DESTINATION GUIDE

Visit England and discover a country of great contrast and diversity both in the places you go to and in the people you meet. All the regions of England are within easy reach of the exciting capital city, London, famed for first class culture, fascinating history and pageantry, its world-class restaurants and theatre.

In England's North Country you’ll find the scenic splendor of lakes and mountains, castles, dramatic coastlines and glorious National Parks, combined with the medieval city of York, lively Blackpool and Manchester, world renowned for its football.

Travel south and you'll see a gentler landscape; quiet country lanes and inland waterways, the shimmering fenlands of the east coast and Stratford, Shakespeare’s birthplace and the university city of Cambridge.

Continue south of London and the area boasts glorious gardens, oast houses and stately homes whilst, the southern coast has an enviable reputation for its beaches and resorts, historic market towns, and the charming cathedral cities of Winchester and Salisbury, close to Stonehenge.

To the South West of London, the West Country offers great surfing off the craggy Cornwall coast, picturesque thatched cottage villages in the Cotswolds, cider from Somerset and delicious Devon cream teas.


People

England has produced some of the best and most original minds in history. It is remarkable that a country as small as England has produced so many famous sons and daughters in every field of endeavor from Art to Science.

The English have played a significant role in the development of the arts and sciences. Prominent individuals have included the scientists and inventors Isaac Newton, Francis Crick, Abraham Darby, Michael Faraday, Charles Darwin and Frank Whittle; the poet and playwright William Shakespeare, the novelists Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Virginia Woolf and George Orwell, the composers Edward Elgar and Benjamin Britten, and the explorer James Cook. English philosophers include Adam Smith, Francis Bacon, John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Thomas Paine, Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill and Bertrand Russell.

The English are in general a very polite people, and it is considered very bad manners not to say "please" or "thank you". The English say "please" and "thank you" (or "cheers") seemingly all the time. Unlike in many other European countries and in North America, a "thank you" will not often be greeted with a "you're welcome".

The English are quite curious about other people but English manners consider it rude to intrude on someone else's solitude or privacy without invitation. It is said that the English invented queuing, and they become very annoyed if anyone jumps the line


Basic Facts

England is the largest and most populous constituent country of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and is located to the northwest of mainland Europe shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west. Elsewhere, it is bordered by the North Sea, Irish Sea, Atlantic Ocean, and English Channel.

Full Name: England

Capital City: London

Area: 129,720 sq km

50,085 sq miles

Population: 51,000,000

Time Zone: GMT/UTC 0 (Greenwich Mean Time (British Summer Time during daylight savings))

Daylight Saving Start: late March

Daylight Saving End: late October

Languages: English (official) Perhaps England's greatest cultural export has been the English language, the current lingua franca of the international community. There are astonishing regional variations in accents, and it is not unusual to find those in southern England claiming to need an interpreter to communicate with anyone living north of Oxford.

Religion: Church of England, Catholic, Methodist, Muslim, Jewish, Sikh and Hindu.

Currency: pound sterling (£)

Electricity: 240V 50HzHz

Electric Plug Details: British-style plug with two flat blades and one flat grounding blade

Country Dialing Code: 44


History

Discover the ancient landscapes, historical monuments, Roman remains, medieval towns, Georgian squares, modern architectural wonders, and the great Kings and Queens, political institutions, Men of literature and Women, together in a blend of history and travel. In doing so, you will understand just what made the tiny country of England so powerful a force in world history, out of proportion to its size and population.

There are archaeological evidences that indicate that southern England was colonized by humans long before the rest of the British Isles this period is referred as the prehistory.

Bones and flint tools found in Norfolk and Suffolk show that homo erectus lived in what is now England around 700,000 years ago. At this time, England was linked to mainland Europe by a large land bridge. The current position of the English Channel was a large river flowing westwards and fed by tributaries that would later become the Thames and the Seine.

The evidences show that the first people who arrived to England were hunter-gatherers, who arrived from mainland Europe around 8,000 BC. It was not until about 4000 BC that a party of 'young farmers' arrived from southern Europe.

