It’s no secret that England is full of incredible places to visit – from bustling cities to breathtaking countryside. Yet, if you ask someone who’s briefly visited Great Britain for recommendations, I’m pretty sure they’ll struggle to come up with a list of ten must-see places in England.
Just as I’m 100% sure they’ll start their list with L O N D O N. How not!
Why ask AI for a List of the Ten Must-See places
Why are you asking AI for a list of the Ten Must-See places in England, Marta? you ask. A couple of weeks ago, it was 11 years since I packed my stuff and said ‘Adios’ to my life in Spain, in search of a new life in Cambridge with my back-then new boyfriend, a Catalan guy I now call husband.
That got me thinking… mmm… I should write a post with my favourite places for a short break in England. I say England because I’ve only been once to Scotland, twice to North Wales, and none to Northern Island, so I’m no expert on the whole territory.
Yes, but tell us about the AI bit.
Oh, yes. So, do you remember I do Social Media for a living? One of the software we use has an AI-assisted ghostwriting tool and I thought I could ask (him/her/them… it?) for a list, just for fun and to see if I agreed with the choices.
The 10 of the must-visit places in England that should be on everyone’s list:
Here are the 10 of the must-visit places in England that should be on everyone’s list, according to AI:
1. LONDON
London is the capital of England and a city that’s full of history, culture, entertainment and attractions. I mean, if you’re planning a trip to England, you should definitely make room in your list for London. It’s precisely the first place I stood foot in when I came to the UK back in 2007. I remember loving Camden, Notting Hill, the beautiful gardens with lakes and ducks and the Houses of Parliament. I wasn’t a big fan of Harrods, Notting Hill Market and Buckingham Palace. I did love (and I still do) the Tate Modern. ❤️
Hotels in London aren’t on the cheap side, so let me know if you need help with recommendations. I’ve been a few times, for work and for pleasure, so I can drop a few names or suggest some areas.
2. STONEHENGE
One of the most famous prehistoric sites around the world, yet one I’ve only seen on pictures and Windows computers. I’ve been told a trip exclusively to see Stonehenge isn’t worth the time or money, but I’d include it in a trip to Bath and other historic towns in the area. It’s on my travel bucket list.
3. THE LAKE DISTRICT
The Lake District is a stunning national park in the North West of England, perfect for exploring and taking in the natural beauty of England. Oh, I love the Lake District so much I wouldn’t mind moving there, even if I knew we’d have to deal with even more rainy days. I’ve been five times already. We love to stay in this little B&B or somewhere in the area. We’ll definitely be back soon to explore new lakes and new waterfalls, follow new paths and have the best meals. There are always new places to explore and new landscapes to discover in Cumbria.
4. THE COTSWOLDS
The Cotswolds – an area of outstanding natural beauty in central England, with quaint villages, rolling hills and stunning countryside. I’ve only been once to cast a voucher for the Pudding Club. It was a rainy weekend in July, and I was very hungover, so I didn’t have the positive experience one might expect. We should definitely get back to the Costworlds for a second visit.
5. BATH
Bath – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with beautiful architecture and a fascinating Roman past. And shops! Everyone talks about Bath’s independent shops and cafés. We need to get around here at some point, yes.
6. CAMBRIDGE
Cambridge – a university city with beautiful architecture and a great place to explore. What to say about the city where I first lived when I moved to the UK and where I met my husband? Well, it’s breathtaking. Every street in town pretty much has some stunning buildings, the punting by the river Cams, the walks in the Backs, the naps in Jesus Green… I miss living in a stunning place!
7. THE WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER
The White Cliffs of Dover – a stunning natural landmark with breathtaking views of the English coastline that I’m yet to visit. Maybe next year…
8. THE YORKSHIRE DALES
The Yorkshire Dales – a national park in the North of England, perfect for exploring and taking in the stunning landscape. I’ve only driven through The Yorkshire Dales on my way to Whitby. We must come back to Whitby and the Dales.
9. THE JURASSIC COAST
The Jurassic Coast – a stunning stretch of coastline in the South West, with amazing prehistoric fossils to spot. (Never been, sorry!)
10. BRIGHTON
Brighton – a vibrant and colourful city on the South Coast, with a great atmosphere and plenty to see and do. I’ve been a couple of times, once to see the Pavilion and the second to attend Brighton SEO. Brighton is definitely a place to visit if you’re around, but I don’t think I’ll be coming back anytime soon. It’s an upgrade from other coastal towns in the UK, but I’d rather see different places.
Which leads me to the following point: What should have made it to the list?
Some beautiful places that didn’t make it to the list of must-see places in England (and should have!)
I should have also asked ChatGPT for their recommendations to have a second opinion on the ten must-see places in England (I might do), but I think this list has missed Oxford and York, which I’d visit before Brighton, and the lovely towns and villages of The Penines and The Peak District. They happen to be closer to Cheshire, where I’m based, so I might be a bit biased here, of course. I wonder which would be the ten must-see places in Scotland or Wales and which of these ten in my list of must-see places to visit in England would get featured in a list for the whole of Great Britain.
Now tell me. Have you been to these ten places in England? What other place should have made it to the list, do you reckon?
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