England Cities and Regions

The country’s capital, London is one of the world’s most dynamic cultural and financial centers. Visit enduring, internationally renowned landmarks such as Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and the Houses of Parliament, and take in the massive city’s cutting-edge theater, art, and music scenes. See our London Travel Guide

Surrounded by limestone hills, Bath is renowned for its ancient, still-functioning spa, fed by three of the naturally occurring hot springs in the UK. For a real taste of Georgian elegance, see the city’s famous Royal Crescent, a fine example of 18th-century architecture.

Nestled in the idyllic Warwickshire countryside, the birthplace of William Shakespeare is steeped in culture and history. Cruise up the river Avon or take in a performance by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

One of England’s rare mountainous regions, containing Scafell Pike, the country’s highest peak, the Lake District falls entirely within the county of Cumbria and contains the 10-mile-long Lake Windermere – the largest lake in England – and its watery siblings, among them Coninston, Grasmere, and Derwent Water.

At more than 6,000 square miles, Yorkshire is as diverse as England itself: whether it’s the rolling hills of West Yorkshire, the moors and dales of North Yorkshire, the dramatic Peak District in the south, or the imposing chalk cliffs of the east coast.

A surfer’s paradise with sparkling blue water and a warm climate, Cornwall county, located on England’s southwest peninsula, comprises delightful fishing harbors like Padstow, Falmouth, and Looe, and artistic hubs such as St. Ives and Fowey. Some of England’s finest 16th-century ruins can be found between Land’s End and Penzance.

The revitalized city of Manchester is a heady mix of traditional and contemporary architecture. The newly refurbished Arndale Centre is a shopper’s delight and Manchester Town Hall is a feat of Victorian engineering. Famed for its music scene, Manchester’s nightlife is legendary, from the dance and club scene instigated by the legendary, now-closed Hacienda to the numerous rock venues and pubs.

Explore miles of deserted golden beaches and stunning countryside in the rugged Northumberland National Park. Soak up some history with more castles than anywhere else in England, and check out the birthplace of English Christianity on Lindisfarne (also called the Holy Island).

Resplendent and sunny on the south coast, between the chalky outcrops of the South Downs and the English Channel, Brighton combines Regency heritage and seaside fun. Worth a visit are the gloriously opulent Indian-style Brighton Pavilion and the famous Victorian Brighton Pier.

Celebrating its 800th birthday in 2007 and reveling in its European Capital of Culture status in 2008, Liverpool is the perfect place to trace action-packed maritime history, chart the Beatles’ meteoric rise, or revel in the art at its many galleries. See our Liverpool Travel Guide

A favorite with walkers and cyclists, the dramatic hills and crags of the Peak District play host to the elegant spa town of Buxton, picturesque towns such as Bakewell and Ashbourne, and the limestone valleys and gritstone rocks of the Derbyshire Dales.