Country Facts And Traveller Information
England is the largest country in the British Isles and borders Scotland to the north and Wales to the west. It covers an area of almost 130,000 sq km and has a population of 51 million English speaking people. Much of the country is relatively flat with upland regions, such as the Pennines in the north and the Cumbrian mountains in the north-west. England's national parks account for 7% of the country and include the Peak District, Dartmoor, Exmoor, the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, the North York Moors, the New Forest, the Broads and Northumberland. These are places regularly visited not only by tourists, but by the many inhabitants of England's hectic towns and cities.
England's climate is generally mild with rare extremes of temperature, and the summer months, between June and September, are the most popular time to visit. The further north you travel in England, the cooler it is likely to be, with the south and south-east being the warmest areas, including London, the capital. The West Country also reaches temperatures in the high 20's during summer, with frosts being seldom, but this region can be damp, as can the hilly parts of England such as the Lake District.
England has a treasure trove of relics from its ancient and colourful past, and its architectural heritage is apparent country wide, with magnificent examples of cathedrals and state buildings in every large town and city. The monarchy and the church are responsible for a big chunk of England's history; something which runs through the country's veins and can be felt from the grandeur of Westminster Cathedral or Buckingham Palace, to the simplicity and peace of the smallest rural chapel. Small as it is, England has been instrumental in many important world events throughout the ages that have shaped the society we have today, and its potency as a nation is still felt globally.
Many visitors are overwhelmed by the wealth of stately homes, castles and historical sites, and one trip to this exciting country is not enough to squeeze them all in! Tourists are well catered for, so wherever you go holiday accommodation in England can be found to suit every vacation requirement - the towns and cities are crammed with hotels and bed and breakfasts, as well as youth hostels for younger people with a tighter budget. The ideal base is a self catering holiday apartment in England from where you can plan trips to see the museums and art galleries or go shopping, or an English country cottage where you can relax after a hard days walking through the hills or exploring the ancient architecture and archaeological sites. With so much to see and do its difficult to know where to start in this fascinating country.
An apartment in London, the capital, puts you at the heart of an exhilarating city that simply oozes history and might with landmarks, such as St.Pauls Cathedral, Big Ben and the Tower of London to name just a few. It boasts some of the world's greatest museums and art galleries as well as acres of parkland and, of course, shops! The south-east corner of England has a wealth of bed and breakfasts or holiday cottages in Kent and Surrey, where traditionally Londoners used to take their annual summer break. Kent is a lush, green county known as the garden of England and makes a perfect location for a day trip across the English Channel to France. In Surrey you'll find rolling chalk hills and a sunny coastline where you can enjoy anything from sailing to bird watching. Further along the south coast towards the west, holiday cottages in Dorset will let you explore sandy bays, pretty seaside towns and rural landscapes scattered with traditional bed and breakfasts, farmhouses and country cottages - in Shropshire, holiday homes exist in peaceful settings overlooking rolling upland countryside providing the ideal environment in which you can enjoy a typically English pace of rural life.
Devon and Cornwall are neighbouring counties on a peninsular in the extreme south-west of the country. Popular with both tourists from around the world and the English, holiday cottages in Devon and Cornwall have so much to offer in terms of opportunities for fun and relaxation in an area renowned for its good summer weather. The spectacular beaches are best explored from Britain's longest footpath, the South West Coast Path, and water-sports can be taken advantage of fully due to excellent surfing conditions. The rugged countryside and historic fishing ports beg to be explored, and The Eden Project, near Fowey, is well worth a day out. Heading up the country you'll find the university town of Oxford, graced with magnificent architecture that contrasts well with the traditional farmhouses in the Cotswolds, a stunningly beautiful limestone escarpment overlooking the Severn Vale in Oxford. Cambridge, in East Anglia, is another university town that is altogether quieter with magnificent views over the backs of the ancient colleges and the river Cam.
Suffolk is a county of well-preserved, picturesque towns as well as elegant examples of Edwardian and Georgian architecture. In its southern parts, which straddle the river Stour, you'll find Lavenham, a little town which was hugely prosperous in the past due to the wool trade. Or on the coast of north Suffolk, holiday cottages in Southwold can be found in this delightful seaside resort. In the north of England many people seek the tranquillity of a holiday farmhouse in the Lake District - a place where the landscape of Cumbria is at its most breathtaking. This is an area where peaceful lakes and green dales nestle amongst modest mountains; the perfect destination for a walking holiday and a place from where Hadrian's Wall, the ancient earthwork marking the border with Scotland, can be visited. And not so far from Cumbria, cottages in Yorkshire are another favourite with anyone who harbours a passion for the great outdoors. Rich in history, culture and natural beauty, the green and pleasant land that is England must be seen to be believed.
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