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England

Geography
Much of the countryside is relatively flat, consisting of fertile plains and gentle hills. Mountains, moors and steeper hills are found mainly in the north and the west; the Lake District (Cumbria) and the northwest are divided from the Yorkshire Dales, and the northeast, by the (relatively) high-rising Pennines, ‘the backbone of England’. The eastern part of the country, particularly East Anglia, is the lowest lying. The coastline is varied, and ranges from long stretches of sandy beaches to steep cliffs and isolated rocky coves.

England’s eventful history and scenic diversity render it one of the world’s most popular visitor destinations. Although only united as a single nation little over 1000 years ago, its origins go back to the dawn of civilization, and the variety of interest it offers reflects this.
From prehistoric Stonehenge to 21st-century attractions like London’s Millennium Eye, its inhabitants have (and do) contributed much to the appeal of the UK’s largest constituent country. This is not restricted to a material legacy, either – England’s cultural mix is rich, thanks to the many invaders, settlers and immigrants who have arrived on her shores through the millennia. Countless others around the globe share aspects of customs, language and history with the English themselves.

Mapa de Inglaterra

England’s heritage, and therefore her appeal as a destination, is many faceted and deeply rooted, ranging from the literary genius of Shakespeare to ‘everyday’ pageantry in the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.

The variety and contrast in the nation’s countryside is enormous, too, and is often a source of surprise to many visitors venturing beyond the cities for the first time – as is the vast range of visitor attractions, resorts and sights to see and enjoy.
This guide comprises five regional sections, with another highlighting seven of the most popular destinations outside London. These are Bath, Cambridge, The Cotswolds, the Lake District, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon and York.

The London section covers the capital, while the Southeast includes counties surrounding it, plus East Anglia. The South and Southwest encompasses the remainder of southern England and two sections cover the rest of the country; the Midlands and the North of England. .

Top Seven Destinations

Outside London, there are seven places known worldwide as prime attractions. Each has a different appeal, and each lies in a different part of the country – cross-references to the appropriate regional section appear in each entry.

Bath

Bath first came to prominence as ‘Aquae Sulis’ in Roman times. It was a fashionable spa resort nearly 2000 years ago, and rediscovered its ancient glories in the 18th century. Much of its beauty dates from the latter period, fine Georgian sandstone architecture dominating the modern cityscape. The original Roman Baths and Pump Rooms, though, remain open to visitors. Bath’s 500-year-old Abbey, built on the site of a Saxon monastery, stands above the Heritage Vaults, which tell the story of 1600 years of Christianity in the area. Architectural highlights include John Wood’s Royal Crescent, a remarkable curving Georgian terrace, and Pulteney Bridge, lined with shops and built by Robert Adam in the late 18th century.

Cambridge

Home of England’s second-oldest university, dating from the early 13th century. The individual colleges are the prime attractions of interest in the city, including the oldest, Peterhouse (1284), 16th-century Trinity College, and King’s College, whose chapel is regarded as one of Europe’s finest late-medieval structures. Other attractions include the Fitzwilliam Museum, the University’s Museum of Archaeology and Museum of Zoology, and The Backs, an area of parkland along the River Cam behind the colleges, where punting is a popular activity. The American War Cemetery at Madingley is close to the city, while the Imperial War Museum Duxford aviation section lies a short way south of Cambridge. Also near Cambridge is Grantchester, home of World War I poet Rupert Brooke.

The Cotswolds

Covering some 2000 sq km (800 sq miles), primarily in Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, this area is famed for its picturesque villages and beautiful rolling hills. Highlights among the villages include Broadway, Bourton-on-the-Water, Chipping Campden and Moreton-in-Marsh, part of whose attraction is the distinctive honey-colored local stone used in their construction. Attractions include England’s second-largest parish church, Tewkesbury Abbey, Jacobean stately home Chastleton House, Chedworth Roman Villa near Cheltenham and imposing Sudeley Castle at Winchcombe. The Cotswold Wildlife Park at Burford, itself another very attractive town, is a popular family outing.

