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The Lake District
is one of England’s most beautiful regions,
inspiring the great works of Wordsworth and holding
generations of tourists in its thrall. The lakes
are set among the dramatic Cumbrian Mountains
and the region is dotted with attractive towns
and pleasant dales. Who knows? The romance and
beauty of one of England’s most famous regions
could inspire you to pen some poetry.
Buckingham Palace
has been the official London residence of English
royalty since 1837. The Palace stands in around
40 acres of garden and while the west facade of
the palace building remains virtually as its architect
Nash designed it, the east side facing the garden
was added in 1847 and entirely replaced in 1913.
Visit the Throne Room, Music Room, State Dining
Room as well as the many beautifully decorated
apartments.
The Tower of London
has been home to every Monarch from William the
Conqueror (11th Century) to Henry the VIII (16th
Century). It has also been the site of the Royal
mint, the Royal Menagerie and the Royal Observatory.
The Tower of London is infamous for its prison
and for having been the scene of countless executions,
including that of Anne Boleyn, second wife of
Henry VIII. Visit the Bloody Tower where the young
prince Edward V and his brother were imprisoned
on their uncles’ orders. Sir Walter Raleigh
was also imprisoned here from 1603 until 1616.
Lay your head on the executioner’s block
and try and imagine what it must have been like
to be about to literally lose your head.
Stonehenge
is the most important prehistoric monument in
England. There are many theories as to the purpose
of Stonehenge ranging from a druid temple for
sun worship to a burial ground and even an astronomical
calendar. Many of the stones were transported
there with considerable effort from a great distance
away. This was a truly remarkable achievement
considering it dates from 3100- 2300 BC.
Alton Towers is England’s most popular theme
park with rides and attractions for every member
of the family. The Towers date back to the Victorian
period and were designed by Augustus Welby Pugin.
Take a break from the thrills by boating on the
lake, taking an aerial cable car ride or a walk
in the gardens.
Roman Baths and Pump
Room, Bath: Archaeological excavations
have indicated that human use of the hot mineral
springs at Bath date back at least 10,000 years.
In 65 AD the Romans developed a complex of baths
and a temple to the goddess Sulis Minerva at the
springs. Bath became the playground of the wealthy
British aristocracy in the 18th century. They
commissioned architects to design elegant Palladian
terraced housing and the city’s stylish
crescents and squares. The Roman Baths Museum
and the Pump Room are simply unmissable. The Great
Bath features Roman paving and a lead base and
is bordered by 19th century arcading. Underground
passageways lead you to the remains of the smaller
baths and heating systems. The museum traces the
history of the baths and showcases objects discovered
during excavations. The stately 18th century Pump
Room is part of the museum. A fountain dispenses
spa water which can be bought in the restaurant.
York : The picturesque
medieval city of York was second only to London
in importance up until the Industrial Revolution.
The city, whose 13th century walls are one of
the best surviving medieval fortifications in
Europe, played a key role in English history.
Its magnificent cathedral, medieval streets, grand
houses and attractive riverside pubs make it an
ideal spot for getting away from it all.
Stratford-upon-Avon:
Steeped in culture and history and set in the
beautiful Warwickshire countryside, Stratford-upon-Avon
was the birthplace of the greatest playwright
ever known – William Shakespeare. Visit
the five houses connected with William Shakespeare
and his family. Open all year round, these sixteenth-century
houses feature rare period furnishings and domestic
items. Aspects of Tudor life are on display, all
set in attractive gardens and grounds. When all
Shakespeared out, you can visit the Butterfly
Farm, the Teddy Bear Museum and the Stratford
Brass Rubbing Centre.
Windsor Castle
is one of the Queen's official residences and
has been in continuous use for over 900 years.
It was originally built for William the Conqueror
to guard the approach to London. The State Apartments
house excellent works of art including masterpieces
by Rembrandt, Rubens, Holbein and Van Dyck as
well as magnificent French and English furniture
and porcelain. The State Apartments also contain
Queen Mary's Dolls' House. It is a 1:12 scale
working model complete with furniture, decorations,
running water and electricity.
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