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Start Your Adventure in England: A Small Bucket List for Students

Rabbie
Posted on 24 Jul 2023

Travelling to England can be on many people’s bucket lists, whether it's studying abroad, visiting relatives, or being a place you’ve admired from afar. But what are the must see locations you have to visit? Let us shine the lights on our favourite corners of the country, and make your trip to England that much more exciting.

Coming up in this guide:

Why You’ll Love Travelling England

No one can blame you for loving England. It’s a rich tapestry of art. From its musicians to its writers, the art of the landscapes to its dramatic and intricate history, a tour of England has inspired writers, singers, artists, and travellers for hundreds of years.

Travellers like yourself. Explorers. People who go that one step further and decide to take the plunge and move to a new country. A semester abroad in jolly old England. Big Ben and the River Thames. Scones and tea in the afternoon. A light shower or two every now and then. Scarves and beanies in winter. Sounds delightful, doesn’t it?

Anyone who’s ever watched Love, Actually will remember that famous moment when the Prime Minister gets up and serves America a new one. When Hugh Grant says his famous speech:

“We may be a small country but we're a great one, too. The country of Shakespeare, Churchill, the Beatles, Sean Connery, Harry Potter. David Beckham's right foot. David Beckham's left foot, come to that.”

That moment when we sat there, listening to this great speech, with an overwhelmingly inspirational song playing in the background and we went... yeah, England is great!

No one can blame you for loving England. It’s a rich tapestry of art. From its musicians to its writers, the art of the landscapes to its dramatic and intricate history, England has inspired writers, singers, artists, and travellers for hundreds of years.

International Students Travelling England

Maybe you’ve been lured in by the electricity of London. Or perhaps you’re an old-time soul studying in Oxford or Cambridge. We know the universities are legendary, but let’s be honest, a huge part of why you moved to England is so you can say, “Oh, yes, I studied abroad in England for three years.”

Take the time to explore the city's offerings and let us lead the way. Our guide to Oxford not only inspires must-see attractions, but uncovers the taverns to refresh in after a long day studying.

And anyone who moves overseas knows to take advantage of where they are while they’re there. Travel and see as much as possible. Get to know the city or town you’re in better than your hometown. So here are a few tips for things you must do and see while living in the misty land of England. Got a longer break? Incorporate Scotland into your bucket list.

Iconic English Locations

Bath

We’re not talking about the ceramic tub in your bathroom, though there’s something to be said for that too. But this Bath definitely stands out. Surrounded by Georgian architecture, shoes clacking on cobbled stones, and a crisp English bite in the air; Bath is an incredible place. Inhabited for over 2,000 years, there’s endless history and beauty for you to soak up... including that at the Roman Baths themselves. Legend has it that people would go to the Roman Baths to have a conversation with the Goddess of the Bath, Minerva, who would help people recover property that was lost or stolen.

White Cliffs of Dover

It’s not often people associate the concept of chalk with beauty. But that probably means they haven’t seen the White Cliffs of Dover. There aren't many places in the world where you can see white cliffs. Facing the sea, guarding the land, with grazing horses and curious travellers meandering along the coast, once you see it for yourself, you’ll understand why it’s one of the most visited places in England.

Royal buildings

It goes without saying that one of England’s biggest draws is its link to the royal family. But whether you’re a fan of the royals or not, it’s hard to deny that the buildings associated with them are epic, to say the least. Castles and palaces. Manors and gardens. They incite awe and envy. They draw eyes and camera lenses.

It’s worth having a checklist of places you’d like to see, such as Windsor Castle. Buried inside you’ll find Queen Victoria’s diaries, among other treasures. Obviously watching the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is a huge draw too.

Cotswold Villages

The Cotswolds are like stepping into a landscape painting... or one of your favourite movies. Vivid green colours, lush waterways, and the most delightful cottages wrapped up in ivy and flowers. It truly is the idyllic vision of English country life. We know it’s classified as an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’, but we love to simply say... it’s a literal dream.

Discover our traditional Oxford and Cotswolds villages day tour to experience the quintessential essences they have to offer its visitors.

