London has everything. World-class museums like the British Museum, National Gallery, and Tate Modern (all free). Iconic landmarks everywhere (Big Ben, Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey). Incredible theater in the West End. Markets like Borough Market and Camden Market. Neighborhoods with completely different vibes (posh Kensington, gritty East End, trendy Shoreditch). The Tube (subway) makes it easy to get around, though it's expensive. London is one of the most expensive cities in Europe, but you can do it on a budget if you stay in hostels, eat street food, and take advantage of free museums.

Bath is a beautiful Georgian city in southwest England known for its Roman baths (still standing after 2,000 years) and stunning architecture. The whole city is a UNESCO site. It's touristy but worth a day trip or overnight stay.

Oxford and Cambridge are rival university towns with stunning college buildings, punting on the river, and a lot of history. Both are beautiful, both are touristy, both are worth visiting if you like old architecture and academia. Pick one if you're short on time.

The Cotswolds are rolling green hills, honey-colored stone villages, and countryside that looks like it's straight out of a period drama. Towns like Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, and Bibury are postcard-perfect. It's best explored by car, but there are buses and walking trails too.

The Lake District in northwest England is where people go for hiking, nature, and dramatic scenery. Mountains, lakes (they call them "meres"), and villages like Windermere and Keswick. It's beautiful, green, and often rainy. Bring good hiking boots and a rain jacket.

York in northern England has a massive medieval cathedral (York Minster), Roman walls you can walk on, and narrow medieval streets (the Shambles) that inspired Diagon Alley in Harry Potter. It's one of the best-preserved medieval cities in England.

Stonehenge is a circle of massive stones in the middle of a field. It's 5,000 years old, and no one really knows why it was built. It's also expensive to visit ($20+), crowded, and you can't get close to the stones. If you go, combine it with Bath or Salisbury to make it worth the trip.

The food has a terrible reputation, but it's better than people say. Fish and chips (fried fish and fries) is the national dish. Best eaten from a seaside chippy with salt and vinegar. Sunday roast (roasted meat, potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, gravy, vegetables) is hearty and delicious. Curry is everywhere (England has a huge South Asian population, and the curry here is world-class). Full English breakfast (eggs, bacon, sausage, beans, mushrooms, toast, black pudding) will fuel you for hours.

The people are polite, reserved, and love to queue (stand in line). Small talk about the weather is a national pastime. English people apologize constantly, even when it's not their fault. Pubs are social hubs. Grab a pint, sit down, and people might strike up a conversation.

Getting around is easy. Trains connect all major cities, though they can be expensive if you don't book in advance. Buses (like National Express and Megabus) are cheaper. London has the Tube, buses, and trains. If you want to explore the countryside (Cotswolds, Lake District), rent a car. Driving is on the left.

England is expensive. London is one of the priciest cities in Europe. Hostels run $20-40/night in London, cheaper elsewhere. A meal at a pub is $10-15. A pint is $5-7 in London, cheaper in smaller towns.

When to go: Summer (June-August) has the best weather (though "best" is relative), but it's crowded and expensive. Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) are less crowded and still pleasant. Winter (November-March) is cold, gray, and rainy, but London is still lively.

England is history, culture, and countryside. It's expensive, but it's also one of the most accessible countries in Europe for English speakers.