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England
England is the largest part of the Inited Kingdom which also comprises Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. To the west lie Wales and Ireland lies off the west coast separated by the Irish Sea. Scotland is located to the north. England is separated from the main continent of Europe by the English Channel, North Sea and Strait of Dover. England also includes the Isle of Wight which lies off the south coast in the English Channel, and the Scilly Isles which are located in the Atlantic Ocean off the SW coastal tip. The capital city is London, which is located in the SE part of England. The Rivers Thames and Severn are the major rivers. The Thames is the river which runs through the heart of London.
England has many faces and much fascinating history to explore. From the low-lying areas of Norfolk and wetlands of the Fens in the east. The southern areas are mainly areas of grassy plains and rolling hills. In the north of England lie the mountainous areas of the Pennines in the north-central area, and the Cumbrian Mountain range in the north-west. One of the most popular and scenic destinations is the Lake District where can be found some of England’s highest peaks. The Midlands – as the name suggests – lying in the middle of the country, are mainly flat with some hills and contain the majority of the major industrial areas. The south-west of the country, Devon, Exeter and Cornwall are mainly hilly countryside with rugged coastlines, sandy beaches and coastal ports and resorts.
So if your travel plans include seeing some of the more popular attractions you will no doubt encounter many types of terrain and landscape. You may want to take in Stonehenge, Bath, Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford upon Avon, see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, go for a punt ride past the famous colleges of Cambridge or Oxford, or a boat trip on the Norfolk Broads. England is famous for its historic pubs, and no visit would be complete without a traditional pub lunch. There is too much to see for just one visit, so make sure to plan another trip!
Websites: www.enjoyengland.com. www.visitbritain.com.
BATH
The city of Bath is a lovely Georgian city in Somerset which lies about one hundred miles west of London in the south-west of England. The countryside is beautiful, with rolling hills and green fields. As its name suggests, Bath is famous for its Roman Baths, and the remains can be seen today as the natural hot water springs still flow. Bath used to be a very glamorous spa town and was frequented by the elite, which is evident in the lovely Georgian architecture of the townhouses and crescents which are beautifully preserved and kept. Many of the old baths have been restored, and there is also the Thermae Bath Spa, a lovely modern new spa and baths located right in the centre of the city, which include a rooftop thermal spa pool. Jane Austen was just one of the famous residents of Bath, and you can visit the Jane Austen Centre to learn about her life. Bath has deservedly been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
BRIGHTON
Brighton is a city located on England’s south coast, just south of London, and a popular weekend seaside break for city-weary Londoners. Well-heeled visitors have flocked to the seaside resort ever since the Victorians made it a famous destination. Today it is a vibrant city with many students, artists, musicians and young residents breathing new life into it. Music and the arts are very important and the famous annual Brighton Festival is held every May. Among the attractions are the Royal Palace which was built by George IV and the much photographed Pavilion. Brighton Pier is a popular place to stroll and the promenade is pedestrian-only and packed with cafes, boutiques and shops, bars and coffee shops
Website: www.visitbrighton.com
CAMBRIDGE
Just about anyone in the world will have heard of Cambridge, along with
London. It is a relatively small city, but also with a young and
lively atmosphere and large student population. This is a wonderful city
to wander and see by foot or bicycle, with its narrow streets and the world-famous
colleges. Take a punt ride on the River Cam and admire the colleges
and scenery and learn some history and amusing anecdotes from the guide,
or take a bus tour on one of the open-top double-decker buses. Apart
from all the wonderful historic college buildings and places to admire
in the city, while you are in the area you could take a short trip to the
Duxford Imperial War Museum: www.duxford.iwm.org.uk.
Cambridge is a beautiful city which has seen many famous and brilliant
names and faces come and go, such as Charles Darwin, AA Milne, Wordsworth,
Darwin, Newton, and modern-day celebrities such as Monty Python’s
John Cleese, Graham Chapman and Eric Idle.
Website: www.visitcambridge.org
LEEDS
Leeds is one of the major cities in the north of England. It is known as an important industrial and commercial centre. To compensate for the industrial sites there are also a large number of lovely parks with lakes, and green spaces.
The city also has some significant universities and historic sites, galleries and musems. The centre of the city has some lovely examples of Victorian architecture, along with excellent shopping, restaurants, bars, pubs, cafes and nightclubs. Not to be missed is Millennium Square and the Leeds City Art Gallery.
LIVERPOOL
The city of Liverpool is located on the River Mersey in the Mersey estuary in the northwest of England. It is one of the most important ports in the world, and years ago many millions of immigrants will have boarded ships at the Mersey Docks bound for America. Today it is a lively city with a proud seafaring heritage. The Albert Dock which dates back to Victorian times has been given a major facelift and is not a big tourist attraction with its boutiques, shops, restaurants and coffee shops.
Many famous people were born in Liverpool. Famous Liverpudlians include: The Beatles (George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr), William Gladstone, Cilla Black, Daniel Craig, Kenny Everett, Ken Dodd, Rex Harrison, Anne Robinson, Winifred Robinson, Wayne Rooney, Leonard Rossiter, Patricia Routledge (‘Hyacinth’) and Jimmy Tarbuck.
Website: www.visitliverpool.com
LONDON
London is the capital city of England. Located in the south-east of the country on the River Thames, it is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. London has everything from its intriguing and rich history to its modern theatres, buildings and galleries. London is a major commercial and financial centre of the world.
