Cheap flights to England from $132

England Travel Guide

Cheap flights to England—whether for business or pleasure—are always in high demand by residents of other countries. Yet, in the race for a guaranteed-sun holiday, this green and pleasant land often goes unthought-of as a holiday destination.

England has a wealth of attractions: a world city in London, multicultural cities such as Manchester and Birmingham, pleasant seaside towns such as Brighton, world-class university towns such as Cambridge and Oxford, and world-renowned quintessentially English towns such as Stratford-upon-Avon and Windermere.

If you enjoy traditional British seaside resorts then you will find Southend-on-Sea a great place to visit. Situated on the north banks of the River Thames estuary, Southend is also conveniently placed for trips into London via train. It is home to the longest pier in the world, reaching out 1.33 miles into the sea. When you have finished stretching your legs on the pier, take the hydraulic train back to the entrance. The seafront has plenty of other attractions for visitors of all ages to enjoy. At the pier entrance is Adventure Island, with over 50 rides, and the Sea-Life Aquarium. The town itself perches on a cliff above the seafront, but to save visitors’ legs there are two lifts; a modern vertical one and the Victorian funicular railway. Restaurants offering a wide range of food are open all day in the town; there are also several serving the holiday staple of fish and chips. For evening entertainment Southend boasts two theaters, with concerts and ice performances taking place in the Cliffs Pavilion and more traditional productions in the Edwardian Palace Theatre. Nightlife also includes wine bars, cinemas, nightclubs and the casino. Visitors interested in the area’s history can explore the Central Museum, Prittlewell Priory or Southchurch Hall. If you are looking to get out into the fresh air, try a visit to the Belton Hills Gardens and Nature Reserve or enjoy the roses at Chalkwell Park. More energetic activities include horse riding, windsurfing and kitesurfing.

The industrial North has undergone great regeneration since the Industrial Revolution. The trade and industry of several cities made England great in the 18th and 19th centuries. While the heavy industry has gone, there are many sites of historical interest associated with them. These English cities have reinvented themselves for the 21st century with the arts, culture, entertainment, shopping and socializing, great places for a city break.

England’s thriving sports scene, their long and enduring love of Monarchy, their cultural heritage and their natural attractions ensures something for everyone.

Getting to and around England

Flying is a cinch, given the low-cost airlines and dozens of airports around the country. Competition between the budget airlines ensures that fares are low—sometimes cheaper than taking the train.

Trains are frequent and prompt, and booking far in advance nets the cheapest fares.

Buses and coaches are also great ways to get around England. Booked far enough in advance you can travel to many destinations from London for a small fare with companies such as National Express.

The town center and the beaches with their attractions are all close together and easy to explore by foot, especially if use is made of the cliff lifts. There is a good local bus network and both trains and coaches run between the town center and London. The tourist information office has leaflets about local attractions, suggested walks, and cycle routes.

Tips for your stay in England

• There’s no better way to enjoy the English countryside than to walk it. Three of the best, in Cheapflights’ view, are the Cotswold Way, a long-distance walking trail that runs between Chipping Campden and Bath, Offa’s Dyke Path, which straddles the England/Wales border, and the South Downs Way National Trail in Sussex.
• Get away from the capital. Yes, London is fun and there is enough there to last a lifetime, let alone one short holiday, but the rest of the country has plenty going on, too. There are lively cities in the North, such as Manchester and Newcastle, seaside resorts (some kitsch, some stylish) and quaint chocolate-box villages.
• A huge draw for those who arrive on cheap flights to England is its great history. Many stately homes and grounds are owned and preserved by the National Trust, and are open for visits at certain times throughout the year, no matter what else they are used for. The number of properties cared for by the National Trust is impressive: 28 castles, 66 nature reserves, 4,000 prehistoric monuments, 215 houses and gardens, 149 registered museums, 127 factories, workshops and mines, 12 lighthouses, 2 gold mines, 78 mills, 57 historic villages, 43 pubs and enormous stretches of coastline and countryside. You can search online to find attractions close to where you are travelling, or with features that you are interested in.
• Taste some regional delicacies: Stottie cake, Lancashire Hotpot, Melton Mowbray Pork Pie, Cornish pasties, jellied eels. Wash down with local ales, ciders, perries or wines.

Finding Flights from England

You can catch international flights out of Birmingham and Manchester, but if you leave from London, you can connect to virtually any location in the world. Fly to New York in a quick 7.5 hours, or extend your adventure and catch a flight to Paris, Málaga, San Francisco, Sydney, or Rome. Flights to dozens of cities in the United States leave London round the clock. Make sure to get to your airport, whether Heathrow or Gatwick, with plenty of time to get through security.