Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is situated on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London. Its main frontage can be found at Cromwell Road.
This museum was established in the year 1881 and is home to a plethora of life and earth sciences specimens – totaling up to 70 million items – which are divided into the following collections: mineralogy, paleontology, zoology, entomology, and botany. Given the age of this museum, a lot of the items exhibited here are of great historical and scientific value.
The Natural History Museum offers free entry for everyone and is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:50 p.m. every day of the year, except December 24 to 26.
The museum is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It runs a number of educational and public engagement programs that aim to promote the value of studying life and earth sciences among the public, especially students.
Among the museum’s most famous exhibits are the 32 meter (105 foot) replica of a Diplodocus carnegii skeleton, an 82 foot (25 meter) skeleton of a blue whale, and Archie, an 8-meter-long (26 feet) giant squid.
The Natural History Museum is definitely a must-see for people who have great interest in life and earth sciences.
Stonehenge
Stonehenge is a mysterious prehistoric monument of rocks formed in a circular pattern.
This historical landmark can be found in the English county of Wiltshire, located about 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) west of Amesbury and 13 kilometers (8 miles) north of Salisbury.
It’s believed that this world-famous historical monument was constructed about 5,000 years ago. However, the stones that still stand up to now are believed to be only 4,000 years old.
There are many theories as to the reasons for constructing this monument, but most historians believe that Stonehenge was erected to serve as a worship place for pagans during the ancient times.
Due to various environmental and mechanical factors that affected it over the years, the surviving site is all that remains of the original Stonehenge.
It’s believed that Stonehenge underwent three construction phases, namely Stonehenge I (3100 BC), Stonehenge II (3000 BC) and, finally, Stonehenge III (2600–1600 BC). However, the mystery of how this enormous monument was actually built remains a cold case in world history.
Records show that this enigmatic monument draws up to 800,000 visitors annually. Thousands come especially to witness the breathtaking sunrise during the summer solstice.
Lake District National Park
If you want to see the rural beauty of England, the Lake District is definitely the place to visit.
The Lake District, more commonly known as Lakeland or The Lakes, is a popular tourist destination found in Northwest England. It is a mountainous region, approximately 55 kilometers (34 miles) across, famous for its numerous lakes and falls.
The Lake District National Park is the central and most visited region, and the largest national park in England. Here you can find England’s highest mountain peak, namely the Scafell Pike, and England’s deepest and largest lakes – Wastwater and Windermere, respectively.
The Lake District is also home to a great biodiversity of animals and plants, even endangered species of fish such as the vendace, the schelly, and the arctic char.
If you want to go on a great nature trip, visit the Lake District National Park.
Bath
The city of Bath is situated 156 kilometers west of London and 21 kilometers (13 miles) southeast of Bristol. It was founded by the Romans in 43 AD. As its name suggests, it was first designed as a spa.
It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.
The city is considered one of the best tourist destinations in England, drawing up to a million staying visitors and 3.8 million day visitors annually. It was granted city status in 1590 through the Royal Charter by Queen Elizabeth I.
Bath is well known for its temple, numerous hot springs, spas, museums, theaters, and other cultural and sports venues. It also has a large service sector in the fields of communication and transportation, which cater especially to the needs of tourists.
The spa and springs are among the most visited places in this city.
Aside from going to these places to be refreshed and rejuvenated, you can also consider watching your favorite concerts and musical performances in the numerous theaters found in the city.
Bath is also home to several museums and art galleries, a treat for tourists who are into the arts.
Warwick Castle
One of the most famous castles in England is the medieval castle in Warwick, a county town of Warwickshire. It was built in 1068 by William the Conqueror.
More than half a million tourists visit this wonderfully constructed castle annually. In 2001, Warwick Castle was included in the Top 10 Historic Houses and Monuments listed by the British Tourist Authority. Other sites mentioned were Stonehenge, the Tower of London, and Edinburgh Castle.
Warwick Castle was used as a protective fortress by its foremost owner. Over time, it has undergone major structural changes due to environmental and mechanical factors.
The castle is well known for its beautiful gardens and landscapes. It also exhibits ancient artillery and armory collections.
Canterbury Cathedral
The Canterbury Cathedral is one of the oldest examples of Christian architecture in England, and it continues to play a major role in English Christianity.
