Visit England: Sights in England

Visit England: Sights in England

Posted 6.7.2012 in Articles by Jess

Debating where to take your next vacation? Visit England and experience all the magic it has to offer from age-old history to the serenity of nature, the grandeur of royalty to breathtaking architecture. England has a number of destinations to suit any kind of vacation you're looking for. Take a romantic stroll through the Royal Botanical or Kew Gardens, or catch amazing views of London as you walk along the world famous Tower Bridge. Visit one of the world's most famous archeological sites at Stonehenge and marvel at the mystery behind its purpose. These ten England hotspots are sure to get you out of your seat and on your way to the marvelous and enthralling land of princes and princesses.

Eden Project

The Eden Project is a multi-function site dedicated to eco-friendly events and education. Events that take place at the Eden Project include concerts and exhibitions. The major attraction are the multiple domes that house various biomes. The overall theme and message of the Eden Project regards the relationship between plants and humans. The point is driven home with the wide diversity of plant species in the domes.

Palace of Westminster

The Palace of Westminster is an imposing building dating back to the 11th century. Unfortunately, not much is left of the "Old Palace" and most of what is seen today was reconstructed in the 19th century after a devastating fire. The palace itself has more than 1,000 rooms and is used by British Parliament. However, visitors have many sights to see there, including the famous Big Ben. This is one of the sights in England that you definitely shouldn't miss!

York Minster

York Minster is an Early English and Gothic Cathedral built from the 13th to the 15th century. It is the second largest of its kind in all of Northern Europe. The site is home to numerous stained glass works, the tomb of Walter de Gray and is still an active Church of England cathedral.

Tower Bridge

One of several bridges that span the Thames River in London, the Tower Bridge actually derives its name from another London attraction -- the Tower of London. Built at the turn of the century it is both a drawbridge and a suspension bridge. Visitors can view and photograph the bridge from the banks of the river or enjoy it while crossing. There is also the possibility of seeing the bridge from a boat on the Thames.

Royal Botanical Gardens/Kew Gardens

The Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew were founded in 1759. It is an amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site with a plentiful array of plants. It is also a center of plant research and preservation, so visiting it is both an aesthetic and a learning experience.


Stonehenge is one of the most mysterious and historically significant ruins in the entire world. It is a circle of standing stones that is at least 4,000 years old, but likely a few hundred years older than even that. The structure is massive, leading people to wonder what purpose it could have served. Part of the attraction is that there is no way of knowing for sure why a prehistoric people would go to the trouble of erecting such huge stones in such a way. There is no written record of its construction or its purpose. Visitors to the site get a glimpse into man's prehistory, but can only guess at what it is they are actually seeing. Visit England and see the most mythical location on Earth.

Lake Windermere

Lake Windermere is a popular vacation spot in England for its beauty and serenity. This large lake is the biggest natural lake in England. It is a ribbon lake, reminiscent of Loch Ness, but with perhaps better weather conditions. It is good location for swimming, boating, sunbathing or social events. 

The Tower of London

The Tower of London is spooks, history and architecture combined. Despite its name, it is a castle, not just a tower. The tower that gave it its name was built in 1078. Since that time, the Tower of London has been a royal home and a prison. However, it is most famous for being a prison and the scene of many a gruesome imprisonment and execution. Executions were more often held on the grounds, but the castle is still associated with them. The reason it is so popular in history as a place of imprisonment and execution may be because it was the place to which jailed royals were taken. The mysterious Princes in the Tower reportedly died there and Anne Boleyn was held there before her execution. All three are said to haunt the structure.

St. Paul's Cathedral

The original St. Paul's Cathedral was founded in the 7th century. However, the church that now stands on the site was built in the 17th century after the Great Fire of London. Second in size only to Liverpool Cathedral, this church is the head church of the Diocese of London. It is unusually accommodating for tourists. They have very thorough history presentations and ostensibly use the funds from tourism for maintaining the cathedral.

Chatsworth House

Chatsworth House is classified as a "stately home," but one could call it a mansion or even a castle without being far from the mark. It has been home to the Cavendishes since 1549, though the current structure came after they settled there. The home is palatial and the grounds have much to catch the eye, best of all "The Cascade," which is essentially a staircase with water flowing down it. The numerous gardens, sculptures, fountains and hedges can keep one busy all day. 

Everywhere in England, there is an air of aristocracy. From beautiful country estates to lavish cathedrals in the heart of the city, the sights in England reflect centuries of England's history. As if that were not enough to satisfy any history buffs, the megalithic stone circles and prehistoric burial mounds at Stonehenge reflect millennia. England has long been at or near the center of history and the quality and number of its attractions proves that.

Image (CC) Anirudh Koul 

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