Here’s an itinerary best things to do in England in 7 days based in the city of London. It’s an ideal route to take by train, bus, or car.
London is one of the most visited destinations in Europe. The capital of England and the UK hosts landmarks like Buckingham Palace, the Tower Bridge, Big Ben, and numerous museums. If you spend a week based in this city, there are many sites worth visiting nearby that can easily be done in a day.
If you’re thinking about visiting England, we’ve prepared this itinerary for seeing London and its surroundings in 7 days, detailed day by day so you can experience the highlights of the country starting from the capital.
Tips for Traveling to England
- Bring a coat and especially something waterproof. Rain is common throughout the country in both summer and winter, so we recommend carrying an umbrella or buying one.
- While England is one of the most expensive countries in Europe to visit, you can save money by doing free tours. There are also free entry attractions like the British Museum.
- Walk a lot. London is large, but if you have at least three days to explore, walking is the best way to get around. Except for a few exceptions, the distances aren’t too great to see the main attractions.
- Enjoy the local atmosphere and markets. Covent Garden is one of the most recognized markets in London for shopping and where you can sit down to have a beer.
- Save with the Go London Explorer Pass. If you want to visit more than three paid attractions like St. Paul’s Cathedral, the boat on the Thames, and the sightseeing bus, you can save up to 40% by purchasing the pass. You just need to choose the number of attractions (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7). The pass is valid for 30 days.
💯 Check out our article on how to apply for the ETA for the UK, an essential requirement if you’re traveling to England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.
Map of places to visit in England in 7 days
If you’re looking to rent a car for your trip through England, we recommend checking out this car rental comparison and book the one that suits you best. It has all the leading companies in the market and more!
Day 1, 2, and 3: London
Day 1 of 3 in London
Your first day in London can start in the Notting Hill neighborhood, one of the trendiest areas in the city with plenty of hipster bars and cafes. If you visit on Saturday mornings, you’ll find the famous market.
Next, you can head to the large green space in central London, Hyde Park. Trees, fountains, and sculptures will welcome you. It’s a perfect spot to relax and take a break from exploring London.
One of the most iconic buildings is Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the Queen of England in London. Don’t miss the changing of the guard that takes place at 11 in the morning.
📷 Book your free tour of the old part of London here.
Crossing St James’s Park from the palace leads you to three London icons: Westminster Palace, by the River Thames and home to the British Parliament, the tower with Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey, a grand Anglican church.
To wrap up your first day, it’s worth taking a ride on the London Eye, a Ferris wheel that offers nice views of central London.
📷 You can buy tickets in advance from here for the Tower of London and St. Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, and the London Eye. You’ll skip the long waits to get in!
Day 2 of 3 in London
You can start at Trafalgar Square and visit the National Gallery, a large art center where you can spend hours exploring the exhibits. The entrance is free, but there are so many beautiful things to see inside that you might want someone to tell you all about it. In that case, you can hire a guide from here.
Nearby is Piccadilly Circus, the closest thing to 5th Avenue in New York with its bright lights. This area is a favorite for local entertainment with cinemas, theaters, shops, and restaurants.
A bit further away is St. Paul’s Cathedral, a historic site chosen by Prince Charles and Diana of Wales for their wedding. Its rounded dome can be seen from many points in the city.
If you want to see more art, you can head to the TATE Modern, which showcases modern art in a completely repurposed old factory.
Finally, along the River Thames, it’s worth visiting Tower Bridge, one of the most iconic bridges in London.
Day 3 of 3 in London
We started our last day in London at the British Museum, one of the most recognized in the world for archaeology. Admission is free.
Next, head to the Covent Garden area with its markets and places to grab a beer and eat. It’s one of the most authentic areas of London.
A different way to explore the city is by cruising on the River Thames. There are boats that operate like a kind of Hop-on Hop-off and you can get on and off at any stops you like.
Finally, make your way to Oxford Street, the main shopping area in London. Brands everywhere and prices that can even be cheaper than in Latin America or Spain, like the Primark store near Marble Arch.
🔝 Check out this article on things to do in London in 3 days.
🏨 Find the best accommodation in London here
Day 4: the university city of Oxford
Oxford is synonymous with university prestige, as shown by the many distinguished individuals who studied here and now excel in various fields like politics and economics. It’s one of the places you have to visit in England in 7 days.
The city is home to many colleges known for their large and beautiful historic buildings. Several have been featured in series like Christ Church College, where several scenes from the Harry Potter movie were filmed. If you have limited time to visit Oxford, this is the university we recommend you check out.