This world-famous church, used as a main setting of Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, can be found in Canterbury, Kent. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The history of the cathedral dates back to 597 AD, when Pope Gregory sent St. Augustine to convert the Anglo-Saxons in England. The mission was successful because St. Augustine was able to baptize King Ethelbert of Kent.
The cathedral is open every Sunday at 12:30–2:30 p.m. and 4:30–5:30 p.m. You’ll need to pay a minimum fee if you’re going to take a tour of the place. The money collected is allocated for the maintenance of the building and for the funding of church services.
The cathedral is enormous, with very intricate designs on its exterior, composed of a mixture of Gothic and Romanesque architectural designs. Its interior, however, is mainly Gothic.
York
The beautiful city of York is one of the most visited cities in England. It has a rich history: it was once a legionary fortress, a provincial capital, and a colony under its old name, Eboracum.
The city is enclosed by 13th-century walls. Its most famous attractions include the second largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe, the York Minster.
Other must-see tourist sites are the Jorvik Viking Centre and the National Railway Museum, which are frequented by local and international tourists all year round.
York’s economy was once driven by the chocolate and railway industries. It’s now home to one of the largest food festivals in the UK, which is held in September and lasts for 10 days.
Tourists will certainly enjoy the medieval atmosphere and rich culture of this place. There’s also a number of museums, cafés, restaurants, boutiques, and souvenir shops that cater to tourists’ needs.
Palace of Westminster
The Palace of Westminster, also known as the House of the Parliament, is where the members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords challenge the works of the government, amend laws, and debate on current issues and government policies. It’s situated in the heart of the city of London, on the River Thames, and is officially considered a royal palace.
It’s the setting of many important historical events; one of the most well known is Guy Fawkes’ failed Gunpowder Plot, which was intended to assassinate King James I.
Both UK residents and tourists are given the opportunity to take a tour inside the palace and watch debates and committees on Saturdays and Sundays, and during summer openings.
However, the 96-meter-high Big Ben is accessible only to UK residents, and special permissions are still needed. Foreign visitors are not allowed to climb the 396 steps to the top of this famous clock tower.
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and a metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, located 283 kilometers (176 miles) northwest of London. It is described as the “most splendid setting of any English city.” In fact, it was declared the European Capital of Culture in 2008.
But it’s best known for being the home of the world-famous music group, The Beatles.
The urbanization of this city was brought about by its active and world-renowned ports. Its expansion can be attributed to its being a major trading center for mainland European countries and the West Indies, and its links with the Atlantic slave trade during the 18th century.
People living in Liverpool are referred to as Liverpudlians, but are also colloquially called Scousers.
Some of the city’s notable attractions are the Merseyside Maritime Museum, which showcases Liverpool’s role as an international port; the World Museum Liverpool, which displays numerous historical artifacts across the globe, complete with state-of-the-art interactive technology; and, of course, The Beatles Story, a famous exhibit found at Albert Dock that tells the amazing journey to worldwide fame of the band.
Since it’s a major city in England, Liverpool has links with the major roads, rail networks, and airports for local and international travel. You’ll enjoy exploring the wonders of this city because of its temperate maritime climate.
Cambridge
Cambridge is a university town located 80 kilometers (50 miles) away from London. It’s world famous for being the home of one of the most outstanding universities in the world – Cambridge University.
Needless to say, the population of Cambridge is mostly composed of students; and the main features of this city are the numerous semi-independent colleges in it, including King’s College, Queen’s College, Trinity College, St. John’s College, Clare College, and Pembroke College.
Most of the beautiful places in Cambridge can be reached by just walking or cycling. Although there are regular buses to cater to your traveling needs, Cambridge is actually a very pedestrian-friendly city, perfect for health-conscious and budget-limited tourists.
Foreign visitors are allowed to freely stroll along the Backs, a stretch of land behind the colleges. This will give you the opportunity to savor the beauty and serenity of the city.
If you happen to visit during summer, you may be able to witness the Cambridge Summer Music Festival. This is a great opportunity to see the magnificent beauty of the various university chapels and the talents of world-renowned student choirs.
Hello fellow travelers! My name is Mary and I am the main author of Traveling East. Just like any other travel enthusiasts, traveling has also been our passion! For inquiries, suggestions or anything travel related, please feel free to send us an E-mail at support@travelingeast.com.