For those who have never visited England before, they would be forgiven for thinking that England is a land where it rains all the time and where the people are obsessed with dogs and gardening. England has far more to offer tourists and residents alike. The following 10 suggestions are sites that will be of interest to tourists as they cross The Pond and visit the Old Country.
1. Cambridge colleges
Cambridge is located in the east of England, in the county of Cambridgeshire. The city boasts 31 colleges that make up the University of Cambridge. These include Clare, King’s, Gonville and Caius, Fitzwilliam and other colleges. Some are very conveniently located in the city centre by the main bus station in Emmanual Street, such as St. John’s and Emmanuel colleges. From there, you can hop on a tour bus or travel anywhere else you would like to visit across the country. Cambridge University is respected around the world as a very prestigious university that provides high quality teaching and resources to its diverse students. Peterhouse College was the first college to be founded in the 13th century. The newest addition, Robinson College, was founded in the 1970s. Tourists can visit the grounds of the colleges and retrace the steps of students who have walked through its ancient gates for hundreds of years.
2. Stonehenge
Stonehenge continues to intrigue tourists who flock to the ruins each year, in an attempt to work out the mystery of the odd assortment of stones. It is located in the western county of Wiltshire and contains many circular standing stones. Many historians believe Stonehenge to be as old as the Egyptian pyramids and the ancient city of Troy. Many mysteries remain concerning Stonehenge. Today, Stonehenge is preserved as a World Heritage Site.
3. Bath
Bath is a city that is located in the south west of England in the English county of Wiltshire. As its name suggests, it is made up of ancient Roman baths that date back 2,000 years. Bath is a delightful city that can be toured on foot or from the top deck of a double decker tour bus.
4. Windsor
Windsor is a town located in the south of England, in the county of Berkshire. It is the location of one of the Queen’s official residences, Windsor castle. It has been a royal home for 900 years and is the burial place of 10 English sovereigns, including Henry VIII and his third queen, Jane Seymour. It houses such attractions as Queen Mary’s dolls’ house and St. George’s Chapel, that dates back to the fourteenth century.
5. Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace is near the River Thames and is located to the south-west of London. It is a definite must-see for visitors to England. The palace was built in 1514 and presented to King Henry VIII in the 1520’s by Cardinal Wolsey. It was here that Edward VI was born, and later, Henry VIII’s fifth queen, Catherine Howard was arrested and dragged away to be executed for high treason against the king. The palace has been renovated since the sixteenth century and is now beautifully preserved.
6. Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens are located on the south bank of the River Thames, 10km south-west of the capital, London. A good pair of walking shoes will be required for a trip to Kew Gardens, because they cover an impressive 300 acres. The gardens house such diverse exhibits as the Princess of Wales Conservatory to the Cherry Walk. As you walk through each exhibit you will be transported to the Mediterranean, Japan and other exotic locations without ever leaving Kew Gardens!
7. Tower of London
No trip to England would be complete without paying a visit to this ancient Tower of London, which has served as a royal palace as well as a prison. It was founded almost 1,000 years ago by William the Conqueror and has featured heavily in English history. It has become steeped in blood over the centuries, as queens, and other supposed traitors ended their days within the tower’s confines and it has served as a royal palace for the ruling monarchs to spend the night prior to their coronation. It is a stunning must-see feature of London. The adjoining chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula contains the remains of two former queens of England, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard.
8. White Cliffs of Dover
Unfortunately, due to pollution and erosion, the cliffs of Dover are no longer white, but they are still spectacular to behold. Dover is located in Kent, a county in the south-east of England. The castle at Dover has played an important role in English history, from the Napoleonic wars in the 1800’s, through to World War II, when its many underground tunnels provided protection for evacuated soldiers and allied forces against the assault from Nazi Germany. Since the 1990’s, Dover Castle has been open to the public.
9. The Lake District
The Lake District is a beautiful region in the northern English county of Cumbria that borders Scotland. It is a quiet, picturesque retreat for tourists who wish to relax against the backdrop of some of the most stunning lakes and mountains in the country. Some of England’s most famous lakes are situated in the Lake District, such as the largest English lake, Lake Windermere. It is 10.5 miles long and about 1 mile wide. There is a regular ferry service that runs across Lake Windermere. Visitors can hire either motor or row boats to tour Lake Windermere in their own time, if they prefer.
10. Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is another one of the Queen’s official residences that is located in London, which is in southern England. It has been used by British monarchs since 1837, when Queen Victoria ascended the British throne, and it has a total of 775 rooms. The palace is inhabited by the Queen and her husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, but it is still a local attraction that many tourists are allowed to visit each year when the royal family are not in residence.
This is just a very small glimpse into the many sites that England has to offer. It is not possible to see all there is to see on just one trip to England. But some of the most popular attractions are listed above and are a good starting point for first time visitors.
Sources:
http://tudorhistory.org/places/index.html
http://www.bath.co.uk/
http://www.alondonguide.com/buckinghampalace.html
http://www.kew.org/
