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England is one of the premier holiday destinations in the world. Enjoyed by millions of people each year, both from overseas and from within Great Britain, it has one of the richest traditions of theatre and literature in the world. Its diversity includes exciting, vibrant cities such as Newcastle, Leeds and London, invigorating, lively seaside towns such as Blackpool and Newquay, and stunningly beautiful countryside and rural villages with their churches, pubs and greens in places such as the Cotswolds and the Yorkshire Dales.
In London alone there is so much history, culture, and of course shopping to experience that it’s no surprise some visitors never get outside the city - except perhaps on a day trip to Windsor (minutes from London Heathrow Airport). One of the most diverse and interesting capital cities in the world, and steeped in history, London boasts some of the worlds’ best museums and art galleries, orchestras and pop groups, theatre and opera groups - as well as magnificent architecture both old and new.
Much of England’s history took place outside London, however. Winchester in Hampshire for example was a Saxon capital, whilst to the west Bath has spas going back to Roman times as well as its magnificent Regency architecture. In the north-west Chester is a fine historical city also with strong Roman connections, whilst elsewhere ancient cities such as York, Lincoln and Salisbury have glorious cathedrals and histories of their own to add to the tapestry of England’s tale down the centuries.
Within the 129,720 square kilometres that make up England, live more than 48 million people. Its landscape stretches from the stunning Lake District in the north to the Channel Islands off the south coast and from the luscious hills and green hedgerows in the east to the wild enchantment of Cornwall in the extreme southwest - an unmatched diversity of scenery. During the 18th century, England developed a huge empire that encompassed lands from the Americas to India and covered most of the globe. The country was also at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution when coalmines and steam and water power made drastic changes to the means of transport and production. The first industrial cities to appear in the world were in the British Midlands.
England’s legacy in theatre, literature and architecture is unsurpassed. Eminent figures such as Shakespeare, Chaucer, and Dickens appear on English literature courses all over the world and the plays of Shakespeare are enjoyed by countless numbers of people - whether in the Bard’s home town of Stratford-upon-Avon or in their local town hall. Grand stately homes and historic churches and cathedrals dot the country. Due in large part to its colonial past, England contains a wealth of masterpieces from every age and every continent, and some of the finest museums in the world. Must see destinations in England include the cosmopolitan, bustling city of London; Stonehenge - the most famous prehistoric site in Europe; Liverpool, home of the Beatles; and the breathtakingly pretty gilded stone villages of the Cotswolds, an upland region northeast of Bristol. Among many other attractions are the city of York, the stunning Lake District and the university towns of Oxford and Cambridge.
England plays host to some of the most diverse and stimulating attractions in the world - each one providing a fantastic and distinct experience.
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