Ask a tourist to picture England, the typical image includes the famous red telephone kiosks, the London riverside wheel, and the King's palace. However, move twenty miles outward from central London, and you find a different country entirely. There is an England that has nothing to do with the city; rather, it is a terrain of undulating emerald slopes, decaying fortresses, scone-based afternoon snacks, and shorelines that have moved writers to verse for hundreds of years. Further insights on avoiding entertainment scams in the UK can be found on our website.
The Cotswolds. Here is the version of England that appears on souvenir cards: houses built from warm golden limestone, entryways draped in climbing roses, and charming settlements bearing monikers such as Castle Combe and the Venice of the Cotswolds. The ideal means of experiencing this landscape is by private vehicle or by walking the famous Cotswold Way trail. Do not miss the opportunity to indulge in scones with two essential toppings — clotted cream (from Devon or Cornwall) and strawberry jam, but know this: the neighboring counties of Devon and Cornwall have fought a culinary war for centuries over the correct order of application — jam atop cream or cream upon jam.
Brighton & The Seven Sisters. Only one hour south of London by train, Brighton presents a delightfully strange holiday destination on England's southern shore. Amble across the classic seaside pier built during Queen Victoria's reign, savor the classic British seaside meal: flaky white fish in crispy batter with chunky chips, all wrapped in newsprint-style paper, and explore the exotic Royal Pavilion. Heading east for a short while brings you face to face with the magnificent Seven Sisters — breathtaking bright cliffs made of ancient marine deposits that stand tall against the waves. Follow the trail that traces the cliff edge for views so arresting, your conversational threads will simply drop away.
The Lake District. A landscape awarded UNESCO status and celebrated as England's premier location for hiking, sailing, and mountain exploration. This landscape famously inspired the Romantic poet William Wordsworth, who wrote of strolling "lonely as a cloud" above the valleys.
Climb Scafell Pike, the tallest peak in all of England, rent a small sailing vessel or hop aboard a passenger ferry on Windermere, or simply sit in a pub with a pint of local ale and watch the rain fall over the fells. Medieval buffs: York is waiting for you. Circumambulate the city using the ancient wall walkways, stopping at each original gatehouse, take a wrong turn (deliberately) onto the Shambles, the cobbled lane whose leaning structures and cramped width served as the model for the wizard shopping district, and enter the glorious York Minster, a building that took over 250 years to complete and remains one of northern Europe's supreme ecclesiastical achievements.
Those who enjoy being frightened should consider an evening devoted to ghost stories and haunted locations. It is said, and widely believed, that York has been named the most ghost-infested city in all of Europe. Situated conveniently near the northern cities of Manchester and Sheffield, the you will find in the Peak District expansive moorland plateaus, reservoir lakes created to supply water to nearby cities, and beautiful villages — among them Bakewell, famous for its namesake confection. It is perfect for a weekend of hiking and pub lunches.
The land that sticks out into the Atlantic at England's southwest corner could easily be mistaken for a sovereign state. Picture sharp, unforgiving cliff edges, water of an improbable bright blue-green hue, and Newquay's famous surfing beaches that attract board riders from across the UK. Do not skip St. Ives, a fishing port turned art destination where you can admire paintings in the morning and eat oysters in the afternoon, climb down into the Minack Theatre, a breathtaking example of one woman's vision realized in concrete and stone against a dramatic coastal setting, and visit the legendary Tintagel Castle, where you can see a bronze sculpture of Arthur himself and walk across the new bridge that evokes the sword Excalibur.
Cornwall proudly defends its copyright on the pasty, a D-shaped baked good whose authentic filling contains specifically beef, potato, swede, and a little onion. Eat it with your hands.
The Cotswolds. Here is the version of England that appears on souvenir cards: houses built from warm golden limestone, entryways draped in climbing roses, and charming settlements bearing monikers such as Castle Combe and the Venice of the Cotswolds. The ideal means of experiencing this landscape is by private vehicle or by walking the famous Cotswold Way trail. Do not miss the opportunity to indulge in scones with two essential toppings — clotted cream (from Devon or Cornwall) and strawberry jam, but know this: the neighboring counties of Devon and Cornwall have fought a culinary war for centuries over the correct order of application — jam atop cream or cream upon jam.
Brighton & The Seven Sisters. Only one hour south of London by train, Brighton presents a delightfully strange holiday destination on England's southern shore. Amble across the classic seaside pier built during Queen Victoria's reign, savor the classic British seaside meal: flaky white fish in crispy batter with chunky chips, all wrapped in newsprint-style paper, and explore the exotic Royal Pavilion. Heading east for a short while brings you face to face with the magnificent Seven Sisters — breathtaking bright cliffs made of ancient marine deposits that stand tall against the waves. Follow the trail that traces the cliff edge for views so arresting, your conversational threads will simply drop away.
The Lake District. A landscape awarded UNESCO status and celebrated as England's premier location for hiking, sailing, and mountain exploration. This landscape famously inspired the Romantic poet William Wordsworth, who wrote of strolling "lonely as a cloud" above the valleys.
Climb Scafell Pike, the tallest peak in all of England, rent a small sailing vessel or hop aboard a passenger ferry on Windermere, or simply sit in a pub with a pint of local ale and watch the rain fall over the fells. Medieval buffs: York is waiting for you. Circumambulate the city using the ancient wall walkways, stopping at each original gatehouse, take a wrong turn (deliberately) onto the Shambles, the cobbled lane whose leaning structures and cramped width served as the model for the wizard shopping district, and enter the glorious York Minster, a building that took over 250 years to complete and remains one of northern Europe's supreme ecclesiastical achievements.
Those who enjoy being frightened should consider an evening devoted to ghost stories and haunted locations. It is said, and widely believed, that York has been named the most ghost-infested city in all of Europe. Situated conveniently near the northern cities of Manchester and Sheffield, the you will find in the Peak District expansive moorland plateaus, reservoir lakes created to supply water to nearby cities, and beautiful villages — among them Bakewell, famous for its namesake confection. It is perfect for a weekend of hiking and pub lunches.
The land that sticks out into the Atlantic at England's southwest corner could easily be mistaken for a sovereign state. Picture sharp, unforgiving cliff edges, water of an improbable bright blue-green hue, and Newquay's famous surfing beaches that attract board riders from across the UK. Do not skip St. Ives, a fishing port turned art destination where you can admire paintings in the morning and eat oysters in the afternoon, climb down into the Minack Theatre, a breathtaking example of one woman's vision realized in concrete and stone against a dramatic coastal setting, and visit the legendary Tintagel Castle, where you can see a bronze sculpture of Arthur himself and walk across the new bridge that evokes the sword Excalibur.
Cornwall proudly defends its copyright on the pasty, a D-shaped baked good whose authentic filling contains specifically beef, potato, swede, and a little onion. Eat it with your hands.
Comments (0)