Ambleside and Rydal  Ambleside and Rydal Ambleside is an idyllic village at the north end of Lake Windermere with a wonderful warm weather even through late autumn. Ambleside is a good base for hiking, mountaineering and mountain biking. It has a selection of hotels, guesthouses, pubs and restaurants. The main landmark is the Bridge House, built over Stock Ghyll more than 300 years ago probably as a summer house and apple store for Ambleside Hall. Nowadays it is used as an information centre for the National Trust. Bath Bath Founded by Romans around the only naturally-occurring hot springs in the United Kingdom, Bath is one of the most beautiful cities in the UK, and has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Much of the architecture of Bath dates from the 18th century, and the city is famous for its many fine examples of Georgian architecture, most notably the Royal Crescent. Nowadays it is a fashionable spa resort. The waters from its spring are believed to be a cure for many afflictions and to ease rheumatism. Birmingham Birmingham Situated about halfway between London and Liverpool, Birmingham is a city of mixed cultures, beliefs and lifestyles and also a fashionable place for business conferences. It has some interesting old buildings such as The Town Hall and the Council House. The City is full of theatres, restaurants and pubs. The cultural life is very rich with many good museums, such as the Birmingham Museum and the Ikon Gallery are worth a visit. The modern Symphony Hall is famed for having the best acoustics in Europe. Blackpool Blackpool Blackpool is the country's largest resort, a summer entertainment venue, specializing in variety shows. Blackpool Illuminations in September and October, consisting of a series of lighted displays and collages arranged along the entire length of the sea front attract many visitors. The main attractions are the three piers, Blackpool Tower, a 518-foot-tall copy of the Eiffel Tower, The Blackpool Pleasure Beach amusement park, Sandcastle Waterworld, the premier indoor uk waterpark. Bournemouth Bournemouth Bournemouth is a popular tourist destination on the South Coast of England because of the fine 7 miles long beach and its climate with the warmest and driest weather in Britain. Park-dotted this city is filled with an abundance of architecture. It also offers a wide variety of nightclubs and over 150 restaurants with a full range of international cusines. Bournemouth is a major centre for the teaching of English and has numerous English language schools, attracting students from around the world. Brighton Brighton Brighton is the oldest and one of the most famous seaside resort in the United Kingdom with numerous hotels, restaurants and entertainment facilities. The modern city is also an important educational centre with two universities and many English language schools. Apart from the beautifully preserved royal palace built by George IV, The Royal Pavilion (& Brighton Museum, Corn Exchange, Dome and Pavilion Theatre located at the same site), right in the centre of the city you can visit The Lanes. Bristol Bristol Bristol is the largest city in the south west of England and an important centre of culture. There are plenty of historical areas to visit including the suspension bridge, designed by Brunel. There are plenty Victorian & Georgian period buildings highlights include the Cresent in Clifton village and Queen Square which is the second largest perfect square in Europe and includes the first American Consulate. Bristol also has a superb zoo. The city is famous for its music and film industries. Broadway Broadway Situated at the Gateway to the Cotswolds, Broadway is one of the most beautiful villages in England. Its main sight is the Broadway Tower, an 18th Century Gothic viewpoint at 312m above sea level. Thirteen counties can be seen from its top. Other attractions are the Broadway Modern Gallery, specializing in contemporary British sculpture, art, ceramics, furniture and glass, housed in a pretty 17th Century Cotswold stone building and the National Trust Gardens, one of England's Arts and Crafts masterpieces. Cambridge Cambridge The city of Cambridge is a unique community, a blend of cultural and social diversity, intellectual vitality and technological innovation. Cambridge is best known for the University of Cambridge. Cambridge University played a unique role in the invention of modern football as the game's first set of rules were drawn up by members of the university in 1848. One of the most impressive buildings in Cambridge, King's College Chapel, begun in 1446 by King Henry VI. Canterbury Canterbury The former ecclesiastical capital of England, Canterbury has witnessed major events in English history, including Bloody Mary's order to burn nearly 40 victims at the stake, Richard the Lion-Hearted returned this way from crusading, and Charles II passed through on the way to claim his crown. The city is also famous due to the association with the Canterbury Tales, a collection of stories written by Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century. Nowadays