England Heritage Roadtrip | campervan hire

Stop 1: Stonehenge

Highlights:

Stonehenge: Monument and Neolithic village, with audio tours.

Where to Eat:

Stonehenge Visitor Centre ($$): Grab-and-go cafe with food and drinks.
The Boot Inn ($$): Cosy, authentic pub with British fare.

Where to Park for the Night:

Stonehenge Visitor Centre ($): Free with ticket to Stonehenge, £5 without.
Stonehenge Campsite and Glamping ($$): Charming campsite close to the monument.

Unravel the prehistoric mysteries of Stonehenge

One of the most famous (and mysterious) monuments in the country is a can’t-miss on any England heritage road trip. Stonehenge has captivated the world’s imagination for centuries, baffling historians and archaeologists alike. Where did the stones come from? Who built Stonehenge, and why?

Modern carbon dating places its construction sometime between 3000 BC and 2000 BC, while theories about the monument’s actual purpose are still up for debate.

Visiting Stonehenge is easier than ever thanks to the new, modern Visitor Centre. At just over an hour’s drive from London, we recommend enjoying a leisurely brunch in the city before setting off.

Grab an audio guide and take your time strolling around the iconic stone circle, perhaps forming your own theory as to its original purpose!

Explore an extensive collection of museum-quality artefacts inside the exhibition and don’t miss the nearby Neolithic village. An important historic landmark, Stonehenge is the perfect start to your itinerary.

Stop 2: Bath

Highlights:

The Roman Baths: Roman-era bathhouse and temple, now a museum.
The Bath Abbey: Large, medieval church with stained glass interior.
Thermae Bath Spa: Modern spa with thermal waters and rooftop pool.
The Holburne Museum: Georgian building with modern glass extension.
The Jane Austen Centre: Museum and tearoom devoted to the writer.
Royal Crescent: Row of Grade I-listed, Georgian terrace houses.

Soak up history and soak away stress in ancient Bath

Bath is perhaps one of the country’s most picturesque cities and a perfectly relaxing stop on any England heritage road trip. Its iconic, honey-coloured Bath stone is found throughout the city’s beautifully preserved Georgian architecture.

Also known for its natural hot springs, Bath’s Roman-era bathhouses and modern spas are an indulgent treat, while its many museums will tempt you to stick around for a few days.

Bath’s iconic Georgian architecture is on full display at Royal Crescent, a stunning half-circle row of 30 Grade I-listed terrace houses with gleaming, stone façades. Plop down in the grass across the way at Royal Victoria Park to really take in the full view!

In the centre of town, the beautifully-restored Roman Baths are a must, while the nearby Thermae Bath Spa is where you can actually indulge in the thermal waters yourself.

Among Bath’s many fine museums and galleries, The Holburne is another architectural highlight with an eclectic art collection and events programme.

Stop 3: Stratford-upon-Avon

Highlights:

Shakespeare’s Birthplace: Childhood home of the famous writer, now a museum.
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage: Former family home of the playwright’s wife.
Holy Trinity Church: Medieval church and site of Shakespeare’s burial.
Royal Shakespeare Company: Modern theatre showcasing the Bard’s many works.

Where to Eat:

The Opposition Bistro ($$): Lively bistro with modern, European food.

Walk in Shakespeare’s footsteps in Stratford-upon-Avon

Following the River Avon northeast, you’ll arrive in Stratford-upon-Avon, a medieval market town of great cultural importance to Britain. Born here in the 16th century was none other than William Shakespeare, who’s sonnets and plays are known the world over, from the tragic romance Romeo and Juliet to the dramatic Hamlet.

Stratford-upon-Avon is worth including on any England heritage road trip due to the Bard’s huge significance to modern English language and culture. That and the town itself just oozes Ye Olde English charm!

Visit Shakespeare’s childhood home and the nearby Holy Trinity Church, where the great playwright was both baptised and buried.

Just outside of town, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage (no, not THAT Anne Hathaway) is the former family home of Shakespeare’s beloved wife, now a beautifully preserved example of the old wattle-and-daub architecture. On the banks of the River Avon, catch a performance of one of his plays at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Stop 4: Peak District National Park

Highlights:

Chatsworth House: Stately mansion with labyrinth and art collection.
Haddon Hall: Medieval manor with grand Tudor hall.
Buxton: Village with Opera House, museum, and Victorian gardens.
Bakewell: Charming little village with a very sweet tooth.
Mam Tor: Family-friendly hike with sweeping valley views.

Where to Eat:

Explore the Peak District’s stately homes and pretty villages

Founded in 1951, the Peak District National Park was the first of Britain’s 15 national parks. Covering about 1,440 square miles across five different counties, the Peak District boasts scenic landscapes, historic homes, and numerous campervan sites, making it ideal for a cultural road trip.

Driving up from Stratford-upon-Avon, enter the national park area near Chatsworth House. This stately mansion is the ancestral home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, complete with lavish gardens, a playground, and an incredible art collection.

As you leave, stop off in the nearby town of Bakewell to indulge your sweet tooth at the home of traditional English Bakewell Pudding, or swing by Haddon Hall, another historic estate with grand, Elizabethan gardens.

It’s worth planning 2-3 days in the area to fully enjoy pretty villages like Buxton or to crack on with one of many scenic hikes, like popular Mam Tor.

Stop 5: Manchester

Highlights:

Manchester Town Hall: Neo-Gothic architecture and iconic clock tower.
Northern Quarter: Hipster hot spot with street art and hidden bars.
HOME: Theatre for contemporary art, film, and music.
Manchester Art Gallery: Impressive permanent collections and free entry.
Old Trafford Stadium: Home of the Manchester United football club.
Salford Lads’ Club: Photo opp for music lovers and fans of The Smiths.

Contemporary culture on display in hip Manchester

Leaving the rolling hills and postcard-perfect villages of the Peak District behind, your England heritage road trip’s final stop in Manchester marks a return to modern-day England.

This vibrant city centre has quickly become an “it” cultural destination thanks to its thriving food scene, top-notch galleries, powerhouse football club, and more. Opt to return your campervan or simply take advantage of public transportation in order to get around.

One of the most stunning examples of Neo-Gothic architecture is Manchester Town Hall, known for its 85-metre clock tower and ornate ceilings. A few blocks away, the Manchester Art Gallery is free to enter and home to an impressive permanent collection.

The Northern Quarter is the creative heart of the city, with colourful street art, cool hidden bars, and hip independent shops. Music purists should make a pilgrimage out to Salford Lads’ Club to recreate The Smiths’ iconic album photo, while footie fans can’t miss Old Trafford Stadium, even when Man United is away.