English Icons

Shakespeare

Ever wondered what inspired the great legends of England? Was it a person? A place? An experience? For Shakespeare, many believe his birthplace had a lot of influence over him and his eventual famous work. If you head to Stratford-upon-Avon, there’s plenty to do and see that’s related to England’s greatest poet, including the house where he was born and the Schoolroom and Guildhall, where Shakespeare’s writing journey began. And that’s just to start.

Join our 2-day Stratford-upon-avon, Oxford and Cotswolds tour to uncover stories from our knowledgeable driver-guides that you can’t hear from the story books.

Tea and Scones

Haggis in Scotland. Pizza in Italy. Croissants in France. Chocolate in Switzerland. But what about England? Some might argue you can’t leave without trying fish and chips. Or an English breakfast. But for those of us with a sweet tooth... how can tea and scones be overlooked?

Glastonbury Festival

For anyone coming to England, most have heard of Glastonbury. What’s drawn your attention? Are you eager for the Glastonbury Festival, a five-day extravaganza of music, comedy, dance, theatre, circus and more?

Or perhaps you’re all about the history of the town. Beneath the fun and lively Glastonbury are layers and layers of history. Glastonbury is a fantastic hub for history lovers, especially those with an interest in King Arthur. The Arthurian Legend doesn’t end on a particularly happy note, what with Arthur dying at the hands of his son and all, but that battle is said to have taken place in Glastonbury. There’s also Cadbury Castle, Glastonbury Abbey, and the incredible Tor.

Our 3-day Stonehenge, Glastonbury, Bath and the West Coast tour can capture the historic magic each of these locations offers its visitors.

Robin Hood

Speaking of English icons, here’s one even most children have heard of. But did you know there is an area you can visit that’s linked directly to Robin Hood? You won’t find him hiding in the trees, poised with a bow and arrow, ready to steal from the rich who pass by. But the picturesque fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay is brimming with sandy beaches, narrow cobbled streets, inspiring coastal walks, and classic cosy pubs.

Our 5-day Heart of England, Wales and Yorkshire tour allows you to travel through 2,000 years worth of history, while revealing the iconic myths and legends. Are you ready?

History, Legends & Stories

Tintagel

I know we’ve already spoken about King Arthur, but there’s a reason for it. This iconic British legend has meant a lot to the English people both past and present. According to legend, Tintagel Castle is where Britain’s most famous ‘fictional’ king was born. Today, you can head to Cornwall and find the ruins of this once-beautiful castle on a rocky island connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway. And beneath the castle lies Merlin’s Cave, where Arthur’s famous wizard supposedly spent much of his time.

Oxford

150,000 people live in Oxford. But each year, more than 10 million people visit this stunning city. Simply look at it, and it’s easy to see why. You might want to find out for yourself.

Whether you’re visiting for the stunning architecture, the famous colleges, or to fangirl over the various filming locations (Harry Potter, anyone?), Oxford should definitely be on your list.

Platform 9 ¾

Speaking of Harry Potter, fans will already know an absolute must is a quick visit to London Kings Cross train station. Why? To take a photo with the trolley, of course.

Get ready to queue; you’re not the only one with the desire to recreate one of the series’ most famous moments. Just promise us you won’t actually run directly at the wall.

Another great spot for Harry Potter fans is York, since the city's iconic Shambles are the supposed inspiration for Diagon Alley.

If you have a chance, why not visit Scotland on your trip to the UK too? Edinburgh’s Harry Potter locations are a must for any film fanatic and actually the birthplace of the creation of the books.

Stonehenge (and Avebury)

There's something about a good mystery that keeps us hooked. A secret we're dying to know. We can speculate all we'd like, but the reason ancient humans built places like Stonehenge and Avebury can never be fully understood.

But that's half the fun.

Most of you have heard of Stonehenge, we’re sure. But what about Avebury? No one knows why the ancient people created this landmark. But we do know it's bigger and older than Stonehenge. In fact, it’s so big, the village of Avebury had to be built inside the stone circle. Where else can you have a pint inside a stone circle?

As you can see, there’s more than enough to do regardless of whether you’re living in England or just coming for a visit. It’s time to lose yourself in the postcard-perfect landscapes, stuff your face with hearty food, and wander the cobbled streets like you’re in a Jane Austen novel.