England is a cultural mecca with so many wonderful attractions it could take years to visit them all. Trying to narrow the list to just ten therefore is no mean feat! We’ve endeavoured to feature a range of sights to please everyone from history lovers to hikers, and of course the royalists amongst you!
10. The Lake District
flickr/Breizh33
A visit to the Lake District in Cumbria is a must for experiencing some of the country’s most dramatic scenery. Sparkling lakes and rugged mountains make for some excellent hiking and climbing, not to mention photo opportunities. This county was also home to some of England’s most famous writers. William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter both lived in the Lake District and their houses are open for public viewing.
9. Hadrian’s Wall
flickr/Tom Dennis
Starting in the Lake District and stretching across the north of England for 117km is the astonishing engineering feat of Hadrian’s Wall. Remarkably complete sections of the wall remain and can be walked along by a national path. The wall started construction in 122AD to keep out the marauding Scots and today is a cherished World Heritage Site.
8. Eden Project
flickr/IstvanMiskolczi
One of South England’s most popular attractions is the Eden Project in Cornwall – a series of futuristic biosphere gardens that house exotic flora. This family friendly day out is a must for the eco-conscious or just the curious. As well as educating visitors about plant power, the Eden Project holds regular arts and music events.
7. Lost Gardens of Heligan
flickr/Elfleda
Perhaps one of England’s most popular garden attractions is The Lost Gardens of Heligan. These extensive gardens were created in the 18th century by a wealthy Cornish family and then fell into disrepair after World War I. Painstakingly restored in the 1990’s, today they are a legacy of England’s past and contain a working kitchen garden with a pineapple pit as well as many exotic plants, sculptures and secret nooks and crannies to explore.
6. Westminster Abbey
flickr/hjjanisch
Westminster Abbey has witnessed plenty of royal marriages, funerals and coronation ceremonies during its thousand year history. Of course the present Gothic version is much larger and ornate than the original constructed in the 11th century by King Edward the Confessor. Although the admission is normally pricey, you can visit for free if you attend Evensong held five nights a week at 5pm.
5. Buckingham Palace
flickr/shining.darkness
London has plenty of tourist attractions but Buckingham Palace is usually somewhere near the top of the list. This stately royal residence is an important focal point for the British public and is significant for being a working palace too. Visitors can tour the 19 State Rooms in summer and also witness the daily Changing of the Guard – an event more for pomp and ceremony than security.
4. Stonehenge
flickr/_moonpie
If you’re in the south near Salisbury, then don’t miss out on seeing Stonehenge. As mysterious as crop circles, this prehistoric stone monument is still causing archaeologists to scratch their heads. Was it a burial ground? A religious site? Or a way of communicating to visitors from outer space? No one knows!
3. Stratford-Upon-Avon
flickr/Alex Loach
Almost 450 years on William Shakespeare still manages to draw the crowds to his home town, Stratford-Upon-Avon in Warwickshire. Here you can get the complete bard experience by visiting all the houses he was associated with including, Mary Arden’s farm, New Place and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. Making time to catch one of his plays at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre is a must!
2. London Eye
flickr/UGArdener
The controversy surrounding the London Eye seems to have dissipated somewhat since its opening in 1999 in time for the new millennium. Could the fact that this gigantic Ferris wheel now draws 3.5 million tourists every year be the reason? Eyesore or iconic, whatever your opinion, the views from the London Eye are undeniably breathtaking.
1. Tower of London
flickr/David Stanley
The Tower of London takes the cake for the top spot. With its fascinating and bloody history, as well as infamous inmates, this glorified royal prison can certainly hold visitors spellbound with its tales. Take a tour with one of the jolly beefeaters who’ll enlighten you about the Tower’s grisly past and ghostly residents!
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