Rockwood House, North Yorkshire, Skipton, England, United Kingdom - Interactive Hotel Directory - Hotel & Location Chat - Local Businesses - Pictures

England's eventful history and scenic diversity render it one of the world's most popular visitor destinations. United as a single nation over 1,000 years ago, its origins go back to the dawn of civilisation, and the variety of interest it offers reflects this.

From prehistoric Stonehenge to 21st-century attractions like the London Eye, its inhabitants have contributed much to the appeal of the UK's largest constituent country. This is not restricted to a material legacy either - England's cultural mix is rich, thanks to the many invaders, settlers and immigrants who have arrived on its shores through the millennia. Countless others around the globe share aspects of customs, language and history with the English themselves.

England's heritage, and therefore its appeal as a destination, is many-faceted and deeply rooted, ranging from the literary genius of Shakespeare to 'everyday' pageantry in the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.

The variety and contrast in the nation's countryside is enormous too, and is often a source of surprise to visitors venturing beyond the cities for the first time - as is the vast range of visitor attractions, resorts and sights to see and enjoy. England is a country of patchwork landscapes: from the rugged coastlines and golden beaches of Devon and Cornwall, to the craggy mountains of the Peak District, ancient forests riddled with folklore, to the picturesque Lake District, and from great cities to centuries-old villages.

England is welcoming, friendly, fascinating and fun, where pomp and circumstance balance the often bizarre idiosyncrasies of its people, and a sense of humour is the passport to certain acceptance.

Contact Information

VisitBritain
Thames Tower, Blacks Road, London W6 9EL, UK
Tel: (020) 8846 9000.
Website: www.visitbritain.com (international visitors) or www.enjoyengland.com (UK visitors)

VisitBritain in the USA
551 Fifth Avenue, Suite 701, New York, NY 10176, USA
Tel: 1 800 462 2748 (general information line) or (212) 986 2266 (executive offices).
Website: www.visitbritain.com/usa

Keys Facts

Location
Great Britain.

Area
130,281 sq km (50,356 sq miles).

Population
50.4 million (official estimate 2005).

Population Density
386.9 per sq km.

Capital
London. Population: 7.5 million (official estimate 2005).

Geography
Much of the countryside is relatively flat, consisting of fertile plains and gentle hills. Mountains, moors and steeper hills are found mainly in the north and the west; the Lake District (Cumbria) and the northwest are divided from the Yorkshire Dales, and the northeast, by the (relatively) high-rising Pennines, 'the backbone of England'. The eastern part of the country, particularly East Anglia, is the lowest lying. The coastline is varied, and ranges from long stretches of sandy beaches to steep cliffs and isolated rocky coves.

Language
English. There are many local dialects throughout the country, influenced by class, and town and country accents. In the larger cities, particularly London, there are many communities who do not speak English as a first language, or who have a patois. For information on government, religion, electricity, social conventions, passport and visa, money, duty-free, health and business, see the main United Kingdom section.

Accommodation

Hotels
It is rare to find a town in England, however small, which does not have at least one hotel; in villages, very often doubling as the local pub. Some London hotels, for example the Savoy, are famous the world over, but there are many newer first-class hotels. In addition, there are many smaller hotels throughout the larger cities; in London, Earl's Court and the area around King's Cross are famous for their many streets of small hotels bearing such names as the Albany, Apollo or Victoria.

Grading: VisitBritain, the AA and RAC (as well as VisitWales and VisitScotland) have agreed common standards for quality assessment. Hotels and guesthouses are classified by use of a 1- to 5-star rating system.

Bed and Breakfast
There are guest houses and bed & breakfast facilities throughout the country. Under the new quality standards, guest houses, inns and farmhouses providing bed & breakfast services are classified by a star-rating system. (The old diamond-rating system may still be in place in some areas while the new standards are being phased in.)

Self Catering
Cottages, flats and bungalows can be rented in many areas. Standards vary.

Camping/Caravanning
There are camping and caravan sites throughout England, for short and long stays. Some sites hire out tents or caravans. Most sites offer basic facilities, while some have playgrounds, clubs, shops, phones and sporting areas.

Holiday Camps/Centres
Offer accommodation, food and a full range of leisure activities generally at an all-inclusive price. Well-known names include Center Parcs (website: www.centerparcs.co.uk) and Butlins (website: www.butlinsonline.co.uk).

Youth Hostels
Standards vary greatly, from very basic night-time accommodation for hikers and cyclists, to modern hostels often used by families and groups. Prices are very reasonable.

