13 things to do in England

UNESCO World Heritage Site Bath, famous for its Roman roots and 17th-century abbey (where England’s first king was crowned) is a must-see for any history buff. Be sure to venture out, though: the town blossoms during Fashion Week (April 18-24), with special exhibits at the Fashion Museum, plus runway shows and other parties.

Experience Stonehenge the way it was meant to be experienced, around a campfire, in a vibrant, dance-filled celebration on the longest day of the year. Sunrise starts at 4:50 a.m. on June 21, and that’s when the core festivities kick off, part of a four-day festival that draws thousands to one of the world’s top wonders. Stonehenge Campsite sits closest to the actual stones, offering 4 acres for tent pitching, plus live music, a bathroom block, and food vendors.

Driving through the Cotswolds, a 90-mile rural strip smack in the center of England, is like entering J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth—there are pale rolling hills, dense little villages with limestone cottages, a few castles, and more lush countryside than you’ll know what to do with. Try walking the full length of the Cotswold Way National Trail.

Oxford University is made up of 38 different colleges, each with its own history, campus, and visiting hours. Pick a few of the best, like the absurdly beautiful New College (founded in 1379, it may be the university’s most photogenic) or the regal Exeter College, where J.R.R. Tolkien conceived his fantasy masterpieces.

Old Trafford, affectionately dubbed the “theatre of dreams,” is the largest club stadium in England, not to mention one of its best-kept. Sign up for an 80-minute stadium tour.

Just over an hour north of York, the ruins of a 13th-century Benedictine abbey sit dramatically on a bluff overlooking the North Sea. Though it lacks a roof, and much of the interior has eroded over the years, the structure is visually striking in its skeletal shape. Just ask Bram Stoker, who based part of his famous novel, Dracula, on the site after visiting in 1890. Tourists today can climb the 199 scenic steps up from the seaside town of Whitby below, and set up a picnic on the cliff.

A perfect relic from medieval England, this staggering, richly designed cathedral was built during the time of William the Conquerer, in the 11th century AD, and houses the body of Saint Cuthbert as well as three copies of the Magna Carta. Most modern-day travelers recognize it as Hogwarts from the Harry Potter movies.

Officially England’s largest national park, covering 885 square miles, the Lake District sits just shy of the Scottish border, with 19 lakes as well as England’s highest peak. Tourists can even explore the birthplace of literary character Peter Rabbit.