England is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, and it’s easy to see why. With bustling cities, stunning landscapes, and world-renowned history, England offers something for everyone. Travelling England by train is one of the quickest and easiest ways to get around, so whether you’re eating and drinking in one of the country’s biggest cities or sunbathing on the beaches of Cornwall, there’s a CrossCountry train waiting to take you.
FAQs
You’re probably wondering how quickly and easily you can travel between England’s cities. Luckily, CrossCountry makes it easy. Birmingham to Manchester is just an hour and a half, while Sheffield and Leeds are just 40 minutes apart. Even if you choose to travel from Bristol to York, your journey will still be under four hours. We recommend taking in everything that all England’s cities have to offer, so make sure to take a stop at as many as you can.
There are over 40 airports in England, many of which serve international flights. London Heathrow and Gatwick are the busiest, followed by Manchester. Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle, and Liverpool all have large airports for domestic and international travel.
To save money on your train to England, take a look at our cheap train ticket page. You’ll find loads of suggestions, including booking in advance, travelling off-peak, and purchasing a railcard. If you’re a student, you may also benefit from certain deals.
You can find more information about many of England’s stations via our stations page.
City breaks in England
If you fancy experiencing some culinary delights a trip to Birmingham may be just up your street. With a great selection of dining experiences available including a number of Michelin-Star restaurants you will find something to suit all tastes. If you have a bit of a sweet tooth, you can take a family day out to Cadbury World and indulge yourself with some chocolaty treats.
The city of Bristol is another perfect destination for a long weekend away if you love to hit the shops. With all the usual mix of high street names available, Bristol's Gloucester Road is Europe's longest independent retail street, with shops selling everything from Retro to vintage clothing, antiques, organic foods, and much more. After all the retail therapy you can pop down to Bristol Harbourside to soak up the evening atmosphere with dinner and drinks on the water front.
Culture in England
Whether it is music, literature, or art that interests you, England has a rich mixture of all of these cultural delights plus more. For a bit of everything, Cambridge is the place to visit. The iconic Cambridge University colleges dotted throughout the city create a culture of learning with libraries, galleries, and museums to visit. You can embark on your own journey of discovery and maybe even learn the art of punting along the river Cam. The City also plays host to one of Europe's best folk festival where acts such as Mumford and Sons have performed.
English Coast
Who doesn't love a day out at the beach? Ice cream, fish and chips on the pier; all of life's simple pleasure can be found in Bournemouth. As well as being the traditional English seaside resort some may crave, Bournemouth has an exciting surf scene, with a variety of water sports to try for those adventurous enough. As we all know, the sun may not always shine on our coastal adventures but luckily. Bournemouth has some solutions with an indoor play adventure playground for children with a resting zone for the adults serving up local, organic delights. There is also the Oceanarium which houses the world's first virtual Dive Cage.
Family Experiences
The great family day out has to have something to please all and a trip to Manchester is sure to cover all bases. The Snow Center , the UK's longest indoor skiing and snowboarding slope has something for everyone whether you are a whizz on a pair of skis or would rather a bit of sledging, you're all bound to have a fun time. If you have your very own budding star or media mogul within your household a tour around MediaCityUK home to the BBC and CBBC is the ideal trip. Visitors get to have a sneak peek behind the scenes and find out what it's like to be a TV presenter.
Heritage in England
English heritage is what attracts so many visitors every year and for good reason, with beautiful churches and cathedrals, and castles dotted around the country. A trip to Oxford castle unlocked takes you on a journey through the castles dark and infamous history. The ghostly tales and dark crypts are sure to give the bravest a fright. For something a bit lighter, and the prefect outing for anyone crafty, Stoke-on-Trent potteries are well worth as visit. You can discover the history behind the industry and have a look at the beautiful ceramics that have been created over the years in the museums and visitor centres. You can even have a go yourself and take home a memento from your visit.
Romance in England
With idyllic villages, scenic coastlines and countryside a hint of romance is not hard to find in England whatever the occasion. If there is a special occasion coming up and you want to treat that special someone in your life a trip to Birmingham Jewellery Quarter, Europe's largest will do the trick. With a treasure trove of diamonds and jewels there is sure to be something that fits. But, being romantic need not cost you a penny. A walk up Cabot Tower in Bristol provides visitors with the most stunning panoramic views for you to take in and enjoy a special moment together.
To find out more go to the VisitEngland website.