Accommodation Information
VisitBritain has a comprehensive accommodation search facility online (website: www.visitbritain.com).

Youth Hostel Association of England and Wales
Trevelyan House, Dimple Road, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 3YH, UK
Tel: (01629) 592 700.
Website: www.yha.org.uk

Communication

Media
All the major UK national newspapers are published in England, primarily out of London. The major broadcasting companies are also based here.

Press
There is a plethora of regional and local papers, some published on a daily basis.
Major players in this sector include the Evening Standard (London), the Yorkshire Post (Leeds), the Evening News (Manchester) and the Birmingham Post.
There are additionally a number of non-English dailies, primarily available in the major cities.

TV
Both the BBC and ITV (the commercial network) broadcast regional variations.
Some local general interest programming is also shown.

Radio
As well as its national channels, the BBC has an extensive network of local radio stations, normally broadcasting to a specific county.
There are also many regional commercial stations, normally offering musical output and local news coverage.

Entertainment

Food and Drink
Good English cooking is superb and there are some restaurants specialising in old English dishes. In general, the north of the country tends to offer more substantial and traditional food, at more reasonable prices than the south. Every region, however, has its own speciality. For those who want variety, London and the larger cities offer every type of ethnic food imaginable, Chinese and Indian being particularly popular and good value for money.

Things to know: Table service in restaurants is usual but there are self-service snack bars. The English pub is nothing short of a national institution and even the smallest village in the remotest corner of the country usually has at least one. Bars are common in cities and towns, often having a 'happy hour' (when prices are reduced) in the early evening. Pubs are typically open Mon-Sat 1100-2300, though many now stay open later, and Sun 1200-2230.

Regional specialities:

Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding.
Spotted dick (suet pudding with currants and raisins).
English cream tea, particularly in south coast seaside resorts, consisting of scones, jam, butter, clotted or double cream and, of course, tea.
Regional varieties of baking such as Bakewell tart, a pastry base covered with jam, almond filling and topped with icing; and breads of all description.
Famous English cheeses such as Cheddar, Wensleydale, Lancashire and Stilton.

Regional drinks:

Beer - bitter and lager are the most popular, but stout, pale ale and brown ale are also widely drunk.
Cider.
Tea.
Gin.
Pimm's, a refreshing gin-based drink, usually mixed with lemonade, fruit and mint, and especially popular in summer.

Legal drinking age: 18.

Tipping: A service charge (usually 10-12.5%) might be included in the prices stated on the menu but it is more likely to be added to the bill at the end. This is technically an optional charge. Where 'service is not included', a tip of at least 10% is expected. Diners should check the bill thoroughly, as tipping is not required on top of a service charge. Tipping is not expected, but is welcomed, in bars and pubs if ordering at the bar.

Nightlife
The main cities, London in particular, have a vast range to choose from: theatre (including open-air in the summer), opera, ballet, concerts, cinema, restaurants, nightclubs and, of course, pubs.

The website and weekly magazine Time Out (website: www.timeout.com/london) publishes a comprehensive guide to events in the capital.

Shopping
In the major cities, you can buy fashion from the likes of national designers Burberry or Stella McCartney. Wedgwood, Crown Derby, Royal Doulton and Royal Worcester all produce renowned china and porcelain. Luxury food and chocolates can be bought from independent shops such as the famous Harrods and Fortnum & Mason in London. Antiques are to be found in shops or markets all over the country.

In London, Charing Cross Road is famous for bookshops, and there are several street markets: the famous Portobello Road in Notting Hill; Petticoat Lane for clothes; Columbia Road flower market, and Bermondsey for antiques, to name a few.

Tax-free shopping: Many shops throughout the country now operate a tax-free shopping scheme for overseas visitors. The store provides a form that should be completed at the time of purchase. Upon arrival at Customs, present the goods and the forms (within three months) to be entitled to a refund of Value Added Tax (VAT). For further information, contact VisitBritain.

Shopping hours: In major cities, Mon-Sat 0900/0930-1730; in London and other large shopping centres, shops may stay open to 2000. Most cities have at least one night a week of late night shopping until 2000, usually on Thursday. Many shops open Sun 1000/1100-1600/1700. Some towns and areas of cities may have early closing one day a week, usually Wednesday or Thursday.

Getting There

Approximate Flight Times
From New York to London, Birmingham or Manchester is 7 hours.