Following the 'young farmers' other visitors from Europe came, Belgae, Celts and Gauls arrived starting the trend for the multi-cultural Britain of today. The Celts brought iron working to the British Isles. The artistic style of these Iron Age people, twisting and bending animal, plant and human forms, are common across Europe.

When the Romans invaded in AD 43, they found a highly developed, tribal-based island culture in Britain, but they had to abandon the land to protect its empire. The Anglo-Saxons were the next group to lay claim to the land, followed by the Vikings. In 1066 the Norman conquest brought great change to England.

In the middle ages there were difficult times, the war with France, political and religious revolts, and recurring bouts of the Black Plague took their toll on the people. Toward the end of the Middle Ages, the Tudor family gained control of the monarchy and began a dynasty that included the much-married Henry VIII and ended with the 45-year reign of Elizabeth I. The Elizabethan period was a golden age. Over the years, England continued to expand its reach around the globe, reaching its height of power during the reign of another great queen, Victoria, who ruled for 64 prosperous years in the 19th century.

The 20th century was a troubled time for the British: Two costly wars and the loss of empire took their toll on the economy and the national psyche. Many Britons still cling to their relationship with the U.S., despite powerful social and economic trends that lead toward closer integration with continental Europe. Increased autonomy for Scotland and Wales are inspiring still further changes. While no one is predicting the complete dissolution of the U.K., the coming years will bring a sea of change in how the U.K. governs itself and how it presents itself to the world.


Trip Highlight
Stonehenge, Paranormal Trip
The most important prehistoric monument in England

Stonehenge is on the must-see list of anyone interested in paranormal shenanigans. From prehistoric times till date you can feel the powers and energy of the site. It’s old, it’s mysterious, and it was probably constructed by druids, those tripped-out, unkempt, hippy-forerunners epitomized by Merlin the Magician and Gandalf in Lord of the Rings.

Dates from the Neolithic period built between 3000-1600 BC and located on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, erected at a particular site of terrestrial energetic power and celestial significance long known by the peoples of the region.

No one is really sure what it was used for, many theories ranging from a druid temple for sun worship (in which festivals of renewal were held at those charged energetic periods), to a burial ground, and recently most widely accepted explanation an astronomical calendar (to predict those particular periods in the annual cycle when the earth energies were most highly influenced and charged by the sun, moon, and stars), positioned in such a way as to create a specific form of sacred enclosure which functions as a sort of battery for gathering, storing, and expressing the earth energies of the site on the festival days.

The legendary Merlin tells King Aurelius:

Laugh not so lightly, King, for not lightly are these words spoken. For in these stones is a mystery, and a healing virtue against many ailments. Giants of old did carry them from the furthest ends of Africa and did set them up in Ireland what time they did inhabit therein. And unto this end they did it, that they might make them baths therein whensoever they ailed of any malady, for they did wash the stones and pour forth the water into the baths, whereby they that were sick were made whole. Moreover they did mix confections of herbs with the water, whereby they that were wounded had healing, for not a stone is there that lacketh in virtue of leechcraft


Tourist Attraction

England has hundreds of years of history and great variety of things to offer for everybody too, and that is the reason why England is so unique. Lot of the historic buildings, cathedrals and landmarks are available to visit.

Some of the most popular tourist attractions in England include:

Walking the Lake District

The Lake District National Park is one of the England’s most beautiful regions and the largest National Park of England. Located in the north west of the country in the county of Cumbria provides an exciting mix of mountains and lake scenery, includes 16 lakes, 53 tarns.

The lakes are set among the dramatic Cumbrian Mountains and the region is dotted with attractive towns and pleasant dales. The Lake District is a walker's paradise at any time, being one of the most popular for fine hill-walking opportunities is Scafell Peak, at 3210 ft the highest mountain in England.

Bathing in Roman Baths and Pump Room, Bath

The Roman Baths and the Temple of Sulis Minerva, built in about 75 BC around the largest of the three hot springs, are extraordinarily impressive and one the most visited places in London, especially on summer months.

Built in honor of goodness Sulis Minerva Romans made a temple and baths and date from 2000 years ago. The Great Bath features Roman paving and a lead base and is bordered by 19th century arcading. The Pump Room is a fashionable Neo classical meeting place and is the social heart of Bath.