many tourists come to see the Canterbury Cathedral. | Cheltenham Cheltenham Eversince 1716 when its mineral springs have been dicovered, Cheltenham has become one of England's most fashionable spas. As winner of "Beautiful Britain in Bloom", Cheltenham is renowned for its gracious Regency architecture, with lots of ironwork, balconies, and verandas, and also for its colourful parks and floral decorations. It hosts annually the flagship race of British steeplechase horseracing, the Cheltenham Gold Cup and several festivals of culture, principally the annual Cheltenham Festival of Literature. Chester Chester Founded in the 1st century A.D by a Roman legion, Chester is one of the most interesting medieval cities in England. It is also one of the best-preserved walled cities in the country having 3km (2 miles) of fortified city walls intact. One of the attractions is the Grosvenor Museum, which contains exhibitions about the city's Roman past and a reconsturcted Georgian house. Numerous pubs and wine bars populate the city, some of which are medieval, and Chester also has some night-clubs. Chipping Campden Chipping Campden Chipping Campden is a charming old wool merchants' town, famous for its beautiful terraced High Street, dating from the 14th - 17th centuries. It is a good base for exploring the surrounding shire counties of Oxfordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire. The main attractions are: Kiftsgate Court and Hidcote Manor Garden (owned by the National Trust), near Mickleton (3 miles); Blockley; Broadway; Stow-on-the-Wold; Winchcombe; and, further afield, Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick Castle. Chipping Norton Chipping Norton Situated in the shadow of the Rollright Stones, Chipping Norton is the highest town in the county. The Rollright Stones consist of a stone circle and two sets of related standing stones. Chipping Norton is the perfect gateway for touring the beautiful North Oxfordshire Cotswolds. Chippy, as the locals call it, has one of the finest Parish Churches in the County, a mediaeval Guildhall, some quaint back lanes and beautiful Georgian houses. Chastleton House, Broughton Castle, Blenheim Palace and Rousham are nearby. Coventry Coventry Coventry is a Midlands industrial city. It is famous for its involvement in the British motor industry, its Cathedral and the legendary exploits of Lady Godiva. According to legend, the beautiful Lady Godiva rode naked through the streets of the city in order to gain a remission of the oppressive toll imposed by her husband on his tenants. Over the years Coventry has developed an international reputation as Europe's major city of peace and reconciliation and holds an annual Peace Month. Dorking Dorking Nestled in the narrow valley between the Greensand Hills to the south and the chalk hills of the North Downs, Dorking is a market town with a strong sense of history and tradition for architecture, antiques and shopping. The town is known as being the birthplace of Lord Laurence Olivier. The main attraction is the spire of the parish church of St Martin's, one of the tallest in the country. Dorking has a reputation for festivals of the visual arts, music and literature, offering something for all tastes. Dover Dover Once a popular seaside resort Dover is known nowadays as a port for cross-Channel car and passenger traffic between England and France (notably Calais). Its closeness to continental Europe makes it one of the United Kingdom's busiest cross-Channel ports, with 18 million passengers passing through each year. It is also a good base for exploring the surrounding countryside. The main attraction are Dover's white cliffs, which are made of chalk. The cliffs gave Britain its nickname of Albion, meaning "white". Durham Durham This medieval city, founded almost 1000 years ago by William the Conqueror, hosts many historic heritages deserving to be visited. The most remarkable are the Normal Cathedral and the Castle; besides, the over 600 buildings presenting special architectural or historic interest made the city centre a conservation area in 1968. City of medicine, Durham also offers a wide range of places for relaxing and spending a pleasant time: shopping ? Victorian Market, Farmers' Market ?, walking along the river Wear or live the excitement of the Racecourse, the traditional horse race. Exeter Exeter The ancient city of Exeter, Devon's county city, is one of the most popular tourist cities in the South West of England. The most interesting places in Exeter are: the cathedral, founded in 1050, the ruins of Rougemont Castle, built soon after the Norman Conquest, a number of medieval churches including St Mary Steps which has an elaborate clock. Northernhay Gardens located just outside the castle, is the oldest public open space in the whole of England, being originally laid out in 1612. Gloucester Gloucester The city of Gloucester has a vibrant, lively atmosphere that combines a rich historic past with the attractions of a city just full of life and begging to be explored. Gloucester is a good starting