Introducing England
Throughout its long history, it's been a green and pleasant land, a sceptred isle and a nation of shopkeepers. It's stood as a beacon of democracy and a bastion of ideological freedom, as well as a crucible of empire and a cradle of class oppression. Magna Carta, the King James Bible and the welfare state were all dreamt up here, but then again so were beer bellies, Bovril and Mr Bean. It's a nation of tea-tippling eccentrics and train spotters, of dog lovers and footy fanatics, of punk rockers, gardeners, gnome collectors, celebrity wannabees, superstar chefs, free-wheeling city traders, pigeon fanciers, cricket bores and part-time Morris Dancers. To some it's Albion. To others it's Blighty. To many it's the most eccentric, extraordinary and downright incomprehensible place on earth. Welcome to England.
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To journey through England is to journey through time (interspersed with several cups of tea) - from the ancient megaliths of Stonehenge to the space-age domes of the Eden Project in Cornwall. It's also a trip to the 21st-century: London is gearing up for the 2012 Olympics while cities like Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle revel in their heritage and confidently face the future, with industrial buildings revitalised as waterfront galleries or trendy apartments, flanked by tempting bars, shops, restaurants and some of the finest music venues on the planet.
For visitors, the beauty of travel in England is the compact nature of the country. By spending less time going between places and more time in them, you can immerse yourself in the scenery, instead of just breezing through. Whether you're strolling the undulating hills of Oxfordshire, cycling in Norfolk, surfing off Newquay or rock-climbing in the Peak District, England is perfect for activity and adventure. And with time on your side, you'll get closer to understanding local sensibilities: relaxing with the locals in a country pub, enjoying a music festival or watching a cricket match.
Ready to go?
These tours & activities make it easy:
- Go on a 3-day Lake District discovery
- Visit the most famous landmarks in 4 days: Stonehenge, Windsor, Bath & Oxford
- Discover the Beatles Story Experience in Liverpool
Last updated: Feb 9, 2012
Tips & articles
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Ten of England’s oddest sights
22 May 2012
England: seat of the royals, replete with cream teas and pastures green? Not quite. When you venture beyond England’s noble...
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The art of urban foraging
10 May 2012
If you left the house 10 years ago with a wicker basket to harvest sorrel, ceps or cobnuts, most people...
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See London as a local
2 May 2012
From a tour of the Tower of London to a spin on the London Eye, Englan...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Montpellier. There's hope for football yet.
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Hotels & Hostels
Top cities in England
Browse more cities in EnglandFeatured property
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Britannia Hotel - Manchester City Centre
Manchester, Liverpool & the Northwest(3 star Hotel)
From US$26.25 per night
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England
Things to do
- All things to do (4,832)
- Activities (674)
- Entertainment (1,117)
- Restaurants (1,226)
- Shopping (356)
- Sights (1,447)
- Tours (12)
Make it happen
Our Top Picks For England
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1 London
England's capital. Britain's cultural melting-pot. Europe's largest metropolis. The world in one city.
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2 The Cotswolds
Classic rural scenery. Picture-postcard villages. Antique shops on every corner.
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3 Lake District
England's highest mountains, with stunning views, tranquil lakes and hiking a-go-go.
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4 Bath
Grand Georgian terraces, Palladian parades and one of the finest Roman bathhouses in the world. If you only explore on English city outside of London, make it this one.
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5 Manchester
England's Barcelona. Renowned for fine arts, modern architecture and unstoppable night-time activities.
Fast Facts about England
- Number of Brits living abroad?
5.5 Million
- Most popular girls names in England?
Olivia, Emily, Ruby, Grace
- How many Kings has England had?
51
- Average number of cups of tea drunk per day
3
- Which is older, Andy Capp or Dennis the Menace?
Dennis the Menace - first appeared in The Beano in 1951. Andy Capp first appeared in 1957.
- Most popular boys names in england?
Jack, Oliver, Thomas, Harry
- Population
51 million
- Where do the three lions on England's coat of arms come from?
Richard the Lionheart introduced a third lion, adding it to the two golden lions on a red field from his family's coat of arms during his reign.
- Average number of days when it rains
1 in 3
- Size
50,000 sq miles (130,000 sq km)
Our favourite England Blogs (beta)
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Making the Most of a Weekend in Cornwall
Blog: Pommie Travels - 25 May 2012
Cornwall is an established and well-loved holiday destination, with many smart holidaymakers making the journey to enjoy its stunning scenery [...]
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London in the Details
Blog: Aerohaveno: A Travel Blog - 23 May 2012
I'm back in London en route to my latest Lonely Planet assignment in Poland, and I'm feeling some of the excitement of my first visit to the British capital over 20 years ago.Aside from all its well known attractions, there's something special about London at an everyday level. Something - a look, a feel, a vibe - which marks the city out as interesting as you walk along its streets.
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Lady Welcomes the Olympic Torch
Blog: A Lady in London - 21 May 2012
The Olympic torch has arrived in Britain. It will journey on an 8,000-mile trip around the country for 70 days, passing within 10 miles of 95% of the UK population as it travels to London for the games. The flame will not only pass through the streets of many UK towns and cities, but also [...]
