

While it might be too cold to swim, the beaches on this 95 mile coastline are no less jaw-dropping! Few things are more relaxing than the sound of waves crashing on the shore, and searching for fossils in the sand keeps the kid entertained for hours.

Sites nearby to see: Durdle Door, Corfe Castle, Lulworth Cove

4. Visit a Royal Residence

A girl in a pink dress in front of Hampton Court Palace in England

What’s a trip to England without a brush with royalty? Buckingham Palace is a classic, but very busy in the Summer. Windsor Castle is a family-friendly favorite with a little more charm. Take a tour to see the grandeur of the State Apartments or explore the sprawling gardens.

More Residences: Kensington Palace, Hampton Court, Kew Palace, St. James’ Palace

5. See a Broadway Show in London

There’s nothing like seeing a West End show in London to make your trip extra special. Our kids’ favorites are The Lion King and Matilda, but there are options for every taste, from big-budget musicals to dramatic plays. Treat yourself to a theater night—it’s an experience you’ll talk about long after your trip ends!

Pro Tip: We swear by the TodayTix app for scoring last-minute deals and the best prices.

6. Eat at a Pub

If you’ve only thought of pubs as bars, prepare for a surprise! Short for “public house,” pubs in England are family-friendly spaces where locals gather to eat, drink, and connect. Try some classic British dishes like fish and chips, a hearty Sunday roast, or even chicken tikka masala, England’s unexpected national dish. Cozy up by the fireplace (yes, probably even in the summer) and enjoy the atmosphere as much as the food.

7. Go Punting

Forget football—punting in England is all about leisurely drifting along the water in a flat-bottomed boat. While London has punting options, the best experiences are in the more charming university towns like Cambridge, Oxford, or Canterbury. It’s a quintessentially British activity everyone should try once!

Punting Tour: This one is our favorite!

9. Frolic in the countryside

A woman closing a gate to walk in the English countryside

Nothing says “authentic England” like a day in the countryside. Picture yourself driving along winding roads, surrounded by green hills dotted with grazing sheep, and stopping for a walk along a circular trail. Whether you’re visiting the Cotswolds, Yorkshire Dales, or the Peak District, the countryside offers the perfect mix of active fun and relaxation.

10. adventure in a national park

A young girl playing in the river with a green bank and large rock behind her

A rocky bridge over water in the Lake District, England.

For families who love to get outside, England’s national parks have more to offer than I expected. Head to the Lake District for wild swimming, Dartmoor to visit the wild ponies, and the Peak District for views and hikes.

11. See the highlights of london

Of course if it’s your first time to England you can’t skip London! I’d suggest a minimum of 2 days here. Our favorite free activities are the Natural History Museum, British Museum, and walking from Big Ben to Buckingham Palace. Other must-sees are Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London.