Surfing in Newquay and rambling the Dales, exploring medieval castles and cutting-edge museums, city-hopping and shopping from London to Leeds -England has always been more than country-cottage cute! Get beyond the stereotypes and connect with the real England with this insightful new guide.

Welcome to England, a 1000-year-old nation packed with history, and right in the spotlight on the world stage today. The English people often take their own country for granted, but whether you"re from far-flung regions or just exploring your own backyard, a closer look reveals a feast of delights to make your head spin - from Hadrian"s Wall in the north to Canterbury Cathedral in the south, from high culture in the Tate galleries to high energy at Old Trafford,from the ancient megaliths of Stonehenge to the space-age domes of the Eden Project.

This astounding variety is the key to enjoying travel in England. There really is something for everyone, whether you"re eight or 80, visiting for a week or a month, travelling solo or in a group, with friends, your kids or your grandma.

London - quite rightly - is a major magnet, while England"s other cities have flourished, with stunning new buildings, tempting bars and restaurants, and some of the finest museums in the world. After dark, the cutting-edge clubs, top-class theatre and formidable live music can"t fail to provide a string of nights to remember. And then there"s the great English countryside: wild mountains, rolling hills, pristine beaches, rocky islands, woodland floors decked with bluebells and gorse-clad moors dropping down to the sea.

Along with these gems, England"s top drawcard is its compact geography. In a country that takes just eight hours to travel end to end, you"re never far from the next castle, the next national park or the next relaxed lunch in a friendly village pub. The choice is endless, and we"ve hand picked the best to produce this book. Use it as a guide - to steer you from placeto place - and mix it with making your own discoveries. You won"t be disappointed.

Highlights

Getting Started

Itineraries

The Authors

Snapshot

History

The Culture

Outdoor Activities

Environment

Food & Drink

London

The Home Counties

The Southeast Coast

Wessex

Devon & Cornwall

The Marches

Oxfordshire,

the Cotswolds &

Gloucestershire

The Midlands

Eastern England

Yorkshire

Northwest England

Cumbria & the Lakes

Northeast England

Directory

Health

Transport

World Time Zones

Glossary

Behind the Scenes

Index

Legend