Brilliant! 7 Essential Experiences on a Group Tour to England

Before you embark on a trip to England, you ought to figure out what to do once you land. No need to panic—we’re here to help. The truth is, there’s a lot to do. You could spend days (maybe weeks) just going to museums. You could spend a month visiting every pub in London on a quest to find the best pint. But while 30 days of pub-hopping sounds like a great time, we’ve got a better idea: book a group tour to England and cross off these 7 essential experiences.

Immerse yourself in the splendor of England's rich royal heritage. Head to Buckingham Palace and watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony, where fancy pants guards parade with precision and pomp. Get an up-close glimpse into the grandeur and traditions of the British monarchy at the Tower of London, where you can gawk at the crown jewels. No matter where you go, make sure to practice your royal wave when passing by strangers.

No trip to England is complete without experiencing the most quintessential British tradition of raising your pinky and sipping a cup of tea. Whether you opt for a traditional afternoon tea experience in a grand hotel or simply relax in a cozy tea room, this ritual is straight up delightful.

Put your cell phone down, we’re going old school with this one. When you close your eyes and picture England, what do you see? If you answered “red phone booths,” you’d be correct! These iconic boxes have become a symbol of British culture, and some of them still have functioning telephones inside. If you’re traveling on an England group tour, go find a phone booth, get one of your new travel BFFs to snap a pic for Instagram, and phone home to remind everyone you’re living your best life across the pond.

Embrace the dark academia aesthetic at the prestigious Oxford University. Ready your wand and admire the breathtaking architecture of the Bodleian Library and Christ Church College, which served as the inspiration for Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films. Beyond the school, the city of Oxford is lovely. Stroll through the charming cobblestone streets and simply soak in the intellectual atmosphere.

England is home to some of the world's best museums, housing extraordinary collections that span centuries of history and art. Visit the British Museum in London, where you can marvel at ancient artifacts from civilizations around the globe. Or step into the National Gallery and admire masterpieces by some guys you may have heard of—Van Gogh, Monet, and Rembrandt. And if you’re a fan of modern art, head to Tate Modern, where you’ll get really good at looking at art and cocking your head at the same time. By the way, all of these museums are F-R-E-E.

For music lovers and Beatles fans, a trip to Liverpool is basically a pilgrimage on any group tour to England. You can explore The Beatles Story museum, which takes you on an immersive journey through the band's rise to fame, visit the childhood homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and walk down Penny Lane while listening to, hmmm…“Yellow Submarine?”

If you find yourself strolling along the River Thames in London without a watch, Ben’s got you. Just look up and find the big ol’ clock tower in the Palace of Westminster complex. Something you may not know—the official name for the tower is Elizabeth Tower, while Big Ben is actually the nickname for the bell inside. We think the name has quite the ring to it.

Planning a trip by yourself can feel overwhelming. So skip the stress of it all and let us do it for you. Book a group tour to England and we’ll make sure you experience all the royalty, history, tea drinking, and time telling you can handle.