Things to Do in England

As the largest of all the Cambridge University colleges, Trinity College is also one of the most prestigious, boasting an impressive list of former students. Alumni include 6 British Prime Ministers, 32 Nobel Prize winners and two members of the British royal family, along with luminaries like Isaac Newton and Lord Byron.

Today, the famous college also makes a popular destination for visitors to Cambridge and many parts of the college are open to the public. Highlights of the college, which was founded by Henry VIII in 1546, include the central Great Court, laid out by Thoman Nevile in the early 17th-century; the Grade I listed Trinity College Chapel; the Great Gate; and the enormous Trinity Hall. The masterful Wren Library is another must-see, designed by Christopher Wren in 1676 and home to busts of many notable writers, as well as a full-size statue of Lord Byron.

Admiring the college’s architectural highlights isn’t the only draw for visitors - Trinity College also hosts a series of public lectures; services and concerts in the Trinity college chapel are open to the public; and the college offers punt hire along the River Cam.

Founded in 1441 by King Henry VI and an integral part of the prestigious Cambridge University, the King's College is arguably the grandest and most famous of Cambridge’s many colleges. With alumni including Britain’s first Prime Minister, Robert Walpole; mathematician Alan Turing; and novelists Salman Rushdie and Zadie Smith, King’s College has a long legacy of academics, but it’s also renowned for its magnificent grounds.

Visitors to King’s College can explore the striking college buildings, which took around 100 years to build, as well as the landscaped gardens and classical lawns that stretch along the River Cam waterfront. The star attraction is the King’s College Chapel, one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the UK, and celebrated for its choral recitals. It’s also possible for guests to spend a night on campus or enjoy a traditional afternoon tea at the university café.

Founded in 1209, the University of Cambridge is one of Britain’s oldest and most prestigious universities. Made up of six schools, 31 constituent colleges, and more than 100 academic departments, the historic university boasts an impressive alumni, which includes Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Stephen Hawking, and Lord Byron.

Making headlines as the largest ship in the world when it was launched back in 1843, Brunel's SS Great Britain was a revolutionary work of engineering, spearheaded by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Today, the mighty ship remains an important part of Britain’s maritime heritage, now a museum ship that stands proud on Bristol’s waterfront and draws up to 200,000 annual visitors.

Visitors to the SS Great Britain can explore below deck, dress in Victorian costumes, climb the rigging, and peek into the engine rooms, kitchens and crew quarters. Interactive on-board exhibitions tell the story of the ship’s great voyages, including accounts from passengers, crew, and ship captain, Captain Gray; the ship’s many engineering innovations; and its triumphant restoration and return to Bristol in 1970.

Located in central Oxford in a complex of historic buildings, the venerable Bodleian Library is one of the oldest libraries in Europe. It’s the main research library for the University of Oxford and also a copyright library, housing every book printed in the UK and Ireland, a collection of more than 12 million printed items.

This cavernous medieval cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece. Focal points include the 16th-century stained glass Rose Window, which was painstakingly pieced back together following a fire in 1984, and the soaring central tower, the top of which offers panoramic views of York.

The London Eye offers unparalleled views of central London's world-famous landmarks from its prime location on the Thames River waterfront, opposite Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. The gigantic, 443-foot-high observation wheel was built to mark the millennium in 2000 and quickly became one of the most popular paid attractions in the United Kingdom.

First established in 1448, Queens' College is one of Cambridge University’s oldest colleges, taking its name from founders Queen Margaret and Queen Elizabeth (the Queens of Henry VI and Edward IV respectively). With its grand medieval buildings and prime waterfront location on the banks of the River Cam, it’s a striking and highly photogenic site, making it a popular choice for visitors to the city.

A number of areas at Queens’ College are open to the public and visitors can explore the Old Hall, Chapel and cloisters, and see the President's Lodge, the oldest building on campus. Perhaps the most famous landmark of the Queens’ College is the Mathematical Bridge, a historic wooden footbridge that runs over the River Cam and connects the college buildings on the river’s east and west banks. Built by William Etheridge in 1748, the unique bridge is a remarkable feat of engineering, leading to the popular (but false) legend that it was built by Cambridge University alumnus Isaac Newton – who actually died years before it was built.

With its castle-like façade perched on the East Cliff and idyllic leafy gardens sloping down to the seafront, it’s impossible to miss the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum. The Grade II-listed heritage building was built in 1901 for Sir Merton and Lady Russell-Cotes to house their growing private collection of art and artifacts. The remarkably preserved Art Nouveau mansion, along with its contents, was gifted to the city of Bournemouth in 1908 and formally opened as the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum in 1922.

Today, the striking Art Nouveau building is as celebrated for its unique architecture and attractive gardens, as it is for its lavish interiors and sizable art collection. The gallery’s permanent exhibitions include a significant collection of European and Japanese works, dating mostly from the 19th- and early 20th-century, while the museum hosts a magnificent array of souvenirs collected by the Russell-Cotes on their world travels. As well as visiting the galleries and museum, visitors can explore the beautiful grounds and gardens, or take in the views from the on-site café.

Alton Towers is a theme park in central England that is famous for its hair-raising rides. Opened in the 1980s, the park quickly became one of the most popular days out in the UK. Visit to enjoy a variety of roller coasters and a water park, as well as mini golf and other family-friendly fun.

A neo-Gothic masterpiece, Highclere Castle is best known for doubling as Downton Abbey in the much-loved TV series of the same name. The turreted, sandstone mansion was created by Sir Charles Barry, the architect behind England’s Houses of Parliament. The site upon which it stands has been in the hands of the Carnarvon family since the 17th century, and the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon now welcome the public to explore the lavishly decorated interior, the Egyptian Exhibition, and the 1,000-acre (405-hectare) Capability Brown–designed grounds.

The 12th-century Leeds Castle is among Europe’s best preserved medieval landmarks, with more than nine centuries of history represented in the building and grounds. Sprawled over 500 acres (202 hectares) and surrounded by a regal moat, the stone castle and its gardens offer a peek into the past as well as a variety of present-day, quintessentially English events and activities.

Exeter’s Anglican cathedral dates back to the 12th century, though the current structure was completed around 1400. The cathedral’s unique architectural features provide insight into its rich history, including 13th-century misericords, Sir Gilbert Scott choir stalls, and the world’s longest uninterrupted medieval vaulted ceiling.

Flowing right through the heart of central London, the Thames River offers a dramatic backdrop to the city's famous skyline with landmarks lining its shores. Walk along the riverfront from Westminster to Tower Bridge and you'll pass London icons such as the London Eye, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, St Paul's Cathedral, Southbank, Shakespeare's Globe, and the London Bridge.