Our England vacations
Our England vacations are about escaping the cities and busy attractions in favour of exploring the landscapes that have inspired artists, poets, musicians and writers. You might ride electric bikes along the Tarka Trail from a self-catering ecolodge in Devon, kayak off the coast in search of dolphins, throw the family into an activity vacation in the Lake District, or enjoy long-distance walks such as the Pilgrims’ Way. Dress for the weather and remember: your hosts in locally owned hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs are never short of a recommendation for the best pub nearby.
Our top England vacations
Devon self catering cottage in England
From
£205 to £749
per week (sleeps 4)
Cottage with lake view & wood burner on Devon nature reserve
Accommodation
Winchester to Canterbury Pilgrims way, England
From
£1875
15 days
ex flights
Walk the Pilgrims Way from Winchester to Canterbury
Tailor made
England coast to coast walking vacation
From
£3995
13 days
ex flights
Travel the width of England on foot, coast to coast
Small group
Isle of Wight cycling vacation, England
From
US $690
5 days
ex flights
Short UK cycling break with plenty of sightseeing
Tailor made
The Thames Path Source to Oxford walk, England
From
£620 to £915
6 days
ex flights
Walking on The River Thames from The Cotswolds to Oxford
Tailor made
Lands End To John O'Groats biking trip
From
£2245
16 days
ex flights
Britain's classic cycling challenge
Small group2024: 8 Jun, 17 Aug, 7 Sep
Walk the Lake District vacation
From
US $2150
7 days
ex flights
Northern Lake District walking vacation
Small group2024: 19 May, 17 Jun, 15 Sep
Lake District center based walking vacation
From
US $990 to US $525
7 days
ex flights
A week of walking from Keswick
Tailor made
South West Coastal Path walking vacation, England
From
£749 to £1100
8 days
ex flights
The South West Coast Path and Isles of Scilly
Tailor made
More about our England vacations
Escape the cities on your England vacation
City breaks in England are overrated. You’ll be crammed into the same tired, overpriced tourist attractions as thousands of others, and rarely getting a feel for England beyond what’s on the posters. Instead, you could be exploring the joys of English landscape. Take in the cuisine at country pubs at a leisurely pace on long distance walks, sea kayak and cycle around pretty Devon while staying at an eco lodge, or enjoy a classic English beach vacation on the golden sands of Cornwall or the Isle of Wight. There’s much more to England than Stonehenge, Stratford-upon-Avon and the landmarks of London.
Devon vacations in England
In Devon, one of the most charming corners of England, it is possible to find picturesque pockets of peacefulness so quiet you can hear the grass growing under your feet. More adventurous travelers can find their happy place here coasteering or sea kayaking. Meanwhile, those that take a more laidback approach to their vacations can meander idyllic country lanes between country pubs, farm shops (great for self-caterers) and teahouses where you can dive into a plate of scones. Rural farm stays are perfect for families, with the welcome addition of electric bikes to make getting up those hills a little easier.
Walking vacations in England
Walking vacations in England are typically tailor made self-guided trips, and so ideal for independent hikers that like taking their time. Classic routes include the Thames Path, South West Coast Path and Pilgrims’ Way. Expect easygoing daily walks, overnighting in friendly B&Bs near tempting pubs, detailed maps and route notes, and landscapes that have inspired everyone from Wordsworth to Lewis Carroll. You can’t expect sunny weather throughout, even in summer, but the vagaries of the weather are actually one of the great pleasures of walking in England – just be sure and pack sun lotion as well as a raincoat.
South Downs National Park, England
England’s newest national park will always be close to our heart because it’s right on our doorstep. With over 3,000km of public walking and cycling routes, including the 161km South Downs Way from Winchester to Eastbourne, and all of them a short hop from London, is it any wonder the South Downs National Park is liberally scattered with fantastic accommodations? From welcoming B&Bs to self-catering cottages, and even trendy yurts, this rural refuge encompasses the Sussex Heritage Coast, woodlands, pastures – plus market towns, where many a food and drink festival takes place.
[Escape the cities: Matt Buck]
[Devon: mattvaux7]
[Walking in England: Luke Ellis-Craven]
[South Downs National Park: Sam Knight]
