England is the home of the Premier League soccer and boasts iconic clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal, as well as huge stadiums such as Anfield and Wembley. If you’re considering a Premier League trip to England, why not combine the thrill of sporting events with some local tourism. On an EPL soccer tour with us you can also immerse yourself the rich culture, history, countryside, and famous landmarks, too.
With a genuine passion for sports tours and a love of the UK, our lead EPL travel specialist, Ludovica, has made dreams come true for thousands of soccer fans. She’ll plan an EPL tour that lets you combine a love of sport with epic sightseeing. Here are her tips of the best things to see in England apart soccer on your Premier League trip.
1. The Cotswolds
One of the most picturesque areas of the country, The Cotswolds, gives you a real taste of traditional English countryside, with rolling green hills, dry stone walls, and sleepy villages. Take in the lovely scenery on a country stroll before enjoying an afternoon tea of sandwiches and cream scones in one of the many quaint tea rooms.
It’s also a stone’s throw away from the historic town of Bath, which boasts UNESCO World Heritage Roman bathhouses, as well as Georgian townhouses, which add to the character of the town.
Pay a visit to Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Winston Churchill, or stop in at one of the hundreds of churches in the area to see classic stained glass. In the warmer months, there are also lots of festive markets displaying local produce such as cider and artisan cheese.
2. Cumbria & Lake Windermere
Situated just one hour north of legendary soccer cities Manchester and Liverpool, the Lake District is home to 16 pristine lakes surrounded by green countryside like nowhere else in England. The area is also famous for hiking and is home to England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike, among the many activities in this region of the country.
Lake Windermere is England’s longest lake, at 17km long, and when you visit, you can enjoy a scenic boat tour, ziplining, water activities like kayaking, and exploring the villages of Ambleside and Grasmere.
The area is also famed for millennia-old stone circles like Castlerigg, which dates back to 3000BC. If you love literature, then you can visit the home of English poet William Wordsworth, or visit the Beatrix Potter museum, the famed creator of Peter Rabbit.
3. London, Oxford & Windsor Castle
If you’re planning on staying in and around the UK capital, then there is so much to see and do. In addition to the main London landmarks such as Big Ben, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, and Westminster Abbey, just a short journey outside of the city lets you see other famous parts of the country.
Windsor Castle is open for tours and has been standing for over 900 years, making it the oldest and longest inhabited castle in the world. It is an official royal residence, and Queen Elizabeth II is laid to rest in the Memorial Chapel there.
Go a little further out and you’ll reach the city of Oxford, home to a world-class university, but also riverside walking tours taking in the stunning Gothic architecture.
4. Snowdonia National Park
If you fancy adding an extra country to your EPL tour, the valleys of Wales are just a short trip from Liverpool. For magnificent sights, you can climb the highest peak in Wales, Snowdon, or explore scenic villages and historic castles.
Wales is perfect for all kinds of sporting activities, such as mountain biking through the forest trails of the National Park, or paddleboarding in one of the many lakes, rivers, or even in the sea.
There are also numerous waterfalls to check out, as well as seaside towns where you can enjoy fish and chips, traditional laverbread, and a sweet treat known as bara brith.
5. Yorkshire
When in England, paying a visit to Yorkshire is strongly recommended. Cities like Leeds, York and Sheffield offer lots of history to take in, from ancient castles and city walls to abbeys and cathedrals.
York Minster is one of the grandest examples of Gothic architecture in Europe, dating back to 1160, and as it was the capital of England from 866 onwards, there are still traces of Roman and Viking settlements. Outside of the urban areas, Yorkshire is a picture-perfect location with the Yorkshire Dales to the north and the Peak District to the south, both equally as enchanting.
Travelling to the East Coast of Yorkshire is another option, with towns like Whitby, which inspired the legend of Dracula, and seaside resorts like Bridlington and Scarborough.
6. Southern England
The south of England is ideal for exploring when you are visiting London on an EPL tour. If you want to see some of the UK’s most famous landmarks, then why not head for a day trip to Salisbury, where you can see the 4,500-year-old Stonehenge? Enjoy getting up close and personal with these Bronze Age monoliths, learning all about them.
A short trip to the town of Salisbury will also let you encounter an original copy of the Magna Carta, the inspiration for global democratic systems, including the Bill of Rights and the US Constitution.
Portsmouth and Bournemouth are two towns worth visiting south of London, and if you want to see the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, a day trip there will allow you to take in the magnificent cliff-face scenery that towers above the English Channel.
Book Your EPL Tour Today!
If you wish to combine multiple destinations in your EPL soccer tour, then you can choose a longer tour that allows you to explore at your own pace and take in one or more Premier League matches.
Ready to start your adventure and make lifetime memories in England with a combined English Premier League tour and sightseeing? Browse our selection of tours today and kickstart your soccer passion.