point for exploring the Cotswolds. The main attractions are the magnificent Norman Cathedral, the House of the Tailor of Gloucester, the actual shop that Beatrix Potter used as a model for the Tailor's home in her famous story "The Tailor of Gloucester". The nearby Folk and City museums are fascinating. Grasmere Grasmere Located on a lake of the same name, Grasmere is probably the Cumbria's most popular village, thanks to William Wordsworth who has lived and died here. Most of the buildings date from the 19th or early 20th Century, though the farms around Grasmere are much older. The Church dates from the 13th Century. The Lake offers superb views, especially early morning in the summer, with the mist rising. Rowing boats are available for hire. There is a little island in the middle of the Lake. | Hereford Hereford Hereford is one of only five Historic cities of Britain. The main attraction is the red sandstone Hereford Cathedral, dating from 1079 which contains the Mappa Mundi, a medieval map of the world dating from the 13th century which was restored in the late 20th. It also contains the world famous Chained Library. Surrounded orchards and lush pasturelands, Hereford is home to the world-famous, white-faced Hereford cattle and some of the finest cider around, best sampled in the city's pubs. Kendal Kendal Kendal is a small town in Cumbria, best known as a centre for tourism and as the home of Kendal mint cake, its buildings constructed with the local grey limestone have earned it the nickname the Auld Grey Town. The main attractions are the Museum of Natural History and Archaeology, one of the oldest in the country, including an exhibition on the geology of the Lake District, and a stuffed polar bear, and Abbot Hall Art Gallery. Kendal has a 13th-century parish church that merits a visit. Leicester Leicester Founded by the Romans, Leicester is one of the oldest cities in England. The city centre is mainly Victorian with some later developments and is dominated by the the Clock Tower. Don't miss the spectacular National Space Centre in Leicester, with its real rockets and interactive challenges. Admire the splendid Belvoir Castle, or visit the historic Bosworth Battlefield. You might take a boat trip on the Grand Union Canal, or travel back in time on a steam train at the Great Central Railway. Lincoln Lincoln A former Bronze Age settlement, the ancient city of Lincoln is the ideal place for a relaxing vacation. The Arts in Lincoln programme caters to all tastes with innovative Public Art, including the magnificent Empowerment and fabulous events such as the Waterfront Festival held in July. Lincoln's premier arts venue, Lincoln Drill Hall is the best place to try new cultural experiences. Yarborough Leisure Centre is open to all and offers a wide variety of activities like swimming, gym, squash, athletics. Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool, with its famous waterfront on the River Mersey, was and still is one of the world's great ports, and was second only to London as the greatest city in an enormous empire that stretched across the world. Today it is a city famous for its football, music scene and nightlife. Enjoy the Victorian, Georgian and Neoclassical architecture, visit one of the many museums and galleries. The Victorian Albert Dock is a major tourist attraction, of chic cafes, restaurants and designer shops. London London London just isn't what it used to be. It's better! A blend of old and new, pace and buzz alongside peace and tranquility, and an amazingly diverse cultural scene. The sounds of Brit-pop and techno pour out of Victorian pubs; experimental theater is popping up on stages built for Shakespeare's plays; and Brits are even running the couture houses of Dior and Givenchy. In food, fashion, film, music, the visual arts, and just about everything else, London stands at the cutting edge again, just as it did in the 1960s. But rest assured that traditional London survives. Manchester Manchester The world's first industrialised city, Manchester is now England's second city with a cultural life to rival that of London. The city boasts some of the most interesting galleries and museums in the UK, such as the Museum of Science and Industry, the Whitworth for modern art, the City Art Gallery, the Lowry and the Imperial War Museum North. Manchester is well known for the Manchester City and Manchester United football teams. Don't miss the Lowry Centre, home to two theatres and a permanent Lowry exhibition. Newquay Newquay The jewel on the Cornish coast, Newquay is a major tourist destination, principally on account of the 10 long and accessible sandy beaches. It is a surfers' paradise with people coming from South Africa and Australia to ride on the 8 foot waves. Annually, Newquay hosts international surfing competitions. Every summer the population of Newquay increases by 20% due to its youthful, vibrant atmosphere. The town is vastly historical and you can also admire the breathtaking countryside. Norwich Norwich The charming and historic Norwich is known as the capital of East Anglia, and