England On a Budget
London on the River Thames
Do not confuse England for the United Kingdom or Great Britain. The UK, or Great Britain, is a constituent nation made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
This country of 52 million people has gained an awful reputation for being gray, cold and rainy. In truth, the temperatures never reach either extreme and the rain isn't as frequent as you'd think.
While most everyone in England speaks English, be ready for thick accents. Typically divided by northern, southern and London accents, many can be very difficult to understand and may as well be a language of their very own.
Sights
The whole of England has a wide variety of regions and cities to visit: Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol, York, Nottingham and many more.No doubt, the most iconic sights in England are in London. As the most popular spot in the country for tourists, there are countless museums and historical sites to visit. To name a few there are Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, The Globe Theatre, Beg Ben and Piccadilly Circus.
The Tower of London is also worth a visit. Home to the British Crown Jewels, this building was a prison for hundreds of years and is said to be the most haunted spot in England.
In the south of England stands one of the most important prehistoric sites in the world. Stonehenge is one of the world's greatest unsolved mysteries. Evidence indicates the stones were erected sometime in 2500 BC.
In the north part of England is Hadrian's Wall. Running the 117 kilometers from the Irish Sea to the North Sea, this wall was originally built by the Romans in 122 AD. It was intended to protect their colony Britannia from Scottish tribes, and today there is a national path following the length of the wall for tourists to visit.
Located in the midlands is one of the top attractions in the whole of England – Warwick Castle. Built in 1068 by William the Conqueror, this castle was rebuilt in stone during the 12th century. It is a stunning castle to tour for an afternoon.
Up in the northwest part of the country, in County Cumbria, is the Lake District. This region is the largest National Park in England. With lakes and fells providing the most dramatic scenery, this spot is a favorite amongst hikers and climbers.
The Cotswolds is a gorgeous region in south central England for anyone looking to travel back in time. This range of hills, stone-built villages, historical towns and stately homes will have any visitor feeling like they're strolling along the times of Canterbury and his tales.
Regions
England as a country is divided into three regions that are then divided into smaller counties. There is Southern England covering area south of the River Thames, including London. The Midlands are the regions located just east of Wales, and Northern England lies north of Staffordshire and includes the region of Yorkshire.Activities
England, like most other western countries, is fully equipped to offer any activity that you could be interested in. However, there are some experiences that are uniquely England.In the center of London, on the south bank of the Thames is the London Eye. This giant Ferris wheel is 135-meters tall, and the largest of its kind when it was first built. It is the most popular paid tourist attraction in the country and is definitely worth the view.
One of the greatest draws for culture in England is seeing a show on the West End. Many of the shows featured here will soon be moving to Broadway, so consider the West End a little sneak peek to what's coming across the pond.
And it wouldn't be a trip to England without some football (soccer in the US). There are many leagues, or teams, to follow and the English take it all very seriously. Look into getting tickets to a match, or simply stroll down to the local pub to watch with a pint in your hand. Word to the wise, don't root against the local team.
Food and Dining
As England is one of the most visited countries in the world, there is no shortage of foods to and tastes to try. Some of the popular dishes include biff wellington, steak and kidney pie, Yorkshire pudding, and of course, fish and chips.If you're asked if you'd like a full English breakfast, be warned of what you're getting yourself into. A full English breakfast includes bacon, fried eggs, sausage, toast, black pudding, beans, tomatoes, and possibly even more washed down with a coffee or tea.
Given England's long history with India, you'll also want to be sure to try some of the curry. It's the most authentic you'll find outside of India.
Transportation
The best prices for buses and trains in United Kingdom can be found on Omio (formerly GoEuro). They let you search across all train, bus, and plane routes throughout Europe.The best and easiest way to get around the country is by train. England has the highest densities of railways in the world. Hop a train enjoy watching the countryside pass by your windows.
Within the smaller cities, taxis are everywhere and each town has its own bus service. Renting a car is an option, but beware that traffic may be rough and the English drive on the opposite side of the road.
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