Main Airports
Heathrow (LHR) (website: www.heathrowairport.com) is 24km (15 miles) west of central London. To/from the airport: The London Underground stops at Heathrow (tel: (020) 7222 1234; website: www.tfl.gov.uk) (journey time to city centre - 45 minutes). Heathrow Express (tel: 0845 600 1515, in the UK; website: www.heathrowexpress.com) runs from London Paddington station (journey time – 15 minutes). A shuttle service to London hotels is also available from dot2dot (website: www.dot2.com). Taxis are available outside each terminal.

Gatwick (LGW) (website: www.gatwickairport.com) is 45km (28 miles) south of central London. To/from the airport: Gatwick Express (tel: 0845 850 1530, in the UK, or (0121) 410 5015; website: www.gatwickexpress.co.uk) connects the airport with London Victoria station (journey time – 30 minutes). There is also a shuttle service to London hotels with dot2dot (website: www.dot2.com). Taxis are available outside the terminal.

London City Airport (LCY) (website: www.londoncityairport.com) is 10km (6 miles) east of the City of London. To/from the airport: Docklands Light Railway services run to the airport. The nearest Underground station is Canning Town. Local buses stop at the terminal. There is a taxi rank outside the terminal.

Stansted (STN) (website: www.stanstedairport.com) is 48km (30 miles) northeast of central London. To/from the airport: The Stansted Express (tel: 0845 600 7245; website: www.stanstedexpress.co.uk) runs from London Liverpool Street (journey time – 45 minutes). Local buses run to surrounding towns. Taxis are available (journey time - 1 hour 30 minutes to central London).

Luton (LTN) (website: www.london-luton.co.uk) is 51km (32 miles) northeast of London. To/from the airport: Trains and coaches run to London and other cities. Greenline bus 757 (website: www.greenline.co.uk) runs to Luton and on to central London. easyBus (website: www.easybus.co.uk) runs an express minibus to central London. Local buses run from the airport to Luton bus and rail stations. Taxis can be hired outside the terminal building.

Birmingham (BHX) (website: www.bhx.co.uk) is 13km (8 miles) southeast of the city centre. To/from the airport: It is connected to the rail network and has a service to London Euston (journey time – 1 hour 20 minutes). Local bus services operate. Taxis are available outside the terminals (journey time – 25 minutes).

Manchester (MAN) (website: www.manchesterairport.co.uk) is 17km (10 miles) southwest of the city centre. To/from the airport: Manchester Airport train station links to Manchester city centre (journey time – 20 minutes). Trains also connect to all parts of the country. A local bus runs frequently to the city centre; contact Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (tel: 0871 200 2233; website: www.gmpte.com). There are taxis available (journey time to city centre – 25 minutes).

Newcastle (NCL) (website: www.newcastleairport.com) is 10km (6 miles) northwest of the city centre. To/from the airport: The Tyne and Wear Metro (website: www.tyneandwearmetro.co.uk) connects the Newcastle area with the airport. The nearest railway station is Newcastle Central, 11km (7 miles) from the airport, linked by the Metro. Local bus services run. Taxis are available (journey time to city centre – 15 to 20 minutes).

The national rail network (tel: 0845 748 4950; website: www.nationalrail.co.uk) and National Express coach (tel: 0870 580 8080; website: www.nationalexpress.com) services connect all of the above airports with the rest of the country.

Facilities: The airports listed above are all of a high international standard and include car hire, banks/bureaux de change, duty-free shops, restaurants and bars.

Departure Tax
None.

Getting There by Water
There are many ports offering ferry connections between England and mainland Europe, Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Wight and the Isle of Man. See Getting There in the main United Kingdom section for more details.

Getting There by Rail
There are connections to London and Ashford (Kent) from major cities all over Europe through the Channel Tunnel with Eurostar (website: www.eurostar.com).

England's rail network (tel: 0845 748 4950; website: www.nationalrail.co.uk) serves all main cities in the UK mainland. All routes radiate from London. Rail services are operated by numerous private companies.

There are services to the Republic of Ireland via Fishguard and Holyhead, and to Northern Ireland. Getting There by Road Coach services from all over Europe connect to England through the Eurotunnel (website: www.eurotunnel.com).

Many coach companies offer express and stopping services throughout England and the rest of the UK. The main operator, National Express (tel: 0871 781 8181; website: www.nationalexpress.com), provides nationwide coach information.