as a cultural centre. The city has plenty museums and galleries providing you with the opportunity to take in fine art, treasures from the past and contemporary ideas. Don't miss the Castle Museum, the Sainsbury Centre for the Visual Arts and The Norwich Gallery. Norwich Theatre Royal is nearly 250 years old and still hosts productions including musicals, dance, drama, family shows, stand-up comedians, opera and pop. | Nottingham Nottingham Founded in the 7th Century AD, Nottingham is famous for its association with the legend of Robin Hood and his band of followers. The visitor centre based 19 miles north of the city in the Sherwood Forest has much information on Robin Hood and you can see the ancient Major Oak tree that Robin allegedly hid in from the Sheriff of Nottingham's men. Visit the Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem, England's oldest pub founded in AD1189. The city also offers a vibrant mix of bars, clubs and restaurants. Oxford Oxford Oxford is known as being the home of the University of Oxford, the oldest university in the English-speaking world. It is surnamed the "city of dreaming spires" due to the harmonious architecture of the university buildings. Oxford offers besides historical sights and several good museums, a vibrant shopping and commercial area with plenty of shops, restaurants and cafes. The town centre is home to Carfax Tower and a historical themed ride, The Oxford Story. You can shop at the historic Covered Market. Penzance Penzance Located in an area of Celtic culture and outstanding natural beauty, in Mounts Bay, the market town of Penzance is the Capital of the far west of Cornwall. The town's location gives it a warmer climate than the rest of Britain. Penwith has a vibrant, active arts and cultural heritage. There are several historic houses in the town, amongst Regency and Georgian terraces, along with a number of museums and galleries. A wide range of sport, recreational and entertainment activities and facilities are available. Plymouth Plymouth Located at the mouths of the rivers Plym and Tamar and at the head of one of the world's largest and most spectacular natural harbours - the Plymouth Sound, the Plymouth is a blend of vibrant modern city and historic seafaring port. The main attractions are an authentic Elizabethan house near the Barbican area and between there and the well known Plymouth Hoe is the Citadel, built in the reign of Charles II. The Plymouth Arts Centre offers displays of work by British and international artists. Salisbury Salisbury Lying in the valley of the River Avon, Salisbury is one the most beautiful cathedral cities in Britain, built in the 13th century. The main attraction is the Cathedral with the tallest spire in England. The surrounding countryside has inspired the paintings of Constable and the writings of Thomas Hardy and Izaak Walton. It is an excellent base for exploring Stonehenge. Salisbury's annual International Arts Festival provides a programme of theatre, live music, dance, public sculpture, and art exhibitions.
Shrewsbury Shrewsbury The finest Tudor town in England, Shrewsbury is noted for its black-and-white buildings. In the centre of the town lies The Quarry,a 29 acre splendid riverside park. Shrewsbury is home to one of the largest and oldest horticultural events in the UK - the annual Shrewsbury Flower Show, a two day event, that has been running for more than 125 years in mid August. Set in the Quarry park, there are a multitude of events, exhibitions and displays, with a magnificent fireworks display at the end of each day. Southampton Southampton Southampton is a city and major port situated on the south coast of England. Many historic buildings were bombed during the World WarII, but the old city walls remain, as does the Bargate, formerly the main gateway to the city at the northern end of the walls (Southampton has England's second-longest stretch of surviving Medieval wall). The city is home to the Southampton Solent University and West Quay shopping centre, which was the biggest city-centre shopping mall in Europe when it was opened. St Albans St Albans Dating back 2,000 years, today's cathedral city of St. Albans was named after a Roman soldier who was the first Christian martyr in England. It was the first major town on the old Roman road Watling Street for travellers heading north and was previously the Roman city of Verulamium. The ancient cathedral city and the surrounding countryside are charming and inspiring. St. Albans itself is home to several museums, well-preserved Roman ruins, and beautiful gardens. Stoke-on-Trent Stoke-on-Trent Half-way between Manchester and Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent is a charming english town. It has many museums & galleries; such as the Etruria Industrial Museum, the Elizabethan Ford Green Hall, the world-class ceramics collection at the main Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Gladstone Pottery Museum and the newly opened Ceramica in Burslem. Burleigh Pottery is the world's oldest working Victorian pottery. The Chatterley Whitfield