For the little ones, Oxford has a close connection to Alice in Wonderland. In fact, there’s an exclusive shop selling souvenirs that is mentioned in the book as the place where Alice bought sweets.
📷 Book the excursion to Cotswolds and the university city of Oxford from London here, includes a guide and transportation.
Day 5: Stonehenge and Bath, an ideal site to see in London and surroundings in 7 days
There are two mysterious facts surrounding this stone monument: it’s not known exactly how many years ago it was built, some say over 2000 years ago, and especially what its purpose was.
The truth is that many people come here drawn by this mysterious side to meditate and connect with energies from beyond. Whether for this purpose or just for tourism, it’s one of the most visited attractions near London.
📷 Book the day tour from London to Stonehenge here and feel the mystique of the place. It includes transportation, an audio guide, and entry.
Another worthwhile visit near Stonehenge is the medieval city of Bath, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its ancient Roman baths. Additionally, it’s a lovely city to explore due to its architecture and bridges.
🔝 Check out this article on how to visit Stonehenge from London.
Day 6: Cambridge, a must-see in England in 7 days
Cambridge is the other major university city near London. Its features are quite similar, with medieval buildings housing colleges and large green spaces surrounding them.
One of the most iconic universities here is King’s College, which you can visit inside. The college chapel is truly impressive, with its distinct Gothic style and beautiful stained glass windows. Another main attraction in Cambridge is the Anglican church Great St Mary’s. You can even climb the tower for lovely views of the city.
📷 Book the free tour of Cambridge with an expert guide here.
One activity you can’t miss in Cambridge is Punting. It involves navigating the small, calm River Cam in boats steered by students, who propel them with a long wooden pole resting on the riverbed. During the ride, you’ll see the gardens of Trinity and King’s College and the bridges over the river, including the notable Bridge of Sighs and the curious Mathematical Bridge.
📷 Book the lovely boat ride in Cambridge here to enjoy the bridges and views of the university gardens.
Day 7: Warner Park Harry Potter, for the whole family
Are you a Harry Potter fan? Then this visit will be one of the best you make near London. The Warner Studios will make you part of one of the most-watched franchises in history.
Impressive movie sets, costumes, and props used in the franchise are some of the attractions you’ll find. It goes without saying that if you go with kids, they’ll have a great time.
📷 Book your visit to the Warner studios here
Exploring everything related to Harry Potter can take you at least three to four hours. Everything is set up so you can even take breaks, as there’s a restaurant inside that offers butterbeer.
If you want to go on your own, we recommend purchasing tickets with at least some advance notice (one to two months) since it’s a very popular place.
10-Day England Itinerary from London
If you have three more days, I’d add the following destinations to the previous itinerary. They’re well connected to London, and you can visit them in a day or stay overnight. The other places to see in England in 10 days would be:
Day 8 and 9: Liverpool and Chester, the Story of the Beatles
On the 7-day itinerary through England, a visit to the city of Liverpool is a must, the birthplace of the legendary group the Beatles.
If you’re a fan or your parents have told you about the revolution this musical quartet caused in the world, visiting the places where they grew up and started playing will delight you. Among several locations, the neighborhood of Penny Lane stands out, where the musicians spent their childhood, Strawberry Field, famous for the song written by John Lennon, and the iconic Cavern Club, where the group played their early tunes.
🔝 Check out this article on how to do the Beatles tour.
Apart from the Beatles, Liverpool has a wonderful old port known as Albert Dock, where shops, pubs, and restaurants now thrive.
📷 Book the day trip from London to Liverpool here
Very close to Liverpool, it’s worth taking a trip to the town of Chester, an ancient Roman fortress that still retains its reddish walls around the historic center. Key sights include the cathedral, the amphitheater, the maze of streets with the architecture of the houses, and Grosvenor Park along the banks of the River Dee.
📷 Book the free tour of Chester with an expert guide here.
Day 10: Manchester, another attraction to visit in England in 7 days
Manchester is a city that can be seen perfectly in a day, at least the highlights. In the center, its main buildings are the Town Hall, the Central Library, and the Art Gallery, which are free to access.
📷 Book the free tour in Manchester here to explore the main attractions of the city.
For some relaxation, there’s nothing better than heading to Picadilly Garden, a green space popular with locals. Near the garden, there are many shops for shopping.
Finally, if you’re a football fan, you should take a tour of one of Manchester’s two stadiums, Old Trafford, home of Manchester United, or Etihad Stadium, home of Manchester City. Both are truly impressive.
If you’re traveling in summer, we recommend visiting Brighton instead of Manchester. It’s located on the south coast of England and by the sea, and it’s one of the most touristy cities in the country during the summer season. It has wide beaches for relaxing.
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