Stonehenge Inglaterra

The Lake District

England’s best-known national park occupies a huge swathe of Cumbria and, as its name suggests, there are many large bodies of water. But mountains also feature in this spectacular landscape, among them England’s highest, the 978m- (3208 ft-) tall Scafell Pike. Visitors flock to the lakes for walking and other outdoor activities, and to trace the roots of literary figures such as Beatrix Potter, Arthur Ransome and William Wordsworth. Wordsworth’s former home, Dove Cottage at Grasmere, is open to visitors – his tomb is in the nearby churchyard. A good starting point is the National Park Visitor Center at Brockhole, while the World of Beatrix Potter at Bowness-on-Windermere draws people from all over the world. The restored Victorian Steam Yacht Gondola plies Coniston Water offering pleasure trips.

Oxford

Known as the ‘City of Dreaming Spires’, Oxford grew around England’s oldest university, whose origins lie in the 11th century. Among 36 colleges in the city center are Christ Church, which has an excellent Art Gallery, Trinity College and Balliol. ‘The Oxford Story’ presents a multimedia introduction to the city, with the help of a ‘dark ride’ through 800 years of history. St Martin’s Church’s Carfax Tower affords good views of the cityscape. Other major attractions include the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology, the University Museum, the Museum of Modern Art and the Bodleian Library. There is a wide range of themed guided walking tours available.

Stratford-upon-Avon

Once home to William Shakespeare (1564-1616), Stratford draws visitors in their millions. Attractions associated with the Bard include Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, former home of his wife, Mary Arden’s House, home of the playwright’s mother, and Holy Trinity Church, where he and his family lie buried. The Royal Shakespeare Theater, venue for regular RSC (Royal Shakespeare Company) performances, stands on the riverbank. Non-Shakespearean diversions in town include Europe’s largest Butterfly Farm and the unusual Teddy Bear Museum.

York

Northern England’s most visited city contains a plethora of attractions. Foremost is the massive York Minster, northern Europe’s biggest Gothic cathedral. The City Wall still almost completely surrounds the central area, and The Shambles is one of the world’s best-preserved medieval streets. York’s past as Danish capital of Viking England is explored at the recently refurbished Jorvik Viking Center, while its more recent status as a railway center is celebrated at the National Railway Museum. The extensive Castle Museum deals with all aspects of history, including York’s associations with chocolate making and Dick Turpin, the notorious 18th-century highwayman. The Yorkshire Museum and City Art Gallery are also major attractions. Historic buildings, such as timbered St William’s College and 14th-century Merchant Venturers’ Hall, abound. Walking tours and sightseeing boat trips on the River Ouse are available year round.

Southeast and East Anglia

Covering the ‘Home Counties’ of Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Surrey, East Sussex, and West Sussex, plus the East Anglian counties of Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk. The Southeast is England’s most populous, and prosperous, region. Despite the degree of development, though, there is huge variety of rural and heritage attractions, together with many major coastal resorts. Interests range from the traditional seaside attractions of Brighton, Great Yarmouth and Southend-on-Sea to historic cities like Cambridge, Colchester, Norwich and St Albans. The rural charms of ‘Constable Country’, straddling the Suffolk/Essex border, draw many visitors, as do the more urban attractions of Windsor and Dover, with their mighty castles.

Kent

Known as the ‘Garden of England’ for its copious production of fruit, hops and garden produce, Kent is the southeasternmost county in England. Canterbury is the major visitor magnet, retaining much of its Medieval charm. Canterbury Cathedral, where Thomas à Becket was slain in 1170, is also headquarters of the Anglican Church. Nearby, St Martin’s Church is one of the oldest churches in use in the country, having held services since AD 500.

At Dover, the main cross-channel port, massive Norman Dover Castle rises above the famous White Cliffs, while the White Cliffs Experience portrays a multimedia interpretation of the town’s importance over the centuries. Rochester is a charming old town with strong Dickensian connections, including Restoration House, thought to be the prototype for Miss Haversham’s home in ‘Great Expectations’.

Tunbridge Wells, in the west of the county, is an elegant 18th-century spa town. Historic highlights in the county include Hever Castle, childhood home of Anne Boleyn, and Leeds Castle, said to be the

Palacio de Buckingham - Londres

Surrey and East/West Sussex

London now swallows up much of Surrey, but towns like Guildford retain a historic charm. Major attractions include Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventure, both theme parks.