Among the sights everyone must see are of course Big Ben, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, the Houses of Parliament, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Cathedral, Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus. London also has some of the world’s finest museums, such as the Tate Modern, National Gallery and British Museum. For entertainment there is plenty to choose from, and of course a visit to London’s West End and Theatre District is a must. Shopping is wonderful, with the amazing Harrods department store and famous Selfridges, and a trip to the many London street markets should not be missed. You can choose from any type of restaurant and cuisine as it is all available. It is easy to get around the city, either by the London Underground trains, buses or taxis – or take a trip on a river boat. London also has some lovely parks, including the famous Hyde Park with its Speakers’ Corner. The London Eye is a very popular attraction which gives great views of the city. There is far too much to say about the beautiful city of London to include here, so have a look for yourself!
MANCHESTER
The city of Manchester is an industrial city located in the north-central part of England, but also one with a lot of history. It is famous for its football club, Manchester United. It has some fine museums and galleries, such as the Museum of Science and Industry, City Art Gallery and Imperial War Museum North. The central shopping district has plenty of choice, including a Selfridges and a huge indoor mall at the Trafford Centre. The Albert Square and Piccadilly Square areas are well known meeting spots. At Christmas time there is a Christmas Market. To appreciate this city it is a good idea to take a guided tour. The Lowry Centre is a modern complex containing theatres and exhibitions.
NEWCASTLE
Newcastle is the shortened version of Newcastle upon Tyne, a city located in the north-east of England on the river Tyne in the County of Northumberland. This is an area which has a great deal of history to explore. Hadrian’s Wall was built by the Romans and extends from east coast to west coast across the country and the wall begins just a few miles from Newcastle. Newcastle and other major cities in the north were once major industrial areas and famous for ship building. Today it is a modern city with all the attributes you would expect to find, with good shopping, restaurants and nightlife. Newcastle is also famous for its football club and its world-famous Newcastle Brown Ale.
Newcastle has plenty of culture too, with the Theatre Royal and other smaller theatres putting on modern stage performances as well as Shakespearean productions. Many famous people have come from Newcastle, including George and Robert Stephenson (locomotive fame), musician Sting, zoologist John Hancock and Cardinal Basil Hume.
The local people are called ‘Geordies’ and are known for their outgoing, friendly and gregarious personalities. They speak a Geordie dialect which might be hard for outsiders to understand as it is traced back to Old Norse and other ancient languages.
Websites: www.newcastle.gov.uk www.visitnewcastlegateshead.com
www.visitnortheastengland.com
OXFORD
The beautiful city of Oxford is located about two hours’ north-west of London. Everyone has heard of the famous colleges at Oxford and the famous Oxford v. Cambridge boat race is a tradition. Famous people from or affiliated with Oxford include C.S. Lewis, Oscar Wilde, Lewis Carroll and J.R.R. Tolkein. The many impressive colleges are located throughout the city and are a wonderful sight with their different architectural styles. It even has a Bridge of Sighs, based on the one in Venice, Italy. The Bodleain Library is well worth a visit and has a good gift shop for souvenirs. There is so much to see and do there, including good shopping, restaurants and cafes. Stroll the cobbled streets and enjoy the impromptu street performances and atmosphere and then go to a play at one of the many theatres or concert halls in the evening. You could take a boat trip or go punting on the River Thames or Cherwell.
Website: www.oxford.gov.uk
SOUTHAMPTON
The city of Southampton is located on England’s south-west coast. It is a modern port city and has a rich maritime and seafaring heritage having at one time been a port for the Romans. Today the city is a major port for cruise ships and is one of the country’s most important docks. A good way to get an overview of the city is to take one of the guided bus tours. You will have the opportunity to visit the Maritime Museum, Quay, Art Gallery and the many parks. The city centre is mainly pedestrianised and so it is a pleasant place to stroll.
Southampton hosts an annual Boat Show in September which draws large crowds to its lively waterfront area. The city is eagerly awaiting the arrival of Cunard’s brand new ocean liner ‘Queen Victoria’ which will be officially named there in December of 2007.
Website: www.visit-southampton.co.uk
YORK
The majestic and historic city of York is located in the in North Yorkshire
in the north of England. The city has the remains of Roman walls
which surround the city as well as four gateways and the longest intact
wall in England. Main attractions are the Cathedral – the magnificent
York Minster where you can enjoy fantastic views of the city if you can
climb to the top. Other popular attractions include the Museum Gardens
and Clifford’s Tower, as well as the many museums. Train buffs
will want to visit the famous National Railway Museum. The area known
as the Shambles is a maze of cobbled streets and alleyways with shops and
quaint houses. Once you have explored the city you might want
to take a boat trip on the River Ouse.
York is a great base if you plan to explore the surrounding beautiful countryside,
such as the Yorkshire Dales and the Moors. The Yorkshire coastline
includes popular resorts such as Whitby and Scarborough.
Richard III was one of York’s famous residents.
Famous people associated with York include Richard III. Guy Fawkes
was born in York and a pub exists in York with the same name.
Website: www.visityork.org
European Guide
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czech Rebublic
- Denmark
- England
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Holland
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Malta
- The Netherlands
- Northern Ireland
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Scotland
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- Wales