First, I'd say that Bede is on probably no one's list of "best" books on the history of England. I mean, rock on if that's your thing, but understand that it's a medieval chronicle and Bede was writing with much different goals and for a much different audience than anyone writing now.

Second, when you say "about the history of England," what do you mean? Like a survey? Or just anything about English history period? Does it have to be specifically England, or are you interested in Britain as well? Any particular time period?

If you're looking for a standard one-volume overview, then Kenneth Morgan's Oxford History of Britain is pretty basic. It was first published in 2000 (I think), and it has almost certainly been updated since; but, it's fairly "conventional" in its historiography. It will reflect the broad scholarly consensus, if not the cutting edges of research.

If you're interested in more specific times and subjects then I can make more specific recommendations.

Personally I'm a massive fan of Frank Barlow's Feudal Kingdom of England 1042-1216. I think it's one of the most holistic Approaches to the period with analyses of the economic, religious and political progression of England at several different stages. Also he's just an amazing writer with incredible verbiage and style.