There's plenty to do on a five-day vacation to England—take a focused, one-destination trip or a faster-paced itinerary to four areas. From the city to the countryside, explore London, the Cotswolds, Bath, Liverpool, and the stunning Lake District to gain a deeper appreciation of English history, culture, and natural wonders. Whether you love learning about the royals, sipping high tea, going on a pub crawl, or scenic stand-up paddleboarding, there's a trip plan just for you.

Itinerary #1: Explore History & Culture in London 

Take a step back in time with a historical trip to London that lets you walk in the footsteps of kings and queens. Five days in England's capital takes you to famed palaces and castles, iconic abbeys, well-known museums, and much more.

Westminster Bridge over the River Thames
Walk London's 19th-century Tower Bridge
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in London & Explore on Hop-on, Hop-off Bus London
Day 2 Day trip to Windsor Castle London
Day 3 Visit Kensington Palace & Have Afternoon Tea at the Savoy Hotel London
Day 4 Tour the British Museum & Catch a Rooftop Film Screening  London
Day 5 Depart London  


Begin by boarding the Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus for a sightseeing tour that features stops at Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and Piccadilly Circus. With unlimited access to all routes for 24 hours, you'll have ample time to make your way to all of the city's key attractions. Prepare to feel like nothing less than royalty on day two when you visit England's largest royal residence: Windsor Castle

The third day of this trip includes another destination with a list of famous former residents—Kensington Palace—afternoon tea at the historic Savoy Hotel, and a two-hour guided Black History Walk through Brixton. Finally, a visit to the opulent Hampton Court Palace and a guided tour of the British Museum set the stage for a relaxing open-air film screening at the Rooftop Film Club before heading home on day five. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Beautiful England: Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, Cotswolds & Bath

This eclectic trip takes you to four sides of England across five exciting days. Learn the hidden corners inside a famous university, explore the world of William Shakespeare, and take in the beautiful architecture and quaint shops and cafés in a historic Roman complex.

Blenheim Palace
Visit Blenheim Palace, the ancestral home of Winston Churchill
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in London & Tour Oxford Oxford
Day 2 Visit Blenheim Palace, Warwick Castle & Stratford-upon-Avon Stratford-upon-Avon
Day 3 Explore the Cotswolds & Cheltenham Cheltenham
Day 4 Tour More of the Cotswolds & Bath Bath
Day 5 Last Day in Bath, Depart  


Once you've landed and checked into your hotel, spend the first day exploring behind the scenes of the University of Oxford and take a guided tour of the beautifully designed Bodleian Library—one of the oldest working libraries in the world. On day two, head to the Oxfordshire countryside to explore the lush gardens and 2,000 acres of parkland of Blenheim Palace. Watch historical reenactments at the medieval Warwick Castle before heading to Stratford-upon-Avon to discover William Shakespeare's hometown. 

Days three and four give you the chance to explore the Cotswolds, which are home to charming markets, shopping, galleries, and antique stores. Cool down on a sunny day with hand-churned ice cream as you explore Lower Slaughter, snap some photos of the famously picturesque villages of Bibury, and take a stroll through the weaving town of Castle Combe. Wrap up your trip in Bath, a city known for its Roman bath complex and 18th-century Georgian architecture. Learn more

Itinerary #3: England History and Culture: London, Chipping Campden & Bath

Get a complete taste of England with a versatile tour that begins in London and ends with a memorable trip to a mystical wonder. Savor high tea, tour an extravagant castle, and spend some well-earned self-care time at a natural spa.

Stonehenge's sarsens and bluestones
Get up close with Stonehenge's iconic sarsens and bluestones on a VIP tour
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive, Afternoon Tea at the Savoy Hotel & Hampton Court Palace Tour London
Day 2 Windsor Castle, Eton College & Runnymede Private Tour London
Day 3 Castle Tour, Tea at Blenheim Palace & Cotswolds Horse Trekking Chipping Campden
Day 4 Literary and Photo Tours of Bath & Twilight Spa Package at Thermae Spa Bath
Day 5 Stonehenge Inner Circle Experience, Salisbury Cathedral Tour & Depart  


Upon arrival, enjoy classic sandwiches, homemade scones, and more than 30 teas at The Savoy Hotel's world-famous afternoon tea hosted in the Thames Foyer. Then, learn more about the significance of Hampton Court Palace and see great works of art from the Royal Collection during a private tour with a local historian. On day two, a luxury taxi and an enthusiastic local take you on a full-day tour that stops at Windsor Castle, St. George's Chapel, and esteemed Eton College

After spending two nights in the city, leave London behind for the countryside. Take a bus to Blenheim Palace for an exclusive tour, plus afternoon tea and a champagne toast. Then, enjoy every minute of a private horse trek set in the scenic villages of Stanton. Day four includes a guided literary tour of Jane Austen's time spent in Bath, a photography tour covering Queen Square, Milsom Street, and The Circus, and an evening of relaxing indulgence at Thermae Spa. On the last day, make an intimate visit to Stonehenge for the VIP Stone Circle Experience, as well as a tour of the Salisbury Cathedral. Learn more.

Itinerary #4: English Pubs, Culture & Nature: York, Ambleside & Liverpool

Enjoy a few pints and plenty of laughs on this action-packed vacation. This five day-trip includes a historical pub tour, active excursions, and a visit to a state-of-the-art football stadium, which just so happens to be nestled in the hometown of The Beatles.

Yorkshire Dales National Park
Yorkshire Dales National Park
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in London, Transfer to York & Guided Historic Pub Walk York
Day 2 Haworth and Yorkshire Dales Day Trip York
Day 3 Canoeing in the Lake District & Walking Tour in Buttermere Ambleside
Day 4 Many Lives of Beatrix Potter: Full-Day, All-Inclusive Tour Ambleside
Day 5 Lake District Stand-Up Paddleboarding, Tour Liverpool & Depart London  


Touch down in London, collect your luggage, and transfer to York to immerse yourself in the history of the city's beer and pub culture. Sample brews from the 15 pubs along the tour. Next, spend the morning exploring York City Center before heading north for an adventurous afternoon in the Yorkshire Dales National Park

Day three is all about nature, beginning with a canoe excursion in the Lake District. Appreciate the rolling hills, towering mountains, and a scenic picnic lunch. Then, lace up your sneakers for a guided walk in Buttermere. Day four brings Beatrix Potter's old haunts to life on an all-inclusive tour in Ambleside. And on the last morning, you'll stand-up paddleboard before ending your tour with a trip to Liverpool. Here, you'll join a self-guided tour of Anfield Football Stadium and Liverpool by The Beatles, an immersive experience that's the perfect way to end your trip. Learn more

More Great England Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to England? Check out these other England itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights. 

Map

Map of 5 Days in England - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
Map of 5 Days in England - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas