5 Quintessential English Destinations You Need to Experience 

5 Quintessential English Destinations You Need to Experience 

Are you looking for ideas to explore Britain's stunning highlights? Then, here's our take on the quintessential English destinations you should experience. When it comes to escaping the hustle and bustle, these local destinations offer fascinating sites you may not find abroad. From the lovely Cornish fishing village of Polperro to the breathtaking Cheddar Gorge of Somerset, there's so much to explore in the UK if you want to experience that typical English holiday.

Polperro, Cornwall

The small port town of Polperro is one of Cornwall's most popular tourist destinations. It's that quintessential English fishing village with narrow streets and lovely cottages blanketed with colourful flowers in summer. Wander around the town to check out the many shops selling pottery, souvenirs, and local handicraft. Stop at one of the local bakeries selling delectable pastries, perfect with a cup of coffee or tea.

Visit in June to witness the annual Arts Festival. It's a week-long festival featuring live music, arts and crafts, lighting of a solstice bonfire, etc. But if you can't make it in June, there is still plenty to see in the town. At the entrance to the village, opposite the car park, you'll find the Crumplehorn Inn and Mill, a 14th-century B&B boasting an impressively restored water wheel with 12 tons of revolving iron and timber.

Check out the Polperro Heritage Museum of Smuggling and Fishing, which holds a fascinating collection of photographs and exhibits from when smuggling and fishing are thriving in town. Head to the picturesque harbour to soak up the views and see different yachts and pleasure boats moored in the sheltered bay.

Stonehenge, Wiltshire

Stonehenge

Stonehenge is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and something everyone should see at least once. A trip to Stonehenge is popular for tourists, including the Brits themselves, making it one of those quintessential English destinations you need to experience. Getting to Stonehenge is easy. It's less than 3 hours from London, and you can combine your visit with nearby attractions like Bath, the Cotswolds, and Windsor.

Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument dating back 4,500 years ago as an ancient temple of prehistoric people. The English Heritage has been looking after the prehistoric stones since 1918. While the stones that makeup Stonehenge were built around 2500 BC, the actual complex dates back to around 7000 BC.

Upon arriving at Stonehenge, you will find the visitor's centre, where you will enter. It's worth checking out the centre, which contains an exhibition, gift shop, cafe, and an outdoor gallery where you will find the reconstructed Neolithic houses. Feel free to enter the Neolithic houses to gain insight into how people lived more than 4,000 years ago. You will also find examples of stones used to build Stonehenge, giving you an idea of its massive size.

Bath

Bath UK

When searching for the top attractions in the UK, Bath will come up high on the list, and it's easy to see why. It's one of the country's most beautiful cities, with its breathtaking scenery and elegant architecture dating back to Roman times. Make the most of your visit by joining the custom tours in Bath, perfect if you want to learn more about the area.

Some of the highlights of your visit are the Roman Baths, which lie in the city centre. These unbelievably well-preserved ruins are some of the most magnificent spas of the ancient world and one of the most impressive historic sites in Northern Europe. Learn more about Bath's rich history with a guided tour and give the spa a try for a taste of ancient Roman life.

Another highlight of your visit to Bath is the city's impressive Georgian architecture. Check out the Royal Crescent, an elegant row of 30 terraced houses arranged in a grand sweeping crescent and one of the UK's most iconic architectural landmarks. Wander around the city on foot, and you'll be amazed at the mesmerising architecture you'll stumble upon at every turn.

For those looking to explore outside of the city, there are plenty of other excellent places around Bath worth checking out. You can take a tour from Bath to Stonehenge, where you can learn more about this impressive part of the country. Here you will find raw scenery and rugged caves that are worth exploring. This provides an excellent opportunity to scour more of what the UK has to offer.

Shaftesbury, Dorset

Shaftesbury

Shaftesbury is a small, picturesque village with a rich history dating back to the Saxon times. The delightful Dorset town borders the historic town of Gillingham and the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Its most popular spot is Gold Hill, which appeared in the classic 1970s Hovis TV advert.

There's more to Shaftesbury than Gold Hill. As you stroll through its steep cobblestone street, you'll find lovely cottages and beautifully thatched buildings. You will also find several museums well worth checking out, especially the Shaftesbury Abbey Museum and Gardens. The best way to admire the town's mesmerising landscape views is to take a hot air balloon ride.

For a more enjoyable holiday in Shaftesbury, schedule your visit to coincide with one of the fun festivals and events in the town happening throughout the year. Visit in February for the Snow Drop Festival, in May for the Shaftesbury Food & Drink Festival and in July for the Gold Hill Fair.

Cheddar Gorge, Somerset

 

Cheddar Gorge


Cheddar Gorge is one of Britain's most spectacular natural landmarks and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It's a stunning limestone gorge featuring towering limestone cliffs on either side of a road, starting from Cheddar village. As one of Britain's greatest natural wonders, it's a must-visit if you're looking for a quintessentially English experience.

 

The limestone cliffs on either side of the road look impressive, but since there is no set path, you must be careful walking through it. One of the best things to do is to conquer the Cheddar Gorge walks. The main trail is a circular path from the village, taking you to the top of the gorge and into the fields alongside it.

Make sure you explore Gough's Cave, a 115-metre-deep cave that's more than 3,000 km long and contains large chambers and unique rock formations. Climb the Gough's Cave, offering excellent views of the gorge from the top. You need to walk through 274 steps to get to the tower, but the views at the top will make it well worth it.