England Travel Guide | United Kingdom Tours & trips | Complete England Information

This country is home to the famous Buckingham Palace, and is the birthplace of a language spoken widely all over the world- English. England is one of the countries that make up the United Kingdom and has a huge population also. The earliest inhabitants of England happened to be a few tribes from Germany, who settled in these lands, and it is believed that the name England itself originated from the word ‘Angles’. London, one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, is its capital.

The history of England is one of the most widely studied subjects in the world. All throughout, there have been so many events that took place which have shaped the country to a large extent. It all began with the habitation of the land by people from other lands. Soon, the Anglo Saxons arrived, and made significant contributions to literature, music and the like. However, soon England became a full-fledged kingdom, with a proper monarchy.  Till the 10th century there was a major spread of Christianity, but the events over the next few centuries, caused a huge upheaval, and the Protestants group was formed eventually. Then followed a huge effort to ‘ educate the world’, which led to the conquest of many foreign lands, that became colonies. Today, one can see a similar pattern of governance in most places that were colonies of the British, as they introduced many reforms, which were practiced by them. Today the economy of the British is one of the largest in the world, and has many established industries which deal with a lot of exports like tea, wool etc.

One of the outstanding features of England is that, there is a huge confluence of people from various cultures, and from all over the world, lending the country a truly cosmopolitan touch. It can be seen even in the cuisine here. It is not surprising then that the nation’s favourite dish is ‘chicken curry’. There is so much to see in England, but a preferred way to start the tour is from London.

London – While this city is the seat of power in England, there is much for a tourist to do. The Big Ben and the Parliament House are almost side-by-side, and are worth a visit. Westminister Abbey, the final resting place of many famous personalities including poets and writers, has many marble statues and other tributes to them. A ride on the London Eye, allows you a scenic view of the whole city. In addition, do not miss out on Madam Tussauds, where you can see wax figures of your favourite personalities. London is home to some interesting museums which are located in South Kensington- the Science Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Natural History museum are three of them. Much has been said about the changing of guards ceremony at Buckingham Palace, and a tour around the palace is an eye opener. Travelling around London is made easier with the facility of the Underground Station or the Tube. The London Bridge immortalized in the poem, is a must see. The Tower of London, with many ghastly tales of prisoners and torture, is also worth a visit. There is also an exhibit where one can see many crowns, which have been worn by the Royalty. Try spending some time in the world’s most famous department store – Harrods.

The rest of England too is dotted with much to see, besides the beautiful scenery. Poets and writers have spoken about the beauty of the countryside, and immortalized in its their works. There are many castles, each with their own stories , which can be seen throughout England. A visit to Stonehenge in Wiltshire really takes your breath away. Studies are still being conducted into how the site was made. The historic site of Bath, which used to be a Roman spa more than 2000 years ago, is full of Georgian sandstone architecture. There is even an abbey here, which speaks of the reign of Christianity in that area for more than 1600 years. Oxford and Cambridge, famed for the historic significance attached to them, as well as for the colleges where a number of personalities over the centuries, have studied, is worth a visit. These universities even have their own museums, and parks. The buildings located here are each an architectural wonder in their own right.  The Cotswolds, located in Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, is famed for its beautiful villages and hills. One can spot the second largest parish church in the country called Tewkesbury Abbey. There is even a wildlife park at Burford. The Lake District, which occupies a huge portion of Cumbria has a spectacular landscape including the Scafell Pike. This place has been the home and inspiration for many literary masters such as William Wordsworth, and Arthur Ransome. Dove Cottage, the former home of Wordsworth is open to tourists.

One shouldn’t miss out on the National Park Visitor Center at Brockhole, which gives details regarding the sights to see.  Lovers of the works of the Bard should not miss out on a trip to Stratford Upon Avon. One can visit the cottage where Shakespeare grew up in, the cottage of his wife and even that of his daughter. The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, which hosts many performances of his plays stands prominently on the bank of the river Avon. York is another popular tourist destination, because of the number of attractions to see here. The biggest Gothic Cathedral- the York Minister is situated here. Since this used to be a stronghold of the Vikings, there is even a center dedicated to the Vikings called the Jorvik Viking center. To understand York a little better, you can visit the Castle Museum, which delves deeply into its history.

One should not forget to indulge in the little treats that are very English such as scones, treacle tarts, shortbread and so on. A trip here could take more than a week, but with so much to see, it will be worth the effort.

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