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace has been the official London residence of English royalty since 1837. Designed by John Nash the palace stands in around 40 acres of garden and while the west facade of the palace building the east side facing the garden was added in 1847 and entirely replaced in 1913.

Audio Tour at York Minster, York

As the largest medieval gothic cathedral in northern Europe, and a treasure house of 800 years of stained glass, York Minster is a focal point for visitors to the city. Visit the Undercroft, Treasury and Crypts and take the new highly acclaimed audio tour to discover 2000 years of history, where you can explore the remains of the Roman basilica, the rich collection of treasures from the tombs of the archbishops, and the atmospheric crypts. Climb the 275 steps of the central tower for York's finest viewpoint!

The Tower of London and the Crown Jewels

The tower is one of the most popular tourist destinations of Britain and homes Crown Jewels since 1303. The Tower has been a palace, prison, treasury, zoo and arsenal. It was the home of every Monarch from William the Conqueror (11th Century) to Henry the VIII (16th Century).

The Jewel House is located in Waterloo Block and displays the Royal maces, swords, and other ceremonial items like the Coronation Regalia.

Thrilling rides at Alton Towers

Alton Towers is one of England’s most famous theme parks with rides and attractions for every member of the family. Based at the north of the village of Alton in Staffordshire, the Towers date back to the Victorian period and were designed by Augustus Welby Pugin. It features includes boating on the lake, aerial cable car ride and plenty gardens to walk.

Famous Art Masterpieces at Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle, the largest inhabited castle in the world, is one of the Queen's official residences. Since William the Conqueror built the first castle in 1080, its proximity to both London and the old royal hunting forest. The State Apartments house excellent works of art including masterpieces by Rembrandt, Rubens, Holbein and Van Dyck as well as magnificent French and English furniture and porcelain.


Entertainment and culture

Portrayed beautifully through literature, theatre was once the main staple of cultural entertainment. Subsequently there are now so many beautiful theatres up and down England that you can catch a popular West End show or a historic Shakespearian play whenever the fancy takes you!

England is known throughout the world for its rich and colorful history. Places, people, buildings, monuments, myths and legends all come together to tell us stories that fascinate and inspire. They provide vital clues about their past and are therefore vital to their present and future. Get out there, discover historic England and find out whom they really are!


Things to do

Whether you enjoy music festivals in one of England's world leading concert halls, watching the latest West End theatre or visiting flower shows in the English countryside, amuse the family at a top theme park, landmark, museum, national park, or simply soak up English heritage at a historic castle, wherever you go in England, you’ll find no end to the entertainment. So make sure you don’t miss on these:

Observe London from British Airways London Eye, London

Paris has the Eiffel Tower, New York the Empire State, and now London has the British Airways London Eye - an extraordinary symbol for an extraordinary city. The world's largest observation wheel offers a spectacular way to take in over 55 of London's most famous landmarks in just 30 minutes! Combine your flight on the Eye with a 40 minute circular cruise on the Thames. Departing from the London Eye pier the commentary takes you from the Houses of Parliament to the Tower of London and back to the London Eye.

Walk on Air at Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth

The Spinnaker Tower is a new icon. Soaring 170m high, this striking tower offers spectacular views over the south coast. The external panoramic glass lift travels to the 3 viewing platforms where you can literally 'walk on air' on the exciting glass floor, learn about the history of the harbor and experience the 'wind in your hair' as view deck 3 is open to the elements! The stylish Tower Cafe/Bar below offers stunning views, great coffee, classic sandwiches and cakes by day and bottled

Adventure Tatton Park, Knutsford

Tatton Park is often quoted as England's most complete historic estate, with its fine Georgian mansion full of art treasures and original furnishings. The Old Hall where the Middle Ages come to life and the Home Farm as it was in the1930s. Glorious gardens set in 1,000 acres of parkland. Facilities include a restaurant, adventure playground, gift and specialty food and garden shop. Far From The Madding Crowd was filmed here.

Eden Project, St Austell

The Eden Project is a global garden for the 21st century, a gateway to a sustainable future and a dramatic setting in which to tell the fascinating story of mankind’s dependence on plants.

