Attractions in England
Thirteen of the regions in this guide are in England — from London and the Kent coast, across East Anglia and the Midlands, down to Devon and up through Yorkshire to the Lake District and Northumberland.
Pick an area below to see each region's attractions, with a short summary and a few highlights for each. Every listing links through to the attraction's own website for current prices and opening times. If you're visiting a lot of castles and historic houses, it's worth reading our guide to English Heritage vs the National Trust before you buy tickets.
London and the South East
London
London attractions — the Tower of London, British Museum, Natural History Museum, ZSL London Zoo, Westminster Abbey and more, with links to each official site.
Highlights: Tower of London, British Museum, Natural History Museum, Science Museum
London attractionsKent
Kent attractions from Dover Castle and Leeds Castle to Canterbury Cathedral, Chatham Historic Dockyard and Howletts Animal Park, with locations and links.
Kent attractionsSussex
Sussex attractions including Battle Abbey, Bodiam Castle, Drusillas Park and Herstmonceux Castle, plus the Kent & East Sussex Railway, with details and links.
Highlights: Brighton Palace Pier, Royal Pavilion & Garden, SEA LIFE Brighton, Arundel Castle
Sussex attractionsEssex
Essex days out including Colne Valley Railway, Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker and Rope Runners, plus travel links for getting around the county.
Highlights: Colchester Castle Museum, Colchester Zoo, Hedingham Castle, Audley End House and Gardens
Essex attractionsIsle of Wight
Isle of Wight attractions including Carisbrooke Castle, Osborne House, The Needles Park and the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, with prices and opening details.
Isle of Wight attractionsEast of England
Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire days out including Elgood's Brewery and Garden in Wisbech and the Welney Wetland Centre, plus travel and accommodation links for the area.
Cambridgeshire attractionsNorfolk
Norfolk days out including Sandringham Estate, Holkham Estate, the Thursford Collection, Pensthorpe Park and Dinosaur Adventure, with locations and links.
Norfolk attractionsSuffolk & Norfolk
Attractions across the Suffolk and Norfolk border — Amazona Zoo, Holkham Estate, Sandringham Estate and the Thursford Collection — with links to each.
Suffolk & Norfolk attractionsSouth West
Devon
Devon attractions and days out — Otters and Butterflies Sanctuary, the South Devon Railway, Stuart Line Cruises and Totnes Rare Breeds Farm, with links to each.
Highlights: Paignton Zoo, Powderham Castle, Buckland Abbey, Becky Falls Woodland Park
Devon attractionsThe Midlands
Midlands
Midlands attractions including Alton Towers, Warwick Castle, Chatsworth House and the National Space Centre, with locations and links.
Highlights: Alton Towers Resort, Warwick Castle, Drayton Manor Resort, Chatsworth House
Midlands attractionsThe North of England
Yorkshire
Yorkshire attractions including the National Railway Museum in York, Scarborough Sealife Centre and Wolds Way Lavender, with opening details and links.
Highlights: York Minster, Jorvik Viking Centre, Castle Howard, Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden
Yorkshire attractionsNorth West England
North West England attractions including Lake Windermere, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Chester Zoo and Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, with locations and links.
Highlights: Lake Windermere, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool Tower, Chester Zoo
North West England attractionsNorth East England
North East England attractions including Bamburgh Castle, Alnwick Castle, Durham Cathedral and Beamish Museum, with locations and links.
Highlights: Bamburgh Castle, Alnwick Castle, Durham Cathedral, Beamish Museum
North East England attractionsBrowse England by type of day out
- Castles — from Bamburgh and Alnwick in Northumberland to Leeds Castle in Kent
- Theme parks and adventure parks
- Zoos, safari parks and wildlife parks
- Museums
- Free attractions
- Planning a family day out and half-term ideas
Elsewhere in the UK
Scotland · Wales · Northern Ireland · all regions