In Sussex, Brighton is perhaps the most popular and lively of the southeast resorts, made famous by the Prince Regent (later George IV) who ordered the remarkably opulent Pavilion to be built here. There are splendid 19th-century terraces and crescents, two piers, the ‘Lanes’ area of antique shops, a museum and an art gallery. Brighton also has a vibrant nightlife with many restaurants, pubs and clubs.

Eastbourne is a somewhat more restrained Victorian resort town, while Hastings was the landing place for the invading Normans in 1066, and nearby Battle stands by the field in which Harold I was slain. Roman Chichester, to the west of Sussex, is famous for its arts festival and the nearby Fishbourne Palace – the remains of the biggest Roman villa yet discovered in Britain.

Essex and Hertfordshire

Colchester, county town of Essex, is Britain’s oldest documented city, continuously settled since pre-Roman times. Norman Colchester Castle, built on Roman foundations, has the largest keep of any such building. The Essex coast stretches from the fringes of London in the south, and Southend-on-Sea has long been the traditional resort for East Londoners. Further north are the resorts of Clacton-on-Sea, Frinton and Walton-on-the-Naze, together with the historic port of Harwich. Hertfordshire’s principal places of interest include the Roman city of St Albans (Verulamiam). Part of the city walls, foundations of Roman houses and a temple remain, while the Verulamiam Museum displays local archaeological finds. To the east of St Albans in Hatfield, Hatfield House dates from the 16th century. It belonged to Robert Cecil, first minister to Elizabeth I and James I, and is one of the southeast’s finest historic houses. On the fringes of northeast London is the huge Epping Forest, which covers some 24 sq km (9.3 sq miles).

Berkshire

The jewel in Berkshire’s crown is Windsor, whose massive castle is one of the Queen’s official residences as well as being open to visitors. It has been a royal home for nearly 900 years since the time of William I. Guided tours of the town are available, as well as bus tours and river cruises. Nearby is the 19 sq km (7.3 sq miles) Windsor Great Park. Some 3km (2 miles) outside the town is Legoland, a major family attraction. Elsewhere in Berkshire, Slough is the major commercial center, while Maidenhead and Marlow are pleasant riverside towns on the banks of the Thames.

Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire

The gently rolling Chiltern Hills of Buckinghamshire are within easy reach of London, offering pleasant countryside and quiet villages. At Amersham, the Chiltern Open Air Museum reflects five centuries of local life. Near Aylesbury, Waddesdon Manor is an impressive Victorian stately home. The ‘new town’ of Milton Keynes is the county’s largest town, with a broad range of shopping and leisure pursuits. Bedfordshire’s biggest visitor attraction is Woburn Abbey, home of the Dukes of Bedford since the mid-1550s, and surrounded by Britain’s biggest Safari Park. Close to Dunstable, animals are also the focus at Whipsnade Zoo.

Cambridgeshire

(See also the Top Seven Destinations section.) Outside the city of Cambridge, this county largely consists of low-lying agricultural countryside, particularly in the artificially drained Fenlands of the north. Highlights include Ely, with its huge Cathedral (known as the ‘Ship of the Fens’). Cromwell’s House, home of the former Lord Protector, is open to the public and houses the Tourist Information Center. Huntingdon also has strong Cromwellian connections.

Peterborough, in the northwest of the county, also boasts a fine Cathedral, and the Nene Valley Railway. Close to the Norfolk border is Wisbech, inland port and typical fenland town.

Norfolk and Suffolk

Norwich, ‘capital’ of East Anglia and county town of Norfolk, is a delightful city, whose central streets still follow the Medieval pattern. Norwich Cathedral is one of England’s prettiest, while the Castle contains an art gallery, museum and local history exhibitions. Norwich’s daily open-air market is one of the biggest in the country. East of the city, the Norfolk Broads is an extensive network of waterways popular for boating holidays. On the coast beyond the Broads is the major resort of Great Yarmouth. In the north and west are resorts such as Cromer and Hunstanton, plus the former Hanseatic port, King’s Lynn.

Suffolk, to the south, is a county of quiet, typically ‘English’ countryside. The main town is Ipswich, and the coast is dotted with small resorts like Aldeburgh (with its annual arts festival) and Southwold.