Beamish, The North of England Open Air Museum, Beamish

Open-air museum vividly recreating life in the North East in the early 1800s and 1900s. Take a tram ride to the town, with period shops and houses. Visit the drift mine, cottages, school and chapel in the colliery village. Meet the animals at home farm and visit the railway station. Explore the 1825 manor-house and fine terraced gardens of Pockerley Manor. Discover the early days of steam at the 1825 railway 'Pockerley Waggonway', with great engine shed and splendid recreation of the world's 1st steam-hauled passenger train. New in 2006, a splendid 1913 Masonic Hall in the award-winning town and an amazing working replica of the 1813 steam locomotive Puffing Billy.


Shopping

Shopping is often a priority to guests of England. As one of the major fashion capitals of the world, London, will meet the needs of even the most enthusiastic shop-a-holic.

No visit to London would be complete without a visit to the exclusive stores of Knightsbridge and the world famous Harrods. If this is out of your price range, you can shop till you drop on Oxford Street and Regent Street, or head to the markets at Covent Garden for some souvenirs and watch the buskers.

London is also famous for its Markets, from the curios of Portobello Market to the lively street life of Bow Market or Camden Market, as well as numerous other street markets throughout the city.

Even the smaller towns in England will usually have a nice selection of shops and outdoor markets to peruse for clothing and souvenirs. Antiques are to be found all over the country.

Tax-free shopping

Many shops throughout the country now operate a tax-free shopping scheme for overseas visitors. The store will provide a form that should be completed at the time of purchase. Upon arrival at Customs, present the goods and the forms (within three months) to the Customs Officer, who will stamp the vouchers certifying that the goods are being exported, and that you will be entitled to a refund of Value Added Tax (VAT).

Shopping hours

In major cities, Mon-Sat 0900/0930-1730; in London’s West End and other large shopping centers, shops stay open to 2000. Most cities have at least one night a week of late night shopping until 2000, usually on Thursday. Many local shops stay open to 1900 or 2000 and some even later; many of these are open on Sunday morning or all day. Larger shops will open Sun 1000/1100-1600/1700. Some towns and areas of cities may have early closing one day a week, usually Wednesday or Thursday.


Cuisine

Dining in England today can be a very diverse and exciting experience. It has changed beyond all recognition in recent years with Restaurant serving food from every corner of the world, cozy pubs with traditional menus, sophisticated eateries offering the best in cutting edge cuisine. In cities travelers will find a remarkable variety of dining options from all over the world, such as, London viewed as a culinary capital with its many award winning restaurants but we are also seeing British cities and towns like Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds making their mark and attracting many more visitors for their exciting culinary offerings.

England is also known for some great food traditions including afternoon tea, Fish and chips, Bangers and mash, Toad in the hole, Cornish pasty, Sunday roast, Lancashire Hotpot, Bubble and Squeak, Yorkshire pudding, Apple crumble and, of course, the great English breakfast. There are many different versions of the English breakfast that make it all the more fun as you travel around the country. Every region, however, will have its own specialty.


Tips for Visitors

July Events
Cambridge Folk Festival (www.cambridgefolkfestival.co.uk)

The Proms (www.bbc.co.uk/proms/)

Tour de France Opening Ceremony

Sporting Event, Trafalgar Square, London

(www.tourdefrancelondon.com)


Special Trips
Best music & place combination, The Beatles, Liverpool

The Cavern underground jazz club, in Liverpool, where all four members were born and performed on stage 7 August 1957, after initial resistance of the club’s manager. The Cavern occupies 50% of the original site, while other Beatle-mania buildings, such as childhood homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, are considered national treasures.


Walk the steps of great people, London Tours
Go to Shakespeare's Globe, Sherlock Holmes Pub, London Dungeon and much more on famous London Tours


When to go
April to September are undoubtedly the best months, and this is, unsurprisingly, when most sights are open, and when most people visit. However, July and August are the busiest months. Sometimes the crowds on the coast, at the national parks, in London and popular towns like Oxford, Bath and York have to be seen to be believed.


Climate
England has a temperate climate, with plentiful rainfall all year round, though the seasons are quite variable in temperature. However, temperatures rarely fall below −5 °C (23 °F) or rise above 30 °C (86 °F).