Sightseeing

See the sights of London (website: www.visitlondon.com) such as the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and St Paul's Cathedral.
Look out over the capital from the London Eye (website: www.londoneye.com), located on the south bank of the Thames opposite Westminster.
See how Henry VIII lived at Hampton Court Palace (website: www.hrp.org.uk), by the bank of the Thames to the west of London.
Admire the architecture in England's historic and reputed university cities of Oxford (website: www.oxford.gov.uk) and Cambridge (website: www.visitcambridge.org).
Puzzle over the 5,000-year-old stone circle at Stonehenge - one of the world's great ancient monuments (website: www.stonehenge.co.uk).
Wonder at the Roman baths in the delightful city of Bath (website: www.visitbath.co.uk).
Marvel at the medieval architecture of York (website: www.york-tourism.co.uk), with its magnificent minster (the largest church in northern Europe), almost complete city walls and Viking past.
Appreciate the fine medieval cathedrals of Norwich (website: www.cathedral.org.uk), Lincoln (website: www.lincolncathedral.com) and Durham (website: www.durhamcathedral.co.uk).
See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Things To Do

Visit London's huge range of museums, houses, churches and galleries, or spend away in its vast choice of shops and markets (website: www.visitlondon.com).
Catch a match of football - a major sport in England and extremely popular (website: www.premierleague.com).
Surf at Newquay in Cornwall (website: www.newquay.com).
Attend a performance at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon (website: www.stratford-upon-avon.co.uk), once home to William Shakespeare. His birthplace and relatives' houses can be visited, as well as the Holy Trinity Church where he and his family are buried.
Spend a day in Windsor (website: www.windsor.gov.uk), and explore the famous castle that is one of the Queen's official residences.
Escape to Cumbria (website: www.cumbria-the-lake-district.co.uk), where the Lake District National Park is dominated by England's highest mountains.
Walk along 1,800-year-old Hadrian's Wall (website: www.hadrians-wall.org), which spans England from west of the border city of Carlisle (website: www.historic-carlisle.org.uk) to Newcastle (website: www.visitnewcastlegateshead.com), marking the northern boundary of the Roman Empire.
Hike the Pennine Way (website: www.thepennineway.co.uk), which stretches 430km (270 miles) through hills and dales from the north Midlands to the Scottish border.
See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Transport

Getting Around by Road
England is served by a good network of motorways and trunk roads that connect all the main cities and towns.

The main motorways are:

M1: London, Luton, Leicester, Sheffield, Leeds.
M2/A2: London to Dover.
M3: London to Winchester.
M4: London, Reading, Bristol, Newport, Cardiff, Swansea.
M5: Birmingham, Gloucester, Bristol, Exeter.
M6: Coventry, Birmingham, Stoke, Warrington (connecting with the M62 for Liverpool and Manchester), Preston (connecting with the M55 for Blackpool), Morecambe, Carlisle.
M11: London to Cambridge.
M20/A20: London to Folkestone.
M25: London orbital.
M40: London to Birmingham.
M62: Liverpool, Warrington, Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, Hull.

The main trunk roads are:

A1/A1(M) (motorway in parts): London, Peterborough, Doncaster, Darlington, Newcastle, Edinburgh.
A3: London, Guildford, Portsmouth.
A5: London, St Albans, Nuneaton, Birmingham area, Shrewsbury, across inland north Wales to Holyhead.
A6: London, Bedford, Leicester, Manchester.
A11: London to Norwich.
A12: London, Ipswich, Great Yarmouth.
A23: London to Brighton.
A30: London, Basingstoke, Yeovil, Exeter, Penzance.
A40: London, Oxford (M40), Gloucester, Cheltenham, across inland south Wales to Fishguard.

UrbanGetting Around Towns and Cities
All towns and cities have bus services. In addition, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and the cities in South Yorkshire and Newcastle have suburban rail services. Newcastle also has a metro. All cities have taxi services.

London has a comprehensive metro/subway - the Underground (colloquially, the 'tube') and the Docklands Light Railway (DLR). There is also an extensive network of overground rail services. There is an excellent network of buses. Leisure and commuter boat services on the River Thames are run by a variety of private companies. There are tram routes in south London. Taxis can be hailed in the street or ordered by phone. For further information on public transport in London, contact Transport for London (Tfl) (website: www.tfl.gov.uk).

Weather

The climate is temperate with warm wet summers and cool wet winters. Weather varies from day to day and throughout the country as a whole. The west coast and mountainous areas receive the most rain; the east coast, particularly in the north, is colder and windier. The southeast is sunnier than the north with less rain and a climate approaching the continental. The southwest has the mildest climate overall.