England is part of a relatively small country – there are well over 70 nations that are larger than the UK – yet its influence on the world has been huge. Any visitor who is fortunate enough to travel to England in the coming year will be able to gaze in awe at an astonishing collection of breath-taking landmarks, spectacular natural landscapes and of course historic buildings. Here are five of the finest regions that England has to offer. Read more
Things to Do in York
Things to Do in York
The city of York, located in the county of Yorkshire, England is a beautiful ancient cathedral city which has a history dating back to before Roman Times. It’s no wonder this city is ranked as the second most visited city in England after London, as it is home to some of the most well preserved historical structures in Europe.
There is a lot to explore in York and it is easy to fill a day trip, a weekend or a week’s visit with exploration of this historical city. Here are some of the main attractions that you should not miss:
York Minster
Have you ever seen a cathedral so breath-taking? This enormous Gothic cathedral is the largest in Northern Europe and simply standing before the stained glass windows which are several stories high will fill you with awe.
Make sure that you make the journey up to the top of the cathedral so that you can enjoy the view of the city. The spiral staircase to the stop is a bit nerve wracking, but the vista is worth it.
JORVIK Viking Centre
Have you ever wondered what life was like back in the time of the Vikings? Here you can walk through reconstructed Viking-Age streets and imagine yourself 1000 years ago. This visitor attraction is one of the most popular in the UK and has welcomed over 16 million visitors since it was created in 1984.
York Castle Museum
Take a step back in time and visit this award winning museum. Here you will have a chance to walk down a Victorian Street and an Edwardian Street as well as see what clothing and toys looked like through the ages. The museum was built on the site of a former prison so you will also be able to go down into the old cells, if you dare!
Walk the City Walls
Some of the best overall views of the city can be seen when walking along its old medieval walls. Walking all around the entire walls of the city will take an hour, but there is a shorter section from Monk Bar to Bootham Bar which only takes 15 minutes if you are short on time.
After all of this exploring, it’s about time to settle into a warm and welcoming local pub and treat yourself to a nice cold pint of lager or a warm meal while you talk about all of the adventures of the day.
York is a beautiful English city with many excellent remains of its fascinating history to explore, so make sure you include it on your trip when you plan a holiday with www.hello-yorkshire.co.uk/.
Now is the time to visit London
London
In the aftermath of the 2012 Olympic Games, this could be the perfect time to pay a visit to the beautiful city of London. The capital of the United Kingdom is home to many of the world’s finest landmarks, and its international profile after a hugely successful sporting spectacle has never been higher. Whether you plan to spend a few days in the city to view the main attractions or you’re intending to soak up the culture for a week or more, this is surely the time to do it.
Many people pay a visit to London purely to see one of the spectacular shows that are on offer in the glitzy West End. The city’s Theatreland district has dozens of superb playhouses offering the very latest in live entertainment. If you only ever visit a theatre once in a blue moon, you should make sure London is your next destination. Exciting thrillers, extravagant musicals, uproarious comedies – the choice is yours. Be prepared for an evening with the ultimate in wow factor.
One of the most pleasing aspects about visiting London is that the city is a wonderful combination of contemporary and traditional. Just a stone’s throw from some of the world’s most modern landmarks, such as the London Eye and The Shard, you’ll find historic beauties such as the Houses of Parliament and St Paul’s Cathedral. It’s no wonder so many people head to London on an annual basis, with many of them returning time after time to make sure they see and do everything.
A significant proportion of tourists choose to spend an afternoon viewing the timeless glory of London from the river. Boat trips along the Thames give visitors the chance to see the city from a unique perspective without having to put too much strain on tired legs. A great many of the city’s finest landmarks are located close to the banks of this truly iconic river, including Canary Wharf, the Tower of London, County Hall, the Globe Theatre and the Tate Modern. And of course, many of the bridges are truly spectacular.
It comes as something of a surprise to many first-time visitors that London is home to a vast number of public parks, gardens and open spaces. Amid the general hustle and bustle of one of the world’s busiest cities, you’ll find areas such as Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens and St James’s Park, all of which provide some much-needed peace and quiet amid truly beautiful surroundings.
David Showell lives in southern England and is a regular visitor to London. He works for a car hire website.