England Vacation Rentals

From quaint holiday cottages in the rolling English hills to modern apartments in the heart of London, it's easy to explore England with your very own vacation rental. Discover the many castles and stately homes open to visitors all over the country, and enjoy a pint in a pub just like the locals do.

Eat Like the English

England has many fine dining restaurants for haute cuisine, but get a real taste of England with traditional fish and chips wrapped in a paper cone. This undisputed English classic is the country's most popular dish and is available in every community. The king of fish and chips restaurants is the famous Harry Ramsden's, found in many seaside towns. For an authentic touch, ask for a side of mushy peas.

The traditional Sunday roast dinner is another English staple to try on your vacation. Whether a simple pub lunch, or in a five star restaurant, your plate must include Yorkshire puddings, roast or boiled potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and delicious slices of roast beef or chicken topped with gravy. Other dinner favourites include bangers and mash (sausages with mashed potatoes), and shepherd's pie (ground lamb topped with mashed potatoes).

Explore England's Art, Culture, and History

Look beyond the large museums and galleries of the major cities for more of England's rich history and culture. Discover York's Viking heritage, and stroll through narrow cobbled streets full of shops and boutiques. Learn about the Industrial Revolution in the Midlands with a visit to the Silver Factory in Birmingham, or check out the Iron Bridge in Shropshire, the first ever of its kind.

For literary types, thousands of people descend onto Hay on Wye for its annual May festival. Meet famous authors and playwrights who come here to talk about their work, or attend workshops to enhance your own writing craft. England also has a wealth of theatre festivals that celebrate its legacy of quality stage work. These include the Cambridge Shakespeare Festival, and London's Vault Festival.

Fun Year-round

With England's diversity of attractions and experiences, you'll find plenty to do whatever the season. For music and arts lovers, there's the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, the BBC Proms concert series, or the iconic Glastonbury Festival. There's many other festivals in cities and parks all over the country between June and September. These include London's legendary Notting Hill Carnival, Stonehenge's Summer Solstice, and Bristol's International Balloon Fiesta.

If you're looking for some English eccentricity, try Manchester's World Black Pudding Throwing Championships. This September showcase of English quirkiness has competitors throw black puddings to try and knock over a tower of Yorkshire puddings. For more food fun, Olney in Buckinghamshire hosts a pancake race on Shrove Tuesday, just before Lent. Local women make and toss flapjacks before running with them through the town's streets.

Frequently Asked Questions