The green and pleasant land with its long history of kings and queens, glorious battles and rich cultural heritage has an extraordinary range of destinations. Whatever travellers book cheap flights to England for - visiting relatives, tracing family, soaking up the culture and verve in London, or even following the Harry Potter trail - one trip may not be enough to see it all.
London may dominate the southern half of England. Cutting-edge and cool yet with an ancient heart it offers museums, galleries and world-famous landmarks. Where else can you watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, check your watch against Big Ben, follow the trail of Jack the Ripper around the East End and enjoy a curry in Brick Lane all in a day?
The cities of Manchester and Liverpool have their own personalities. Old industrial cities both, they have strong musical and sporting traditions as well as impressive Victorian architecture and revitalised city centres.
For literary travellers, head to Stratford-Upon-Avon for the Bard's birthplace, Hampshire for Jane Austen country, West Yorkshire for Bronte and, for Harry Potter, start at platform 9¾ at King's Cross Station.
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England's climate is changeable. One day fine, the next cloudy. In general London and the South East gets the best weather. The West of England gets most rain year-round and the northern parts most of the colder weather. Summer temperatures range between 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) or so, sometimes soaring to 30 degrees (86F). Winters are cold but rarely do temperatures drop below freezing. Averages of 5-6 degrees (low 40sF) are more usual.
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Peak Season
The summer months are by far the best time to book cheap flights to England. The weather is at its best (pack a rain jacket to guard against unpredictable showers).
Shoulder Season
Spring and fall are good times to visit. Weather is generally still good, mild in the spring and crisp in the fall months.
Off Season
Winter, especially the weeks after Christmas, can be grey, grey, grey. The long winter can drag on with drizzle and grey skies persisting.
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Travellers arriving on cheap flights to England are spoiled for choice when it comes to getting around. There is a great domestic air network. There are five airports in London alone, serving several airlines flying around England. There are several rail companies competing on an extensive network. If you have time, the National Express offers reasonable fares and a full schedule of services linking the furthest reaches of the country.
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- London, where most cheap flights to England land, is stuffed with wonderful museums, galleries and landmarks. The London Eye, on the South Bank of the River Thames, is a must-do. The giant observation wheel - the world's tallest at 135 metres - offers views of 40km views on a clear day. Another, lesser discovered, vantage point is The Monument. Climb the 311 spiral steps to the observation gallery to get wonderful views of London, the same views that Londoners have been getting since 1677. The Monument stands 61 metres (202 feet) high and is positioned 61 metres (202 feet) from the spot in Pudding Lane on which the Great Fire is said to have started in 1666.
- Explore ancient England in the South West. Stonehenge is the most famous. It's not possible to get very close to the stones. A fence keeps visitors back. To get closer and even touch Neolithic stones, visit Avebury, 32km away, where you can walk up and touch them.
- Glastonbury is more than the yearly, often rain-soaked, music festival. For fans of King Arthur and Merlin, this is the place to visit. Arthur and his queen Guinevere are said to be buried here - a simple notice board marks the spot. Visit Glastonbury Abbey and the various King Arthur sites.
- The English are known for their eccentric pastimes. In Gloucestershire, cheese rolling takes place on the last Monday in May. Contestants stand at the top of a hill as the master of ceremonies counts them down and rolls the Double Gloucester cheese. The contestants follow in hot pursuit. It's thought to be an ancient pagan festival or fertility rite.
- The Notting Hill Carnival in West London is held at the end of August. It's Europe's largest street party and second only in the world to the Rio Carnival.
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If a visa is not required, travellers should hold a return or onward ticket, or proof of funds for the duration of stay. Passports must be valid for the period of intended stay in the UK; nationals of the EU require a passport valid on arrival.
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Canadian nationals must hold a valid passport; a visa is not required. UK Immigration officials will decide on length of stay up to six months depending on reason for travel.
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