Maistone Leedcastle - Kent - Inglaterra

South and Southwest

Central Southern England and the Southwest contain many of England’s top seaside resort areas, particularly in Devon and Cornwall, the Isle of Wight and along the Dorset coast. Inland, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire are characterized by attractive countryside, pretty villages and significant ancient and historical monuments. The major coastal cities, such as Portsmouth, Bristol and Plymouth, have strong seafaring traditions, while Oxford and Bath are among the most popular English cities with visitors (see the Top Seven Destinations section). Off the far southwest tip of Cornwall, the sub-tropical Isles of Scilly attract those looking for a quieter holiday.

Bristol

Major historic port, and boasting many visitor attractions. On the harborside, At-Bristol is a complex containing an IMAX cinema, the Explore science center and Wildwalk, an interpretation of natural history. Brunel’s SS Great Britain, the world’s first iron steam passenger liner, is restored and open to visitors. The Empire and Commonwealth Museum, the City Museum and Art Gallery and the Industrial Museum are important attractions, while Bristol Zoo at Clifton is close to Brunel’s Clifton Suspension Bridge. Bristol Cathedral dates from the 15th century, but its origins lie back in the 12th century. Close to the city is the Severn Bridges Visitor Center.

Oxfordshire

(See also the Top Seven Destinations section.) Northwest of Oxford, on the fringes of the Cotswolds, is the impressive Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. The market town of Banbury is an attractive historic location, honored with a nursery rhyme of its own. To the south is Didcot, whose Railway Center is popular with steam train enthusiasts. On the banks of the River Thames is Henley, scene of the annual regatta, and possessing no less than 300 buildings of architectural and historic interest, including a fine 18th-century bridge. To the east of Wallingford is Stonor Park, a manor house dating from Medieval times, once a secret Catholic stronghold in times of religious repression.

Gloucestershire

Gloucester is a cathedral city on the River Severn. Many of the streets and parts of the old city wall date back to the Middle Ages. The revitalized docks are lined with massive warehouses which are gradually becoming visitor attractions, among them the National Waterways Museum, the Marina and Tall Ships, plus the Opie Collection of Packaging.

Cheltenham, an elegant Regency spa town, is famous for its National Hunt Racecourse and annual music and literature festival. Malmesbury contains a fine example of Norman building in its abbey, the ruins of a 12th-century castle, a market square and several attractive 17th- and 18th-century houses. Cirencester has extensive Roman remains and is a good center for exploring the Cotswolds. To the east of the Wye Valley is the Forest of Dean, 130 sq km (50 sq miles) of ancient hunting forest.

In the hilly countryside east of Gloucester is the village of Slad, immortalized by Laurie Lee in his book Cider with Rosie.

Wiltshire

Even in prehistoric times, the inland county of Wiltshire proved attractive to early settlers, and evidence of this – at places like Avebury, Old Sarum and Stonehenge – makes it ideal for exploring prehistoric remains. In addition, some of England’s greatest stately homes are in Wiltshire, including Corsham, Lacock Abbey, Longleat, Stourhead and Wilton. Longleat is a very grand Elizabethan mansion, famous for its lions, and Stourhead, built in 1722, has particularly fine lakeside gardens. Salisbury is dominated by its 123m (404ft) cathedral spire, England’s tallest. The grounds of Salisbury Cathedral contain many notable houses open to the public. Mompesson House is a perfectly preserved 18th-century home and Malmesbury House was once sanctuary for King Charles II, fleeing after the Battle of Worcester in the 17th century. The city has a harmonious blend of gabled houses and historic inns, and offers a good choice of hotels, restaurants and shopping. Open-top bus or horse-drawn omnibus tours are available.

The remains of Old Sarum, ancient city and Norman fortress, are visible 3km (2 miles) away on Salisbury Plain but the most important site is the enormous prehistoric stone circle of Stonehenge. The site was possibly in use as long ago as 2500 BC. At the western end of Salisbury Plain, Warminster is a favorite haunt of UFO spotters.
The former railway works at county town Swindon house a new museum, Steam, dedicated to Brunel’s Great Western Railway.

Hampshire

This region is one of great natural beauty but also enjoys the benefits of up-to-the-minute shopping, leisure facilities and nightlife. The county is justly famous for the New Forest, 376 sq km (145 sq miles) of open heathland, where ponies, deer and cattle roam freely.