colliery ranks in importance with Stonehenge. Stow-on-the-Wold Stow-on-the-Wold Dating back from the Iron Age, Stow-on-the-Wold is located at the convergence of six major roads through the Cotswolds, including the Roman Fosse Way. Due to its strategic location Stow-on-the-Wold became a well-known market town. Like many of the Cotswold towns and villages, the houses were built with the very distinctive mellow Cotswold stone from the local quarries and date back to the 16th century. The square in the middle of town is an interesting place, many of the old buildings being located around it. St Edward's Church, in the south-eastern corner of the square, was built between the 11th and 15th centuries. At the bottom of Digbeth Street is the Royalist hotel which claims to be the oldest inn in England (dating from AD947). Stratford-upon-Avon Stratford-upon-Avon Stratford-upon-Avon is the the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Main attractions within the town include the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and two contemporary buildings, Hall's Croft (the one-time home of Shakespeare's daughter, Susannah) and New Place, on the site of an earlier house originally owned by the playwright himself. Don't miss the Holy Trinity Church, where Shakespeare was baptised and is buried. Other attractions include a Butterfly Farm, a Witchcraft Exhibition, the Bancroft Gardens. | Ullswater Ullswater Set in a region of a spectacular natural beauty, Ullswater is the second largest lake in the English Lake District. Cosidered to be the most beautiful of the English lakes, it is often compared to the superb Lake Lucerne in Switzerland. The greatest attractions of Ullswater are the lake steamers which offer tourist trips around the lake. Another of Ullswater's attractions is the spectacular waterfall of Aira Force midway along the lake on the western side. Close to the falls is Lyulph's Tower, a pele tower. Warwick Warwick Warwick is most famous for the finest medieval castle in England - the Warwick Castle, dating from 1068. The castle is owned by Madame Tussauds and is heavily geared towards tourists with waxwork displays and jousting events during the bank holiday weekends. The town centre is also known for its historic architecture and contains a mixture of Tudor and 17th-century buildings. Warwick is also known for Warwick Racecourse, near the west gate of the medieval town. Within the racecourse is a small golfcourse. Winchester Winchester Winchester is the most historic city in all of Hampshire, a fascinating city full of legends. It is best known for the Great Hall, which was built in the 12th century and is the only surviving portion of Winchester Castle. In the Great Hall stands hung in the hall from at least 1463 "King Arthur's" Round Table. The names of the legendary Knights of the Round Table are written around the edge of the table. You can also visit Jane Austen's grave in Winchester Cathedral as well as Chawton Cottage, her house. Windermere Windermere Situated entirely within in the Lake District National Park, Windermere is the largest natural lake in England. It has been one of the country's most popular places for holidays and summer homes since 1847. For many years, power-boating and water-skiing have been popular activities on the lake. For a panoramic view of the Lakeland, you can climb Orrest Head in less than an hour. Bowness-on-Windermere is the most popular holiday resort, an excellent centre for boating activities. Windsor Windsor Windsor is famous for its ancient castle, the world oldest occupied castle, built by the William the Conqueror. This residence of the British royal family offers to the tourists the splendid State Apartments with royal painting collection: Rembrandt, Rubens and the St. Georges Chapel. Walking on High Street, admire the great Windsor Guildhall and the Parish Church. The nearby small town of Eton hosts the famous Eton College, offering perfect examples of Perpendicular Gothic architecture. Woodstock Woodstock The small country town of Woodstock lies on the edge of the Cotswolds. It is most famous for the close proximity to the ancestral home of the Churchill family, Blenheim Palace set in lyrical countryside. One of the attractions of this town is The City Park, where various activities are held throughout the year, including 4th of July events, Christmas jubilee, concerts in the evening and Brown Bag Concerts during the summer months. In Woodstock you can imagine life in the Middle Ages, so timeless it seems. York York Its impressive history makes York an important touristic attraction. It is still encircled by its 13th and 14th-century city walls. You can find here important marks left by all remarkable European civilisations - the Romans, the Saxons, the Vikings the Normans ? among which the most important are the enclosing city walls and the largest European Gothic cathedral - York Minister. The city is also famous as home of the University of York. Climb the Cliffords tower to enjoy an excellent panorama.
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