ENGLAND TRAVEL GUIDE
England, a land of mystery and legends, the homeland of famous writers such as William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and John Ronald Reuel Tolkien. Its name originates from the Germanic tribe of the Angles, who invaded the country around 450. But what is the first place that comes to your mind if you think about “England”? I guess your first thought would be London, one of the most iconic cities in the world.
However, England has so much more to offer and if you want to experience the real British lifestyle, you must go further. Don’t limit your journey to London. From picturesque villages with cosy tea rooms to ancient castles, from rugged cliffs to rolling hills, there are countless reasons to visit this country.
I have always been in love with the British landscape and countryside and fascinated by its rich history. I love the postcard villages with their stone cottages, the rural sceneries, the fishing villages, the rough cliffs. Overall, I love how this nation managed to be one of the most modern countries in the world and at the same time preserve its own traditions and landscape. If you are a nature lover, you will fall in love with these lands.
There are 10 beautiful National Parks and 33 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) which offer spectacular sceneries and unspoilt nature. These areas, for their singular character and natural beauty, are safeguarded in the national interest. In addition, if like me, you are passionate about gothic and neo-gothic architecture, this will be your wonderland!
Sounds good? Then get ready to plan your trip to Harry Potter’s homeland and set out for a quest of England’s secret sights!
THINGS TO DO
- WHAT TO DO
- WHERE TO STAY
- BEST DAY TRIPS
- LONDON
VISIT ENGLAND: BEFORE YOU GO
BEST SEASON TO VISIT ENGLAND: the best time to visit England is summer, from June to August, although in the last couple of years the weather has improved in May and September as well. Be sure to bring a hat and a K-way jacket as very often the wind will make it impossible to use the umbrella!
CURRENCY: GBP (Great British Pound)
LANGUAGE: British English. Don’t expect to hear the American English accent you hear in some films. British English is very different and harder to understand and people are incapable of slowing down their speed for you to understand!
PAYMENTS & WITHDRAWALS: ATMs are easy to find however, you shouldn’t need to withdraw as every shop, pub, restaurant or hotel take card payments. British people pay everything by card even just a coffee. ATMs don’t usually give 50 £ notes. Contactless limit is currently set to 45 £ but will be soon raised to 100 £.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: trains are usually reliable however they are very expensive. You can get discounts if you travel in group of 4 people or more. It is better to check and book your tickets in advance as usually there might be discounts available and travelling during off-peak times when fares are lower. There are different train operating companies, each region usually has its own. Buses are also a good way to travel the country. There are good network and links between the main attractions and train stations or cities.
GET TO KNOW ENGLAND
ENGLAND’S REGIONS
There are 8 main regions that form England plus the area of Greater London. Let’s find out something about them!
GREATER LONDON
The Greater London is almost considered as a a region of its own. It includes 33 different boroughs. Boroughs are incorporated towns with special privileges: among these boroughs there are Camden, Southwark, City of Westminster and City of London.
EAST ANGLIA
In the East of England, also called East Anglia, can be found the famous town of Cambridge, renowned for its universities. Other important cities are Ely and Lincoln with their beautiful Norman cathedrals, and Colchester, one of the oldest towns in Britain, which used to be the richest Roman town.
SOUTH EAST
The South East is probably the sunniest part of the country and has always been a popular summer holiday destination for British people. Packed with fashionable seaside towns such as Brighton, Bournemouth, and Portsmouth. It offers some of the most famous attractions in the country. From Stonehenge to the Seven Sisters cliffs, from Windsor Castle to Oxford, from Southampton where the Titanic set sail, to the New Forest and South Downs national parks.
SOUTH WEST
The South West is actually one of my favourite regions. It is very traditional and picturesque, dotted with fishing villages, rugged coastline, and stunning national parks. The Dartmoor and Exmoor national parks in Devon and the breath-taking Land’s Land in Cornwall.
THE MIDLANDS
The heart of England, this region was the cradle of the Industrial Revolution. Birmingham is the most important city but the region is mainly famous for the idyllic Cotswolds and Peak District regions.
YORKSHIRE AND THE NORTH
Even though the North has an economy based on coal and textile manufacture, there are some very nice places to explore. Above all, there is the Lake District, a landscape of outstanding beauty where Beatrix Potter used to write her books. The main cities are Manchester, Durham with its glorious cathedral and the pretty town of York.
