In the words of poet William Blake, England is a green and pleasant land. Gently rolling hills, wildflower-strewn meadows, shaded woodlands and rivers meandering beneath stone-arched bridges are certainly the landscapes straight from the paintings of Constable and Turner. Yet, with its rich royal heritage, centuries-old traditions, the legacies of some of the world’s greatest inventors and architecture that is amongst the finest in Europe, England boasts a diversity to rival all of its European neighbours.
London grew up around the
River Thames and its iconic landmarks, Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, showcase both thousands of years of history and architectural brilliance. England has ancient castles scattered the length and breadth of the country. Some are crumbling ruins, whilst others stand as proud as when they were built as part of a medieval defence system. All have witnessed significant events in world history and each has a fascinating story to tell. Magnificent stately homes preside over rolling parklands. Predominately built between the mid-16th and early 20th century, they were the ultimate status symbol for England’s great families, who hosted kings, queens, prime ministers, actors, painters, poets and all manner of illustrious guests.
In the heart of rural England half-timbered market towns, timeless villages with honey-stone cottages, country gardens and parish churches are as quintessentially English as both afternoon tea and the time-honoured, traditional pubs that are part of England’s long-celebrated heritage.