England is a wonderful country to visit, especially for Americans. The landscape is beautiful, the capital, London, is one of the finest cities in the world, no matter what criteria are used, the small towns and villages are fabulous to explore, and notable history is everywhere. Besides all this, language is less of a barrier here than elsewhere in Europe, a real plus for the traveler.
England’s best places include London, of course, one of the world’s most cosmopolitan and hip urban areas. The most recognized symbol of the city is Big Ben, the bell inside St Stephen’s Tower, part of the British Parliament complex.
St Stephen's Tower, London
Another great tourist city is Bath, west of London. Its history dates back to Roman times, with its famous Roman bath as evidence of its importance.
Roman Bath
Between London and Bath is one of the world’s oldest and most impressive sites. Stonehenge is still shrouded in mystery after almost 5,000 years of existence. It appears to be a celestial observatory of some type but no one is really sure what its purpose was or, for that matter, who built it.
Stonehenge
In the northern part of England, on the border with Scotland, is another vestige of Roman times, Hadrian’s Wall. The 75-mile wall marked the northernmost limit of the Roman Empire and protected England from the fierce “barbarians” to the north. The expanse was once dotted with forts where the Roman soldiers lived while on duty here.
Hadrian's Wall
Not far from Hadrian’s Wall is the lovely town of York which features one of the largest cathedrals in Europe, the York Minster.
York Minster
The Lake District, in the northwestern corner of the country, is a favorite vacation spot for native Englanders and tourists as well.
Windermere, Lake District
