London
Your trip starts in London, of course: this is simply because the city is a must-see, regardless of what you plan to do in your trip to England. It doesn’t matter if you want to go sightseeing, or if you prefer to get to know the musical and cultural offers of this multicultural metropolis, every activity will be worth your money. From the tower of London, over the Tate Modern, to the Royal Albert Hall, your days will never be boring. You could also put some time aside for shopping in the high streets or in Camden market. Those who prefer to stay alone will find peace and nature in one of the numerous parks that the city offers, such as Kensington or the Royal Botanic Gardens at Richmond. At the end of the day, you can go and grab a beer in a pub around just about any corner, which will make you feel exactly like a Londoner.
The accommodation in London is usually on the expensive side. However, at the Generator Hostel it is possible to sleep in a dorm for only €17 per night.
Brighton
The public transportation routes in the South of the country are well-developed, as many people commute to work. Therefore, from here, your journey continues by bus or train. It only takes approximately 1 hour to reach the city port of Brighton; during the travel time you can enjoy the landscape undisturbed.
Because of its proximity to the big city, Brighton is a popular weekend-getaway and, with its long pebble beach and its pier, it provides an immediate holiday feeling. The main attractions are the pier and the marina. At the many food trucks and playgrounds, you can simply relax the day away whilst people watching and having fun. In the afternoon, you can stroll through the shopping streets of “the Lane” and “the North Lane”.
There is so much more to do in Brighton though; one of the things you should definitely check out is the Royal Pavilion, an enormous building in which George IV used to live before becoming king of England in the 18th century.
In the Seadragon Backpackers, you have the possibility to sleep in one of the typical, small and colourful Brighton houses. Here, a bed in a dorm is available for €22 per night.
Stonehenge
The journey continues westward to one of the most important ruins worldwide. The best way to reach the destination is to rent a car, which will allow you to get to know even the most remote corners of southern England.
What would be a trip to southern England without a visit to Stonehenge?
Everybody knows what the most famous stone circle in the world looks like; however, what it stands for is still a mystery for experts nowadays. The monument was erected around 3000 BC and it is believed that the site was used for ritual purposes and it is often associated with druids, myths and legends. You should take your time to enjoy the sight in all its glory, especially during the morning and evening.
Since the stone circle attracts many visitors and the maintenance of the site must be guaranteed, an admission price is required. The price of the ticket for adults is €20.
There is no accommodation available in the immediate vicinity of the Stonehenge, meaning you will spend the night at the Huntsman Tavern in Salisbury. A double room costs approximately €39 per night.
Dorset
Your next stop is only about 1 hour away. Dorset is dominated by chalk and limestone cliffs; the most famous stretch of coastline is the Jurassic Coast, which has now become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, through the layers of the rock, it is possible to trace back the history of the earth over millions of years. You can also find Stone Age fossils at the Ammonite Cemetery, in Lyme Regis, or in the Petrified Forest of Lulworth. The white Portland Stone, which is often found on stately homes in London, is also mined in this region.
In Christchurch, you’ll feel like you’re being transported into a Rosamunde Pilcher movie, as picturesque sceneries of the steep cliffs surround the harbour and Avon beach. The old town is quaint and quiet, as many English people move to Christchurch to enjoy their retirement.
You can sleep in Bournemouth, where you can find a bed in The Prime Backpackers hostel for only €21 per night.
Dartmoor
2 hours further west there is even more nature waiting for you. The region and the Dartmoor National Park are known for their hilly and moorland landscapes, offering you the possibility to take long walks. One of the most beautiful hiking trails leads from Drogo Castle to Fingle Gorge. The Castle was only completed in 1930 and makes it the most recently built castle. The way leads you along the Hunter’s Path, from where you can enjoy an incredible view over the river valley.
If you think you’ve had enough of walking and you’d prefer to see an attraction of a slightly different kind, then you should visit the former Dartmoor prison, a terrifying granite building which was converted into a museum many years ago.
Don’t worry, you won’t be sleeping in the prison; instead, you can find a comfortable bed in the dorm at the YHA Dartmoor for €17 per night.
Cornwall
If we ignore London, the county of Cornwall is probably the most popular tourist destination in the country. Cornwall stretches over the entire south-western tip of the English peninsula from Plymouth to Lands’ End. In order to visit everything here, you’ll definitely have to spend a few days, as there’s just so much to see.
Along the south coast, also called the Cornish Riviera, you can find one idyllic fishing village after the other. You can visit the westernmost point of the island at “Land’s End”, as well as going to Newquay, which is further to the north, for a perfect surfing spot. On the beach Fistral Bay, a lot of surf beginners cavort during the summer months and try to catch the wave of their life.
The Palace Surf Lodge in Newquay offers you a charming accommodation in a dorm for just €22 per night.
Bristol
The last stop of your backpacking trip is the former port city of Bristol. From Cornwall, the journey takes approximately 3 hours.
The city has developed considerably over the last decades and shaken off its industrial-city vibe. In fact, nowadays Bristol is the cultural centre of the region and is a popular destination for young people to settle down.
Your trip to the city starts on the Harbour Side, where particularly on sunny days lots of people go to one of the many cafes here, where you can relax and watch the passing sailboats and the colourful hustle and bustle. At the waterfront, you can also find the Arnolfini, an old teahouse that has been converted into a centre for modern art. Here, you will have the possibility to not only visit exhibitions in the classical sense, but also to interact with the exhibition, which will make your visit much more memorable.
The Wapping Wharf, which is the city’s shipyard district, is the new fancy district of the city, where you can get a cocktail and a bite to eat in one of the trendy shops.
The Full Moon Backpackers, the accommodation in Bristol, is just as hip as the city and provides a bed in a dorm for only €21 per night.
