ENGLAND

Shakespeare may have succumbed to an overdose of patriotism when he referred to England as “This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle, this other Eden, semi-paradise”. And 21st century England may appear from a distance just like any other country, with its own political scandals and economic crises. But visit this tiny isle just once, and you’ll fall prey to its many charms- its history and culture, its natural beauty, its glitter and glamour. Dream destination? Definitely.

With centuries of turbulent history behind it, England is replete with monuments and traditions with roots as far apart as Celtic and Saxon, Roman and Asian. From the ancient megaliths of Stonehenge to the stately medieval castles and manors dotting the countryside; from the gaudy opulence of Brighton’s Royal Pavilion to the futuristic Millennium Dome- it’s all part of England’s history.

Drive through the English countryside- down the windswept Yorkshire dales to the chalk cliffs of Dover; the verdant Cotswolds to the lovely Lake District. Stop on the way for a pint of bitter at a pub; get a quick education while punting down the Cam in Cambridge or exploring Shakespeare territory, Stratford-upon-Avon. Go Beatles-berserk in Liverpool; meander through museums, feast and frolic in the most sizzling cities this side of the Atlantic.

Capital:  London

Best time to visit:

  1. If its weather that decides travel for you, don’t trust this tricky place. No matter what the season is, expect the unexpected. Most days in summer are warm, but evenings can be cool. Winter means about 7-8 hours of daylight in total, and plenty of snow.
  2. The worst months for sun-loving visitors are November to February with long cold, dark nights.
  3. Tourist season is between April to September when the weather is most hospitable. July and August would most certainly fall into the “when not to go” category if you cannot stand big crowds and noisy streets.
  4. Sports fans generally flock the country between May and July, when the FA Soccer and the Wimbledon tennis Championships happen.
  5. For those of us who prefer action at a slower pace, the Trooping of the Color pageantry on the Queen’s birthday in London in mid-June; or the frenzied Caribbean carnival in Notting Hill in late August are worth your time.

Minimum days required: 10 days

Places of Interest:

  1. Manchester – Old Trafford, Museum of Science and Industry, Palace Theater, National Football Museum, Manchester Town Hall, Manchester Cathedral
  2. London – British Museum, National Gallery, London Eye, Science Museum, Madam Tussauds, Victoria and Albert Museum, Tower of London
  3. Chelsea – Carlyle’s House, National Army Museum, Saatchi Gallery, Chelsea old Church, Chelsea Old Town Hall, Duke of York Square
  4. Liverpool – The Cavern Club, Alfred Dock, Anfield, Liverpool Empire Theater, Liverpool Cathedral, Walker Art Gallery, Museum Of Liverpool
  5. New Castle – Fort Delaware, Pea Patch Island, Victoria Tunnel, Grey Street, Longsands Beach

Climate:

  1. Before you begin to believe those unkind rumors about the “dreary” and “grey” English skies, let me give you a little more realistic report of the weather as it is.
  2. Britain’s winters are not as bitter as they are sometimes made out to be. Certainly harsh in the north of England but milder in the other areas specially the southern coastal regions.
  3. However, it is true that the weather can be unpredictable. A bright, sunny spell during autumn will suddenly be broken by an ill-behaved shower. Always carry a spare umbrella or raincoat.
  4. Average temperatures in London are something between 8 and 20 º C during peak summer months of May-September, and low as 3-14 ºC during winter months of November – March.
  5. Although England has a mainly moderate climate owing to marine influences, the past few summers have reportedly been a little scorching – so take along that sun-screen.

Currency: Pounds

Things to carry:

  1. Layer for varying weather conditions: t-shirts, jeans, long sleeve shirts and sweaters.
  2. Carry an umbrella/raincoat
  3. Comfortable footwear.

How to get there:

Air

  1. London is served by two major airports, Heathrow and Gatwick and all international carriers fly into these airports. Flights from Europe also serve Stansted, not very far from London. Besides this there are regular international flights to Liverpool and Manchester.